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Jessica McCoy

    • About Me:

      By day I am a palaeontologist by day, and a fictional writer by night. I enjoy travelling, and reading.

       

       

       

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      I’m from a working-class background and grew up in Newcastle. I always took an interest in science, but never knew how to use that spark. Outside of work I am a hobbyist fictional writer, and focus on the fantasy genre. I like all sorts of music, including dark-synth, old school punk and metal. I live with my partner and will often travel for gigs and concerts on days I have free.

    • My pronouns are:

      They/them

    • My Work:

      I look at tiny fossils from millions of years ago. These fossils could be algae, pollen, or fungi, which I can observe through a microscope, and they tell me what past environments were like.

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      I am a palaeontologist. This means that I look at fossils, and make conclusions based on what information they can tell me about past environments. My work involves lots of background reading, and writing up reports. My fieldwork is focused on the British Isles, and I conduct some experiments in the great outdoors, as well as take lots of samples. In the lab, I process them samples using a variety of chemicals. Using a microscope, I look at these tiny fossils. I study pollen grains, algae, and fungi – just to name a few! Results are written up and published in reports. In reports, I make lots of pretty figures and diagrams to explain my findings. I work with scientists all over the globe. Every so often, I will travel to a conference and present my findings either in the form of a presentation or on a poster.

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to Emmanuel College in Gateshead up until I got my GCSE results, then I transferred to Newcastle Sixth Form College to do my A-Levels. I did my undergraduate and master’s degree at Northumbria University, and am currently undertaking a PhD at both Newcastle and Northumbria University.

    • Qualifications:

      At 16, my GCSEs were mostly As and A*s (before the numbers-system started). At A-Level, I did Biology, English Language and Mathematics and got BBC, respectively. I did Physics for an AS Level, and got a C, and also did an Extended Project Qualification, and got an A* in that report. At university I got a first-class honours degree in Physical Geography, then got a distinction with honours in my master’s degree. In my PhD, I have passed my project approval stage.

    • Work History:

      I started off with a volunteer job at a charity shop during my A-Levels. After that, I worked in a fast-food restaurant for several years. During my master’s degree, I continued working in fast-food, and had another job at an escape room. Now, I work only on my PhD.

    • Employer:

      Northumbria and Newcastle University, ONEPlanet DTP, funded by NERC

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        fossil-loving punk

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        A few things - either a Royal Navy Officer or a writer

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        I can't choose a favourite - although I am impartial to old school metal

        What's your favourite food?

        I'm obsessed with cauliflowers at the moment

        Tell us a joke.

        When vegetarians fight, is it still called beef?

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