The University of Sheffield
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Dr Sandrine Soubes


blank space Dr Soubes manages the Researcher Development Programme in the Faculty of Science. She is also the postgraduate training coordinator in MBB. She can be contacted on extension 24220 (0114 222 4220) or email s.soubes@sheffield.ac.uk.

Dr Soubes was awarded a BSc and MSc in Biology from University Blaise Pascal (France). She worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda (USA) where her research at the US National Cancer Institute focused on the bacterial cell cycle (with Dr Nancy Trun). She gained her PhD in Molecular Parasitology, at the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, researching into the invasion of red blood cells by the malarial agent Plasmodium falciparum (with Prof. Louis Miller).
Sandrine carried out postdoctoral research in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Sheffield into early patterning in the central nervous system and the role of signalling molecules including Sonic hedghog and BMPs (with Prof. Marysia Placzek).

In 2004, Sandrine turned her professional interests towards skills training for researchers, becoming Course Coordinator at the Centre for Stem Cell Biology, and in 2006 Postgraduate Training Coordinator in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (The University of Sheffield). She currently leads on course development, skills and employability training as well professional development for researchers. Recently her remit has extended to support professional development of postdoctoral and early career researchers throughout the Faculty of Science.

Public engagement and outreach

Sandrine has extensive experience of presenting science to a wide range of audiences outside of academia. She has organised and/or delivered presentations, workshops and debates to audiences of primary and secondary schools, women’s groups, patient conferences, faith groups, and the general public. She has organised and run major events for Science Week, Sheffield Children’s Festival, Darwin200 celebrations, and many more. Sandrine established the Sheffield Café Scientifique in 2004. She thrives on encouraging and training other researchers to get involved in science communication.

Sandrine demonstrating microbiology in a school

Recent projects

Sunshine Science, a festival of science and art (June 2010) for primary school pupils. This two-day event on behalf of the Faculty of Science brought Y6 pupils from 8 schools from Sheffield and Rotherham into the University to take part in science and creative workshops. Researchers from the Faculty of Science delivered hands-on science workshops. The themes of the science workshops were then explored by pupils working with artists and creative professionals including a crime writer, dancers, circus performers, and puppetiers.

Inspired by Science- a public exhibition of animation, short drama films and art produced by local school children at the Workstation, Sheffield (June-July 2010).
Sandrine commissioned an animation illustrating the artwork, poetry and drama produced by young people in Hunter’s Bar Junior School, and inspired by science workshops delivered under her supervision by PhD students as part of their research training.

Knowledge transfer

Sandrine is particularly interested in using art and creative media to engage the public in scientific discussion and discovery. She has collaborated with several artists to develop creative formats for the delivery of science outreach activities and public engagement.

Research supervision

Co-supervision of a PhD student (White Rose science education network) with Prof. Robin Millar (York University) investigating the impact on teachers’ thinking and on classroom practices of the introduction of How Science Works into the Science Curricula 11-18.

Current scholarly interests include