Anna Cregeen

I am a driven and enthusiastic graduate of Durham University, with a First-Class Honours degree in biological sciences with a placement year looking for a research assistant position in cancer research to develop my laboratory skills before I apply for PhDs. I have a strong academic record, and am confident in data analysis and problem solving, with experience performing cDNA and ATACseq library preparations from my placement year at CRUK Cambridge Institute and using Oxford Nanopore Technologies to identify antibiotic resistant bacteria in my final year research project.

Placement Year at Hannon Lab - Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute - Cambridge, UK

(2024-01 - 2025-12)

Completed 14 months with the SPACE group of the Hannon Lab to develop BALI (Barcoding by Activated Linkage of Indexes), a novel light-driven, flexible spatial multiomics tool.

• Optimised protocols and custom-built LightScribe instrument to improve efficiency and accuracy when building spatial barcodes, the results from which were recently published in PNAS
• Prepared cDNA and ATACseq libraries for sequencing using Illumina to analyse protocol efficiency, gaining familiarity with chromatin accessibility profiling and transcriptomics
• Presented and discussed findings and challenges with lab members during lab meetings
• Used ImageJ to analyse gel electrophoresis mean grey scale and fluorescent microscopy images and RStudio and Excel to visually analyse data

Final Year University Research Project - Durham University - Durham, UK

(2025-10 - 2025-11)

Used Oxford Nanopore Technologies to sequence the rRNA operon of 51 multidrug resistant bacteria to identify resistant Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas species, leading to the discovery of a new species of Pseudomonas.

• Maintained a clear, sterile environment and kept an organised digital laboratory notebook to keep track of over 100 plates of cultured samples
• Analysed distribution of identified species using RStudio, and phylogenetic relationships using IQTree and iTOL
• Presented methodology and findings in a 15-minute presentation awarded a first-class grade

Final Year University Literature Review - Durham University - Durham, UK

(2025-10 - 2026-03)

Performed a systematic search of the current literature to selectively identify relevant papers within a defined set of criteria.

• Critically reviewed selected papers to write a 5,000-word review on the anti-tumour effects of bacterial-derived extracellular vesicles on breast cancer; awarded a high first-class grade
• Combined results from selected papers to create figures on BioRender summarising the cytotoxic and immunogenic properties of bacterial-derived extracellular vesicles

Conrad Spirit of Innovation - Finalist - King William's College - Isle of Man

(2020-01 - 2021-12)

Worked as part of a small team to design a household plastic disposal unit containing PET enzymes to tackle ocean plastic pollution.

• Produced written summaries and video presentations on how our product worked, our business plan and marketing strategies
• Created and managed our team Instagram account, which was awarded the Social Media Prize
• Final summit normally held at NASA Space Centre in Houston, but held online due to Covid19

FISE Global Space School - FISE Global - Online

(2021-01 - 2021-12)

Selected via a competitive process for a two-week international space school program, normally held at NASA Space Centre in Houston, but held online due to Covid19.

• Collaborated with an international team to plan a theoretical mission to the asteroid Ceres
• Researched, designed and delivered an oral presentation on the habitation environment and food supply plan for the mission
• Attended online lectures from astronauts and specialists on numerous topics to consider when planning space missions, such as astronaut health, space law and energy production

Bsc in Biological Sciences with Placement Year - Biological Sciences - Durham University (2022-01 - 2026-12)

International Baccalaureate - General - King William's College (2015-01 - 2022-12)