Profile
Christina Higgins
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About Me:
I’m an Irish/British/Canadian engineer who loves buildings, cats, and swimming in the sea! I live in London with my partner and our cat Ricky Martin.
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We love going to gigs (and there are luckily a lot in London!) – I used to be a goth so I’m a big fan of metal. I also like going to art exhibitions as I loved art at school, and I still do some drawing, painting, and embroidery in my spare time.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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How I use Science in my work:
I used lots of different bits of science in my work, but mainly the science of sound waves and the physics of fluids!
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My Work:
My work relates to designing buildings. I do research and work on real building projects, helping create healthy indoor spaces.
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I help to create healthy indoor environments by measuring and predicting the noise and air pollution inside and outside buildings, and then designing solutions.
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My Typical Day:
I get up when my cat wakes me up for breakfast! I’m finishing my PhD this year, so I do a lot of writing, mostly working from home. I also analyse data, write some code, use different software, and have meetings with my supervisors. I usually take a long break in the afternoon to go to the gym or for a long walk, then I might do some reading in the evening.
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Sometimes I go into uni, where I sit in an office with the other PhD students, which is fun because we can all have a moan about how much work we have to do 🙂 There is a lovely lake on campus so I might eat my lunch there with the ducks and geese. I’m also applying for jobs at the moment as I will run out of PhD funding soon, so I might have an interview or finish an application.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’ve been really keen to set up a YouTube channel to explain engineering concepts in an accessible and fun way, but I don’t have the right camera equipment or editing software for this, so I would put this money towards that!
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Education:
I went to lots of primary schools, then I went to a local state (Catholic) secondary school in Ireland, where I did my Leaving Certificate, which is like UK A Levels. I started my Bachelors degree in Music in Maynooth University in Ireland, failed my final year because I didn’t study enough, moved to London, went back into second year of my Bachelors and graduated with a BSc in Music from City University. Then I did a Masters degree in acoustic engineering at London South Bank University. I also did a PgCert in strength and conditioning at St Mary’s University Twickenham. Then I started my PhD in engineering at the University of Surrey, where I still am.
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Qualifications:
415 points out of 600 in the Irish Leaving Certificate. I did Irish, English, Maths (all required in Ireland), French, Biology, Art, and Music.
BSc Music, 2.1
MSc Acoustics, 2.1
PgCert Strength and Conditiong, 1st
PhD Engineering (pending)
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Work History:
2024 – present   Science of Healthy Buildings – Founder/Consultant (London)
2023 – 2024       Hawkins & Associates – Senior Acoustic Consultant (London)
2021 – 2022       Accenture – Delivery Lead, Technology & Financial Services (London)
2020 – 2021       Northern Trust Corporation – Analyst, Alternative Assets (remote)
2020 – 2020       Apex Acoustics – Senior Acoustic Consultant, Team Lead (London)
2018 – 2018       Ramboll – Senior Acoustic Engineer (London)
2016 – 2017       Optimise Europe Ltd – Senior Acoustic Engineer (London)
2013 – 2016       Ramboll – Graduate Acoustic Engineer, Acoustic Engineer (London)
2012 – 2013       Adnitt Acoustics – Assistant Acoustic Consultant (Epsom)
2012 – 2012       Air Post Production – Audio Assistant
2012 – 2012       Olympic Broadcast Service – Audio Assistant, London 2012
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Current Job:
Full time PhD student
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Employer:
Unviersity of Surrey
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I actually wanted to be a film composer and I did a Bachelors in Music!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, quite often actually
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Lots of things! I was a personal trainer and sports coach for a while. I would also like to run an animal sanctuary or be a full time artist.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Nine Inch Nails!
What's your favourite food?
Anything Chinese, especially dimsum
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Win some money (life is expensive these days), save all animals from cruelty, and have infinite energy!
Tell us a joke.
What do you get when you drop a piano into a mine? A Flat Minor.
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