User:Timlongson

Timothy David Longson, "Tim",(Born 21 February at Manchester Royal). Lived in New Mills, went to Thornsett Primary school aged 5 - 11, then New Mills Comprehensive where he did his GCSE's and then later the 6th Form College on on the same site.

Aged 18 he went to Sheffield University studying Pure and Applied Biology, but after deciding this degree was too general, he transferred to Leeds University to do a BSc in Genetics (hons). During his BSc he won a scholarship to exchange to Mc Master University in Canada for his second year, where he did a project researching the use of genetically engineered adeno virus as a potential gene therapy for treatment of cancers such as breast cancer. In his third year he researched gene therapy for the potential use as a treatment of Cancer at St James Hospital (aka "Jimmies" from TV).

Having completed his BSc in Genetics, and electing to do a large number of computer elected components as part of that degree, and as a "safety net", Tim went back to Sheffield and did a Masters equivalency post-graduate degree in Computer Science.

Tim had planned on doing a PhD in Gene Therapy at this point, and indeed got within one week of the start date, but unfortunately he had to withdraw because of a family issue. Since then he has been working primarily in the field of IT, including working as a freelance computer consultant, teaching adult education courses, working as a software engineer for Accenture, rewriting some core Java code for Barclays bank, and much more.

Tim's main hobby is fencing (sword fighting), which he first started when he was 14 years old as part of his bronze Duke of Edinburghs award. He fenced for Sheffield University, Mc Master University, and Leeds University. Since finishing at University, he has become a professionally qualified, British Academy of Fencing (BAF) certified and member, fencing coach. He currently runs the Sheffield University Fencing club, and can be seen in the photo below, stood in the middle, wearing the red, white and blue BAF tracksuit top, and surrounded by his pupils, located at a BUCS fencing event.