Sarah Hatch

Professional profile at Cardiff University

What is your favourite bacterium?

I had to research this and thanks to the National Geographic, this was my favourite:

Pseudomonas syringae

“Dreaming of a white Christmas? This species can help. It has a protein on its surface that mimics that structure of an ice crystal, acting as template for other water molecules to latch onto. The upshot is that this bacterium is a living ice-maker, seeding the growth of snowflakes. And they are found in snow from France to the US to Antarctica.”

What was your nickname in school, and why?

Grovee – my maiden name is Grove!

Tell us a little known interesting fact about you.

I love scuba diving! Though I have to be honest and say I love it in tropical seas where it is warm, clear and the selection of sealife is breathtakingly beautiful and colourful. I have spent an entire dive watching a clown fish (Nemo) pop in and out of anemone!

What is your favourite meal/food?

For me, it has to be steak, chips and onion rings – yummy!

Why do you do what you do?

I think the pandemic has shown everyone just how important science is to all of us. I do what I do to help people engage in the research we do in Cardiff University School of Medicine, to empower people to get involved in shaping and informing future research, that will meet societal need and make things better. I also do what I do to inspire future generations of scientists and doctors, ensuring when the next pandemic hits we will be ready!

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

A dancer.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

Rolling down a hillside and being covered with grass, twigs etc. I looked like a scarecrow!

What is your secret ambition?

Not so secret – to win the lottery!

How do you relax?

Reading novels and listening to music.