Autumn 08
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The Musical Annie BBC RADIO 1’S ANNIE MAC - QUEEN’S GRADUATE
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
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Happy Birthday Queen’s!
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Queen’s and the Media - Special report
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Class of 2008 THE MAGAZINE FOR GRADUATES AND FRIENDS OF QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST THE GRADUATE P3P3
Message from the Editor
Welcome to this special edition of Queen’s alumni magazine, The Graduate, in this, the University’s Centenary year. Editors: Gerry Power and Kevin Mulhern Queen’s academic and social calendar has been brimming with special events marking the University’s Centenary Managing Editor: throughout 2008. The Mitchell Conference held at Queen’s Tracey McKinney in April explored lessons to be learned from Northern Ireland in conflict resolution. In March, the University hosted a Royal Design: Visit when Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh www.darraghneely.com visited the campus as part of the celebrations. For a full round-up of the year’s events to date, turn to page 8. Contributors: Kerry Bryson In our media exclusive, we ask cover star Annie Mac and some Andrea Clements of the University’s other alumni how they got their big break Shauna Hughes and what advice they would offer fellow graduates in search Anne Langford of a career in the media (p44). Jacqui McCormick Lisa Mitchell Other alumni breaking new ground in their fields include Norma Sinte Francis Campbell, the UK’s first Roman Catholic ambassador Anne-Marie Watson to the Vatican. In his profile on page 6, he takes us through a career in which politics and religion have been closely woven. Editorial Office: On page 48, law graduate and editor of the Northern Ireland Development and Alumni Relations Office Law Reports Anne-Marie Forker, offers her unique perspective Queen’s University on how Queen’s and the city have changed since her student Belfast days. BT7 1NN Northern Ireland It’s also been a year of discovery and accolades for our students and alumni. In April a Queen’s postgraduate student Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 3100 found a mammal which has never been seen before in Ireland Fax: +44 (0)28 9097 5188 (p12), and the discovery of 10 new planets was announced [email protected] by Queen’s astronomers (p42). On page 37 Queen’s graduate www.qub.ac.uk/alumni Connor Clements shares his delight at gracing the silver screen at Cannes, and we profile Sinead Morrissey’s success in Cover: BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac (see p44) winning the UK’s biggest poetry competition (p38). © Development and Alumni Relations Office 2008 The Graduate also brings you the latest in alumni news and insight into the latest developments at Queen’s. And, don’t The Graduate is an informal magazine published by forget to check out the expanded Class Notes section to hear the Development and Alumni Relations Office, for what’s happened to your former classmates since graduating. alumni and friends of Queen’s University Belfast.
Alumni feedback on The Graduate is always welcome either Extracts from The Graduate should not be using the mailing sheet which accompanies this magazine, or published without the approval of the Editors. via email to: [email protected], or in writing to the address While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy given. of printed information, readers should be aware that this is an alumni magazine and not an official And remember, you can publication. Any views expressed by the contributors keep up to date with are not necessarily those of the University or the all the latest news from editorial team. Queen’s by visiting our website: Advertisements are carefully vetted, but the www.qub.ac.uk/alumni University can take no responsibility for their content. I look forward to hearing from you. Printers: Corporate Document Services
Gerry Power Co-Editor THE GRADUATE P5P5 Contents
COVER STORY Media Matters 44 Annie Mac and some of Queen’s other well-known alumni discuss how they got their big break and what advice they would offer fellow graduates in search of a career in the media.
PROFILE Answering the Call 6 The Graduate meets Francis Campbell, the UK’s first Roman Catholic ambassador to the Vatican.
Queen’s Centenary 8 The University celebrates 100 years as a leading university and looks forward to the next 100 years.
Belfast Evolving 48 Graduate Anne-Marie Forker looks at how Belfast has changed since her time at Queen’s.
The Cream of the Crop 16 Meet the Graduate and Student of the Year 2008.
GRADUATES Class Notes 20 Notice of Annual Meeting of Convocation 18 Queen’s Graduates’ Association 50 Absolutely Fabulous! Graduation 2008 52
UNIVERSITY NEWS Fabulous at 40! 19 New scheme launched to recruit GB students 19
FACULTY OF MEDICINE, HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES Grants of over £500,000 for Queen’s to investigate blindness 12 The naming of the shrew 12 Queen’s strengthens its links with India 13 Cutting-edge cancer research 14 Supporting Cancer Research 14 Profile - Dr Andrea Guiotto and Dr Habil. Michael Decker 15
FACULTY OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES World-class lawyers win in India 36 In the Cannes 37 Profile - David Gibson 37 Prize Poet 38 Climbing the leadership ladder 39 A feast of arts and culture 39
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES £5 million green contract 40 Queen’s/NASA to put telescope on the Moon 41 Queen’s astronomers announce the discovery of 10 new planets 42 Profile - Sarah A Lappin 43
MISCELLANEA Sudoku, Quiz and Teaser 54 P6 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P7
PROFILE Francis Campbell meets Tony Blair and Pope Benedict XVI
Answering the call “Diplomats are moved every four or five years, so I don’t imagine I will be Queen’s graduate Francis Campbell has been the UK’s Ambassador to the Holy See since 2005. The University’s Alumni Officer, Gerry Power, who recently met the Ambassador in here much beyond 2010 . . . and as to the splendour of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, talks exclusively where next, anywhere is possible” to him about a career in which politics and religion are closely woven.
“It’s the most demanding job I’ve ever the Antrim Road, in itself a cloistered Still unsure, he went on to take MAs One of 120 applicants, his appointment at Campbell, solemnly. “The family requested done!” said Francis. “On any one day I existence. in European Integration at the Catholic the time was described as “an event that a meeting with the Pope and, having ABOUT THE VATICAN could be dealing with matters relating University of Leuven in Belgium and in could have more lasting significance for discussed the matter with Cardinal Murphy to a hostage situation in Columbia, “While I had heard about the Bot and International Relations at the University Britain’s diplomatic service”. O’Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, The Vatican is the world’s oldest religious violence in India or the latest the Welly Park, and was aware of life of Pennsylvania - the latter on a Thouron I was able to make arrangements. Kate institution. The Government of the developments in Lebanon. If it’s of in the Students’ Union, I knew nothing scholarship. Notwithstanding this early Predictably some local commentators and Gerry McCann stayed with me the Vatican City State is known as the Holy interest to the Vatican, it’s of importance about them, certainly not first hand. We exposure to the world of politics, and focused solely on the fact that Campbell night before the meeting; in all they were See. The Holy See keeps abreast of the to the UK.” were allowed out one night per term, but with the calling to the priesthood still was the first Northern Irish Catholic in only in Rome for 24 hours.” world at governmental and grass roots we had to be in by 11pm!” playing on his mind, he found himself a UK ambassadorial position since the levels, and knows who’s who in the The hallowed corridors of the Vatican back in London. Republic of Ireland gained independence While by his own admission, being an world’s faith communities. and the challenges thrown up by in 1921, and the first Catholic to hold the ambassador presents many deep human The Vatican has its own typography, international diplomacy are a long “I came to London late in 1992 but I Vatican job since the Reformation, though challenges, it is the stark contrasts which railway station, security force, fire and way from the rolling hillsides around don’t suppose I ever really left it despite it was clear to others that he had more to make the position unique. Having handled ambulance services, daily newspaper, Barnmeen, near Rathfriland in Co Down, several wonderful years in Belgium and offer than his religion. the world’s media for most of that day, health service, bank, where Francis Martin Campbell was born the US,” said Campbell. “The city opened Campbell then had to ‘switchh roles’roles’ andand shops and radio in 1970. up many opportunities for me and in His modesty, charm and breadth of host a diplomatic dinner later thatthat evening, station,station, which 1997 I joined the fast stream of the Civil experience at the highest political levels once the McCanns had left. transmitstransmits inin Now at 38, he is one of the youngest Service and the FCO.” made him well suited to life in Rome. But 34 languageslanguages UK ambassadors and the first Roman what exactly does the British Ambassador How much longer can Franciss expect throughoutthroughout Catholic to hold the Vatican posting For the next few years, Campbell’s to the Holy See do? to remain in Rome, a posting which thethe world,world, since the Reformation. More unusual career focused on Europe with postings he describes as both “wonderful”rful” andand withwith thethe perhaps is the fact that Campbell is the to the European Enlargement Unit of “The 9am-5pm part of the job is policy- “challenging” and where doeses he biggestbiggest first person to become an ambassador by the FCO and then on secondment to related and covers a vast array of topics. anticipate being posted to? directionaldirectional antenna in thethe answering an advert in a newspaper! the European Commission as part of its If the Vatican has an interest in any issue, world.world. delegation to the UN in New York. anywhere in the world, then it’s my job “Diplomats are moved every fourfour or five International affairs were not always to make sure I am up to speed on those years, so I don’t imagine I willl bebe hhereere on his career radar though; the young In 1999 he moved to 10 Downing Street, matters,” said Campbell. much beyond 2010,” he answers.wers. Campbell actually wanted to be a priest. first as Policy Adviser (until 2001) and “And as to where next, then as Private Secretary to the Prime “The second aspect of the role is anywhere is possible. The son of a farmer turned miner from Minister (until 2003). Working in the representing Her Majesty’s Government. Co Down and a housewife mother from policy unit brought Campbell into direct This could involve attending major “What I do is connected to Co Galway, Francis Campbell attended St contact with Tony Blair and he joined the international meetings, or hosting visiting my faith so my next move Colman’s School in Newry. This despite PM on several overseas visits. dignitaries.” could be outside diplomatic his parents meeting and marrying in circles,” he continues. “I London in the early 1960s. London would Five years later Campbell left for Rome And does he actually talk to Pope Benedict could never rule out the always be pivotal to the life of the future to become First Secretary at the British XVI on a regular basis? Well, not exactly. priesthood - even now. diplomat, who spent several teenage Embassy, which, not to be confused Life for me has taken many summers working there in diverse jobs with his current posting, was his first “The substantive part of my work is done steps and corners which I such as aircraft cleaning and sorting experience of life in Italy. with the Cardinals and other Vatican have never seen coming, The Vatican money in Harrods! officials, so I would only meet or see the so who knows?” “After two years in Rome I thought that Pope perhaps once a month, and rarely Thanks to the influence of his teachers With many friends - both lay and priests perhaps diplomacy wasn’t for me,” said on a one-to-one basis. That privilege is If diplomacy is about Campbell ‘reluctantly’ completed an - from his time at Queen’s, Campbell has Campbell, almost apologetically. “I was restricted to the ceremonial presentation understanding the society UCCA form and applied to Queen’s to fond memories, of lively classes in politics somewhat unsettled, and became, briefly, of credentials in St Peter’s on taking up a you are in and about study scholastic philosophy and politics with Paul (now Lord) Bew, Mick Cox Senior Policy Director with Amnesty Vatican posting.” persuading others to act as wewe with the intention of going on for the (now at the LSE) and Bob Eccleshall. International in London, before the would wish them to, then manyany priesthood. position in the Holy See came up.” Among the many high-profile issues avenues remain open to this Campbell graduated in 1992 with a BA Francis Campbell has dealt with was the most complex and intelligent of For Campbell, his University experience in Politics and Scholastic Philosophy and Campbell’s undoubted intellect and meeting of the parents of Madeleine Queen’s graduates. was one of lectures during the day headed briefly to Dublin to further his ability to get on with people, his fluency McCann with Pope Benedict in May 2007. and pastoral duties in Unity Flats in studies in theology, though he didn’t in Italian and French and two years’ the evening. He lived in ‘the wing’ settle and after one semester moved to experience in the Embassy in Rome, “This was very much a pastoral matter, Francis Campbell in St Malachy’s College seminary on London. made him perfectly suited for the post. given the dire set of circumstances,” said P8 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P9
CENTENARY CENTENARY Queen’s Centenary
Celebrating 100 years as a leading university
Attending the Conference dinner were (L-R): Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Lord Trimble, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson, Archbishop Dr Desmond Tutu and John Hume Queen’s Jubilee 2008
“The University is at the forefront of world-class research in a century of challenge and change. Against a backdrop of and scholarly innovation, having contributed much to our two World Wars, the Northern Ireland Troubles and financial economic and cultural life. We look forward to Queen’s stringencies, the University has emerged as an international having even greater success over the next 100 years.” centre of excellence in research and education at the heart of the community it serves. A cheering crowd gathered outside the Lanyon Building to catch a glimpse of the Royal guests. Staff from across the University were nominated by The Centenary message by Northern Ireland’s then First Minister their managers to attend. Student clubs and societies were also represented Dr Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness set “Above all, the story of Queen’s is the story of its people - the tone for Queen’s year-long series of celebrations to mark its the staff, students, alumni and friends who have made the “Above all, the story of Queen’s is the story of its people - 100th anniversary as a university. University what it is today.” From the red-letter Royal Visit and the international Mitchell Among the highlights of the year was the Royal Visit to the staff, students, alumni and friends who have made the Conference to the conferment of an honorary degree on world Queen’s in March by Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of statesman Nelson Mandela, the programme marks Queen’s 100 Edinburgh. This historic event was also attended by one of the University what it is today” years as an international centre of academic excellence rooted University’s most eminent alumni, President of Ireland Mary at the heart of the local community. McAleese.
The Queen is welcomed to the University by Pro-Chancellor Sir David Fell, who launched the Centenary In May, some 500 leaders in law, politics, academia and Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson programme at the start of the special year, said: “The University community work from around the world gathered at has much to celebrate. As a member of the Russell Group of Queen’s for the Mitchell Conference on the lessons to be the UK’s 20 leading research-intensive universities, Queen’s has learned from Northern Ireland’s experience of peace-building a distinguished history and is looking towards a bright future as and regeneration. During this event, named after Queen’s a global player in research and education. Chancellor Senator George Mitchell, former UK and Irish premiers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern were awarded honorary “The history of Queen’s is a story of success and achievement degrees for their contribution to peace in Northern Ireland.
The Vice-Chancellor with The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as they prepared to leave for their next engagement
Honorary Graduate and former Irish Premier Bertie Ahern
Walking in the graduation procession was (L-R): Senator George Mitchell, Lord Trimble, Dr Mary Robinson and Dr John J DeGioia P10 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P11
CENTENARY CENTENARY
In July, one of the most cultural and social events, it important figures of the 20th is looking forward to an even and 21st centuries, Nobel brighter future in which it will prizewinner Nelson Mandela, play an even greater leading The next 100 years was named the University’s role on the world stage. Centenary Honorary Graduate. a CD, and then randomly combined, the The former President of South The Sunday Times recently By Futurologist Ian Pearson resulting billions of potential individuals’ Africa, who led the struggle said of Queen’s: “It is hard DNA listings just waiting for off-the- against apartheid, received to imagine a more confident shelf assembly before they can be ‘built’, an honorary Doctorate for university.” As it looks gestated and born. Yet it is still entirely distinction in public service. towards a second century, legal to sell such listings, which carry no which will be even more legal rights yet. As the University continues impressive than its first, its to mark its 100th anniversary confidence has never been Many other ethical milestones will pass with a host of ceremonial, higher. by unnoticed as technology accelerates behind lab doors. We have to hope that engineers in the future will be much more Archbishop Dr Desmond Tutu openly analytical of the potential social consequences of their work.
It is obvious already that the previously With the accelerating development of cheaper, faster, safer, more reliable and clear boundaries of electronics, life technology, we can look forward to the of course cleaner. Sustainability is best sciences, materials and neuroscience are next 100 years with the certainty that achieved by means of the application of being eroded. Interdisciplinary work is it will bring more change than the last human intelligence to solve the problem, already key to university success. If ‘UK millennium. not by trying to wind the clock back plc’ is to stay in business, we will need to educate people across many disciplines. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair receiving his honorary degree with policies formed from muddled from Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson Nano-bio-info-cogno convergence will thinking. Future Queen’s science and lead to the mastery of materials, synthetic engineering graduates will do more It is always areas of convergence that intelligence and consciousness, and to solve environmental problems than yield the highest market potential, the technology of life itself. As well as any number of green doomsayers. Old just as the merging of computing and redesigning nature to include superior political systems will gradually give way telecoms gave us the web and all its synthetic biology, and repairing our to a more unified world order based on markets and consequences. Biotech is The Centenary Stone already converging with IT, enabled in environment, we will bring about the heavily networked grass roots people forging of ever closer links between power, where poor leaders can more part by nanotechnology. We must not The Centenary Stone - currently on display man and machine, ultimately leading to easily be rendered powerless. let our universities fall behind the rest of in Queen’s Welcome Centre - is an iconic a full, direct brain link, extension of our the world in this space. Provided we can and tangible symbol of the University’s first minds into the machine world, and hence The real problem is not trying to keep the stay in the race with our foundations of century. electronic immortality. Meanwhile, rapid pace of technology going, but to make wealth creation, we will also be able to progress in space technology will enable sure it doesn’t proceed too fast for our afford the luxuries of the arts that make Unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen, the stone our first colonies away from Earth. society to keep up, especially legal and life worth living. Queen’s has served well displays the Centenary Stanza, coined to mark regulatory systems. In AI, the exponential in both spheres for the last 100 years. the occasion by one of the University’s most It is perhaps hard to see this as anything curve hasn’t turned vertical yet, so people Here’s to its part in the next 100. distinguished graduates, Nobel Laureate Dr other than science fiction when today we dismiss far too easily any talk of conscious Seamus Heaney. are bombarded with doom and gloom machines. But give it another decade and Ian Pearson graduated from Queen’s from environmentalists and witnessing nanotech-based probes in brains will have in 1981 in Applied Mathematics and The Centenary Stanza the restart of the cold war. But problems given computer engineers enough insight Theoretical Physics. After four years don’t stay around for long before people to make nano-electronic gel, in which in Shorts, he joined BT Laboratories Still red brickwork start to fix them. Just as newspapers tell guided evolution can take our initial ideas as a performance analyst, and later Remains our bulwark: us daily that we have to take our lifestyles and build on them to deliver not only worked in network design, computer Here exercise back to the 19th century to stop global consciousness, but vastly superhuman evolution, cybernetics, and mobile Of mind has stood warming, engineers are already well intelligence. We will need to make sure systems. From 1991 until 2007, he To us, for us under way designing technology that that no one builds such a machine before was BT’s Futurologist, tracking and These hundred years, will see huge solar farms in the Sahara we have the related technology to link predicting new developments throughout And will, for good. The unveiling of the Centenary Stone. (L-R): Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson, providing almost all of Europe’s energy such intelligence to the human brain, so information technology, considering both The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen’s Registrar James O’Kane needs, delivered across superconducting that machines can’t gain a dangerous technological and social implications. cables. advantage. He continues this work for Futurizon, a Share your Centenary memories startup futures institute. He was awarded Rather than environmental catastrophe, it Similarly, with the ability to design and an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Westminster. Queen’s Centenary is the perfect time to look back at your Visit the Centenary website at www.qub.ac.uk/Centenary is more likely that we will see a carbon- build life, we will see the creation of time at the University and share your memories with staff, and go to the Tell Us Your Queen’s Experience page to send free transport system and most of the many new life forms, and even new kinds He has received many awards for his students and alumni. It doesn’t matter if you graduated this through your stories and photographs. remaining oil being left in the ground. of people, with babies built to taste, papers, written several books and summer or 50 years ago, we’d love to hear your experience of Fleets of electronic and electric cars will unless appropriate regulation is made in has made well over 400 TV and radio Queen’s and invite you to share your memories and stories. We look forward to hearing from you during this special year. be more socially inclusive than even good time. Already, it is easy for any two public transport today, as well as much people to have their genomes listed on appearances. P12 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P13
FACULTY OF MEDICINE, HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES Queen’s strengthens its links Grants of over £500,000 for Queen’s with India to investigate blindness A number of recent initiatives and new partnerships have seen the Queen’s Centre for Vision Science Sight can be saved by laser therapy if University strengthen its links with (CVS) has been boosted by grants of the condition is detected early enough, India. These include international over £500,000 from three charities to but the cost of treating just one person research collaborations, student investigate the two leading causes of is around £237,000. Professor Stitt and exchange programmes, plans for a blindness in the UK. his team will investigate the nature of new Centre for Contemporary Indian chemical modifications in the retina and Staff at the Queen’s Centre for Vision Studies at the University and a new Recognised as a centre of excellence their role in the condition. Science (CVS) Queen’s-India Lecture Series. for ophthalmic research, its researchers, led by director Professor Alan Stitt, will Professor Stitt has also been awarded the way they interact with a receptor in One such partnership is between Queen’s carry out studies of sight-threatening two other grants to research age-related causing the condition. and the Ministry of Biotechnology, conditions affecting diabetics and the macular degeneration (AMD) - the Government of India. Aimed at elderly over the next three years. The leading cause of sight loss in people over Professor Stitt, who is internationally developing new ways to understand and team, part of the School of Medicine, 50 in the western world. Around two renowned for his work, said: “We are treat cancer, the agreement is between delighted with these very prestigious Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, Professor Surolia from India’s National Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, is million people in the UK are affected, top cancer specialists from the National Institute of Immunology and Professor Paddy Johnston, Dean of Medicine, Dentistry and based in the Royal Victoria Hospital. with numbers set to rise dramatically as awards. Institute of Immunology, New Delhi Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s our population ages. and the £25 million Centre for Cancer The largest grant has come from the New “Queen’s is a centre of excellence for Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s. York-based Juvenile Diabetes Research Over £170,000 has been granted by the ophthalmic research in the UK, especially “Through this collaboration of Postcolonial India and Ireland: Empire Foundation, which has awarded Professor charity Action Medical Research to try in the study of diabetic retinopathy and An international conference in New Delhi and Resistance. Stitt over £250,000 for research into to find important information about the age-related macular degeneration. These on Cancer Biology, led by Queen’s and we will be able to develop diabetic retinopathy - a disease that molecular and cellular processes that grants reflect our international standing supported by the Government of India Indian Studies causes about 40 per cent of new adult damage the retina, and cause vision loss and I am convinced that they will make and the Department of Employment and new treatments and Also sure to bring leading Indian blindness cases in the UK. in AMD. a telling contribution as we seek to Learning, Northern Ireland was opened improve the diagnosis of academics and students to Northern understand the underlying causes of by Minister for Employment and Learning, Ireland will be the establishment of a new After 20 years, almost everyone with type The charity Fight for Sight has given over major retinal diseases and, importantly, Sir Reg Empey. cancer for the betterment Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies one diabetes will develop some form of £90,000 for the team to understand develop new, effective therapeutic at Queen’s. retinopathy. the role of chemical modifications and interventions”. World leader of everyone” Leading the local delegation was world The new Centre will be a bridge between renowned cancer oncologist, Professor students from BESU have visited Queen’s Indian science, culture and society and Patrick Johnston from Queen’s. Speaking to study in the Institute of Electronics, the entire Queen’s community in Northern The naming of the shrew at the event he said: “Cancer does Communications and Information Ireland. To be launched formally in the not recognise national boundaries and Technology (ECIT) - one of the University’s summer of 2009, there is a commitment A Queen’s postgraduate student has examined hundreds of pellets from Ireland accidental, from continental Europe affects people across the globe. Through world-class research centres. to endow a chair in Ghandian Studies discovered a mammal never seen I knew that what I was looking at was to Ireland and has resulted in a rapid this collaboration we will be able to within the Institute. before in Ireland. The shrew, spotted unusual as our native pygmy shrew is very increase in numbers over a short period.” develop new treatments and improve the Dr M Satish Kumar, Director of Queen’s in Tipperary and Limerick, is only the small in comparison.” diagnosis of cancer for the betterment of India initiative said: “BESU is one of Professor Peter Gregson, Queen’s third new mammal to be found on The discovery raises issues related to everyone. India’s oldest science and engineering Vice-Chancellor said: “India is the the island in almost 60 years. In March seven greater white-toothed ecological impact and control which universities. As Queen’s celebrates its second largest source of Foreign Direct shrews were trapped at four locations need to be researched further. While the “India has great expertise in the diagnosis Centenary, I am delighted that BESU Investment in Northern Ireland, creating Dave Tosh, from the School of Biological in Tipperary and their existence has just shrew is likely to sustain threatened birds and treatment of cancer. With the students are now working alongside more than 3,000 jobs. Sciences, found the greater white- been recorded in the scientific journal of prey, it could lead to the loss of small beginning of this new partnership I am specialist researchers in the vibrant and toothed shrew Crocidura russula while Mammal Review. native mammals. confident that we will make significant international setting that is ECIT. “In addition to the many partnerships working with University College Cork strides in combating one of the world’s and initiatives already announced, I will and BirdWatch Ireland. Its natural range Professor Ian Montgomery, Head of the most prevalent diseases.” India lectures be returning to India in November this is in parts of Africa, France and Germany School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s, Another aspect of the initiative is the year to consolidate and develop our and before now the closest it has been says the animal is likely to have been Knowledge sharing Queen’s-India Lecture Series, part of key partnerships. In developing its links spotted to Ireland is in the Channel introduced recently to Ireland and the The sharing of information and the University’s Centenary celebrations. with India, I can assure you that Queen’s Islands. discovery of a new mammal species is knowledge was also a key factor in the Through an established network with the University will not be standing still.” extremely rare. decision to introduce a unique scholarship major Indian universities, this Series brings As part of his PhD, Dave was studying programme, in association with Bengal leading scholars and researchers from Honorary graduate the diet of the Barn Owl in Ireland. Last “Most species which occur in Ireland Engineering and Science University India to Belfast for public lectures and Queen’s also honoured Madurai-born winter he received pellets from owls to also appear in Britain but the nearest this (BESU). Based in Kolkata, BESU is one interaction with relevant Schools within Dr Chitra Bharucha at its recent summer help with the study. species of shrew has been found is on the of India’s top science and engineering the University. graduation. Dr Bharucha has lived in Channel Islands and the Scilly Isles. universities. Northern Ireland since 1972 and was Dave explained: “It was among a batch The Series will also bring leading Indian presented with an honorary Doctorate for that I was about to dry in an oven, that I “These records are evidence of at least The scheme will help identify the research academics from around the globe to an services to medicine and for public service The great white-toothed shrew noticed a very large shrew skull. Having one recent introduction event, probably leaders of tomorrow and already 20 annual symposium that addresses issues (DMedSc). P14 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P15 Cutting-edge cancer research FACULTY PROFILE
Recent medical research advances at Queen’s include Dr Joe O’Sullivan’s supervision of clinical trials for a new drug which could be a significant development in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Dr O’Sullivan is a senior lecturer and consultant in clinical oncology at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s (CCRCB). The drug, arbiraterone will be given to up to 20 men suffering from an advanced form of the cancer when the trials start at the Cancer Viewing a demonstration at the new Cancer Research Centre were (L-R) Senator George Mitchell, Centre at Belfast City Hospital later this Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Professor Patrick Johnston, Dean, School of Medicine, year. It means the group of Northern Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences Director, Institute of Health Sciences Ireland patients will be among just 1,200 across the world with access to the drug. cent increase in observed survival rates The winners worked for over three years for oesophageal cancer patients one year on the project developed in partnership CCRCB is working with other world-class after surgery. 69 per cent of patients with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network research establishments to develop new operated on in 1996 were alive a year (NICaN) and local cancer specialists. ways to understand and treat cancer, after their operation while those who including a partnership agreement underwent surgery in 2005 had 79 per A new facility at Queen’s Bioimaging Unit, with the Ministry of Biotechnology, cent survival rates one year later. the first of its kind in the UK, is helping Government of India. to research cancer and develop new Two members of staff at the Cancer treatments. Research by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry have been honoured at the Registry at Queen’s shows that people Northern Ireland Healthcare Awards for The Northern Ireland Virtual Tissue Michael Decker and Andrea Guiotto with oesophageal cancer are often their work in developing a system to Archive (NIVTA), funded by a £250,000 enduring serious symptoms for over a improve services for cancer patients. grant from the Health and Social Care year before seeking help. The Registry Research and Development Office (HSC aims to provide accurate information on Dr Lisa Ranaghan, a Cancer Information R&D Office), stores high resolution images A: I love to spend time with my family, cancer cases for research, planning and Consultant, and Giulio Napolitano, of tissue samples, establishing a digital DR ANDREA GUIOTTO MPharm PhD and also relax by reading or playing my education. Information and Technology Officer, won archive. Based in the School of Medicine, LECTURER IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY sax. As I don’t have much spare time, I the Innovations in Oncology Award 2007 Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, it have to trade between those activities Each year around 200 local people are for creating an electronic system to record stores the images electronically for DR HABIL. MICHAEL DECKER MPhil and, of course, my children come first. diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. But the decisions cancer teams make on research and educational purposes. LECTURER IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY the good news in the report is a 10 per patients’ diagnosis and treatment. What is the best thing about working at Queen’s? Why did you decide to work at Alzheimer’s drugs, but as the working As Director of Development, I have been Name Queen’s? environment is very collaborative, there Supporting inspired by the huge international success of M: It is surely not the Irish weather! On are numerous opportunities available Professor Paddy Johnston and his colleagues in Address a serious note, I like the collaborative M: After some time working in the US, to me including working in the field of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology atmosphere within research and also the Cancer Postcode the opportunity to work in the School of cancer therapeutics. (CCRCB) on the Belfast City Hospital site. strong focus the School of Pharmacy puts I wish to make a gift of: £ Pharmacy arose. A generous donation by on student education. In the end, they Dr John King of substantial funding set A: My main research area at present are the reason why we are able to do Research The CCRCB is a world-class facility working I wish to pay by Cheque (made payable to The Queen’s University of Belfast up laboratories for medicinal chemistry regards the synthesis of peptides and with other international research establishments Foundation) by Charity Voucher / VISA / Mastercard research and due to the direct interaction research in the School. This offered pseudopeptides as potential therapeutic to develop new ways to understand and treat between research and teaching the Andrea and me very good starting agents. Two projects are funded with cancer. I wish to pay by Visa/MasterCard/Switch/Other: Total: £ students are able to learn material that is Number: conditions for our work. a two-year grant from the Alzheimer’s state of the art. Expires: Security no: Research Trust. A third project is awaiting With over 300 clinical and basic researchers A: The main reason I left my previous the results of a grant application, and from across the world the Queen’s team is Name on Card: A: From my first visit to Queen’s I could post at the Italian National Research involves the synthesis of mitochondrial committed to the highest quality of research perceive the positive atmosphere at UK TAX PAYERS - Gift Aid - I would like all contributions from the date Council, was for the opportunity to set DNA - targeted molecules able to excellence. The CCRCB mission is to develop below to be treated as gift aid until I notify you otherwise. We need your the School, and that initial impression up a new Medicinal Chemistry group at induce cancer cell damage overcoming new avenues for the prevention, diagnosis and home post code to meet Inland Revenue regulations. Please note you must was reinforced when I paid further Queen’s. This enables me to carry out chemoresistance. treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, to pay an amount of UK income tax equal to the tax we reclaim. visits before officially starting. My new research in a dynamic, highly-stimulating relieve human suffering. colleagues were very supportive and Signature Date environment. What are your hobbies/interests? helped me settle in. I owe a special
If you would like to support the pioneering thanks to the Head of School, Professor Is the gift anonymous? Y/N What key areas/projects are you M: Outside of the University I read work of the scientists and clinicians at the Sean Gorman and the School Manager, working on at the moment? anything but science. I`m also an Dr Heather Anderson, who assisted me Centre please send your donation to me, Please send your donation to Norma Sinte, Development and Alumni Relations Office, enthusiastic rower. and my family during our relocation to Norma Sinte using the form opposite. Queen’s University Belfast. Inland Revenue No. XR22432 M: I am continuing my work on anti- Northern Ireland. P16 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P17
GRADUATE AND STUDENT OF THE YEAR He added: “At some point I realised Helferty, who described her as “an Outside Queen’s the Student of the Year to my great relief that hard work and inspiration to others”. has been an active member of St Peter’s perseverance could make a difference. Cathedral Choir, Belfast Music Society and The American Philosopher Joseph Marcella, who earlier in the day joined Cór Loch Lao, Northern Ireland’s only Irish Campbell believed that finding one’s Queen’s Chancellor, Senator George language choir. Marcella has also carried The Cream of the Crop ‘bliss’ was the key to success and Mitchell for lunch, has already been out voluntary work with the Northern happiness, and I count myself very identified as one of the finest young Ireland Commissioner for Children and Nine years since their inception, the annual Graduate and Student of the Year Awards which are fortunate to have found my ‘bliss’ at sopranos of her generation, with a Young People and with the Northern an early age - the great outdoors and a repertoire ranging from classical to Irish Ireland Youth Forum. supported by First Trust Bank, continue to attract the highest calibre of entries and this year was no fascination with wild animals have been traditional, jazz and modern music. And, exception as Queen’s Alumni Officer, Gerry Power, reports. the joys of my life.” as President of Queen’s Music Society, Dr Sarah McCleave of the University’s she was also closely associated with the School of Music, who submitted one of A bumper crop of nominations was “This is such an honour, of the Year Award in the last 20 years. After graduating, and a year spent in the organisation winning the ‘Most Improved the two nominations for Marcella, said: received for the 2008 University ‘Oscars’, US, Jonathan travelled to South Africa Society’ title at a recent Students’ Union “Marcella’s consistent ability to offer representing all that is great about thank you so much. I had “Jonathan has also brought us the Big and later Botswana before settling at the awards. commanding performances in stylistically Queen’s students and alumni. While Bear Diaries in 2005 and more recently there were many inspiring claims on the four wonderful years at the very successful Elephant Diaries.” prestigious Awards, the eventual winners Queen’s; it was such an Marcella Walsh (left) with her Student of the Year Award pictured with her mother Patricia Walsh were recognised for their individual Jonathan was born in London in 1949 excellence and personal achievements in interesting time between and brought up on a farm in Berkshire. the diverse fields of wildlife and music. As a child he developed a love for 1968-72, particularly sticklebacks, tadpoles, foxes and wild Details of the winners - presenter of the being from England, and animals. Early inspirations were Armand BBC’s spell-binding Big Cat Diary series, and Michaela Dennis (who presented On Jonathan Scott, and inspirational singer everyone was so friendly” Safari for the BBC in the late 1950s and and music student Marcella Walsh - were early 1960s) and the film Born Free which announced to a packed Sir William Whitla Jonathan says captivated him, embodying Hall at the University’s evening graduation a remarkable contribution to wildlife and everything that was then his idea of ceremony on 2 July. conservation in the intervening period. Africa.
Graduate of the Year Announcing the Award winner, Oonagh On hearing the news that he had won Ferrity, Vice-President of Queen’s the Award, Jonathan told The Graduate; Jonathan Scott has been a familiar face Graduates’ Association (QGA) said: “This is such an honour, thank you so to many wildlife viewers over the last 20 “Jonathan is undoubtedly best-known for much. I had four wonderful years at years, yet his links with Queen’s were, his BBC Wildlife documentaries, but the Queen’s; it was such an interesting time until this summer at least, not all that eminent zoologist has also co-presented a between 1968-72, particularly being from obvious. The softly spoken Englishman, wildlife TV series in the United States, has England, and everyone was so friendly. who now lives in Kenya, graduated from written and illustrated numerous books Going to Queen’s was my first big Queen’s in Zoology in 1972 and has made and picked up the Wildlife Photographer adventure.”
Mara River Camp in Kenya in 1977. It was “Marcella has a real divergent repertoires is almost without there that he met his future wife Angie, parallel - even among professionals. As and where they married in March 1992. passion and enthusiasm a performer she has given great pleasure to many audiences in her three years at Big cats have been the focus of much of for music and is clearly Queen’s.” Jonathan and Angie’s work over 30 years. someone we should They have been the basis for a number of And in concluding his remarks at the hugely popular BBC TV series, including all watch out for in the Award ceremony, Ciarnan Helferty Big Cat Diary and Big Cat Week, which added: “Marcella has a real passion he co-presents. In a recent UK poll of future” and enthusiasm for music and is clearly TV viewers, the big cats were voted the someone we should all watch out for in nation’s favourite wild animals. Delivering the citation, Ciarnan said: the future.” “Marcella has made a considerable In true ‘Oscar fashion’ however, Jonathan impact on the lives of students and staff High praise indeed all round for the cream was unable to attend the ceremony as he in the University, as well as in the wider of the crop. was travelling in the Arctic, so the Award community. She is an excellent role model was collected on his behalf by his sister for her peers.” The Graduate and Student of the Year Caroline. Awards were launched in 1999 by the Marcella was one of the main contributors QGA with the support of First Trust Bank. Student of the Year to the setting up of a student-led choir The Awards aim to recognise excellence, and orchestra within Queen’s, which now achievement or service by Queen’s alumni Travel was not such an ordeal for the boasts over 100 performing members. and students, either to the University or North Belfast-based Student of the Year, And she was a driving force in initiating a to the wider community. Nominations Marcella Walsh. Marcella, who graduated series of ‘Drive Time’ concerts while also are now open for the 10th anniversary later the same week, was announced pioneering a new mentoring scheme for awards which will be presented in July BBC’s Big Cat Diary Series by Students’ Union President, Ciarnan undergraduates in the School of Music. 2009 during Graduation Week. P18 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P19
Fabulous at 40!
For most of us, turning 40 is vision for QFT back in 1968. And all continued support the QFT would never traditionally seen as a pivotal those who have sustained and helped have made it to the big 40. moment: a point in life where one QFT grow over the years; from the looks back at achievements, at regrets, dedicated 35-year stewardship of Michael And of course, the QFT is about Belfast at a steadily receding youth while Open to all the various McCaffreys, man, itself. No matter what the troubled past looking forward to the unknown. woman and boy and everybody else in has brought or what future beckons, between. And of course, it’s about our the cinema is proud to be part of this Like any other 40-year-old, the QFT’s audience, especially our members whose wonderful city. birthday has proven a time for reflection loyal support is so valuable to us. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF CONVOCATION and reminiscence; for looking at the past and planning for the future. The QFT has always been about the films: whether it’s Kurosawa or Kubrick, Lynch So, how would someone summarise the or Lean, QFT always has, and always four decades of QFT’s existence so far? will, show the very best of cinema from Clerk of Convocation around the world. Queen’s University Belfast Well, first of all it’s been about the people, beginning with Michael Barnes Queen’s Film Theatre is Queen’s own art Belfast BT7 1NN and Michael Emmerson who had the house cinema, without whose help and Queen’s Film Theatre Tel: 028 9097 5321 Fax: 028 9097 5188 He has become the first official Queen’s advocate and will work closely with the The Annual Meeting of Convocation will be held in the Canada Room in the main New scheme launched to Domestic Recruitment team over the University building on Thursday 27 November 2008 starting at 6.30pm. Coffee/tea coming years. “I was delighted to attend will be served from 6pm. the recent careers weekend at Queen’s. I recruit GB students was then able to promote the University’s stand at the Manchester UCAS event to The business of the Annual Meeting will incorporate the Report of the Standing my students. The feedback I got from Committee and any other relevant matters of which due notice is received not later them was very positive and it certainly than 13 November 2008. Motions to be included on the Agenda should be submitted had some of them thinking about applying to Queen’s.” on the appropriate forms, which are available now from the undersigned or online. Commenting on the success of the The Annual Meeting will be followed by Queen’s Question Time, to be chaired by scheme, Brendan said: “St Ambrose William Crawley (BBC), which will give graduates an opportunity to put questions College has approximately 15 students to local politicians on education and other matters. The evening will also include a expressing an interest in applying to the University this year. It really is incredible special Centenary Lecture, full details of which will be available online in due course. as these students would not have known anything about Queen’s a year ago. With All papers (including minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting) are now available at - the interest that has been created I can www.qub.ac.uk/convocation see a large number of applications this Queen’s graduate and Derry Native Brendan Durkan has signed up to be year. I am delighted to be an advocate of an ambassador for Queen’s, supporting its drive to increase the number of my old university.” students from Great Brtain applying to Queen’s. He is the first ‘advocate’ in a new scheme launched by the University’s recruitment team. Anthony is keen to recruit additional Queen’s advocates: “We have contacted The University is targeting its graduates from a low awareness base which is why all of the alumni who gained a teaching who are working in schools in GB. It there was a need to establish an ‘advocacy degree from Queen’s, but we feel there Gerry Power wants them to promote the University scheme.’ The initiative is about relationship are many more people out there who Clerk of Convocation among their students and share positive -building and ensuring that we have a have gone onto a career in teaching but experiences of their time at Queen’s. team of advocates who have access to our we don’t have their contact details. We target markets on a daily basis.” would love to hear from these people Domestic Recruitment Officer Anthony so we can explore how we can work LAST DATE FOR PROCEDURAL STEPS: McGrath said: “We are making steady Part of the scheme involves GB careers together in the future.” progress in the GB market and are keen teachers visiting the University. One to build upon this. The new ‘advocacy teacher who took up the invite was If you are involved in education in any Issue of this summons - 22 September 2008 (online) programme’ will help us further develop Brendan Durkan, a Business Studies form and believe you could add value to Receipt of notice of business - 13 November 2008 our presence and knowledge base in the teacher and UCAS rep at St Ambrose the work of the Domestic Recruitment Issue of agenda - Thursday 20 November 2008 market and is already proving to be a College in Altrincham. Brendan team within any of the home-based or success. graduated from Queen’s in 1998 with a domestic markets (GB, ROI or Europe), business management degree and later please contact Anthony McGrath at “Yet while our experience within the GB went on to do his PGCE at University of [email protected], or telephone market has been positive, we are starting Huddersfield. 0044 28 9097 1373. P20 THE GRADUATEGRADUATE THE GRADUATEGRADUATE P21
GRADUATES Sarah Kennedy, MPharm 2003, recently Glenn Hempton, MEng Mechanical married Steven Aiken (BEng, MSc) in and Manufacturing Engineering 1999, Kilmore Presbyterian church. They met in and his wife Julie had their first baby, Queen’s Elms Halls of Residence in 1999 James Alexander, on 22 March in and have been together ever since! Sarah Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Glenn is currently Class Notes can be contacted at working for Procter and Gamble with [email protected]. global responsibility for various purchase systems strategy and delivery. He is also Linda Caldwell, BEng Mechanical a board member of the Global Upstream 2000s Engineering 2000, PhD 2005, got Supply Initiative (GUSI), working to engaged to Mauro in Houston during set standards and direction across the Christmas 2007. They have set a wedding industry. Glenn would love to hear from Lydia Gamble date for summer 2009 and have found old classmates at Emma-Louise Gibson, BA English 2007, gain a qualification and make teaching be contacted at out that in between they’ll be adding to [email protected]. started the NVQ4 Newspaper Journalism her career. Louise can be contacted at [email protected]. Lydia Gamble, BA Spanish 2000, was the family this coming Christmas! Linda is course at Belfast Metropolitan College [email protected]. appointed Head of Marketing and currently transferring with her company in September. She was voted Journalist Clare McEvoy, BMus 2006, is currently Development at the Ulster Orchestra from Houston, Texas to Paris. She can be of the Year, at the first ever Queen’s Karl O’Hanlon, BA English 2007, studying for her Masters of Music at in June 2008, having previously spent contacted at [email protected]. Student Media Awards in May 2008, as was made a Fulbright Scholar for the Queen’s. She has recently received a seven years in the local Economic a result of her work for the Students’ academic year 2008/09 to study for an £1000 award from the Arts Council of Development Sector. Andrew Dawson, LLB 2000, and his Union Magazine. Emma-Louise can be MA in English at Georgetown University, Northern Ireland to study at the Canford wife, Alison, had their second child, contacted at [email protected]. Washington DC. Karl can be contacted at Summer School of Music, panelled by Formerly Business Development Aoife, on 16 April 2008 - a sister for two- [email protected]. some of the most renowned conductors Manager at Castlereagh Enterprises year-old Sarah. Andrew can be contacted in the world. Clare can be contacted at Ltd (Local Enterprise Agency) Lydia at [email protected]. Amy Robinson, BSc Biological Sciences [email protected]. was responsible for the design, 2007, will fly the Northern Ireland flag in development, delivery and securing of Barbara G Henderson, BEd 2000, the televised Miss Earth competition - an Fiona Watt (née Bonner), BSc Biological funding for programmes of economic has been teaching in Devenish College, Rory Mackin, BA English and Spanish international beauty pageant promoting Sciences 2006, met Mark Watt in 2002 development support to the value of Enniskillen since graduating. She 1999, has recently been promoted to environmental awareness - on 9 when they both started the same degree. £2m from 2003 to 2008. successfully completed a degree of Vice- President, Corporate and Financial November 2008. Amy was awarded the They began dating in October 2004, got Master of Business Administration in Communications with Hill and Knowlton Silver Youth Action award and helped engaged in June 2005 and married on 5 Lydia was also instrumental in the 2006. Barbara can be contacted at roly- - a leading international communications establish her church as the first green June 2008 in Belfast. They are currently setup and growth of the network [email protected]. consultancy. Rory can be contacted at congregation in Northern Ireland. Amy living in Banbridge. Mark is a Senior Business for Business (B4B) which [email protected]. can be contacted at Clinical Analyst for a pharmaceutical supports the networking and Karen Marrs (née Lacey) MB BCh BAO [email protected]. company and Fiona is a Technical/Sales development of SMEs in Northern 2000, and husband Michael, and three- Stephen Murray, MSc Orthodontics Roisin Linden, BA Sociology 2007, Rep for a chemical supplier. Fiona can be Ireland. year old daughter Erin, are proud to 1999, is working as a specialist worked for a year as a project Catherine Brennan, MB BCh BAO 2006, contacted at [email protected]. announce the new addition to the family, orthodontist for the Irish health development officer for Habitat for and her brother, Eugene, PhD Electrical Prior to this, Lydia worked for Ben, born in April this year. Karen can be service. As he turned 40 this year, his Humanity, conducting research on Engineering, both graduated in 2006. Sandra Mallon, MA Social Anthropology Enterprise Ireland (Irish Government contacted at long association with Junior Chamber behalf of the Northern Ireland Housing Catherine got married in September 2005, began a PhD at the University of Agency) assisting Irish companies to [email protected]. International is coming to an end. His last Executive’s Community Cohesion Unit. 2008 and Eugene is due to be married Leicester in October 2007. Her area of develop their export potential in the major engagements for the organisation, This developed her interest in local mixed in April next year! Catherine can be interest is disability studies with a focus UK. She also taught on the Chartered which develops leadership skills in young housing and as a result she is returning contacted at [email protected]. on a disabled identity and socio economic Institute of Marketing at Castlereagh people, included organising a national to Queen’s in September to study status. She is also a graduate teaching College on a part-time basis over a 3 debate championships and being MC the topic at PhD level. Roisin can be Janette Campbell, BSc Psychology assistant for the department, running year period. 1990s at the awards ceremony to honour the contacted at [email protected]. 2006, married Stephen Hail on 1 August tutorials for undergraduates. Sandra can outstanding young people of 2008. He 2008 in the Czech Republic. Janette can be contacted at [email protected]. Lydia holds a masters in Business can be contacted at Toni Maguire, BSc Archaeology and be contacted at Studies, a post-graduate diploma Raveen Chinnavan, BEng Electrical and [email protected]. Palaeoecology 2007, has been asked to [email protected]. Bernadette McCabe, BA 2005, spent in Marketing, as well as a range Electronic Engineering 1999, returned to participate in a BBC programme dealing many years in accountancy before of diplomas and certificates in Singapore after graduating and worked with the issues surrounding infants who graduating in 2005. She has now Consultancy, Not-for-Profit Sector with the Land Transport Authority as a died without receiving the sacrament retrained and is working in the Music Management, Innovation and systems engineer. In 2005 he married of baptism. These children where Media and Copyright industry. In the Entrepreneurship. She has served on his girlfriend of 7 years, Laurencia, and regarded as pagan by the Christian course of her study she also overcame a range of Boards and Committees they returned to the UK. Raveen is now church and buried unrecorded in areas a benign brain tumour. She would like relevant to economic development working as a principal consultant for Ikon of unconsecrated ground (Cillini - ‘Little to say hello and thank-you to all her and economic regeneration in the Risk Consulting Ltd. Raveen would love Graveyard’). Toni’s undergraduate thesis lecturers with a special mention to John Castlereagh area from 2003. to hear from former classmates and can focused on County Antrim and she Lynch and Pam. Bernadette can be be contacted at [email protected]. uncovered almost eighty such sites, many contacted at of which were previously unrecorded [email protected]. expert in the IEC Technical committees. Anne-Marie Forker, LLB 1999, is living as Cillini. Toni can be contacted at Subbaro can be contacted at in England but getting married at Belfast [email protected]. Subbarao Bandaru, PhD 2004, is [email protected]. Castle in May 2009! She is enjoying Pedro J Oiarzabal, MPhil in Economics Emma Carter, (née Montgomery) BA currently heading the Electromagnetic working as editor of the Northern Ireland and Social Sciences 1999, is the author Louise McNulty, BA Psychological Social Anthropology 2006, married Compatibility Division at the SAMEER- Diane Boyle (née Wilkin) MSW 2003, Law Reports and studying for a doctorate of three books and several articles on Studies 2007, is currently working as an Jonathan Carter on Friday 6 June in Lake Centre in India. He was awarded a US and her husband became the proud part-time. She would love to hear from Basque identity, migration, Diaspora Assistant Language Teacher in Japan, Garda, Italy. After a fantastic honeymoon patent for his work at Queen’s. He is a parents of baby Joe on 19 June 2008. former classmates especially Aine, Claire and information and communication and loves the culture and the teaching. touring Italy they returned to have a senior member of IEEE USA and a Fellow Diane can be contacted at or Elaine. Anne-Marie can be contacted technologies. He is currently a Visiting When she returns home she hopes to party in Barnaby’s, Ballyrobert! Emma can of IETE India, representing India as EMC [email protected]. at [email protected]. Scholar at the University of Nevada, Oral P22 THE GRADUATEGRADUATE THE GRADUATEGRADUATE P23
History Program. Pedro can be contacted Stephen Finlay, BA Geography 1998, married a French man in 1999 and they at [email protected]. married Margaret Henderson in April have a daughter, Talia, born in 2003. Karen Salmon 2006. Shortly after their wedding June can be contacted at and preventative programmes with they moved to Toronto, Canada for a [email protected]. Karen Salmon, MSc Nursing, 1997, is teenagers, prisoners and other groups. 16-month career break. Stephen worked currently working on a project at Mekelle as an Advisor in the Ontario Ministry of in the north-east of Ethiopia, where she Mekele is an arid and rough terrain close Municipal Affairs and Housing, while teaches HIV/AIDS Awareness to young to the Eritrean border and to the area Margaret taught geography in Bishop people. supported by Band Aid, founded by Strachan, private girls’ school. Recently Bob Geldof in 1984. In recent years the returned from Canada, Margaret A registered general nurse and health Band Aid charity has helped Karen with is now Head of Social Studies at visitor Karen married Mervyn in the transport. Glengormley High School while Stephen summer following her graduation though is working as a Senior Consultant with sadly after just four years together Karen told The Graduate: ‘Rural HIV Deloitte. Stephen can be contacted at Mervyn was tragically killed in a car statistics continue to climb, while urban [email protected]. accident. By then Karen was working as stats have plateaued. Last time we Nicola Barr, MSW 1998, was awarded a Health Visitor (Public Health Nurse) in helped 25 families with food and school a Masters in Forensic Psychology by Sarale Hickson, BSSc Politics 1998, Cupar Street Health Clinic in Belfast. resources; with the anticipated famine we Leicester University in January 2008, after MA Comparative Ethnic Conflict 1999, Robert Craig, BEng Mechanical plan to help these same families again.’ working for ten years as a probation and Josh Kulla, both graduates of the Engineering 1996, has just completed After a spell at Belfast Bible College, officer. If anyone reading this is a inaugural Comparative Ethnic Conflict his Masters of Education in Digital Media Karen moved to Ethiopia in the early ‘We’ll return to four rural schools this chartered forensic psychologist who Masters, had a baby boy, Daniel Kulla Education from the University of Limerick 1990s with the Anglican Church Mission, year again to build on previous HIV/AIDS is interested in supervising a lovely, Hickson, on 5 May 2008. Sarale can be with first class honours. He is married initially at a nursing school in Gondar Awareness and leadership training. This intelligent and committed person (Nicola) contacted at [email protected]. to fellow Queen’s graduate, Pamela in the north-west of the country and time our focus will be on Peer Education,’ towards her chartership, please get in Andison, and they have two boys, Jacob then at Jimma University in the south- she added. touch. Nicola is married with 2 children. Kathleen Bushnell Owsley, MA Irish and Lewis. Robert is currently working in west. She has worked with Crosslinks in She can be contacted at Studies 1998, was named Director, One Sligo Institute of Technology as a Lecturer Ethiopia since 1993. Her work is primarily Karen can be contacted at - [email protected]. D, a regional transformation project of Computer Aided Design. He can be in the area of Aids control - education [email protected] for metropolitan Detroit focusing on contacted at [email protected]. Patrick Comyn, BSc Psychology 1998, is economic development, race relations, pleased to announce his engagement to regional transit, educational preparedness Philip Grieve, MB BCh BAO 1996, has with two children – a boy and girl. He Conall Dempsey, BSc Accounting 1993, Aoibhinn Twomey from Mourneabbey, and quality of life. Kathleen can be recently passed the FRCSEd in Trauma looks forward to meeting up again with is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers County Cork. Paddy can be contacted at contacted at [email protected]. and Orthopaedics Surgery. He has been fellow graduates and can be contacted at LLP. Based in the United States, Conall [email protected]. offered a Trauma Fellowship in the Royal [email protected]. is completing a four-year secondment to Adelaide Hospital, South Australia for PwC’s Korean firm in Seoul and is due Rachel Cooper (née Aspland), BA one year. Also in 2008 a new addition Dawn Yardley, BSc Computer Science to repatriate back to the US in 2009 to English Literature and Language 1998, to the family arrived, a second child, and Psychology 1994, got married in rejoin his partners in the firm’s assurance went to Greece for a year to teach Conor Philip. Philip can be contacted at 2002 and has a beautiful 2-year old son, practice in New York. Conall is married English in 1998 and fell in love with the [email protected]. Sam. She is working as cabin crew for to Caroline and has two young children, job. She returned to the UK in 1999 Virgin Atlantic Airways. Dawn can be Niamh and Aidan. He can be contacted and has been teaching since. In 2007 David McNeill, BEng Mechanical contacted at [email protected]. at [email protected]. she married Tom and together they plan Engineering 1996, moved to Brazil to Patricia McAteer, BEd 1995, has lived to move to Abu Dhabi later this year. work on an assignment as Latin America Aaron McCormack, MEng Electrical in Belgium since October 2006. Patricia Rachael is taking on a role as an ESOL Aftermarket Leader for Cummins Power &Electronic Engineering 1993, has been and Johan Verhoeven became the proud advisor to Arab teachers in a cluster of Generation. He has moved with his selected as a member of the Young parents of daughter, Caoimhe, in August schools, which feels like the perfect step wife and two daughters for a three year Global Leaders at the World Economic 2007. Patricia now speaks fluent Dutch career-wise. Rachel can be contacted at Edward Simmons, MEng Electrical and period and is enjoying living in one of Forum. He can be contacted at aaron. and is brushing up on her French in this [email protected] Electronic Engineering 1998, has recently the largest cities in the world. He can be [email protected]. 4-lingual country! She can be contacted (January 2008) become the proud father contacted at at [email protected]. of a baby girl - Alice Edith!! Edward can [email protected]. be contacted at [email protected]. Julie Wilson, BA Business Administration and French 1996, graduated from John Connellan, BA History and Politics Harvard with a Masters in Education To include your news 1997, is married to Kiera Brown from (EdM). Julie can be contacted at Castlewellan and is working in private [email protected]. in Class Notes, contact legal practice in Dublin. He would love to Josephine Crilly, BA Social hear from former classmates. John can be David Gilmore, MSSc 1995, was Gerry Power - Anthropology 1993, MA 2004, was contacted at appointed as Rector of the Parish of [email protected] awarded the Age Concern Inspirational [email protected]. St Anne with St Thomas and St Peter Older People Award (IOPA) for in Soho in the Diocese of London at Outstanding Achievement in Education at Philip Creaney, BSc Biological Sciences June Avond (née Hadden), BA French a service on 27 April 2008. David was a lavish ceremony in the Hilton Hotel on Sean McLoughlin, BSc Accounting 1997, is now married and the proud and German 1996, moved to France ordained Deacon in 2003 and Priest in 6 June 2008 hosted by George Jones. In 1993, has this month been named as Stephen Moore, LLB Law and father of two children, a boy and a after graduation specialized in teaching 2004 in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and addition to her commitment to lifelong one of the 45 emerging leaders under 45 Accounting 1995, set up his own girl – the set is complete with his wife’s secondary school pupils with learning served his title as a curate in the Parish learning she is very active in a wide by the pharmaceutical industry’s leading Management Consultancy Company - two Bichon Firse dogs! Philip can be difficulties. In 2008 she was elected as of St John the Baptist, Danbury until his range of voluntary organisations in her magazine, Pharmaceutical Executive. Sean Docklands (www.docklandsltd.com) five contacted at a local councillor, the first foreigner in move to London. David can be contacted local area and is the current Chair of the can be contacted at years ago. It specialises in public sector [email protected]. the area to do so and one of only two at [email protected]. Sports Advisory Committee of Newry & [email protected]. women on a council of fifteen. She consultancy. He is now married to Claire Mourne District Council. P24 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P25
Andreas Mitrakas, LLM 1991, moved to the post of Head of Administration Lyle Watters for thousands of families and place it on Department at the European Network the world map as a major manufacturing and Information Security Agency (ENISA) Lyle Watters, BSSc Business source for the automotive giant. last year. He recently co-edited the book Administration 1986, MBA 1987, Continuing in his current role Lyle will “Secure eGovernment web services”, IGI has recently been appointed Finance also have the additional responsibility of Publishing, Hershey, PA, 2007. Andreas Director for Ford’s Operations in South Chairman of the Board of Directors of can be contacted at America. He took up the post on 1 Ford of Romania. [email protected]. October and is based out of São Paulo. Previously he was Director of the Business While he has spent all of his working life Strategy Office for Ford of Europe, outside Northern Ireland, Lyle Watters still and aboard. Pat is currently working in with responsibility for overall strategic maintains close ties with the province and Samuel Burns, BSc Computer Science the pharmaceutical industry as a Project planning for the company’s European Automotive Group (Jaguar, Land Rover, regularly returns for family visits. His wife, 1992, worked in the software industry as Manager. He would like to hear how operations, a position he held since Volvo and Aston Martin). In 2003, he Rhonda, is originally from Ballymena and a software developer at Kainos Software fellow graduates are getting on and November 2005. was appointed Finance Director for together they have two girls aged 12 and Ltd and its sister company Meridio Ltd perhaps meet up for a round of golf! Pat Global Marketing and Sales Operations at six. can be contacted at for 10 years. He moved to the United Mr Watters grew up in the village of Jaguar and Land Rover. [email protected]. States almost six years ago and works for Tobermore, near Magherafelt and moved Lyle has stayed in touch with a number a company called McKesson Automation to London soon after he graduated to As Director of Business Strategy Lyle was of former classmates from his MBA - part of a Fortune 50 company. He has join Ford Motor Company. the project lead and chief negotiator course, among them Mike Brown who been very happily married for almost 10 on the recent acquisition of a major has just taken over as COO of Heathrow years and is now a US citizen living in He has held several positions with the Automotive Manufacturing facility in Airport. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Samuel can be Colin Wright, BEng Electrical and company including treasurer, Ford of Craiova, Romania, 125 miles west of contacted at [email protected]. Electronic Engineering 1991, married Europe and, in the year 2000, Financial Bucharest. The investment will transform Lyle can be contacted at - Nichola (MEng, Bradford) this year and Controller for the newly created Premier the region, create economic prosperity [email protected]. Sean Matthews, BA Geography 1992, they are retiring to sail the oceans of is currently preparing for overseas the world. Since graduation Colin has deployment with the US Army. Sean can worked in Iceland, Antarctica, the Middle be contacted at East, America, Canada, France, Sweden Nicky McMeekin, BDS 1989, has finally Colin Annette, BEng Electrical and [email protected]. and Italy. He has chased seals in Orkney, settled down in Exeter with husband Electronic Engineering 1988, obtained worked with the team that discovered 1980s Paul and daughter Katie (3), after 16 an MBA from London Business School Michael Montgomery, BA Politics and the Ozone hole and with the European years as a dental officer in both the Royal in 1994. He moved into the telecoms Modern History 1992, became a father Space Agency and spent a while in the Army and Royal Navy Dental Corps. She industry working for Japanese, American for the first time when his wife Deborah utilities sector of the FTSE 30! Colin can Fergal Gavin, MSc 1994, with wife is now a Principal of a two-chair private and British companies in a variety of gave birth to Molly in February this be contacted at [email protected]. Tanja, has become a proud (but sleep- dental practice in Exeter and is currently roles. He then took two years out year. He works as a Finance Officer in starved) new parent to baby Ben on looking to move into partnership with to travel and work round the world. Newtownabbey JBO and enjoys cycling Christmas day 2007. He has received a her associate. Nicky can be contacted at He is currently Director of Portfolio in the Carrick hills to keep fit and clear promotion to commodity manager and [email protected]. Development for BT’s Wholesale division. his head! Michael can be contacted at key account manager at the aerostructure He is married to Gill from Huddersfield [email protected]. procurement department of AIRBUS. with their first baby on the way. Colin Fergal can be contacted at can be contacted at [email protected]. [email protected].
Nicola Cherry (née Brown) BSSc Roger Brown, MB BCh BAO 1988, is Sociology 1989, MSSc 2004, established married to Sandra and they have two Nicola Brown Associates in February boys and two girls aged between 6 and 2007, offering human resource support 15 years. As well as working in general and guidance to companies across practice for 17 years Roger has been an Ireland. A very successful first trading audit facilitator, a clinical governance Mark Gillan, BEng Aeronautical year has made Nicola wish she had lead, and is now helping to run a drug Engineering 1990, PhD 1993, is made the leap to self-employment and rehabilitation unit. He is still very involved currently Head of Aerodynamics for the entrepreneurship years ago! Nicola in church related activities. Roger can be German based Toyota Formula One Brown Associates can help companies contacted at [email protected]. Team, following posts as a lecturer of any size with any employee related Veronica Pedro, MSc Architecture Dot Adams (née Greer), BSSc Social in Aeronautics at Queen’s, Principal issues offering an employment cradle-to- 1989, was awarded a PhD in Linguistic Kathy Elder, BEng Chemical Engineering Anthropology 1991, began working life Aerodynamicist at the McLaren F1 Team, Studies from the Universidade Federal 1988, became part of the family business Mark McCadden, BSSc 1990, spent grave support. Nicola can be contacted at by teaching Nursery Nurses childcare and Chief Race Engineer at Jaguar F1 and the Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro in 2006. in South Florida where they sell high-end nine years as a primary school teacher, [email protected]. sociology at a local further education Sir George Edwards Chair in Aerospace She has worked as a lecturer, teacher electronics and home theatre interiors. and four years as a national strategy college and noted the gap in the market Engineering at Surrey University. He is of English, and architect having been She married a man from Ballymoney consultant for maths teaching. He is Daniel McConnell, BSc Chemistry 1989, for a Nanny Agency in Northern Ireland. married to Dominique who graduated involved in the conservation and 15 years ago and they have three kids currently the West Sussex maths adviser, was recently admitted as a Partner in She launched the first Agency in the from Law at Queen’s and who is a restoration of the cultural heritage in the (aged 12, 10, and 9). Visitors are always responsible for improving standards of Deloitte where he will have responsibility Province and sold it on in 2001. She then Barrister in Surrey’s Guildford Chambers. state of Rio de Janeiro. She is currently welcome! Kathy can be contacted at maths education across 240 primary for leading the Technology Practice in became a medical representative for a They have a son, Alexander, who is two a lecturer in English language at tertiary [email protected]. schools. He lives in sunny Bognor Regis Northern Ireland delivering technology- pharmaceutical company. She was given years old. Mark can be contacted at level government institutions in Brazil. and is married with two children, aged enabled solutions across the public and a public appointment twelve years ago [email protected]. Veronica can be contacted at Stephen Garvey, BEng Civil Engineering 11 and 9. Mark can be contacted at private sectors. Daniel can be contacted and serves on the Fair Employment and [email protected]. 1988, wishes to remind everyone from [email protected] at [email protected]. Industrial Tribunals. Dot can be contacted Pat King, BEng Civil Engineering 1990, the civil engineering class of 1988 that at [email protected]. has worked on various projects in Ireland P26 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P27
their 21st anniversary is coming up next classmates. Mary is working as a civil meeting old Queen’s colleagues and also Queen’s. He is married with three in 2007. Mary can be contacted at year. Stephen and a few others (Bernard, servant for the Health Authority in Hong ex-neighbours in Mount Pleasant. Tony daughters, aged 18, 16 and 13. Tony can [email protected]. 1970s Ciaran etc) are thinking of having a Kong and is married with three kids aged can be contacted [email protected]. be contacted at [email protected]. reunion bash at Queen’s. If there is any nine to 12. Mary can be contacted at Eugene O’Hagan, BA English and interest out there please contact Stephen [email protected]. Scholastic Philosophy 1982, his brother Fr Oonagh Ferrity, LLB 1979, is organising at [email protected]. Martin and colleague Fr David Delargy, all a 30-year Law Reunion on Friday 19 Stephen Dobbs, MB BCh BAO 1987, graduates of Queen’s and priests of the June in the Canada Room at Queen’s. Stephen McIlwaine, BEng Civil spent a year working in the Sudan Diocese of Down and Connor, secured For further information please contact Engineering 1988, PhD 1992, has been before specialising in obstetrics and a recording deal with Sony BMG in April Oonagh on [email protected]. living and working as a consultant gynaecology. He is now a sub specialist 2008. Their album is due for release in in the Middle East for the past nine in gynaecological oncology at Belfast City November 2008 and bookies are taking James Galway, DMus 1979, joined BB years. He has just begun work with the Hospital. He is married to Jenny and they bets on the chances of the CD making it King and Liza Minelli as one of the latest World Bank on the Environmental and have three fantastic kids: Harry, Anna into the UK and Ireland’s Top 10 or even inductees to the Hollywood Bowl’s Hall Social Impact Assessment of the Red and Ellie. Any spare time is spent sailing, Number one slot this Christmas! Eugene of Fame in Los Angeles on 20 June 2008. Sea-Dead Sea Canal Project, a project skiing and trying to keep everyone can be contacted at A very special moment, as it is almost jointly coordinated by the governments happy! Stephen can be contacted at [email protected]. 30 years ago that Sir James made his of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian [email protected]. Alan Bridle, BSc (Econ) 1986, is currently Adarsh Kumar Dhawan, MSc Opto US stage debut on the very same stage Authority. Stephen can be contacted at Head of Economics and Research at Bank Electronics 1983, had served nine years at the start of his solo career. Also, in [email protected]. Steven Lindsay, MB BCh BAO 1987, has of Ireland and responsible for all the in the Indian Army when he was selected August, Sir James hosted his international been married to Jennifer for twenty years Bank’s briefings and presentations on to go to Queen’s to study for an MSc. flute masterclass in Weggis, Switzerland and they have two children: Laura (15) the local economy. He is also a co-author Due to his degree he became a Brigadier for over 50 flutists from around the and James (13). Steven is a consultant of the Quarterly House Price Index, in the Army and retired in January 2008. world. cardiologist at the Bradford Teaching widely accepted as the most definitive In his second career he has joined the Hospital’s NHS Trust. His sub-speciality barometer of residential property in the corporate sector dealing with real estate! is getting out of bed at 3am to re-open region. Alan can be contacted at Adarsh can be contacted at occluded coronary arteries. He wonders [email protected]. [email protected]. if this is progress as it’s like being a house-officer all over again! His real Chris McGale, BSc (Econ) 1986, has just interest is hill walking in Scotland with been promoted to Head of European the family although the teenage children Fundamental Research and Sales, based Robert Wasson, BSc Electrical are somewhat less interested! He looks in London. He began his career at Ulster and Electronic Engineering 1982, is forward to retirement in the Scottish Bank Investment Managers (now KBC) Managing Director of Watershed Interim Jonathan Bramley, BSc Computer Highlands. Steven can be contacted at and was Head of Research and laterally Management. Interim management is Science 1987, was the Executive Producer [email protected]. a Portfolio Manager before departing for a fast-growing trend, and with a panel of the BBC’s coverage of the Olympics Smith New Court Plc (later Merrill Lynch) of over 1000 senior people, Watershed and Paralympics in Beijing over the Peter Templeton, MB BCh BAO 1987, in 1991. At Merrill Lynch Chris was a is one of the leading providers. Those Coleen Adams, MB BCh BAO 1978, summer. Jonny can be contacted at completed his basic surgical training in Managing Director, Global Markets and who are interested in either becoming an retired this year. She moved to Toronto jonathan.bramley@bbc.co.uk. Belfast before moving to Yorkshire in Investment Banking, as well as Merrill’s interim, or sourcing an interim, should from Birmingham in 1985 to do a 1993 to complete his higher surgical Country Manager for Ireland. After that visit www.watershedinterim.com for paediatric neurology residency and Ruth Capper, MB BCh BAO 1987, training in orthopaedics. He was then he worked for three years on several Brian Flanagan, BA Celtic Studies 1983, more information. remained in Canada working as a is settled in South Yorkshire with her appointed as a children’s orthopaedic personal investment initiatives, including spent ten years in England working paediatric neurologist. She married David husband, Dave, who thankfully has surgeon at the Leeds General Infirmary. an attempt to acquire NCB Stockbrokers, mainly in local government. During this Barker in 2004. Coleen can be contacted nothing to do with medicine! Ruth is In the last nine years Peter has completed before joining Pali from MF Global time he qualified as a Chartered Institute at [email protected]. a consultant ENT surgeon at Doncaster a tour of duty in Iraq, was programme Securities in London. He lives in London of Management Accountant (CIMA). He Royal Infirmary. She is sorry to have director for 80 foundation year-one with his wife and four children and can returned to work in Dublin and has been missed the reunion in March but had doctors for four years, and more recently be contacted at there since in a variety of accounting already committed to doing an ear programme director for 69 orthopaedic [email protected]. positions. In 2004 he graduated from surgery camp in Nepal. She did her 3rd speciality trainees. At present he has the Open University with an MBA. He year elective in Nepal which has led to the unenviable task of being the Michael Pakenham, BA French and presently works as a financial controller a long term commitment. Ruth can be clinical director for 18 consultants and Spanish 1985, is now living in France in Dublin. He lives in Navan, Co Meath contacted at 41 juniors in a 120-bed unit. Peter is where he is an English Language Lecturer and has a keen interest in politics. He [email protected]. married to Kate and they have three at Caen University in Normandy. Michael represented the Green Party for the children: Robert, Sophia and William. can be contacted at constituency of Meath West in the Kate is currently finishing a degree [email protected]. Republic’s Dáil election of 2007. Brian course so everyone in the family is doing can be contacted at James Morrow, MB BCh BAO 1980, MD homework! Peter can be contacted at Tony C K Tham, MB BCH BAO 1985, [email protected]. 1993, PhD 2008, qualified as a doctor [email protected]. MD 1990, completed his training in 1980 and achieved an MD in 1993. as an Advanced Gastroenterology Mary Heaney, LLB 1982, sold her He has been working as a Consultant Tony Hoare, DSc 1987, has retired Fellow at Harvard Medical School and publishing company, Legal Week, to Neurologist at the Royal Group of Henry Elvin, BSc (Econ) 1978, joined aafter 22 years as Professor of has been Consultant Physician and Incisive Media, and with her former hospitals since 1989. Nevertheless he Ulster Bank in 1989 and is now Head of Computing at Oxford to a job in Gastroenterologist in the Ulster Hospital, partners has now set up www. always felt that he didn’t quite live up to Business Banking Northern Ireland. Henry Cambridge at Microsoft Research Ltd. since 1997. During this time, he has takelegaladvice.com - a new concept the customary Northern Ireland greeting, leads a substantial commercial banking He is continuing the research into developed services in the Ulster Hospital, in the legal publishing marketplace. ‘ Doctor, doctor, doctor,’ so he is happy team, ten business centres covering software correctness which he started in especially in therapeutic endoscopy The first service of its kind in Europe, to report that having achieved the degree Northern Ireland, and a dedicated Belfast in 1968. It is only now that the and ERCP. He is Head of the School of matching businesses and individuals with of Doctor of Philosophy this year, he can corporate banking and property finance Mary Cheung, MB BCh BAO 1987, early research is beginning to bear fruit Postgraduate Medicine, sits on many appropriate law firms, the award-winning now respond to this epithet. James can team based in Belfast and the North could not attend the reunion in March in industrial application. Jill and Tony specialist committees and is an examiner website has seen nearly 20,000 cases go be contacted at [email protected]. West. Henry can be contacted at but sends her best wishes to all her still enjoy occasional visits to Belfast, for the Royal College of Physicians and through to law firms since its inception [email protected]. P28 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P29
Hazlett Lynch, BD 1978, was ordained was made by the Irish Schools’ Athletics now an adviser in the Ministry of Finance pilot in 2002, and since then has been into the Christian Ministry in 1979. After Association. Alan can be contacted at in Sarajevo. Life has moved on a lot since flying for easyJet based in Glasgow. Bill lecturing for a period, he jointly founded [email protected]. their time at Queen’s but Gerard and was involved in the Nairobi incident in the West Tyrone Voice victims’ group. Mairead look back on those days with December 2000, which resulted in the Now as Director of that organisation, great fondness and appreciation. They recommendation that the cockpit doors Dr Lynch has represented victims in can be contacted at of all UK aircraft are locked. Bill enjoys many countries around the world, [email protected]. keeps in touch with his Alma Mater and and directs the activities of the West addressed the Aeronautical Engineering Tyrone Voice self-help group. He is also Hilary Caldwell, BSSc 1972, is currently Department’s 50-year Reunion. He is also actively involved in the setting up of a programme manager at Lisburn City a regular attendee at events organised by European-wide network of innocent Swimming Club. Hilary can be contacted the Scottish Graduates’ Association. Bill victims’ groups, whose purpose is to raise at [email protected]. can be contacted at awareness of human rights legislation Patricia-Anne Moore, BA English [email protected]. as a tool for protecting victims against and French 1974, set up her own life- Boyd McCleary, BA German 1972, IoB. At the award ceremony, which terrorism and of achieving justice for coaching company in 2005 (www. joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service took place on 10th July in London, the them. Hazlett can be contacted at more2life.ie). Then in September after graduating where he worked in President, Professor Raymond Dwek, FRS, [email protected]. Walker Rainey, Bsc (Econ) 1976, 2007 she became Educational the Department of Agriculture. In 1975 presented Paul and two other recipients fell into the international insurance/ Guidance Coordinator for the Shannon he applied for a job on secondment to with the silver-gilt medals, remarking John Weaver, MB BCh BAO 1978, reinsurance world while on holiday in Consortium. She is married to Eddie the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that in this way the IoB was able to is happily settled in Bellingham, Bermuda in 1979 and has remained in Moxon-Browne, Jean Monnet Chair of as Agricultural Attaché at the British formally express its gratitude to the Washington and working as a physician. that business ever since. He spent all of European Integration, and Director of the Embassy in Bonn. He enjoyed the work recipients, whose long service, energy, He is married to Sue with two grown the 1980s in Bermuda and since 1990 MA European Studies at the University of and the lifestyle and was able to transfer dedication and enthusiasm have stood daughters. He is looking forward to an has worked for Bermuda companies Limerick. Patricia-Anne can be contacted full-time to the Diplomatic Service and out and made invaluable contributions Irish golf trip despite his handicap! John in the IFSC in Dublin. He is married to at [email protected]. has served in Seoul, Ankara, Ottawa to the Institute and its work. Paul can be can be contacted at [email protected]. Gillian with two kids, Caitlin (21) and and Dusseldorf. In summer 2006 Boyd contacted at Jack (18). Walker can be contacted at Jim Owens, BSc Computer Science moved to Kuala Lumpur as British High [email protected].. Stephen White, BSSc Business [email protected]. & Maths 1974, survived his three-year Commissioner and has been helping Administration 1978, MSc Management articles in charted accountancy but then to facilitate the links between Queen’s John Fox, BSc Biochemistry 1977, is Pete Bryan, BSc Geology 1974, moved 1989, is now the Head of Mission for J Alan Webb, BSc Electrical & Electronic gravitated to the ICT industry. In 1994 and Malaysia. He can be contacted at moving back to Ireland, after 20 years in to Wales over 18 months ago and is the European Union’s integrated rule Engineering 1975, PhD 1986, was Jim, his wife Marion and son Andrew, [email protected]. England, to a new job based in Dublin. enjoying the wilds and freedom in the of law mission for Iraq, “EUJUST LEX”, appointed Associate Head of the left for Perth, Western Australia where He will be Chief Development Officer foothills of the Black Mountain. Pete after a 26-year career in policing. With (re-designated) School of Engineering he became a Project Manager and Sam Kernohan, BA 1971, has just for drug delivery company, Merrion worked for Leicester City Council as offices in Brussels and Baghdad he heads at the University of Ulster in June has managed projects all over Asia finished writing his memoirs about the Pharmaceuticals. Based in the grounds of a Principal Arts Officer for almost 20 a team of European experts who design 2007. He completed a year in office and Australia. He is currently Financial grand fun he had during the 36 years Trinity College, Merrion has developed years. After leaving in 1998 he set up and provide training opportunities all as local Chairman of the Institution of Coordinator and Project Coordinator he spent in the Argentine pampas. technology that allows drugs normally a consultancy and now fundraises for over the EU and in the Middle East for Engineering and Technology (IET) in with the Health Corporate Network The Mourne Observer, a County Down given by injection to be administered charities and community organisations. high-level members of the Iraqi judiciary, October 2007. As a chartered engineer, and Vice-President of PMI WA Chapter newspaper, published 18 articles orally - a big advantage for patients in a Pete’s wife is a professional potter, and penitentiary and police services. He has a fellow of the IET and a fellow of the (Project Management Institute), Honorary extracted from the original script number of therapeutic areas, including exhibits internationally. Please see www. planned and led this unique intervention Higher Education Academy (HEA), he is Secretary of ACS (The Australian last year. Sam can be contacted at cancer and osteoporosis. John can be oncefired.co.uk. Pete can be contacted at since its inception. The Mission is part one of nine UK Subject Centre Associates Computer Society), curriculum IT advisor [email protected]. contacted at [email protected]. [email protected]. of the “European Union’s Security with the HEA Engineering Subject Centre, to Edith Cowan University and editor of and Defence Policy”. Stephen can be based at Loughborough. Alan is also a the ACS Offline magazine. He can be contacted at Methodist lay preacher and is married to contacted at [email protected]. [email protected]. Linda (née Cummings), a biology teacher at Sullivan Upper School, Holywood. They Brew Atkinson, MB BCh BAO 1973, Ian Dornan, BA 1977, is alive and well have three children who are graduates MD 1980, DSc 1993, is still working as and working from home for the past four in law (Trinity Cambridge), pharmacy Professor of Endocrinology at the Royal years as a representative in Spain and (Queen’s) and economics (St Andrews). Victoria Hospital, Belfast. He is married to Portugal of OAG Worldwide, the British Alan can be contacted at Hilary and they have four sons and one Aviation database company. Married [email protected]. grandson, so trips to Edinburgh to see with two children, Kevin and Paula (14 their two married sons are as frequent as and 10) Ian is just about recovering from Peter William Hawthorne, MB BCh possible. He is still doing a bit of running the pleasure of seeing Spain win the BAO 1975, has been working for the but is even slower than when he was recent Eurocopa! Ian can be contacted at Cunard Line for the past 8 years as a sea- playing rugby! Brew can be contacted at [email protected]. going doctor. He has served on Queen [email protected]. Ivor Greer, BSc (Econ) 1970, has Paul Murray, BA French and Spanish Lowell Courtney, BA Modern Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary and most been the UK Operations Director of a 1977, is currently Head of Modern Languages 1974, has recently retired Michael Wilson, LLB 1977, is a senior recently was appointed Principal Medical Gerard Ennis, BA 1973, moved to Christian Development Charity working in Languages at Saint Peter’s Catholic from his second career (FE lecturer) and is partner in Elliott Duff Garrett, a Belfast- Officer on Queen Victoria from its Dublin in 1973 with his wife, Mairead Cambodia for the last ten years. In 2003 High School and Sixth Form Centre, now running an all-Ireland tour company. based commercial law firm. He is also launch in December 2007. He has lived (nee Doherty) who graduated in the same he ran the Angkor Wat Half Marathon to Gloucester. Ten years ago he completed He is happily married to Carol Fletcher President of the Solicitors’ Disciplinary in Spain for 23 years with his German year, and worked in various positions raise funds for Cambodia since when he the 800 km Camino de Santiago from the same class and year. Lowell can Tribunal for Northern Ireland. Michael wife and international family but returns until he was seconded to the Irish has run several half marathons (including pilgrimage on foot from Saint Jean be contacted at [email protected]. can be contacted at to Northern Ireland on a regular basis Permanent Representation in Brussels as the Great North Run) and his first full Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees to [email protected]. to visit friends and family. Peter can be EU Budget Attaché in 1996. In 1999 he marathon in Edinburgh raising more the shrine of Saint James in Santiago Christopher McCrudden, LLB 1974, contacted at [email protected]. joined the Estonian Ministry of Finance in for the work in Cambodia. Ivor can be de Compostela in Spain. He has since was elected as a Fellow of the British Alan McGonigle, BEd 1976, received preparation for Estonia’s entry to the EU. contacted at [email protected]. spent two summers as a warden in a Academy in July 2008. Christopher can the Tailltean Award for services to Paul Boreland, BSc 1974, was awarded In 2003 he became a development aid pilgrim hostel on the route. Paul can be be contacted at Schools’ Athletics in Ulster at a reception the Institute of Biology (IoB) President’s consultant, since when he has been living William Hagan, BSc Aeronautical contacted at [email protected]. [email protected]. in Dublin in November 2007. The Award Medal for meritorious service to the in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he is Engineering 1970, retired from BA as a P30 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P31
Touche Remnant, Citibank and AMP Asset Management. Tony retired as Last lecture with Professor E Estyn Evans Chief Executive of Hermes Pensions (17 May 1956; Geography Department, Queen’s University Belfast) Management in January 2006. He also serves as Chairman of the Strategic Investment Board in Northern Ireland, This is my last lecture with the Prof. Marks and Spencer Pension Trust He is standing up there - spare and tanned. Limited and the Asian Infrastructure Slowly and quietly speaking of Fund. Tony is a non-executive director the history of world trade. . of Hammerson plc, Witan Investment Outside the engines at the building works Trust and Vodafone Group Plc; he is also Drone on and on. Roger McCune, BSc Chemistry 1970, on the Advisory Board of Norges Bank in advancing the understanding of, Now a laugh like a breeze runs round the class began a teaching career in 1976 which Investment Bank and is a member of the and lurks longest near Jimmy and Sam. and support for, biomedical research.’ Leonard Evans, BSc Physics 1960, he ended in 1984 as Head of Chemistry Shareholder Executive Advisory Group. Prof’s voice rises and falls. The award acknowledged Dr Barwin’s continues to be active as the world’s in Ballyclare High School. For six years Called to the English Bar in 1976, he is Only snatches of sentences reach me. contributions as an outstanding fertility top traffic-safety expert. His 2004 book he was with the Northern Ireland Science now a Bencher at Lincoln’s Inn. Outside a blue sky white clouded calls. researcher and noted volunteer, known Traffic Safety has acquired a classic and Technology Regional Organisation Tony can be contacted at A silence of the grave is on the room. by many for his “longstanding selfless status. Dr Evans has presented keynote (NISTRO) and then moved to the newly [email protected]. And keen eyed he looks at us. acts of benevolence”. He is also a addresses and other invited lectures in established Northern Ireland Curriculum Eyes not seeing students faces recipient of the Order of Canada for over 30 countries. His travels are not Council (NICC). He is still working; now But the Devon coast and windy places. his contribution to medicine and public confined to professional activities. In as Accreditation Manager within the White sails on a grey sea education in health issues, women’s 2000 he visited the Titanic, two and Council for the Curriculum, Examinations reproductive rights, and family building. and buccaneer men of Devon bold and free. a half miles under the Atlantic, an and Assessment (CCEA). Along the way The Norman Barwin Scholarship in Now he muses-”I will try to sum up. adventure he described in a lecture to the he undertook a number of professional Women’s Health & Reproduction was Man has expanded to the edge of the world Belfast Titanic Society in 2005. He and his development courses, including the established in his honour; a scholarship There is no way left but up” wife Wendy have three children and one Diploma in Advanced Studies in open to postgraduates at all Canadian grandchild. Leonard can be contacted at Education (DASE) at Queen’s. Roger can Universities. Norman can be contacted at Where are we going? [email protected]. be contacted at [email protected] [email protected]. I am on the brink of something I do not understand. There is no one beyond to greet me. 1960s I need not stretch out my hand. 1950s Brian Weir, BA German 1967, has Bernadette McCartan Perry retired from his post as Education Officer BA Geography, 1956 David Hadden, MB BCh BAO 1959, MD after more than 35 years’ service with Peter Ingham, BSc Zoology 1969, PhD 1963, is organising a 50-year medical the Southern Education and Library 1972, retired from College Head of reunion on Friday 24 April 2009 in Board. His wife Daphne (née Hempsall, Department in Guildford where he taught the Great Hall at Queen’s. For further Stranmillis 1964) is still a part-time Biological Sciences and IT. He is now information please contact David on teacher. He remains active in Armagh living in Snowdonia, playing keyboard, [email protected]. learning Welsh and selling the occasional Baptist Church and Baptist Missions painting. Peter can be contacted at (Ireland) and follows the dwindling [email protected]. fortunes of Armagh City Football Club Diana Hadden, MB BCh BAO 1965, is and Armagh Cricket Club. Brian can be a member of Riddel Hall Old Students contacted at [email protected]. R N (Rob) Hughes, PhD 1967, Association which meets for a walk and and who also graduated from Queen’s in completed his PhD while employed as lunch every month – climbing Slemish in 1964. Alan can be contacted at David S Crawford, BA 1966, Dip Lib a lecturer in Psychology at Queen’s. At July being possibly the most energetic so [email protected]. the end of 1967, he returned to New Stud 1967, retired as Health Sciences far! A few copies of Pioneering Women: Librarian at McGill University in 2002 and Zealand to the University of Canterbury the story of Riddel Hall and Queen’s Tom Ekin, BSc (Econ) 1962, was Lord was appointed as McGill’s first Librarian where he is currently a Professor of University Belfast by Gillian McClelland Mayor of Belfast in 2004/05 and is still a Emeritus, continues to be involved with Psychology. In between he carried out are still available. Diana can be contacted Councillor trying to make Belfast a better libraries as an occasional consultant and experimental research in behavioural at [email protected]. City in which to live and do business. pharmacology and teratology, has had several articles published on Meanwhile his Weaver’s Court Hi Tech Brian Garrett, LLB 1959, has been developmental psychobiology and medical history. (See: http://internatlibs. S Noel Rea, LLB 1965, has retired Business Park in the heart of Belfast appointed Chairman of the Tyrone comparative psychology. He has received mcgill.ca/ ) He was recently invited to from the Law Department of Imperial continues to be successfully developed. Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig, the New Zealand Psychological Society’s join the Toronto Medical Historical Club Oil Limited and is now Counsel and Tom can be contacted at County Monaghan. Guthrie, the C. J. Adcock and Hunter awards for and, as is their tradition, was almost National Alternative Dispute Resolution [email protected]. distinguished theatre director and former contributions to psychological research, immediately appointed President. He also Co-ordinator with Fraser Milner Casgrain Queen’s Chancellor, left his home for and the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries works on “local improvement’ projects LLP, a national Canadian law firm. Noel Raymond Flannery, BSc 1961, PhD school, St. Columb’s College, Derry use as a residence/place of renewal and Agriculture’s National Animal Ethics with the St Lawrence Neighbourhood can be contacted at [email protected]. 1964, DSc 1998, has officially “retired” honoured him with its Alumnus award, for artists. Brian, a member of the Advisory Committee’s “Three Rs Award” Association and is their current from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Royal Irish Academy elected him an Standing Committee of Convocation, is a for contributions to humane science. webmaster. David can be contacted at Alan Gurd, MB BCh BAO 1964, retired Atlanta after a distinguished career Honorary Member and Queen’s bestowed Consultant Solicitor, a Deputy High Court Rob can be contacted at [email protected]. in 2007 from the Cleveland Clinic in theoretical atomic and molecular a DSc on him for distinction in science. Judge and Life Sentence Commissioner. [email protected]. after 31 years as Head of Paediatric physics. He was then appointed Regents’ Now as well as having extra time for At Queen’s he was joint editor (with Ian Norman Barwin, MB BCh BAO Orthopaedic Surgery. He was replaced by Professor Emeritus. During his career, Ray travel, Ray is currently writing two text Hill) of Gown and later Visiting Associate Tony Watson, BSc (Econ) 1967, 1965, was awarded the Biomedical his son. He is now working part-time and garnered most of the external physics books and continues with his theoretical Fellow (International Affairs) at Harvard. joined Prudential as an economist after Science Ambassador Award by the enjoying some long overdue free-time. prizes in the field on both sides of the research. Ray can be contacted at Contact Brian at graduation. His career has included Partners in Research in May 2008 for Alan is married to Ruth Imrie MD who is Atlantic. In addition, his former high [email protected]. [email protected]. terms with the investment firms his ‘exceptional personal contribution a full time Paediatrician at the same clinic P32 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P33
Joan Walmsley, BA 1959, has been on his career as a foreign correspondent Gossamer, was recently published with Stuart Middle School in Albany, NY. attending a creative writing class for with The Irish Times, called May You Live Salmon Poetry, several poems from which James can be contacted at several years. In May this year, Joan’s 1940s in Interesting Times - a Career on the have been nominated for the Pushcart [email protected]. class together with another class, Books Cutting Edge of History. Also this autumn Prize. Patrick has enjoyed long residences published an anthology called 20 Public Affairs of New York will publish in Northern Ireland, England, Germany, people write. Joan can be contacted a paperback edition of his biography of and Spain but currently lives in South at [email protected]. philanthropist Chuck Feeney, published Dakota, with his wife, Tania. Patrick can last year, called The Billionaire Who be contacted at [email protected]. Erl Annesley, MB BCh BAO 1958, Wasn’t. Conor can be contacted at has retired from general practice and [email protected]. Kenneth Bloomfied, LLD 1991, has now works as a volunteer advisor been closely involved in the ongoing for Citizens Advice. He has finally debate about post-primary education completed the novel he was wanted in his role as Chairman of Governors at to write since his days at Queen’s and Royal Belfast Academical Institution and enjoys fishing, bowls and playing golf of the Association for Quality Education. (badly!). Erl can be contacted at erl. His book A New Life, published this year [email protected]. by Brehon Press, includes a chapter on this and on his work with universities Clare Davison, MB BCh BAO 1958, as Chairman of the Higher Education is enjoying retirement – playing Council. Last year he published A Tragedy bridge, gardening, theatre going, of Errors. Sir Kenneth can be contacted at travelling and spending time with Ian McCausland, BSc Electrical [email protected]. her family. Following house jobs, Engineering 1949, is living in general practice and working for the Toronto, Canada. He and four other Population Genetics Research Unit engineering graduates living in David S H Bell, MB BCh BAO 1970, in Oxford, Clare married in 1970 the area (Fergus Ross 1951, Lance retired as a Professor of Medicine at the and moved to Cambridge. Here McAnuff 1952, Desmond Trimble We would love to hear University of Alabama Medical School in she worked as Consultant Clinical 1952 and Neil Magrath 1948) have 2007 after 25 years service. He has since Geneticist for East Anglia until 1994. for several years been meeting Bill McCrea, BSc Geography 1948, from anyone who has published a book Diet for Life which is monthly to reminisce about their time became an Education Officer in the RAF a weight loss book. Further information Michael Turner, BSc (Econ) 1956, at Queen’s. Ian can be contacted at after graduating. His account of his Sandra Baillie, BA 1985, PhD 1998, recently published a may be viewed at diet4life.net. David can has retired and is living in the Jane [email protected]. wartime raids on Germany was published has had her second book ‘Presbyterians be contacted at Winstone Retirement Village. He as ‘A Chequer-Board of Nights’ by in Ireland: Identity in the twenty first book. To include your [email protected]. was elected a member of the King Desmond A R Johnston, BA 1948, Compaid Graphics in 2003. Only a very century’ published in January 2008 Country Electric Power Trust and is and his wife, Joan (Dip Soc St 1956), few books about bomber pilots were by Palgrave MacMillan. Her first book details in Class Notes, currently assisting with the research have lived in Napier, New Zealand actually written by the men themselves was ‘Evangelical Women in Belfast: for a book on the history of the since 1973. Desmond worked as and, of these, it would appear that Imprisoned or empowered?’ and was contact the Editor development of electricity supply in a Careers Counsellor in Northern Bill is the only British survivor. Bill also published in 2001. the King Country of New Zealand. Ireland, England, and NZ. Since by email - represented Ireland at golf from 1965 to Michael can be contacted at retiring in 1988 he has been an Adult 1967. After leaving the RAF in 1972 he [email protected]. Education tutor in History. Recently [email protected] became Secretary at the Walton Heath awarded a Life Membership of Golf Club where he helped organise Henry Brandt, BSc (Econ) 1955, Hawke’s Bay Photographic Society, the Ryder Cup in 1981. He and his wife was awarded the Order of Merit he continues to turn out black and Gwyneth have just celebrated their 64th 1 Class, of the Federal Republic of white work in his home darkroom. anniversary. Bill can be contacted at Peter Tonkin, BA English 1973, MA Germany by the President. He was He would be glad to hear from fellow [email protected]. 1974, is currently Head of Law at The also appointed Fellow of the Leo students of his era, and of Queen’s Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks but Baeck College, London. Henry can be Chambers ‘45 & ‘46. Desmond can be Conor O’Clery, BA English 1972, DUniv plans to retire next year. He married contacted at contacted at 2007, will this autumn see the publication Charmaine May in March 1980 and [email protected]. [email protected]. by Poolbeg Press in Dublin a retrospective they have two teenage sons, Guy and Mark. He published his first novel, Killer, Peter Elwood, MB BCh BAO 1954, in 1978 and since then has published continues to work despite retiring - another 27, with two more on the way. helped by daily low-dose aspirin! He They vary from spy stories and horror, to Verner Wheelock, BSc Chemistry 1959, was recently privileged to work in a action adventures with an international BAgr 1962, has recently edited and multi-discipline team on an extensive maritime background, and a series published a book entitled Healthy Eating review of aspirin and cancer. He of historical murder mysteries set in in Schools: A handbook of practical has nine grandchildren to keep him Shakespeare’s London - the subject of his case studies. The book features 30 case active! Peter can be contacted at Patrick Hicks, MA Irish Writing 1994, is MA thesis all those years ago! Peter can studies from schools, food manufacturers [email protected]. Writer-in-Residence at Augustana College be contacted at [email protected]. and a number of nutrition and and his work has appeared in scores procurement experts, showing how they of international publications including James Hodgkinson BSc 1971, has have successfully improved food being Ploughshares, The Utne Reader, Glimmer finished 35 marathons, hiked Incan served to schoolchildren. Details available Train, Commonweal, Ambit, Indiana Trail and Grand Canyon rim-to-rim, and at: www.healthyeatinginschools.co.uk. Review and Nimrod. An author of three completed an Adirondack 46er. He has Verner can be contacted at poetry chapbooks, his first international written an unpublished novel about ‘The [email protected]. paperback collection, Finding the Troubles’ and is Coordinator of Doane P34 THE GRADUATE Obituaries
Dr Edgar S Cathcart, MB BCh BAO Orr Isles of Tasmania. He was the son of Claude was a keen amateur radio QUEEN’S WELCOME CENTRE 1955, DSc 1977, died on 4 April 2008. the late Sarah and Charles Cathcart of operator, sailor, genealogist and He was an internationally acclaimed Northern Ireland. photographer. In 1976-77 he sailed to expert on rheumatology. He crossed on the South Pacific with his family aboard the SS United States from Ireland 52 their Valiant 40 sailboat Mamateek. years ago to become an American citizen. While living in Fiji he worked at the Suva Prior to living in Beverly he resided in John Alexander Creaney, BA 1955, Hospital where he taught the medical Wellesley and Dedham. He completed his one of Northern Ireland’s most esteemed students obstetrics and gynaecology. residency training in the United Kingdom legal figures died on 3 June 2008. and Lahey Clinic Boston, followed Claude is dearly missed by family and by a rheumatology fellowship at the Born in Armagh in July 1933, his father friends for his joyous spirit, humanity, Massachusetts General Hospital. was a bus driver who served in Italy humour and sense of adventure. during the Second World War. John was A professor of medicine at Boston educated at Royal School Armagh and at University from 1977 to 2003, he Queen’s, where he joined the OTC. After authored over 200 publications, graduation, and a spell at Trinity College Dr Nora Graham, MB BCh BAO 1976, delivering medical and scientific papers Dublin, Creaney became the pupil of died on 19 August 2007. throughout the world. Prior to his Basil Kelly, later Lord Justice Kelly of the retirement Dr Cathcart was the chief Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. After practising for many years as a of staff at the Edith Nourse Rogers family physician in Wadena and Yorkton, Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. He was called to the Bar in 1957, and Saskatchewan, and Digby, Nova Scotia, Appointed to this post in 1984, he had took Silk in 1973. As a Senior Prosecuting Dr Graham obtained her fellowship in earlier established the first Geriatric Counsel from 1978 until his death, psychiatry in 1993, and subsequently Rheumatology Centre at the Bedford VA. Creaney participated in many important practiced in Halifax, Nova Scotia; and terrorist trials at the Belfast Crown Court. Edmonton, Alberta. She was predeceased He was a fellow of the Royal College of by her eldest son, Kenneth Matthew, in Physicians in Ireland and a past president He later served as a Deputy Lieutenant 2007, and is survived by her husband, Dr of the North-eastern Section of the for Co Down. Kenneth T A Graham and children, Alice, American Rheumatology Association. Lisa, Donald and Mark. She was widely He served on the board of directors of read and a witty raconteur. the Lupus Foundation. He was also a member of the Young Turks Independent Claude Cronhelm, MB BCh BAO 1957, Research Investigators. died on 1 December 2007 after a brief illness. Philip Morgan Whiteman, MA Library Dr Cathcart was internationally and Information Studies 1969, died on 2 recognized for his work on amyloid Claude leaves to mourn his loving wife November 2007. proteins. Such research has broad clinical Sandra; son Peter and daughter-in-law implications, amyloid unbalance having Kelly; daughters - Julie, her husband Philip Whiteman, born 19 June 1926, been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and Marcus, Jackie and her husband Glen; died in hospital in early November after bone marrow cancer as well as chronic grandchildren Matthew, Emma, Zoe, major surgery. He was a major influence inflammatory disease. Jacob and Maya. on the education of librarians and on the work of their professional body, the Dr Cathcart travelled extensively with Claude graduated from Queen’s in Library Association. family and friends. As an avid reader, he 1957 with a medical degree. He worked Queen’s Welcome Centre was happy to read “Pilgrim’s Progress” to in general practice in Belfast before In 1964, he joined the School of Library Queen’s University Belfast his young children by candlelight, while immigrating to Newfoundland where he and Information studies at Queen’s, Belfast volunteering his time as the physician on worked in the Cottage Hospital System. where he gained his Masters Degree call at Outward Bound’s Hurricane Island. He continued his medical training in before becoming director. BT7 1NN He delighted his grandchildren with Irish obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 28 9097 5252 ditties and dancing. Victoria Hospital in Montreal, where he completed his training and earned his Email: [email protected] Dr Cathcart is survived by his wife of 50 FRCS (C) in 1963. www: www.qub.ac.uk/welcomecentre years, Geraldine (Dowd) Cathcart; his daughter Susan and husband Greg Mace He then moved to Vancouver and began of Seattle, son Charles and his wife Nellie his obstetrical career with the Seymour View our range of gifts including Queen’s branded merchandise and pick up our Walkabout Guide Cathcart of Little Falls, son Alan and his Clinic. In 1965 he joined Doctors Bie and wife Lucinda Cathcart of Newburyport, Nickerson. He worked at the Vancouver and daughter Heather and her husband General and at Woman’s Hospital until Todd Kozan of Newburyport; 13 he retired. Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm grandchildren; and his sister, Elizabeth P36 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P37
FACULTY OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES FACULTY PROFILE Niall Wright, star of James DAVID GIBSON, LLB PDPM SENIOR TEACHING FELLOW IN World-class lawyers win in India ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT QUEEN’S AND VISITING PROFESSOR IN ENTERPRISE Two of Belfast’s budding young lawyers have beaten stiff competition from around the EDUCATION, BRITISH UNIVERSITY IN EGYPT globe to triumph at one of the legal world’s most prestigious international competitions.
Niall Hargan and Conor Houston, who are training to be solicitors and attended the Institute of Professional Legal Studies “The competition was a real test of the (IPLS) at Queen’s, claimed first prize at the World Final of the skills that are needed to succeed in the Louis M Brown International Client Counselling Competition at the National Law School of India University in Bangalore. legal profession. We hope that we can
Speaking about their victory Conor, from Holywood, said: “It continue to use these skills throughout was a huge honour for Niall and I to represent the Institute and the entire legal profession of Northern Ireland at the our careers, to provide the best possible competition. It was a unique and wonderful experience to be service to our clients” able to compete against young lawyers from around the world and share with them our ideas and approaches to lawyer-client relations. thank the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s for the excellent training they have provided, and also Carson Senior Teaching Fellow David Gibson “The competition was a real test of the skills that are needed to McDowell and John J Rice and Company - the law firms succeed in the legal profession. We hope that we can continue with which we are currently doing our apprenticeships - for to use these skills throughout our careers, to provide the best supporting us during the competition.” Why did you decide to work at Queen’s? possible service to our clients.” In the Cannes Anne Fenton, Director of the IPLS said: “We are thrilled at Niall I joined Queen’s in January 2003 and am now the Senior Niall Hargan from Claudy said: “The competition promotes and Conor’s achievement. They are excellent ambassadors for A short film written and directed by a Queen’s student as Teaching Fellow in charge of embedding enterprise into greater client empowerment and encourages lawyers to be more the Institute, for Queen’s and for the Northern Ireland legal part of his masters degree course graced the silver screens the curriculum for all students. I realised this would be an client-centred. Conor and I had to complete a series of mock profession. at the 61st Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. exciting challenge as Queen’s provides a lot of the future leaders in all walks of society and I wanted to play a part Connor Clements from Scarva was celebrating after his film in their personal development. James was chosen for the Short Film Corner at the famous event. What key areas/projects are you working on at the moment? Written and directed by Connor, who graduated from Queen’s in December 2007 with an MA in Film and Visual Studies, James My focus is on working with Humanities staff to embed follows a teenage boy played by Niall Wright (Mickybo and Me), enterprise within their curriculum. I see no reason why as he struggles to come to terms with his sexuality. It was the students cannot study their area of interest and still only film from Northern Ireland shown in the Short Film Corner develop enterprise and employability skills to achieve at the esteemed festival. personal and career goals. From October 2008 every student has the opportunity to obtain the Queen’s Connor said: “Cannes is one of the world’s oldest, most Certificate in Entrepreneurship Studies as part of their influential and prestigious film festivals, and I am delighted that degree. I have been approached to share our model with my film was chosen. a number of international universities and am involved in writing a specialist textbook on enterprise in the “Apart from winning an Oscar, being shown at Cannes is one of Humanities, based on my work here. the highest accolades available for a short film. It’s a real honour for any aspiring film-maker to be part of this high-profile event, What are your hobbies/interests? and I hope it won’t be the last time one of my films is shown on such a prestigious stage.” I am a big sports fan. I support Leeds United and am a tennis coach. I also love the opportunities to travel and Professor David Johnston, Head of the School of Languages, learn that my job has brought me. Literatures and Performing Arts at Queen’s said: “We are all very proud of Connor’s achievements and congratulate him on What is the best thing about working at Queen’s? From Belfast to Bangalore: Niall Hargan and Conor Houston his Cannes debut. His success is a tribute to the quality of the work produced by Film Studies at Queen’s. This degree aims to The best thing about Queen’s is working with excellent give our students a flying start in the film, television and media students and colleagues who are so supportive of my lawyer-client interviews, during which we had to listen carefully “Representing Northern Ireland, they competed against industries, and it is wonderful to see Connor flying so high.” mission. Queen’s stands out as a Russell Group research to our clients, empathise with them, try to better understand teams from 18 countries, including Australia, Canada and the university which is prepared to be innovative in its their needs and suggest the best possible solutions to their legal USA. Considering that the team from the United States was James won the Skillset Award for the Best Northern Ireland approach to teaching and learning. I feel I have been given problem. selected from students at around 180 law schools, it is quite an Film at the Belfast Film Festival in April 2008 and has also been an excellent opportunity to make a local and international achievement that Niall and Conor, who represented the smallest nominated for the Mini Movie International Channel Award. impact. “We are obviously delighted to have won. We would like to jurisdiction in the competition, emerged victorious.” P38 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P39
Prize poet Climbing the Well-known Queen’s poet Dr Sinead “Through the Square one of Ireland’s most talented younger Morrissey has been named the poets. winner of the UK’s biggest poetry Window reflects a major leadership ladder competition. She currently lectures in Creative Writing change in her life, the at the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry Queen’s University Management sponsored by their employers, are Dr Morrissey’s poem Through the Square in the School of English. The Centre is School has embarked on a major selected from a range of backgrounds Window took the top prize of £5,000 in birth of her son in 2006, now celebrating its fifth year. expansion of courses including to capture the richness of diverse the Poetry Society’s 2007 National Poetry the flagship Executive MBA perspectives and enhance peer Competition, announced at the October which she says has It’s the latest in a long line of awards for programme aimed to help those learning. Gallery in London. Dr Morrissey who was awarded a Lannan who want to widen their career greatly influenced her Literary Fellowship worth $75,000 in opportunities through part-time The School has been providing The competition, now in its 30th year, November for her work. Other accolades study. high-quality business education and attracted over 8,000 entries. They are writing” include the Patrick Kavanagh, Eric research to students, executives and judged without the authors being Gregory and Rupert and Eithne Strong The emphasis of the Executive MBA organisations across the economy identified and judges unanimously voted Awards, and the Michael Hartnett Prize is on leadership through strategic for more than 40 years. With over her poem the winner. made me excited too about the poems for Poetry. She has been shortlisted for management. 1,100 students in accountancy, I’m writing at the moment towards my the TS Eliot Prize twice. actuarial studies, economics, Through the Square Window reflects a fourth collection, which will include It is designed to develop and enhance finance and management, and major change in her life, the birth of her Through the Square Window.” Professor John Thompson, Head of the the leadership capabilities of highly over 60 academic staff, son in 2006, which she says has greatly School of English, said: “Once again motivated middle managers to the School is a major influenced her writing. Portadown-born Dr Morrissey has we have convincing evidence that enable them to progress to strategic provider of professional and published three collections with Carcanet the Seamus Heaney Centre and our management positions in the private, managerial talent needed “I’m thrilled about the win and delighted Press, There was Fire in Vancouver, colleagues in the School who work there public and voluntary sectors. for the development of that a single poem made it to the top Between Here and There and The State are truly world class in their aspirations successful organisations and of the pile out of 8,000 entries. It’s of Prisons, earning her a reputation as and achievement as ‘local’ poets.” Course intake is small, reflecting the economics. School’s determination to provide high-quality management education. For more information go to: Students, who are normally www.qub.ac.uk/mba A feast of arts and culture
Film music legend Ennio Morricone programme launch in August, opened this year’s Ulster Bank Cormac McCarthy, Chief Executive, Belfast Festival at Queen’s in Ulster Bank Group said: “We are October to a rapturous audience delighted to be involved in such a welcome. Other highlights included prestigious event. The arts have a Cherie Blair and Broadway diva significant role to play in a modern Barbara Cook, Footsbarn Theatre economy and this festival is one of with a riotous A Midsummer Night’s the most high-profile events in the Dream, 1970s superstar Gilbert country, one which has stood out O’Sullivan, brilliant reworkings of as a beacon of everything positive Antigone by Owen McCafferty Northern Ireland has to offer. for Prime Cut and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by The Corn Exchange, “We have adopted a long-term premiere visits by choreographers strategy in our overall sponsorship Michael Clark and Wayne programme and believe that our McGregor, top-class classical music, ongoing support of the performing jazz, comedy, literature, folk and arts to such a significant extent will everything in between! not only increase visibility of Ulster Bank, but will also help to bring the The Festival’s increased investment Festival to an even wider audience, comes primarily from its new including our customers.” relationship with title sponsor Ulster Bank which has committed more The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at than £1million over the next three Queen’s is supported by Queen’s years. University, Belfast, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Queen’s poet Dr Sinead Morrissey Speaking at the Festival’s Council. P40 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P41
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES this partnership with Petronas, will ensure Queen’s retains its place as leader in this revolutionary field.” Queen’s/NASA to put Other members of QUILL include BP, Merck, Shell and Procter and Gamble and the centre has individual contracts telescope on the Moon £5 million green contract with companies based in Switzerland, Australia, Korea and France.
A new £500,000 laboratory, which will see Queen’s build on world-leading ‘green chemistry’ research with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: “The forging potential to impact on people’s daily lives, is now in operation in the David Keir building. of international industrial links is crucial in today’s global higher education marketplace. Under the direction of Professors Ken Seddon, Jim Swindall and Robin Rogers, Attending the QUILL Petronas Lab opening were Sir Reg Empey and Peter Gregson QUILL is demonstrably leading the world in the development of an exciting new scientific process, inspiring a whole new generation of international researchers and delivering solutions to a problem of global proportions.”
In March of last year, Queen’s signed a partnership with the Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) in Malaysia to focus on the collaborative research in the area of green chemistry and particularly ionic liquids.
Speaking at the official opening, which was also attended 6m diameter LMT at the University of British Columbia by Minister Sir Reg Empey, Datuk Zainal Abidin b Hj Kasim, Photo Credit: Paul Hickson (UBC) Rector of UTP said: “Petronas funds and collaborates with QUILL because of its reputation as a world player in ionic liquid research. The work emanating from QUILL helps us Chemists at QUILL are working with NASA and scientists to develop our capability and has the potential to support in Canada and the United States to design a telescope Petronas in its key business areas for the future.” that can be stationed on the Moon.
The instrument will have a mirror consisting of a liquid with a thin metal film on its surface that rotates to form a bowl QUILL Petronas Lab opening shape, known as a parabola. When the liquid spins in a perfect parabola, it will be able to reflect infrared light from distant stars and galaxies that cannot be picked up by telescopes on Earth because of atmospheric interference and light pollution.
Telescopes with parabolic liquid mirrors are much cheaper and easier to make and maintain than conventional telescopes with glass mirrors. Liquid mirror telescopes employed in observatories on Earth traditionally use mercury as the reflective liquid. However, mercury cannot be used for a lunar liquid mirror telescope as the high-vacuum conditions on the Moon would cause the mercury to boil.
The Queen’s team has been investigating the possibility of preparing a reflective liquid for the telescope consisting of an ionic liquid that can be coated on its surface with a thin layer of a reflective metal. Many ionic liquids do not freeze at the sub-zero temperatures found on the Moon and have the added advantage that they are much lighter than mercury - a key The laboratory is based in Queen’s projects with Petronas. lives of everyone in the world; massively consideration for transporting a telescope to the Moon. University Ionic Liquid Laboratories reducing industrial pollution, improving (QUILL) and has been refurbished Ionic liquids are salts that are liquid below working conditions and enhancing job In a report in the June 21 issue of the science journal Nature, by the University to provide suitable 100°C. Currently, many of the organic and wealth creation. the Belfast, Canadian, and US scientists showed that a accommodation for a £5.25 million solvents used in the chemical industry commercially available ionic liquid can be coated with silver and research contract from Petronas, the are hazardous because they are volatile, “Ionic liquids are the basis of a whole that the coated fluid is stable over several months. Fortune 500 oil and gas corporation flammable and toxic. Ionic liquids tend new industrial technology and research owned by the Malaysian government. to be non-flammable, do not evaporate from QUILL is the global driver of this “The discovery that an ionic liquid can be coated with a very under normal conditions and do not omit industry. Petronas’ vision in working thin metal layer is a major breakthrough,” said chemistry The facility is the first Petronas academic- vapours. with QUILL to establish this lab will have professor, Ken Seddon, who is one of the authors of the report based laboratory of its kind in Europe and a positive impact on life in Northern and Co-Director of Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories will enable QUILL to expand its research Professor Ken Seddon, Co-Director of Ireland, Malaysia and around the world. (QUILL). capacity in the ionic liquids field. An extra QUILL and the author of the world’s Ionic liquids is a fast-moving industry, 20 work spaces have been created and number one cited paper in Chemistry where research translates into industrial According to Seddon, around one million simple ionic liquids scientists from nine different nationalities last year said: “Research on ionic liquids application five times faster than the are theoretically possible and they can be designed for a wide will work on collaborative research has the potential to impact on the daily norm. Industrial collaborations such as variety of applications. But most have yet to be prepared. P42 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P43
Astronomers at Queen’s announced the FACULTY PROFILE discovery of 10 new planets to delegates at the Royal Astronomical Society’s largest ever National Astronomy Meeting (NAM). 650 SARAH A LAPPIN of the world’s leading space scientists and BA (Hons), MArch, RIBA astronomers descended on the University for LECTURER, ARCHITECTURE WITHIN THE the event which took place earlier this year. SCHOOL OF PLANNING, ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING (SPACE) Working as part of an international team, Queen’s scientists discovered the planets using cameras located in the Canary Islands and South Africa that were built and designed at the University. The cameras are part of the Wide Area Search for Planets project SuperWASP. The planets are known as extrasolar planets in orbit around other stars.
Astronomers have found more than 270 extrasolar planets since the first one was discovered in the early 1990s. Making these discoveries has depended on looking at each star over a period of weeks or months so the pace of discovery is fairly slow and gives very little information about the planets.
SuperWASP uses a different method. The two sets of cameras watch for events known as transits, where a planet passes directly in front of a star and blocks out some of its light, so from the Earth the star temporarily appears a little fainter. The cameras work as robots, surveying a large area of the sky at once. Each night astronomers monitor data from millions of stars that they can check for transits. The Sarah A Lappin transit method also allows them to deduce the size and mass of each planet. Why did you decide to work at Queen’s? Many of the new planet discoveries stem from observations through the Canary Islands The architecture department within SPACE is undergoing a International Time competition which was won by period of considerable transition with new staff, new facilities Dr Don Pollacco, the principal investigator and other and a reorganisation of how the subject is taught. The University collaborators in 2007/8. offered the most exciting potential to contribute to a new direction, particularly at a time of considerable change to the Dr Pollacco, who is based in Queen’s Astrophysics built environment in Northern Ireland. Research Centre said: “SuperWASP is now a planet- SuperWASP camera finding production line and will revolutionise the What key areas/projects are you working on at the detection of large planets and our understanding moment? of how they were formed. It’s a great triumph for European astronomers. I am co-ordinator for Principles of Design, a series of lectures which link architectural theory with design studio for the “Queen’s and the Particle Physics and Astronomy undergraduate course. I am part of the team teaching design Queen’s astronomers announce Research Council funded the first SuperWASP on studio to first year students and have organised Induction Week. La Palma. The camera was designed and built at the discovery of 10 new planets Queen’s.” What are your hobbies/interests? Each potential planet found using SuperWASP Cooking, travel, reading, walking. is then observed by astronomers working at the Nordic Optical Telescope on La Palma, the Swiss What is the best thing about working at Queen’s? “Queen’s and the Particle Physics Euler Telescope in Chile and the Observatoire de Haute Provence in southern France. They use The built environment at Queen’s is remarkable. It’s a great and Astronomy Research Council precision instruments to confirm or reject the location for taking a break in the Botanic Gardens, walking funded the first SuperWASP on La discovery. So far, 45 have been discovered using to work along the Lagan and is in close proximity to the city the transit method, and since they were set up in centre and local shops. Better than that is the extraordinarily Palma. The camera was designed 2004, the SuperWASP cameras have found 15 of international background of staff in the architecture department them - making them by far the most successful - we have staff who are from or have spent a significant part and built at Queen’s” discovery instruments in the world. of their careers in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, the US, Ireland, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Germany, Australia and Qatar among other countries.
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“Activities such as the debating and drama societies are Media Matters EXCLUSIVE! superb preparation for a career in For many, there is something glamorous about working in the media. Whether it is the visual, broadcasting,” spoken or printed word, the sector has always lured individuals with a genuine desire to report suggests William Crawley, BBC the world as it really is, as well as those bright young things keen to bask in its often glitzy radio and television limelight. journalist and In this special media edition of The Getting that plum job in the media can And in case that sounds a presenter of Graduate, we ask some of Queen’s sometimes be a matter of luck - the bit too easy, it should be Blueprint, a recent best-known alumni how they got right face or voice at the right time - noted that Dublin-born three-part natural their big break and what advice but it’s rarely a case of good fortune Annie served a three-year history TV series, they would offer fellow graduates in alone. Those with a clear focus on apprenticeship perfecting which sought to tell Name: Emma-Louise Johnston, Degree: BA Politics, 1998 search of a career in the media. where they want to be are always better her craft while she was at the 600 million-year Job: TV reporter, Ambition: Write a book placed to map out a route to their goal. university. history of Northern Top positions often follow years of Ireland. “I started listening preparation, hard graft and knocking Annie currently hosts prepared to respond quickly to on doors. But whatever the ultimate two shows on Radio 1 “As an undergraduate, I directed a full critical objections, are skills also crucially to BBC Radio 1 destination, for many university is the and has recently made drama production that was staged in important to live broadcasting.” when I was at starting point. the move into television, the Elmwood Hall - some of the skills with regular appearances acquired in that project have come to my And of course such skills can be acquired Annie Mac (full name Annie McManus) on BBC’s Culture Show, Name: Bill Neely, rescue in presenting TV documentaries,” Queen’s. From then in other academic areas - especially in told The Graduate that Queen’s made Sound and Glastonbury Degree: BA English and Modern History, 1981 he added. subjects such as law, politics and English. I wanted to be a her “very confident and sociable” and among others. Job: International Editor ITV News, Ambition: To keep helped bring her “out of her skin.” doing what I’m doing, only better every year But it was the analytical skills acquired Emma-Louise Johnston is another “I have loads of great in the study of philosophy - his chosen Radio 1 DJ” advocate of the drama route. Now a “I started listening to BBC Radio 1 when memories of my time degree path - that William singled out as freelance TV presenter, reporter and I was at Queen’s. From then I wanted at Queen’s - it was the best “the ideal preparation for journalism.” producer, Emma-Louise worked for to be a Radio 1 DJ - now I’m doing three years of my life. I was heavilyheavily “Ireland has always specialised in Reuters for a number of years until just that on Friday and Sunday nights!” involved in Shine in the Students’ Union, “I was a philosophy student at Queen’s. producing writers, performers and she joined ITN and Channel 7 News (in where I got my first taste of life as a DJ/ Oddly enough, and given the way my creators, so it’s no surprise that Queen’s Australia) as a broadcast journalist, before presenter.” life has panned out, I had not seriously pours them out,” he told The Graduate. considered a career in journalism at becoming one of the UK’s youngest the time. The philosophy department correspondents with GMTV. It’s currently an era of real contrast for “The Troubles were a breeding ground the media: dozens of extra satellite TV required someone to turn up once or for good journalism and wonderful “Becoming a student at Queen’s fulfilled channels are coming on stream each twice a month and read aloud their poetry. Thankfully, they are history but one of my early ambitions. I’d never year, new radio stations are going to air essay to the tutor and then defend the the writers they produced keep informing considered [studying] anywhere else all over the country, not to mention the argument developed in their work. The us and thrilling us. Maybe we just tell and it enhanced my sense of belonging. plethora of web sites and blogs opening ability to present arguments confidently better stories than people in other parts And becoming involved in the drama up so many career opportunities - yet in a sustained piece of rhetoric and being of these islands.” society, as well as individual audiences are declining. Several beingbein brilliant fun, national newspapers are struggling with Bill, who left Queen’s in 1981, reallyreall boosted my decreasing circulation figures while TV Name: William Crawley, Degree: BA 1990, MA 1992, openly admits that luck played confidence.”conf programmes rarely command the 18-20 a part in his career - or perhaps PhD Philosophy 1999, Job: BBC journalist and broadcaster, million viewers of 10 years ago. Ambition: To keep working he was just the beneficiary of Emma-Louise’sEmm perfect timing, a quality often GMTVGM assignments The medium of radio itself is also required for on-the-move havehav been wide changing - with the emergence of journalists. andand varied. She podcasts and downloads - and it is has interviewed becoming more visual. Often interviews “I was very lucky joining ITN as I internationalinte and sessions have online visual packages, did in the year of miracles - 1989. heavyweightshea such all of which offer the listener more One of my first stories for ITN was as UN Secretary choice. the fall of the Berlin Wall, which GeneralGe Kofi Annan still rates as a career highlight. andan was responsible So why is it that so many Queen’s Many other events which I’ve forfor covering the graduates choose to work in the media? covered - such as the collapse harrowingha story of of the Soviet Union - were murderedmu British Bill Neely has gained a reputation astonishing too but for the sheer IraqIra hostage Ken for tackling some of the biggest news impact of its fall, ‘the Wall’ beats Bigley.Big Emma- stories across the globe for ITN, both as a the lot.” LouiseLo has also reporter and a presenter. He has covered experiencedex the many international events including For those not planning to rely on lighterlig side of life - Name: Annie Mac, Degree: BA English, 1999, the attack on the World Trade Centre, miracles what aspects of student chattingch to the likes Job: Radio 1 presenter and Club DJ Princess Diana’s death and the recent Ambition: Make my shows the best they can be life are essential for a media- of Leonardo devastating earthquake in China. friendly CV? P46 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P47
placep while he was at TV channel, which features regular news experienceexpe as possible career or a gold watch on retirement. Queen’s.Q stories from around the campus. too; it’s about luck in tthehe firstf instance but you John Kelly stresses the need to keep “I“I am convinced if I Andrea is one of a new breed of needneed the skills once you working. hahadn’t gone to Queen’s journalists of whom it is expected that ‘break‘break through’”. nonone of it would have they will craft their art in and across all “It is always more difficult than people hahappened,” he told The media - the so-called ‘multi-platform’ WilliamWilliam Crawley, who has think. You are never far from an axe and GrGraduate. approach. presentedpresent programmes so you have to duck, dive, relocate, make fromfrom GroundG Zero in New sacrifices, take the punches and keep NotNo all media roles are “There is a demand for journalists to York,York, broadcastbr inside on pushing. The challenge however is to highhig profile or carry with be much more multi-skilled and up to NelsonNelson Mandela’sM cell on maintain your integrity in the process.” themthe instant recognition. date with technology. Even though you RobbenRobben Island and talked ManyMa positions are might be working for a business which is to OliverOliver Stone about his almostalm unseen, such primarily a newspaper, you may have to movies,movies, advocatesa asas thoset behind the know how to shoot and edit a package, Name: Peter Dickson, Degree: BA Psychology, 1979 gettinggetting experienceex scenesscen in production present it and put it online as well as Job: Professional voiceover artist andand gettinggettin it early. oror direction.d Others writing the news story.” Ambition: Announcing the opening of the 2012 exposeexpo the journalist Olympic Games “Get“Get involvedinvolv to necessarilyn smaller Journalism and broadcasting are inin studentstudent oro a nichenich audiences; or are undoubtedly undergoing a major communitycommunity radio moremore ‘narrowcast’ than revolution: new media, new technologies, knownknown forfor station or hospitalho broadcast,broa by virtue of and more diverse platforms have your proficiencyproficiency and radio.radio. SendSend filmf or book beingbeing on the internet. transformed the experience for every enthusiasmth i ini presentingti your chosenh reviewsi tot newspapers Name: John Kelly journalist and bring with them new subject. And nothing beats practise.” and journals. Write a feature Degree: LLB 1987, Job: RTÉ presenter PeterPete Dickson may not challenges. And given the swing towards article and send it to features Ambition: To keep working be a household name, yet a more celebrity media culture - once “Skills-based jobs such as camera editors. Don’t wait for a media hehe appearsap in the rolling described by a local newspaper editor as operators, sound recordists and editors company to approach you creditscredit almost daily on TV ‘infotainment’ - a key challenge in this require the acquisition of individual and with ideas: write, record, and andand radior programmes new environment will be to maintain a very specific skill sets. There is a well- broadcast yourself onto their DiCaprio and Steven Spielberg around the world. Peter is serious commitment to truth. beaten path from runner to researcher radar screen.” and house-hunting for the Beckhams in the voice behind some of ITV’s highest- to assistant producer to producer,” he Madrid. rated shows such as The XFactor and Given that so many people stumble added. Rigsy sees the necessary skills as Britain’s Got Talent, but is probably most upon a TV or radio career, how would enthusiasm and hard work. But it’s not all glamour and glitz, as RTÉ recognisable as E4’s continuity bloke. our panel of experts advise budding John Kelly recommends an alternative presenter John Kelly points out: In 32 years in the media he has worked broadcasters on taking their first nervous strategy. “If you get offered the smallest with Terry Wogan, Bruce Forsyth, Jerry steps into the media world? opportunity, you have to leap “You will meet some of the best people Springer and of course Simon Cowell. “Think very seriously about it,” he at it and make the most of it. and some of the very worst and you’ll “The approach depends on which area suggests. “It’s a job. Get a professional The temptation might be to get need to be able to tell which is which,” “I had always been interested in radio you are interested in - either talent- or head on because you will certainly need a ‘proper job’, but you need to Name: Andrea Clements he said. “It’s a good idea to talk to and TV, so in my first year at Queen’s skills-based,” says Peter Dickson. “For it.” remain focused and work hard. Degree: BA English, 1999, Job: QTV reporter some real professionals and ignore the I joined the film society,” he told The presenters, it is important to develop While pestering people is never Ambition: To write a book chancers. And don’t do everything you Graduate. “One of the guys who an area of expertise and become Given the mercurial nature of the a good idea, you have to be are asked to do. Keep your dignity and helped out was a full- media, the ever-changing trends and available and willing to do what trust your own instinct.” time cameraman at the the need for those working in it to be may seem to be menial boring BBC; he had made a short quick-thinking at all times, Emma-Louise tasks. It’s just nice to be involved David O’Reilly, better known to documentary and asked me Johnston advises self-restraint. and it will lead to better things if you devotees of ATL (Across the Line) on if I could narrate it. He then persevere.” BBC Radio Ulster as Rigsy, is a TV/radio suggested that I contact the “As the song goes: ‘whatever happens And finally… presenter and club DJ. David studied BBC as they were looking don’t berate yourself too much or There is no substitute for experience in English at Queen’s but points out that it for a continuity announcer. congratulate yourself too much - your the media environment but getting that Bill Neely sums up the attributes required was more the “general experience” of My entire career in the choices are half chance, so are everybody ‘inside knowledge’ is often the problem. for those considering a media career in being at Queen’s that he appreciated, media has flowed from that else’s’. My main tip would be to develop just five words: talent, determination, saying it was “a very welcoming, single set of serendipitous a thick skin, be resilient and enjoy.” “Even if it’s only shadowing someone character, personality and luck. comfortable and encouraging stepping- circumstances.” on an unpaid basis, experience is so stone towards the real world.” For Radio 1’s Annie Mac, it is all about important,” said Andrea Clements of “At a time when literally thousands of With the splintering of contacts and skill. QTV. “Be persistent and willing to learn graduates - media studies’ and others “I like to think I made the most of my conventional media and and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I - are all hoping to make a career in time at University beyond getting a the increase in online “Try to make as many contacts as spent the summer in a local newspaper journalism and traditional broadcasting, degree. I met some interesting people broadcasting, it is not possible - and then use them! You need office when I was 18. I made a lot of tea it is, thankfully, still a wide and growing and did some interesting things - it was surprising that Queen’s itself to make it easy for the media to employ and wrote some articles which probably field. From specialist magazines to daily all part of the Queen’s experience.” has recently got in on the act. you. Have a demo tape, know what the weren’t great but it was an excellent newspapers and from radio current station’s music policy is and don’t be thing to put on my CV!” affairs to television news there is plenty David currently presents a television Andrea Clements is a afraid to seek out people who can help to choose from - and that is without show dedicated to Irish music, has solo- member of the University’s you,” she recommends. And once you land that important job, produced a radio series and is now considering the numerous opportunities Press Office and is a regular Name: Rigsy (David O’Reilly), the challenge doesn’t stop there - as the fronting a daytime show on BBC Radio presented by online and other forms of reporter and presenter on Degree: BA English, 2000 “I met with five different producers at next step is to make sure you hold on to Ulster, though the first experience he had new media.” QTV, the on-demand online Job: TV/ radio presenter and DJ Radio 1 before I got in! Get as much it! Media work is no guarantee of a long writing and talking about music all took Ambition: Improve and become more established P48 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P49
author of the Narnia Chronicles. waterfront development - Belfast’s Titanic around the globe. If you haven’t been Quarter - is already boosting the city’s back in recent years, I would really There is more spark, more laughter economy enormously. While much of the recommend that you come and take a Belfast Evolving around the city and it has nothing at all 185-acre site on the banks of the River look for yourself! to do with politics! People are now more Lagan has already been transformed, Anne-Marie Forker, a 1999 Law and Politics graduate, looks at how Belfast has changed since her likely to celebrate creativity, history, sport, eventually it will consist of a technology The city can offer a range of fantastic childhood and her time at Queen’s. fame - and to celebrate it together. district, around 7,500 apartments, a careers, a busy (smoke-free) social riverside entertainment area, and a major life and of course, great craic. Lonely In the 10 years since the Good Friday Titanic-themed attraction - something Planet recently described Belfast as ‘hip, peace agreement, Belfast has received that may become for the Americans what historical and happening’ and tipped the more than £5 billion in investment, Disney World is for us. city as one of the ‘must-see’ destinations. bringing with it a real sense of enthusiasm and a renewed confidence In the past year around 50 cruise ships The future is bright; the future is Belfast. and vitality. In just a few years Belfast has have called into Belfast and passenger undergone an amazing transformation, numbers - and airline operators - at both changing the face and atmosphere of the the city’s airports continue to increase. city for ever. As for careers and employment Old terraced estates are gradually opportunities, Belfast is now renowned being replaced with stylish houses and for its leading position in financial luxury apartments. There are new shops services, electronics, manufacturing, and restaurants on every corner and life sciences, and telecoms. Due to its commercial buildings and offices are central location and its unique position springing up all the time. in Belfast life, Queen’s continues to be a key driver in Northern Ireland’s Recently, Rev Ian Paisley (the former First technology, knowledge, and research and Minister) and Martin McGuinness (Deputy development industries. First Minister) - referred to locally as the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ (everyone is laughing And the University is a major player in the these days) opened the new Victoria social and cultural life of the city as well Square complex, one of the largest through the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival Anne-Marie Forker is currently Editor of the shopping centres in Europe. No, that at Queen’s, the Naughton Gallery and Northern Ireland Law Reports. She works wasn’t a typo - Paisley and McGuinness Queen’s Film Theatre. in London and is studying part-time for a doctorate in Human Rights Law. Anne-Marie get on famously now. has recently taken up photography and has Belfast certainly has become a hot and exhibited in London: And Europe’s largest and most exciting trendy location for visitors from all (www.annemarieforker.com).
Belfast wall mural to author CS Lewis
Belfast City Hall at night
I’m sure we all have wonderful memories In the past every mural had a political of life at Queen’s - I know I do. While “It was during the message, depicting as they did years of most alumni come from and continue conflict between Loyalist and Republican to live within 20 miles of the University, 2005 CS Lewis paramilitaries. There are still political many others will not have returned to murals - in themselves a tourist attraction Belfast since their graduation. Yes, the Festival that I realised - but now the artwork is just as likely to Queen’s Quarter - that area of South address issues such as drug use or, more Belfast bordered by Botanic Avenue just how positive and positively, to celebrate the city’s brightest and the nearby Botanic Gardens, leafy stars like George Best or CS Lewis. Malone and the up-and-coming Lisburn vibrant the city had Road - was beautiful for our student days It was during the 2005 CS Lewis Festival but some graduates might think that the become” that I realised just how positive and rest of the city is still too industrial and vibrant the city had become. I had caught up in political strife to return. jumped off the bus from the airport walk to and from school. Not long ago (where you now hear an increasing Let me change your mind! I was shocked to see an army vehicle number of international accents), driving down University Road. Though returning from England for my monthly Belfast today is a very different place I briefly lapsed into the past, thankfully visit home when I saw a parade heading from the city where I was born and this didn’t last for long as four women towards the City Hall. At first, old grew up. Gone are the scenes of urban pushed their arms and heads out of the Belfast-born instincts kicked in - “Oh dereliction and decay which were all too top of the jeep, screaming and waving to no, not another parade” - but on closer prevalent even 10 years ago. Gone too passers by. I had not just seen the army inspection, I realised that the costumes are the days when it was ‘normal’ to see drive by, but a lively hen party! Belfast is were gloriously colourful and the parade armed soldiers in military jeeps on the enjoying itself more than ever. was part of a festival honouring the P50 THE GRADUATE
QUEEN’S GRADUATES’ ASSOCIATION TheT ‘Perks’ of beingb a Queen’ss Kerry Bryson, Head of Alumni Relations in the Development Office ggraduate
Joining the Queen’s Graduates’’ off retail outlets, restaurants and leisure Perks Insurancee Association (QGA) is one way of facilities across Northern Ireland. And guarantees to maintaining links with your Alma Mater all this is included in the £10 QGA beat your renewalwal but there’s much more to membership membership fee! So whether you are premium by at leastl £30* - andd than just ‘keeping in touch’ as Kerry planning a weekend break or a night possibly much, much more! And the Bryson, Head of Alumni Relations, out with friends, Perks will ensure that really good part is, if they can’t beat your reports. you can save much more than you might best quote they’re giving YOU a cheque expect. for £30 just for taking the time to give The benefits of being a member of them your renewal dates! the Queen’s Graduates’ Association And if that doesn’t sound enough, Perks (QGA) are really rather impressive. New Insurance, in partnership with Avanta, is To avail of these fantastic offers all you members automatically receive the Perks offering all members (based in Northern have to do is join the QGA! Simply Directory, crammed full of valuable Ireland) of the QGA an exclusive deal on complete and return the application form discounts and vouchers for hundreds car and home insurance. below.
Some of the great savings you can avail of through the Perks directory as a member of the QGA:
SAVE 15% discount on cycle Reply Slip (tick as appropriate) £10.80 and cycle accessories I wish to join an association in Belfast (£10) [ ]
Boys Birthday present, BMX Bike with helmet @ £71.99 Dublin (a12.50) [ ] London (£10) [ ] Scotland (£10) [ ] USA ($25) [ ]. Cheques should be SAVE payable to Queen’s University Belfast. 10% off everything £8.00 at Argento Necklace & earrings for mothers day gift Price: £80 Please return this reply, and the correct membership fee, to the address below.
SAVE 25% off total bill (1-4 people) Name £8.84 including beverages Address Meal for 4, including starters, 1 large pizza, 1 medium pizza, sides and drinks: £35.36 Postcode SAVE 50% off green fees Year of graduation £47.00 (1-4 people) Degree Play golf with 3 friends at the weekend: £94 Email
OneOne comcomplimentaryplimentary admissionadmission SAVE Telephone when a second of greater or £7.00 equal value is purchased Return this slip to - Alumni Officer, Queen’s University 2 Adult admissions to Mount Stewart Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland Garden and Temple of the Winds: £14
* Subject to the customer being claims and convictions free and resident in Northern Ireland; TOTAL receipt of their renewal notice by Avanta and the policy being comparable to ours on a like-for-like (At the time of print, these offers are valid until basis. Guaranteed home offer is only for private dwellings occupied by insured, owner and family SAVINGS (excluding students). The guaranteed car offer applies to drivers with a UK driving licence and December 2008) £81.64 excludes 17 to 24 year olds. Equity products do not apply.
‘Powerade’ is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. ‘Liquid8 System’ is a trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. P52 THE GRADUATE THE GRADUATE P53
GRADUATION 2008 Absolutely fabulous!
It was smiles all round for the Class received his honorary Doctorate from Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous, received a of 2008 during summer graduation fellow honourary graduate Anthony DUniv for services to the performing arts. week. Joining graduates from across O’Reilly, for distinction in public Delivering the citation Pro-Chancellor Queen’s were famous faces from service. Among other political figures Rotha Jonston said: ‘Ms Lumley is stage and screen and notable figures to be honoured were former UK Prime recognised as an actress of enormous from the worlds of science, business, Minister Tony Blair and former Irish range, distinction and exceptional education, the arts and medicine Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. talent as well as a tireless and selfless who received honorary degrees as campaigner; she is an outstanding role part of the University’s Centenary Two local figures - Fr Alec Reid and model for all women.’ celebrations. Rev Harold Good - were recognised for their work on reconciliation in Northern Over 4,000 graduates collected their In a private ceremony at his home, the Ireland. degrees at 11 ceremonies before University’s Centenary Graduate was joining thousands of family members named as former South African President Joanna Lumley, for some Purdy in The and friends at the traditional afternoon Nelson Mandela. The Nobel Laureate New Avengers and for many others, garden parties. P54 THE GRADUATE
MISCELLANEA
Sudoku
7 395 To solve the Sudoku puzzle opposite, each 3 x 3 box, all the rows and all the columns must contain the numbers 1-9, 6 1 9 3 with no repeats or omissions. And remember, there is only one correct solution. 7 2 6 4 9 8 28 3 Quiz 1. Which school did Francis Campbell attend in Newry? 5 97 2 846 7 ...... 2. According to Bill Neely, what was the year of miracles?
......
3. Who won this year’s Graduate of the Year Award?
...... Teaser
You have the misfortune to own an unreliable watch. This one loses exactly 24 minutes every hour. It is now showing 3am and you know that it was correct at midnight, when you set it. The watch stopped 1 hour ago, what is the correct time now?
......
Reply Slip
Name:
Address:
Year of Graduation:
Email: Telephone:
Preferred Prize (please tick): Queen’s Welcome Centre Gift Voucher Queen’s Bookshop Token
The first correct entry (for each of the Sudoku, the quiz and the brain teaser) drawn on Friday 12 December 2008 will each receive a £50 gift voucher/book token for Queen’s Welcome Centre/Bookshop (please indicate your preference accordingly).
Please return your entry/entries, along with your name and address, to arrive no later than 12 noon on 12 December to - The Graduate, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN or email to - [email protected]