reporter www.imperial.ac.uk Issue 176 • 25 April 2007

Beyond Books Find out what Imperial’s libraries can do for you > centre pages

In ‘oar’ of new Marathon man club-room crosses the line! Bill Mason honoured Read Ben Ryall’s story PAGE 3 PAGE 13 in brief

Engineering girl power Inspiring female GCSE pupils was the aim of the Women in Engineering day, held on 5 March. The day gave them an insight into the diverse aspects of engineering and how they can enter a degree Pick the perfect gift course in the field. The event was organised by the City and Guilds College Union and over 80 girls A large selection of blooming marvellous Centenary gifts are from all over and the South East attended, now available to buy online or from the shop tackling activities including designing and making on the South Kensington Campus walkway. Visit today! an oil rig in groups, campus tours and labora- tory demonstrations. Jonathan Crocker, Outreach Director at the CGCU, said: “I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of all the vol- unteers and of the calibre of the pupils attending. I think the day achieved its two aims of inspiring these girls in the field of Engineering and pushing forward core skills and a joy of Engineering”.

Shop online: www.imperial.ac.uk/Centenarygifts

Business School scholarships To celebrate the Centenary as well aiming to attract top female and international candidates to its MBA and EMBA programmes, Tanaka Business School is offering a range of new scholarships. Among AHSC news the awards on offer are three MBA scholarships for female students, who, the school says, remain under-represented in senior leadership posi- tions. Five Rajiv Gandhi scholarships, each worth £20,000, will also be awarded to Indian candidates who demonstrate exceptional leadership and • The Academic Health Science Centre management skills. (AHSC) consultation will run from 1 May– 31 July. The full document will be available to download from the website from 1 May. Acting head of Clinical Sciences Visit www.ahsc.org.uk for your copy. The Faculty of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Jo Hajnal as Acting • Staff meetings will be taking place at the Head of the Division of Clinical Sciences, which Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s took effect from 1 April. Discussions towards the and South Kensington Campuses, and at appointment of a Director for the MRC Clinical Sci- the Western Eye , in late May/ ences Centre and new Head of Division of Clinical Sciences continue, and Professor Hajnal will serve June. Look out for your mini consultation as Acting Head until the new appointee is in post. brochure being sent to you in mid-May.

• health check Hammersmith NHS Trust and St Mary’s NHS Excellent teaching recognised Trust have been placed in the top three best performing Trusts for mor- This year the EnVision 2010 project will present tality rates in the 2007 Dr Foster report, How healthy is your hospital? Visit the inaugural Awards for Teaching Excellence in page 27 of www.drfoster.co.uk/library/reports/hospitalguide2007.pdf for Engineering Education, to recognise and reward more information. individuals or small teams who are renowned for the excellence of their teaching and make a • health check At St Mary’s, Julian Nettel has been appointed as Chief significant contribution to the outstanding teaching and learning achievements in the Faculty of Engi- Executive of Barts and the London NHS Trust. Steve Smith, Principal of the neering. There are three awards in total and each Faculty of Medicine, says: “Julian has been a wonderful advocate for the will comprise a certificate and £10,000. Prizes will AHSC and has driven forward with great vision and determination. I wish be awarded at a ceremony to be held in June. The him all the very best for the future at Barts.” deadline for submissions is 11 May. • Visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/envision/activities/ awardsandprizes for further information.

 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 China collaborations signed

Imperial is forging stronger links in China with the joint research projects. signing of two new Memoranda of Understanding To underline the with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Tsinghua 理 College’s commitment to University in Beijing. The aim is to develop academic collaborations with China, collaborations with the universities and promote coop- Deputy Rector, Professor eration through the exchange of information and staff Sir Leszek Borysiewicz and students. travelled there this month Imperial and Shanghai Jiao Tong University will 解 as part of the College’s enter into an academic affiliation to promote the Centenary celebrations. research and education mission of both institutions, Welcoming the two new building on a series of existing research links at depart- links, he said: mental level across the College. This new collaboration “Imperial already has Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz and Xie Wei-he, 尊 Vice-President of Tsinghua University, at the signing will allow postdoctoral researchers and graduate stu- strong links with China, a of an MoU this month. dents to travel between the two institutions and train at country with an appetite both universities. for scientific knowledge and technological advances that matches The MoU between the College and Tsinghua our own. I’m delighted that these new agreements will strengthen University in Beijing focuses on academic collabora- 重 our relationship further and it’s great to come here to see for myself tion through the exchange of staff and students. The Understanding the pace of economic growth.” two institutions will also explore future possibilities for and respect —Naomi Weston, Communications

Imperial’s ‘Veritable Professor of the Oar’ honoured

The outstanding career of Bill Mason and on Wednesday 28 March 2007”. and honest and has enthused hundreds of his commitment to rowing at Imperial was The newly named club room is bursting young people.” honoured with the naming of the Bill Mason with memories of past successes including After joining Imperial in 1980, Bill Club Room at the College Boathouse in photos of the winning rowing teams. Bill became the College’s waterman and Putney Putney on 28 March. represented Great Britain 32 times in major Boathouse Manager before becoming Director In recognition of 26 years of service, championships over the years and of Rowing. He was made an Associate a plaque was unveiled by Professor Rees coached Imperial and of Imperial Rawlings, Pro Rector for Educational Quality, Queen’s Tower teams College in honouring Bill’s career and impact on through 28 Henley 1993 and rowing. The new plaque reads: “This room Royal Regatta finals. in the fol- has been named in honour of Bill Mason Bill has also coached lowing year was ’Veritable Professor of the Oar‘ (The Guardian) numerous rowers that awarded the Amateur have taken part in the Rowing Association’s past seven Olympic highest award, the Medal Games, from 1980 of Honour. In 1996, he to 2004. In addition, was chosen as Chief Coach of the Bill himself competed in the 1972 and 1976 Great Britain women’s rowing team for the Olympic Games as an oarsman. Olympic Games in Atlanta. “The past 26 years have gone past very Students at Imperial have enjoyed quickly,” said Bill, “I was lucky enough to success in a number of prestigious rowing coach both the Imperial and Great Britain events including the Henley Royal Regatta, teams for two decades. Imperial has always Women’s Henley and British University Sport come first however. The College supported Championships. me and my family over the years and I saw Bill has seen a number of changes span- it as my future. I would like to thank the ning his time at Imperial, in particular the College for this honour.” redevelopment of the Putney boathouse in Professor Rees Rawlings added: “Bill has 1999. The new facility included enlarged achieved a huge amount over the years. But boat racking space for 80 boats, a well most striking is his personality and selfless- equipped gym, club room, workshop and Bill Mason has been honoured with the naming of the club ness. His enthusiasm for, and understanding changing rooms. room at the College boathouse. of, the sport are remarkable. He is reliable —Naomi Weston, Communications

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter  media mentions persuade them to support your organisation”. The Sunday Herald • 8 April —Naomi Weston, Communications How ethical was your Easter? An expanded waistline may not be the only The Engineer • 26 March unfortunate side-effect of our Easter binges, Radiation researchers aim for safer skies reports the Sunday Herald—our national Ports and airports could be protected with more accurate radiation consumption of 80 million chocolate detectors, thanks to an Imperial-led project to find materials that will pick eggs also has fair trade and sustainability up even faint hints of radiation and convert them into a implications. Agreeing that few food manu- bright warning light. “We are trying to create a situation facturers are “intrinsically ethical”, Professor where it is a bit more difficult for people to smuggle David Hughes (Natural Sciences) comments: these materials,” explains Professor Robin Grimes “The major fast-moving consumer goods (Engineering) in The Engineer. “If you can have it companies are not leaders in responding so it is tuned to a particular frequency then you to the great social issues, like obesity and have the possibility of really making a big gain global warming. They wait until public pressure is sufficiently aggressive, in sensitivity.” then change slowly. It is the quirky, smaller scale companies that lead in these issues”.

The Daily Telegraph • 22 March And now for something completely different… The Guardian • 2 April Moving from a City accountancy firm to the challenge of fundraising for Breakthrough offers grow-your-own- public sector institutions was a wise decision for Imperial’s Director of heart hope Development Fiona Kirk, she says Work led by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub (Medicine) > Sign up today for in an interview with The Daily Tel- has opened up the possibility that replacement Imperial news egraph. Describing the benefits heart tissue could be grown from stem of her move first to the Science cells to be used in transplants. The Join our mailing lists that bring Museum and then to Imperial production of tissue that works in the regular Imperial news, information College, she says: “It’s not just same way as the valves in human hearts is a and website alerts to all sub- the people within the sector—the significant step towards growing whole replace- scribers. curators of the museums, the aca- ment hearts, Sir Magdi tells The Guardian. “It • To sign up, please visit: demics—it’s the incredible diver- is an ambitious project but not impossible,” he www.imperial.ac.uk/aboutimpe- sity of donors, who are often truly says. “You can see the common pathway of death rial/news/newsandpremailservices amazing. It’s a privilege to get to and suffering is heart failure. Reversing heart know them—and occasionally to failure could have a major impact.”

Education Centre is a lesson in success

Imperial’s innovative Centre for Educational by Heather Fry, aims to support and enhance educational development, but the Academy Development (CED) has plenty to celebrate. all aspects of learning and teaching across noted how well CASLAT is designed to fit The Centre has recently received re-accredita- the College. In 2006, Heather and her team, with Imperial’s mission. The programme has tion for its CASLAT (Certificate of Advanced achieved this by offering a wide range of flexible timing to allow for our lecturers’ heavy Study in Learning and Teaching) postgrad- workshops, networking, one-to-one meet- research quota and tailored courses such as uate programme. It also has record numbers ings, grants, seminars and electronic learning. supervising PhD students”. of staff attending its workshops and applying Heather says: for College teaching development and “We are thrilled research grants. with the CASLAT The Centre’s highly-successful CASLAT re-accreditation. The programme provides probationary lecturers Centre has changed and others interested in teaching with a foun- a lot in the past dation in best teaching and learning practice. six years but the The five-year accreditation, by the Higher course, with its mix Education Academy, reports: “Participants of compulsory and were enthusiastic about their learning optional workshops, experience, and in particular the way in is still an essential which improvements in their own practice part of what we in teaching and learning were being adopted offer. All universi- within their departments”. ties are obliged to Some of the third group of CASLATeers celebrate their success in 2004 with CED staff at the The CED, founded in 2000 and headed have some form of Postgraduate Awards ceremony.

 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 StickSafe proves a winner Awards and An innova- are delighted to have won the New Business honours tive product, Challenge. This the first time that a successful which could team has brought together students from reduce needle Imperial, Tanaka and the Royal College of CERN spokesperson gets stick injuries in Art. Our interdisciplinary team truly com- accolade hospitals and bines design, business and technology.” Professor Jim Virdee of the Department of embed safety in Rector, Sir Richard Sykes, announced Physics is this year’s winner of the Institute medical prac- the winners. He said: “The enthusiasm and of Physics’ High Energy Particle Physics tice, was the work put in by the students amazes me. This Group Prize. The £500 prize is awarded for Professor Virdee’s prominent role in designing idea behind the competition really epitomises what Imperial and implementing the CMS particle detector winning entry is here for. In our Centenary year we are cel- experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at to the College’s ebrating 100 years of working with industry CERN, which aims to solve mysteries such as biggest multi- and commerce, a key part of our original where mass in the universe comes from. He LIFT off! Succcess for IDE and Busi- disciplinary mission statement.” is serving as CMS spokesperson during 2007, ness School students in business business plan The New Business Challenge has been the year expected to see the first data from competition. competition. The running for seven years and is one of the the LHC. New Business biggest cross College events. It is part of the Challenge, run by the Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs Challenge, an annual busi- Endocrine Society win Centre at the Tanaka Business School, held its ness plan competition open to all Imperial An award recognising the outstanding achieve- prize-giving ceremony on 21 March 2007. students, which is divided ments of research trainees has been won by THE LIFT, a group of five students from Dr Owais Chaudhri of the Department of Meta- the Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) bolic Medicine. The 2007 Endocrine Scholars Award, established by the Endocrine Society course and the Tanaka Business School, won into two is worth $6,000 for postdocs and aims to the first prize of £25,000. The company’s stages: the Ideas support young researchers in the early stages first product, outlined in their business plan, Challenge held in the of their career. Dr Chaudhri’s work is carried is the StickSafe hospital tray. The product autumn term, and the out under the supervision of Professor Steve allows an easy and safe way of loading and New Business Challenge held in Bloom, Division of Investigative Science. unloading needles, which would reduce the the spring term. risk of transmitting diseases such as HIV and —Naomi Weston, Communications Lifetime achievement award Hepatitis B and C from the used needle to the Professor Marc Feldmann of the Kennedy clinician by over 50 per cent. • Visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/ Institute of Rheumatology, who with Professor Michael Korn, second year IDE student, entrepreneurship/entrepreneurschallenge for Sir Ravinder Maini developed a treatment for came up with the original idea. He said: “We more information. autoimmune diseases that has helped millions of patients around the world, has received a prestigious lifetime achievement award at this year’s European Inventor of the Year awards. Professor Feldmann receives the honour for his work identifying why autoimmune diseases such as arthritis cause the immune system to fight itself. This work led to the development CASLAT Director, Dr Frank Harrison shops with almost 1,000 participants, awarded of anti-TNF drugs, now the therapy of choice added: “I’m delighted that the programme £11,600 for staff attendance at educational for stopping the inflammatory and tissue- has earned such a successful report and courses and conferences and over £95,000 in destructive pathways of rheumatoid arthritis continues to attract large numbers of staff grants for teaching development and research. and other autoimmune diseases. beyond those who are required to take it.” 2006 also marked the launch of a new The CASLAT accreditation process departure for CED—collaboration in Anti-fraud research is a winner included interviews with past participants Imperial’s first MEd in Surgical Education. A company commercialising anti-counter- such as Dr Jane Saffell, in Cell and Molecular Centre staff have a key role in designing, feiting technology developed by Professor Biology. She says: “My motivation for teaching and assessing the course being run Russell Cowburn, Department of Physics, has signing up for CASLAT as a new lecturer was by SORA. received the prestigious Hermes Award at this year’s Hannover Messe technology fair. The to learn the tools of the trade. The insight I “Overall,” says Heather, “the past 12 annual award went to Ingenia Technology Ltd gained into current research-based thinking months have been very pleasing. Not only and partner Bayer Technology Services for the on teaching and learning in higher education have we received an excellent re- accredita- Laser Surface Authentication (LSA) device, a has informed and permeated all aspects of tion report for CASLAT, but all our other small laser scanner that allows unique identity my teaching since”. programmes and initiatives are going from codes to be read on the surfaces of everything As well as CASLAT, CED is probably strength to strength. We are looking forward from pharmaceutical packages to valuable best known for its Supporting Learning and to 2007–08 being equally memorable.” documents. Unlike most security technolo- Teaching Programme (SLTP), a one-year —Wendy Raeside, Communications gies, in which a marker or chip is added to the intensive course aimed at non-academic staff item which needs protecting, LSA works by involved in supporting student learning. In • Visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/edudev to find out identifying naturally occurring features present addition, CED has, during 2006, run 76 work- more about CASLAT or CED in general. in virtually all surfaces.

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter  scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup

Renewable hydrogen—an answer to the energy crisis?

Harvesting solar energy to produce renew- significantly increase the efficiency of solar able and cost effective hydrogen as a carbon- driven hydrogen production processes, inte- free alternative energy source, is the focus of grating science and engineering to deliver a a new £4.2 million research programme. prototype reactor for domestic and industrial The programme is being undertaken use. This will create a unique facility, which by the College’s Energy Futures Lab and the team hopes will place Imperial College is funded by the Engineering and Physical and the UK at the forefront of renewable Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). hydrogen production, both for the UK’s own The research will look at biological and future clean energy supply and also for the chemical solar-driven processes for devel- sustainable exploitation of hydrogen energy oping renewable and cost effective methods worldwide. of producing hydrogen, which can be used The programme draws together a new to operate fuel cells. Fuel cells can convert interdisciplinary team from across the hydrogen to electricity and heat at a very College, under the umbrella of the Energy high efficiency, with the only emissions being energy-driven renewable hydrogen could Futures Lab, with Professor Nigel Brandon clean water. transform the supply of carbon free fuel and as the Principal Investigator. The team Scientists believe that hydrogen could make an enormous impact on the viability of comprises Jim Barber, molecular biosciences, be an effective solution to reducing the hydrogen as an energy carrier. In addition, it James Durrant, photochemistry, Klaus world’s dependence on non-renewable, will be an essential step on the route to fully Hellgardt, catalytic reactor engineering, Geoff carbon-producing fossil fuels because it is exploiting fuel cell technology. It will position Kelsall, electrochemical reactor engineering, clean, portable and versatile. Professor Nigel the UK as a world leader in one of the very David Klug, molecular energy transduction, Brandon, Principal Investigator on the project few solutions to a truly sustainable energy Geoff Maitland, energy engineering, and and Director of the Energy Futures Lab, says: future.” Peter Nixon, biology. “The successful production of solar Spanning five years, the project aims to —Naomi Weston, Communications

A new way to track avian flu Finnish Prof is UK first

A new way of understanding how highly pathogenic avian influenza Professor Erkko Autio is to become the UK’s first ever professor spreads among farm birds was published in PLoS ONE on 4 April. The of technology transfer in the physical sciences, it was announced study could help analyse the success of different control measures in the on 26 March. The £1 million professorship is jointly funded by event of future outbreaks. QinetiQ, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research The study, carried out by mathematical modellers from Imperial and Council. The Business School was selected in competition with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, focuses on how other universities to host the professorship due to its excellence in H7N3, H7N7 and H7N1 strains of the virus were transmitted between entrepreneurship and innovation, and its location at the heart of the different farms in three recent outbreaks. College’s world class science campus. The scientists used these case studies to devise a numerical measure The EPSRC-QinetiQ Chair has been established to address for how fast the virus spreads, giving the team an important insight into the comparative lack of systematic approaches for the commer- the overall transmissibility of the virus. This can be used to determine cial exploitation of ideas in engineering or the physical sciences whether an outbreak will turn into a self-sustaining epidemic, in which when compared to the growing body of academic research on the the virus spreads from each infected farm to at least one other farm. The commercialisation of innovation in bio-sciences. Professor Autio, team hopes that their method, which can be used to assess the effective- a Finnish academic, has been selected for the post through an ness of control measures used to counter any openly advertised, international competition and arrives from the outbreak, will be useful for future planning Strategy Institute of HEC Lausanne where he was Professor in to stop the transmission of highly patho- Technology Venturing. Professor Autio genic avian influenza between birds. said: “Innovation in engineering and Dr Tini Garske, from the Institute for the physical sciences plays a key role Mathematical Sciences says: “Our analyses in driving economic growth but the suggest that in the event of an outbreak of process appears to be more challenging highly pathogenic avian flu in a very dense than in the life sciences. I am delighted poultry farming area, additional measures to become the EPSRC-QinetiQ Chair may be needed in order to halt the epi- of Technology Transfer in the physical demic. In the case studies we looked at we sciences.” found that pre-emptive culling and de-popu- —Eoin Bedford, Tanaka Business School lation of nearby at-risk areas succeeded in containing the outbreak, where other less drastic • Visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/tanaka/ measures had failed.” news/appointmenterkkoautio for the —Danielle Reeves, Communications full story. Professor Erkko Autio

 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup Tree of life traces Earth’s mammals

A new, complete ‘tree of life’ tracing the history of all 4,500 mammals fying and evolving in on Earth shows that they did not diversify as a result of the death of ecosystems dominated the dinosaurs, according to research published in Nature at the end of by dinosaurs. last month. The tree of life shows that The study was undertaken in the UK by scientists at Imperial after the MEE, certain mammals and the Zoological Society of London. It contradicts the previously did experience a rapid period of accepted theory that the Mass Extinction Event (MEE) that wiped diversification and evolution. However, out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago prompted the rapid rise of the most of these groups have since either mammals we see on the earth today. died out completely, or declined in diversity. The multinational research team has been working for over a Professor Andy Purvis from the Division decade to compile the tree of life from existing fossil records and of Biology and one of the authors of the study new molecular analyses. explains: “Our research has shown that for the They show that many of the first 10 or 15 million years after the dinosaurs genetic ‘ancestors’ of the were wiped out, present day mammals kept mammals we see around a very low profile, while these other types of us today existed 85 million mammals were years ago, and survived the running the meteor impact that is thought show. It looks to have killed the dinosaurs. like a later bout of However, throughout the ‘global warming’ may have kick-started today’s diversity – not Cretaceous epoch, when the death of the dinosaurs. dinosaurs walked the earth, “This discovery rewrites our understanding of how we came to these mammal species were evolve on this planet, and the study as a whole gives a much clearer relatively few in number, and picture than ever before as to our place in nature.” were prevented from diversi- —Danielle Reeves, Communications Flower power

A protein acting as a long-distance signal genes, causing the plant to flower. allowing it to be detected in living tissues from leaf to shoot-tip tells plants when The research team were able to track the using highly sensitive microscope systems. to flower, says new research published in progress of the protein through the plant by The team then grafted two plants Science Express on 19 April. tagging it with a green fluorescent protein together, only one of which contained the The study reveals the likely mechanism originally isolated gene for the fluorescent version of FT. This by which the Arabidopsis plant flowers in from jellyfish, allowed them to show conclusively that FT response to changes in day length. Earlier protein moved from where it was produced research had shown that plants’ leaves in the leaves of one plant, across into the perceived seasonal changes in day length, other plant. which triggers a long-distance signal Dr Colin Turnbull explains: “Over to travel through the plant’s vascular the past couple of years several labs system from the leaf to the shoot made exciting discoveries all pointing to apex, where flowering is induced. the FT gene being central to controlling However, the identity of the long-dis- flowering time. Now that we have been tance signal remained unclear. able to track FT protein moving from its This new research, carried out by source in leaves to its destination in the shoot Imperial’s Dr Colin Turnbull from the tip, we have a plausible explanation for how Division of Biology and the Max Planck plants respond to day length.” Institute for Plant Breeding Research in —Danielle Reeves, Communications Cologne, suggests that this signal is a protein known as Flowering Locus T Protein (FT protein), which is produced in leaves by the Flowering Locus T gene (FT gene). FT protein • Visit www.imperial.ac.uk /news for the travels through the plant’s vascular system full versions of all of these stories. to the shoot apex, where it activates other

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter  . Beyond books What can your library do for you?

If you haven’t visited one of doesn’t already have, can be obtained through the Imperial’s 13 libraries across inter-library loan service. The Library provides a good stock of all recommended texts for courses, its eight campuses for a while, and students are also well catered for with dedi- you may be surprised by what cated and high quality study space available for long hours, including 24/6 at the Central Library you find. during exam time. There are facilities for disabled staff and stu- Reporter’s Alexandra Platt paid a call to the dents, with experts on the Library staff to ensure Central Library on the South Kensington Campus their needs are met. to find out exactly what they have on offer. One of the greatest resources of the Library is The Library vision states its aim to provide ‘a its staff who hold a raft of knowledge about its dynamic and innovative library serving the needs resources and how to find information across all of research, learning and teaching that is at the the College’s subject areas. This was recognised leading edge in terms of services and collections’, by Investors in People accreditation gained in and a dedicated team of staff are on hand to do 2005, with the team now working hard toward just that. re-accreditation. The College has one of the best collections With new academic handbook and student of e-journals and databases in the UK with over podcast projects on the team’s horizon, perhaps 20,000 titles, all of which can be accessed from an it’s time for you to take a trip to the Library. individual’s desktop 24/7. Anything the Library —Alexandra Platt, Communications

What can the Library offer you? Just some of the things that the Library offers.

Metalib PILOT Metalib is an information portal providing access to databases and electronic journals The Postdoc Information Literacy Online Tuto- subscribed to by the Library. Many of the OLIVIA rial launched last week offers tutorials to com- resources can be cross-searched, where In 2003–04, the Library developed an plement the specialist subject help the Library a single search is carried out on more online information literacy pro- currently provides. Available to all postdoc- One-to-ones than one database. All resources can be gramme called Olivia (Online Virtual toral researchers via the virtual learning envi- As part of a range of research accessed individually using links to the ronment, WebCT, it allows them to test their support services, subject librar- Information Assistant) using WebCT. native interface. You can also use sets knowledge on key parts of a tutorial to see if ians offer one-to-ones with The programme enables students to of resources (quick sets that have been there are modules that could help to complete academics who would like to develop the skills and knowledge to created by subject librarians, or you can their understanding of issues about scholarly learn more about the library’s find, evaluate and manage informa- create your own set of favourite resources. communication, and information retrieval and rapidly changing services and tion effectively, and to understand Visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/library/digital- evaluation. Log in with your College username resources. Visit the website to the implications of plagiarism and library/metalibaccesstoeresources for and password at www.webct.imperial.ac.uk to find the correct member of staff correct referencing. take a test flight and earn your PILOT’s licence. more information. to contact for you. .

The Library management team. Top L-R: Diane Job, Liz Davis, Adrian Clark, Debbi Boden, Susan Howard, Janet Smith, Angus Brown, Trudy Breuss, Lorraine Windsor. Bottom L-R: Louise Doolan, Clare Jenkins, Ruth Cooper, Susanna Nutsford.

Twenty-first century makeover

The Central Library at South Kensington space—and somewhere to eat and drink is enjoying a £10 million makeover. while they studied. Following preparatory work over the The ground floor improvements past year, the ground floor will be trans- follow preparatory work over the formed into an exciting new informal past 12 months, such as relocating the study area from this summer. Humanities Programme and essential Key features will include a learning infrastructure work to improve cooling café overlooking the Queen’s Lawn, an and ventilation on levels 4 and 5 of the IT learning suite with 50 new PCs and a building. The ground floor redevelop- variety of IT-equipped study and training ment will start in July and should be rooms, a group learning zone with complete by December 2007. flexible and innovative furniture and a Clare Jenkins, Director of Library ’think-tank’ zone with semi-open rooms Services, said “These exciting improve- for group work or spontaneous meet- ments will ensure we can provide twenty- ings. The floor will be wireless-enabled first century facilities to the 4,500 students throughout, with a comprehensive who come through our doors every day. Vital statistics network of power and data cabling for Our aim is to provide them with what maximum flexibility. they asked us for—a welcoming, secure 820,868 loans The refurbishment incorporates the study environment with quick and easy 23,469 active borrowers results of a survey last autumn when access to online resources.” 1,110,684 visits students were asked about their study Most of the more disruptive work will 3,279,607 downloads from e-journals preferences. Overwhelmingly, they take place during the summer vacation, 9,071 books added to stock wanted more PCs, a greater choice of but to allow for any continuing inconven- 2014 study spaces study environments—with 25 per cent ience, the library has extended the period 3,000+ electronic books asking for group study areas and 75 per of 24-6 opening during the summer term. 20,000 e-journals cent wanting quiet independent study —Wendy Raeside, Communications

(2005-06 figures) • For more information about all of the Library’s services visit: www3.imperial.ac.uk/library. scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup

New polio vaccine three times as effective

The new vaccine to prevent type-1 polio is strains because they include just one of the almost three times as effective as the standard three strains. vaccine, according to new research published Dr Nick Grassly, Infectious Disease this month in The Lancet. Epidemiology, is the lead author of the study. The study found that each dose of the He said: “Our research shows that the clinical new monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine, efficacy of the monovalent vaccine in this known as mOPV1, protected 30 per cent of difficult setting is about three times that of the susceptible children in northern India against trivalent vaccine against type-1. This is impor- paralytic poliomyelitis. The standard triva- tant, since a child has an 80 per cent chance of lent vaccine in the same setting protected just protection after five doses of this new vaccine. 11 per cent of children per dose. With the trivalent vaccine 14 doses were This is the first published study to needed to reach this level of protection. confirm the success of mOPV1, a high targets types 1, 2 and 3. The efficacy of “The global eradication of type-2 wild potency vaccine developed, licensed and trivalent vaccines can be diminished because poliovirus in 1999, probably due to the greater introduced to immunisation rounds to different strains of poliovirus interfere with efficacy of the trivalent vaccine against this combat type-1 polio in India in 2005. one another inside the body, sometimes type, proves the concept that with a more mOPV1 targets type-1 polio, the most producing immunity to one strain but not efficacious vaccine, wild poliovirus can be prevalent of the three strains of the disease, another. Monovalent vaccines do not incur eradicated,” he added. compared with the trivalent vaccine, which problems with interference between vaccine —Laura Gallagher, Communications

Intervention the key to Group targeting fails controlling flu outbreaks to curb HIV Implementing public health interventions in the event of an emerging flu pandemic could have a major impact on mortality, Interventions that target individuals with according to new research in the journal PNAS analysing how US a high risk of contracting HIV have a cities dealt with the 1918–19 Spanish influenza pandemic. negligible impact on HIV transmission The new study shows that there were fewer deaths in 1918 in the general population, according to a in those US cities which implemented non-pharmacological new study of communities in Zimbabwe, interventions (NPIs) early on during the 1918 pandemic. The published at the end of last month. The pandemic killed 600,000 three-year study shows that community-based people in the US peer education, free condom distribution, and clinic-based STI and up to 50 million treatment and counselling services targeted at female sex workers people worldwide. and their male clients had no impact on HIV incidence in the NPIs limited contact wider community. between people in order The study shows that it was possible to reduce the incidence of to reduce the spread HIV in men—but not the women—who were reached by the pro- of the flu virus, which gramme. However, the reduction in HIV incidence amongst these spreads from person to men did not have the anticipated impact on HIV incidence in the person in small droplets larger community. created by coughing and The researchers, writing in the journal PLoS Medicine, had hoped sneezing. The research, that levels of HIV in the community as a whole could be reduced which examined 16 US through targeting men and women who were perceived to have cities, demonstrates the riskiest sexual behaviour and reducing the incidence of HIV that infection rates amongst them. They believed that this would reduce HIV incidence were often reduced in the wider sexual networks where these people were thought to be by more than 30 per key. cent while NPIs were Dr Simon Gregson, lead author of the study from the in force. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, said: “The results The study was carried out by researchers from the of the study were disappointing. Targeting smaller high-risk groups Medical Research Council Centre for Outbreak Analysis and did not have the knock-on effect we had hoped and in addition, Modelling at Imperial, and the University of Utrecht. we weren’t able to reduce the incidence of HIV in women in the The researchers suggest that interventions in the event of a way we had anticipated. We wanted to reduce women’s reliance present day pandemic would save the most lives if kept in place on sex work through our micro-credit scheme but this failed, partly until a vaccine becomes available to protect the population. because of the economic downturn in Zimbabwe”. —Laura Gallagher, Communications —Laura Gallagher, Communications

10 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup Give the dog a diet! Feeding Fido less could lengthen his life

Changes caused to bugs in the gut by they had fewer problems with diseases such as diabetes restricting calorie intake may partly explain and osteoarthritis, plus an older median age for onset of why dietary restriction can extend lifespan, late-life diseases. according to new analysis from a lifelong The researchers, from Imperial, Nestlé Research project looking at the effects of dietary Center (NRC) and Nestlé-Purina, found long-term restriction on Labrador Retriever dogs. differences in the metabolism of the dietary- Gut microbes live symbiotically in restricted and non-dietary-restricted dogs. human and animal bodies, playing an Metabolic profile plays a key role in determining important role in metabolism. Abnormalities animals’ response to illness and their susceptibility in some types of gut microbes have recently to disease. been linked to diseases such as diabetes Professor Jeremy Nicholson, SORA, said: “This fas- and obesity. cinating study was primarily focused on trying to find The research, published in the Journal of optimised nutritional regimes to keep pet animals, Proteome Research, was based on a study in such as dogs, healthy and as long-lived as possible. which 24 dogs were paired, with one dog However these types of lifelong studies can help in each pair given 25 per cent less food than us understand human diseases and ageing as well, the other. Those with a restricted intake of and that is the added bonus of being able to do calories lived, on average, about 1.8 years long-term non-invasive metabolic monitoring”. longer than those with a greater intake and —Laura Gallagher, Communications

Snowball Earth period not so snowy

The theory that the Earth once underwent a mentary rocks to search for evidence of any Earth theories never took place, and that prolonged time of extreme global freezing climatic changes. A high index of alteration some areas of open, unfrozen ocean con- has been dealt a blow by new evidence that would indicate high rates of chemical weath- tinued to exist. Leader of the study, Professor periods of warmth occurred during this so- ering of contemporary land surfaces, which Philip Allen, Department of Earth Science called Snowball Earth era. causes rocks to quickly decompose and is and Engineering, explains: Analyses of glacial sedimentary rocks enhanced by humid or warm conditions. “If the Earth had become fully frozen for in Oman, published online last month in Conversely, a low chemical index of altera- a long period of time, these climatic cycles Geology, have produced clear evidence of tion would indicate low rates of chemical could not exist—the Earth would have hot-cold cycles in the Cryogenian period, weathering during cool, dry conditions. changed into a bleak world with almost roughly 850-544 million years ago. The UK- The researchers found three intervals with no weather, since no evaporation from the Swiss team claims that this evidence under- evidence for extremely low rates of chemical oceans could take place, and little snowfall mines hypotheses of an ice age so severe that weathering, indicating pulses of cold climate. would be possible. In fact, once fully frozen, Earth’s oceans completely froze over. However these intervals alternate with it is difficult to create the right conditions to Using a technique known as the chemical periods of high rates of chemical weathering, cause a thaw, since much of the incoming index of alteration, the team examined the likely to represent interglacial periods with solar radiation would be reflected back by chemical and mineral composition of sedi- warmer climates. the snow and ice. The evidence of climatic These warmer periods mean that, despite cycles is therefore hostile to the idea of the severe glaciation of this time Snowball Earth.” in Earth history, the complete —Abigail Smith, Communications deep-freeze suggested by Snowball

• Visit www.imperial.ac.uk /news for the full versions of all of these stories.

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 11 archive corner Learning on the job

Imperial is about learning and that Student magazines, applies to staff as well as students. Learning at Work Day on Thursday 24 May is a national initiative designed to then and now encourage people to try their hand at new skills and to use the workplace as a resource to explore new experiences. In previous years, staff have tried their hand at everything from Tai Chi to wine tasting with Mandarin for beginners With no student newspapers or electronic communication tools such as those on somewhere in between. This year we are which we rely today, spreading the student word was an entirely different, and more arranging an even wider range of events and, leisurely, matter in 1907. Student opinion was voiced by essay-style opinion pieces under the umbrella theme of ‘Live Long and in the constituent college journals, the tenor of which was formal in tone, using Prosper’, we can guarantee that this unique measured language similar to that used by debating societies. The point of the day will be stimulating for you. article could sometimes be slow to emerge and today’s reader might spend quite Learning at its best should be an enjoyable some time puzzling over phrases and humourous expressions. process. I hope that as many staff as possible will take a little time out, from what I know However, the intention are busy schedules, to have a go at of student publications something new. has not changed so very —Chris Gosling, Human Resources much in the intervening century. The Phoenix was the magazine of the • Learning at Work Day is run by the Staff Development Unit. Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/staffdevelopment to find out more. and Royal School of Bookings for this year’s event can be made from Monday 14 May Mines. Its ‘Lady Editor’ at 10.00. invited writing from her fellow women students—who num- bered 12 in the 1906-07 session—stating: “in its The Students’ Union and Magazine board of the Royal College of Science and the . pages they may air their grievances—if any—or In good health and safety record their impressions of College life…” In October 1907, the Editor wrote: “Let us never forget that the magazine is the property of the students, upon whom all The winners of the fourth annual Health and Safety Awards responsibility for its success should fall…” Few of today’s contributors to would were announced on 23 March with winners receiving their disagree with that! prizes from the Rector. This year’s £2,000 prizewinner was Ms Prupti Malde, Contributors to The Central, the magazine of the City and Guilds College Old Departmental Operations Coordinator and Safety Officer Students Association, included contemporary staff and students at Imperial, for the Department of Oncology within the Division of providing an interesting vignette of College life at the time. It contained articles Surgery, Oncology, Reproductive Biology and Anaesthetics. about engineering projects, as well as snippets about the Old Centralians and the Prupti has been responsible for many successful projects and engineering profession. The September editorial for 1907 captures the anticipation initiatives, including authoring numerous guidelines, proce- and uncertainty of Imperial’s earliest days: “Most students will be aware that the college is now part of a new greater organi- dures and risk assessments, a new, more rigorous approach sation to be known as the Imperial College to safety training and the personal safety induction of new of Science and Technology. At present, no staff, students and visitors. definite information is available as to the She has also been respon- future, the governing body having but just sible for the maintenance been constituted…” of records and the serv- icing of the Departmental — Anne Barrett, Archives and Safety Committee to Corporate Records the highest possible professional standards. The Rector said of her • Contact the College Archives team at [email protected] if you’d like to know achievement: “A new gen- more about what students thought of life eration of researchers will at Imperial at the start of our 100 years of carry the example of Prupti’s living science. exacting and disciplined approach to safety with them Felix, Imperial’s current student newspaper. Prupti Malde has won this year’s throughout their careers—she £2,000 prize. is a worthy recipient of this

12 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 Mission accomplished After weeks of rigorous training, Sunday 22 are fantastic and really encourage you to get April saw our ‘Marathon Man’, Ben Ryall, to the finish line.” Following the gruelling pounding pavements from Blackheath to race, Ben headed back to South Kensington Buckingham Palace as he conquered the to join other staff and student runners world famous Flora London Marathon in just at Ethos to enjoy a well-deserved sauna two hours 53 minutes. and sports massage. Ben was chosen from a line-up of hope- So far, Ben has raised over £23,000 for fuls to represent the College’s Student the College’s Student Opportunities Fund. Opportunities Fund after penning a com- The fund provides entry scholarships for pelling personal statement and taking part undergraduate and postgraduate students in a fitness challenge event atEthos back who might otherwise be unable to study in January. His progress has been closely at Imperial College due to financial need. tracked through a training diary on the Since it was established in 2003, the fund College’s website where visitors have also has awarded 60 scholarships to talented and been able to sponsor Ben online. deserving students, with a further 37 due Ben was joined by a mix of 36,396 profes- to enrol in September. Ben comments: “The sional athletes, celebrities and fun-runners Student Opportunities Fund does some truly along the 26.2 mile course which stretched fantastic work. Those who have sponsored from Greenwich to the Mall, taking in some me have really made a donation to the of London’s most famous sights and land- College’s future and invested in the lives of marks along the way. The final few miles Ben Ryall completed the marathon in two hours 53 minutes tomorrow’s students.” took Ben past the Tower of London, along the and has raised over £23,000 for the Student Opportunities Congratulations to all Imperial staff who Fund so far. River Thames and beyond Nelson’s Column. ran the marathon this year. The end was well and truly in sight as our Temperatures soared to around 21 degrees —Sophie Corcoran, Office of Alumni and runner passed under the shadow of his at midday, making it the hottest event since Development namesake, Big Ben, into Birdcage Walk and 1996. Speaking at the finish line Ben said: finally, along the Mall. “This has been both a challenging and • It’s not too late to pledge your support for Sweltering heat made this year’s London rewarding exercise for me. It’s a really tough Ben. Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni/ Marathon an even greater test of endurance. 26 miles especially in the heat, but the crowd marathon2007 to sponsor his efforts online.

Researchers go back to school

Placing cutting edge researchers into secondary schools is the idea behind a new initiative being launched at Imperial. Researchers in Residence is a nationwide project being introduced for the first time at the College and will be run by the Outreach Office. It is funded by the Wellcome Trust and Research Councils UK. The project aims to enrich the classroom experience and inspire school pupils to take an interest in science. It also hopes to provide positive role models and challenge stereotypes associated with The Rector (second left) with the Silwood team who have won the commendation award at science. The new scheme provides an opportunity for school pupils this year’s Health and Safety Awards. to meet a young researcher who is knowledgeable and passionate about their subject. year’s award.” Schools taking part will work alongside the researchers to draw This year the adjudication panel agreed that the two £500 com- up their own projects and teaching agenda focusing on maths, mendation awards should be rolled together to reward a team who physics and chemistry. have worked together to establish a safe system of working at the Lynette Clapp, a PhD student in the Centre for Environmental Campus. Policy, has enrolled for the programme. “This is a brilliant opportu- The winners, Dennis Murphy, Gary Scrace and Dave Sammons nity for young researchers, like myself, to excite school children about from Support Services, and Heather Phillips of the Reactor Centre, science and at the same time get some experience of teaching.” were praised by the Rector. He said the panel had been particularly Students from the College will start their placements in May. impressed by their example of interdepartmental and cross-campus Dr Annalisa Alexander, who is running the scheme and is part of teamworking and shared understanding of problems towards the Imperial’s Outreach team, says: “This programme offers so many achievement of a common goal. benefits to both the researcher and the school, as well as increasing The judging panel comprised of Professor Steve Smith, Principal our network of contacts engaged in school-outreach work. It’s defi- of the Faculty of Medicine and Chair of the Health and Safety nitely a win-win situation for everyone concerned.” Management Committee, Ian Gillett, Safety Director and Chris —Naomi Weston, Communications Gosling, Director of HR. —Alexandra Platt, Communications • Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/researchersinresidence for more information.

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 13 Centenary Staff Party Update Celebrating long service Wednesday 11 July Charleston Chasers • Famed for their Mark the date in your boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm diary—it’s the Centenary and masterful musicianship, the Charleston Chasers will delight the audience with their Staff Party! vibrant show, The Roaring 20’s. In the run up to the party, each 30 years Elvis tribute act • edition of Reporter is going to reveal Wearing a 1971 replica Professor John Darlington, Professor and Director of London e-Science Centre, Computing a different element of what you can black costume, this Mrs Vera Kasey, Technician, Physics look forward to on the day. Elvis tribute act will wow you with his imitation of the ‘king’! This time, read about Prince’s Vote in advance for your favourite Elvis 20 years Gardens, where staff can enjoy a songs to be sung at the party by visting: Mr Peter O’Gara, Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer, NHLI live festival of music from our www.imperial.ac.uk/centenary/staffparty Mrs Catherine Graham, Student Admissions Officer, Registry century. Rubber Soul • With an enthusiasm for On the hour, every hour between classic soul, this band developed their style Mr Thomas Conway, Personal Assistant, NHLI through various experiences of classical 14.00 and 19.00, a dif- Tom Conway started his career at Imperial based at St Mary’s and popular music. Their set starts with ferent music act will Campus as an Accounts Clerk. After 12 years there he took rock ‘n’ roll and moves on to Motown. take staff on a musical a position at the NHLI and finally two years later ended up at the Royal Brompton where he is now the Departmental journey through the The Fab Beatles • Praise has come from Administrator for the Clinical Studies Unit. “I’m not someone twentieth century. all quarters for this startlingly accurate who can sit at a desk all day every day,” he says. “Every job representation of the famous four. I’ve had here has allowed me to get out and about and meet lots of interesting Enjoy a barbecue people.” He says it’s the people that he’s worked with that have kept him here Class of ‘87 • Class of ‘87 brings you and bar in the and that if you’re content in your job “you’re very lucky indeed”. Perhaps one of the biggest, fattest, coolest tracks of the gardens with the most interesting aspects of Tom’s time here was managing the accounts of decade; so flick back that fringe, slip on picnic blankets and a student bar based at St Mary’s. He explains: “It’s always been a pleasure to the Raybans, strap that great big mobile to gazebos available. be involved with the social aspects of the College as well as the professional!” your back and come check out the Class of ‘87—the unrivalled live tribute to the 80’s! Dr Katharine Hardy, Reader in Reproductive Biology, SORA Kate Hardy began her career at Imperial as a technician, moving with her 90s act • Still to be confirmed collaborator from the MRC, happy to be able to take on a PhD in early embryology, an area she loved. Dr Hardy, who is now a For more info including transport information and FAQs: Reader in Reproductive Biology, is based at the Hammersmith www.imperial.ac.uk/Centenary/staffparty Campus and is researching the ovary, after concluding that “to make a good embryo you need a good egg”. One of the things that she values about the organisation is the chance to work in a multidisciplinary environment. She said: “Since the Royal Postgraduate Medical School became part of Imperial, it’s opened up a lot of chances to Obituary work with a range of people, one of whom is my husband, Professor Jaroslav Stark, a mathematician here at the College”. Kenneth ‘Geordie’ Ormston Mandy Wilcox, from the Kennedy Institute Miss Siew Tin Lim, Course Administrator, Business School of Rheumatology Division and a good Just trying to keep up with the changes in an organisation that moves as fast friend of Kenneth’s, writes: “Sadly, Kenneth as Imperial has been enough to keep Siew Tin Lim very busy over the last 20 ‘Geordie’ Ormston, Technical Services years. Siew, Programme Administrator for the Executive Assistant at the Kennedy Institute of MBA Programme based in the Business School, has held her Rheumatology, was found dead at home on current role since 1992. She finds contact with the students Friday 9 March having suffered a massive the most rewarding aspect of her job. Siew started at Impe- heart attack. Geordie had worked at the rial as a general secretary in the Department of Manage- Kennedy Institute for close on 20 years ment Science, which merged with the Department of Social and was a loved, well respected and loyal and Economic Studies to become the Management School and is now Tanaka employee and friend to everyone who knew him. Geordie’s willingness to help others Business School. In that time, Siew has seen many changes, saying: “I’ve above and beyond the call of duty, and worked for seven course directors and watched the South Kensington Campus grow tremendously. This is certainly an organisation that doesn’t stand still.” his ability to make people laugh with his 8 The Editor is pleased to accept brief brilliant sense of humour will be remem- appreciations in remembrance of bered by all of us who had the privilege of colleagues, reserving the right to edit Staff featured have celebrated anniversaries during the period of 1 April to 11 knowing him. Our love and condolences go these before publication. Please email May 2007. Data is supplied by HR and is correct at the time of going to press. to his son Tyler and all his family.” [email protected]

14 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176 Dr Peter King, SORA Mr Amenico Teles, Estates (24 years) Miss Katie Lyne, Investigative Science welcome Mrs Rehana Ladak, Natural Sciences Mr Ronald Tootill, Catering Services Mr Allan Mackintosh, Estates Dr Ulyana Lalo, Medicine (13 years) (17 years) Ms Ngaire Latch, Medicine Dr Alistair Mathie, Cell and Molecular new starters Dr Mary Leamy, NMH Biology (7 years) Miss Nora Lecoeur, Chemical Dr Angela McCullagh, NHLI Ms Keren Alleyne, ICT moving on Engineering Dr Jane Minay, Materials (7 years) Mr Imam Anshory, ICT Dr Judith Legrand, EPHPC Dr Nicholas Achilleos, Physics Mrs Catherine Mischler, Natural Dr Hutan Ashfrafian, SORA Dr Chee Lim, Physics Mr David Akam, Estates Dr Arun Baksi, NHLI Sciences Dr Cong Ling, EEE Dr Niam Al-Mahdi, Cell and Molecular Mr Nicholas Baldry, EPHPC Mr James Moody, Computing Dr Naomi Low-Beer, SORA Biology Dr Wendy Barclay, Investigative Science Mrs Diana Moore, Physics (6 years) Dr Vincent Luboz, SORA Dr Ataollah Amini, Molecular Dr Eerke Berger, NHLI Dr Anne-Sophie Morel, Medicine (8 Dr Brenda Luken, Investigative Science Biosciences Dr Szabolcs Bertok, SORA years) Dr Paresh Malhotra, NMH Dr Stefan Anker, NHLI Ms Julie Blackbeard, SORA Dr Elaine Murphy, Medicine Mr John Manzi, NHLI Mr James Blackley, Sport and Leisure Mr Stuart Anthony, Medicine Mr Greg Murphy, Conference Office Mr Ross Marley, Estates Services Mr Joseph Antoniw, NHLI Mr Paul Musson, Investigative Science Miss Andrea Martins, Bioengineering Dr Will Branford, Physics Dr John Bainbridge, Kennedy Institute Dr Dinesh Nair, Chemical Engineering Mrs Sabin Masud, Business School Mr Felix Braun, Physics Mr Alexander Bauer, NMH Dr Simon Naisbitt, Materials Mr Emmanuel Mazars, EEE Mr Daniel Brierley, Clinical Sciences Miss Dorin Benardout, SORA Mr Sarkhell Nawroly, Kennedy Institute Mr Michal Mielcarek, Clinical Sciences Dr Frederic Brischoux, Clinical Sciences Mr James Berry, Biology (5 years) Dr Jeremy Moore, Molecular Ms Beverly Buahin, Investigative Dr Freya Blekman, Physics Dr Helen Neighbour, NHLI Biosciences Science Ms Louise Briggs, Molecular Dr Aisha Newth, EPHPC Mr Andrew Morris, Civil and Mr Mohamud Buraleh, Sport and Biosciences Professor James Noble, Computing Environmental Engineering Leisure Services Dr Michael Brocklehurst, Business Mr Andrew Norton, Biology Dr Leonardo Mostarda, Computing Professor Laurent Calvet, Business School Ms Chantal Nsabimana, NHLI Dr Suman Mukhopadhyay, NMH School Mr Charles Brookes, Estates Ms Ukachi Nwosu, ICT Ms Suzanne O’Halloran, Development Mr Steven Capper, Institute for Miss Melinda Brown, ICT Miss Grace Osoata, NHLI and Corporate Affairs Mathematical Sciences Mr Steve Buckle, Business School Dr Francesca Palombo, Chemical Ms Isobel Okoye, Investigative Science Mr Ennio Capria, Molecular Biosciences Mr Michael Buckles, Estates (15 years) Engineering Dr Meto Onwuamaegbu, Medicine Miss Rachel Cavill, SORA Mr Milos Buhavac, Medicine Mr William Panduro Vazquez, Physics Mr Nicholas Oorloff, Medicine Dr John Chambers, EPHPC Mr Colin Burden, Estates (7 years) Dr Rosalind Parkes, Medicine Miss Eniola Osifodunrin, Medicine Dr Deborah Clarke, NHLI Mr John Carder, Estates (20 years) Miss Amy Parkin, Medicine Miss Oluwapero Osinowo, Catering Mr Neville Clarke, Estates Ms Veronica Peerman, Business School Ms Claire Carter, Library Services Services Mr Riki Clarke, Business School Dr Albert Phillimore, Biology Mr Alan Cheeseman, Estates (15 years) Ms Lauren Paton, Catering Services Dr Tracey Clarke, Chemistry Miss Pravina Pindoria, Medicine Mr Alan Cheshire, Cell and Molecular Mr David Patrick, ICT (33 years) Miss Sian Cousins, NMH Ms Martina Pintani, Physics Biology (6 years) Mr Neal Pauley, Estates Mr Andrew Day, Library Services Miss Evangelia Prodromidi, Medicine Dr Graham Clarke, NHLI Ms Melanie Peck, Sport and Leisure Miss Lucinda Denness, Biology moving in. moving on. Mr Alexander Pudney, Cell and Mr Clive Coleman, Security Services Services Dr Maria Detsika, SORA Molecular Biology (7 years) Dr Michele Petteni, Physics Mrs Dolores Dios Oubina, EPHPC Miss Raphaële Raupp, Institute of Dr Steven Coppen, NHLI Dr Martin Pickstone, Investigative Mr Matt Downer, ICT Biomedical Engineering Mr Manual Da Silva, Catering Services Science Dr Zahid Durrani, EEE Dr Anna Reed, NHLI Mr Jamie Davis, Estates Miss Emma Piper, NHLI Dr Gillian Elliott, Investigative Science Mr Ben Ryall, Biology Dr Alessandra Di Pierro, Computing Mr Jonathan Pymm, Strategy and Dr Paul Evans, Biology Dr Anne Rytkonen, Investigative Ms Marie Emson, SORA (8 years) Planning Ms Farrah Fatih, Biology Science Dr Stefan Eriksson, Physics Dr Omar Qazi, Cell and Molecular Mr Matthew Gardiner, Kennedy Ms Georgia Sakellari, EEE Mr Xiang Feng, Computing Biology Institute Miss Akiko Sato, Centre for Dr Joel Fine, Mathematics Ms Laverne Quow, NMH Mr Abhilok Garg, Medicine Environmental Policy Mr Sarwan Flora, Estates Ms Niki Ranade, NMH Dr Lucia Gargiulo, Investigative Science Mr Antonio Scalfari, NMH Mr Dorian Gaertner, Computing Mr Alexander Rodway, SORA Ms Julaiha Gent, NHLI Dr David Sharp, NMH Dr Altaf Abdul Gaffar, Computing Ms Amy Rogers, Business School Ms Emma Shaw, Library Dr Wei Gao, EPHP Dr Rafael Torres Martin de Rosales, Services Miss Lisa Gardner, Medicine Chemistry Neville Clarke has been Dr Katarzyna Smolarczyk, Mr Zishaan Gatrad, EEE Mr David Rothwell, Estates NHLI appointed as Project Mr Michael Goddard, SORA (6 years) Dr Deborah Rutter, NMH (7 years) Dr Monika Solanki, Dr Tony Goldstone, Clinical Sciences Manager (Minor and Special Dr Gihan Ryu, Physics Computing Mrs Holly Graham, NHLI (5 years) Dr Arghya Sarkhel, NMH Works) in Support Services. Mrs Aparna Subaiah Varma, Mr Paul Griffiths, ICT Mr Mark Saunders, Biology He is a chartered surveyor Medicine Dr Alan Groves, Clinical Sciences Mr Russ Sese, Human Resources who joins Imperial from University College Dr Andrei Tarasov, Medicine Miss Ann-Marie Hanna, Faculty of Dr Sunil Shah, EPHPC London where he has worked for the last two Mr John Telford, Registry Medicine Centre Dr Eleanor Shaw, EPHPC Ms Dhani Tracey-White, Dr Erwan Hascoet, Aeronautics Dr Rachel Shrimpton, Medicine and a half years. Before that Neville worked at NHLI Mrs Sara Hawkridge, Library Services Dr Theodoor Smit, Chemistry Oxford University, where his main role entailed Ms Guadalupe Trigo-Rossier, Dr Lucy Holcombe, Investigative Miss Emma Smith, SORA looking after the fabric of old, new and historic Faculty of Medicine Science Dr Olivia Stevenson, Medicine Mrs Anne Valentine, SORA buildings. Neville says: “I’m looking forward Dr Bin Hu, Chemical Engineering Dr Ken Suzuki, NHLI (8 years) Miss Nicole Van Stiphout, to working in project management at a leading Mr James Irving, Registry Mr Keith Sydney, Estates (16 years) NHLI UK university.” Dr Christopher Jackson, EPHPC Dr Alon Talmor, SORA Mr Rui Vieira, EPHPC Miss Helen Jenkins, EPHPC Mr Jacob Thorne, Library Services Mr Keith Willson, NHLI Dr Taiwen Jiang, Medicine Mr Jose Zambrano Navarro, (7 years) Mrs Erica Johnson, NHLI (5 years) Mr Henry Tilney, SORA Faculty of Medicine Dr Irene Guiamatsia, Aeronautics Professor Tim Jones, Chemistry Mr Ernest Turro, EPHPC Mr Lizhong Hao, NHLI (16 years) Dr Evangelos Vaitsis, Chemical Mr Gordon Herbert, Civil and Dr Ageliki Karatza, Medicine Engineering Environmental Engineering Ms Jessica King, Computing Dr Victoria Wallace, SORA Dr Joaquin Hortal, Biology farewell Mr Tom Knight, ESE Miss Lucy Williams, Mechanical Mr Stefan Hoyle, Natural Sciences Mrs Ewa Kokot-Caffa, Sport and Leisure Engineering (5 years) Dr Robert Hughes, Medicine Services Dr Eugene Zwane, EPHPC Mr Benjamin Johnson, Investigative retirement Dr Zisis Kozlakidis, Biology Science Mr Vladimir Krug, Catering Services Ms Ayesha Khan, SORA Mr Ron Croucher, Estates (27 years) Dr Najma Latif, NHLI (17 years) Mr David Slingsby, Estates (17 years) Dr Joon Lee, NHLI This data is supplied by HR and covers the Dr Lan Liu, Chemical Engineering period 11 March to 14 April 2007. It was correct Mr Richard Lovegrove, SORA at the time of going to press. Years of service Miss Eleanor Lucas, Centre for are given where an individual has been a > Please send your images and/or brief comments about new Environmental Policy member of College staff for over five years. starters, leavers and retirees to the Editor, a.platt@imperial. Dr Piotr Lugiewicz, Mathematics Asterisk (*) indicates where an individual will ac.uk who reserves the right to edit or amend these as necessary. Mr Paul Lynch, Faculty of Medicine Centre continue to play an active role in College life.

25 April, Issue 176 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 15 notice board 25 April 2007 what’s on 25 April 2007 17.30–18.30 1 May 2007 14.00 Freak Waves: fact or fiction? Is Rheology Theology? Professor Chris Swan Professor Denis Weaire INAUGURAL LECTURE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SEMINAR SERIES 8 Clore Lecture Theatre, Huxley Building 8 CPSE Seminar Room, Top Floor, Roderick Hill Registration in advance: amanda.cerny@imperial. Building ac.uk 1 May 2007 17.00–18.00 25 April 2007 16.00 Infection and Autoimmunity: friend or foe? The Cell Club Professor Anne Cooke classifieds Theresa Ward and Kirsty Newman from the London ALMROTH WRIGHT LECTURE SERIES School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 8 Anthony de Rothschild Lecture Theatre, 2nd Floor, House to rent Quiet 2/3-bedroom house, close to the tube, 30 8 Room 122, Sir Alexander Fleming Building St Mary’s Campus minutes from the West End. Designer bathroom, modern kitchen. Available late July/early August, £400 per week. Email willidano@ googlemail.com or call +44 (0)20 8446 7748 for more information. 26 April 2007 13.00–13.45 3 May 2007 13.00–13.45 Jessica Chan (Piano) Touchwood > Reporter now includes a regular classifieds section. Please submit no more than 50 words to the Editor, Alexandra Platt, by LUNCHTIME CONCERT LUNCHTIME CONCERT email at [email protected] for a chance for your advertise- 8 Reed Lecture Theatre, Sherfield Building 8 Reed Lecture Theatre, Sherfield Building ment to appear. The Editor reserves the right to edit these as necessary.

26 April 2007 12.30 3 May 2007 17.30–18.30 Structural Insights into Aquaporin Gating Giving Stem Cells a New Home volunteering Dr Richard Neutze Professor Francesco Dazzi FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES SEMINAR INAUGURAL LECTURE The Volunteer Centre, part of Imperial Outreach, cur- G34, Sir Alexander Fleming Building 8 Seminar Room, Kennedy Institute of Rheuma- rently has over 250 active projects and all are listed tology, Charing Cross Campus on www.imperial.ac.uk/volunteering. You can also Registration in advance: [email protected] subscribe to the weekly newsletter by sending an email to 30 April 2007 17.30–18.30 [email protected]. 10 May 2007 13.00 – 13.45 There is More to the Delivery of Good Healthcare than the Prescription Peter Martin (Lute) Host tea parties for elderly people Professor Martyn Partridge LUNCHTIME CONCERT Project: Volunteer Host PROFESSORIAL LECTURE 8 Reed Lecture Theatre, Sherfield Building Project ID: 83 8 Paul Wood Lecture Theatre, Guy Scadding Organisation: Contact the Elderly Building, NHLI, Royal Brompton Campus • All events are at the South Kensington Date(s): Sunday – once or twice a year (or more if Registration in advance: [email protected] Campus unless otherwise stated. wanted) Time(s):15.00-17.30 Location: London (within the M25) 30 April 2007 14.00–18.45 take note Volunteers needed to invite a Contact the Elderly group Institute of Systems Biology Launch into their home for afternoon tea once or twice a year. Symposium The Undergraduate Groups of between 10 and 16 people visit a different With Keynote Lecture at 17.45: The Principles of Prospectus for 2008 entry home every month and spend a few hours in the Systems Biology with Multi-Level Modelling of the is out now. company of friends, old and new. This is an extremely Heart rewarding opportunity to help Denis Noble • Ask your Departmental improve the lives of an esca- 8 G34, Sir Alexander Fleming Building Administrator for a copy lating number of lonely elderly Registration in advance: amy.thompson@imperial. or visit www.imperial. people, who are simply too ac.uk frail to go out alone. Your ac.uk/ugprospectus for home must have access to a the online version. downstairs toilet.

Reporter is published every three weeks during Editor > To take part in this scheme or to hear more about term time in print and online at Alexandra Platt volunteering in general, contact the Volunteer Centre www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter. Tel +44 (0)20 759 46715 on 020 7594 8141 or email volunteering@imperial. The copy deadline for issue 177 is Friday 4 May. email [email protected] ac.uk. Publication date is 16 May. Contributions are Photography welcome (no more than 300 words). Please note • Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/volunteering for full Emma Bowkett the editor reserves the right to cut or amend details of over 250 volunteering opportunities. You Tom Whipps articles as necessary. Information correct at time can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter by emailing Cheryl Apsee of going to press. [email protected].

16 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 25 April, Issue 176