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In this issue: Embracing the new spirit of Scotland Changing the future of food research Aberdeen’s jewel in the crown On-song for vital research Making memories CONVERSATION AND NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN SUMMER 2017 UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN VOICE VOICE | 01 In this issue: University archaeologists 01 DON’T KEEP OFF THE GRASS! attempted to unlock one of 02 EMBRACING THE NEW SPIRIT DON’T the ‘secrets’ of King’s College OF SCOTLAND Campus – with help from 04 SHARING ABERDEEN’S JEWEL KEEP OFF students, members of the IN THE CROWN WITH THE public and school children. WORLD esearchers excavated at the heart of 06 CHANGING THE FUTURE THE GRASS! the historic King’s College campus and OF FOOD RESEARCH sought to uncover a grammar school, Rwhich once stood next to the chapel and A word from the Principal 08 PUTTING ABERDEEN ON THE prepared students for study at the University. GLOBAL MAP FOR CANCER Life in the school was a far cry from RESEARCH Welcome to the Summer 2017 edition of Voice. today’s education system with all languages 10 ON-SONG FOR VITAL RESEARCH other than Latin banned once pupils reached their second year and a gruelling The University has always prided itself on international outlook and you 12 ELPHINSTONE SCHOLARS – our alumni community – are testament to that. timetable of classes and prayers. The school is believed to have been Our Aberdeen family now spans more than 170 countries and this 14 CHANGING LIVES THROUGH completed in 1533 and educated young spring we extended our global footprint further with the opening of our EDUCATION scholars until 1754. first international campus in Doha, Qatar. 16 MAKING MEMORIES Dr Gordon Noble, a senior lecturer in Becoming the first UK university to offer mainstream degrees in Qatar 18 CAMPUS NEWS ROUND-UP archaeology, led the project and says it reflects our track record of excellence in teaching and research, as well as is remarkable so little was known about the hard work of all those at the University who are working tirelessly to 20 EVENTS NEWS such a significant building at the centre expand our international activities. of an area recognised for its historical This is to be the first of a number of Aberdeen campuses beyond importance. the UK. Planning for a campus in Korea is now at an advanced stage and “Pupils were referred to as qui sub we look forward to bringing you news of this and other exciting new Editor: Jo Milne nostra ferula - ‘those who soldier on chapters in our history. Communications Officer under our cane’. You, as a valued member of the Aberdeen family, represent our [email protected] “In their first years the boys were allowed to speak in Scots, as their Latin greatest treasure and it is important for us to hear about your successes Published by Communications: and to keep you up-to-date with life at the University. Designed by Media Services: IT Services, was still in development, and they had the New data protection rules require us to take additional steps to enable University of Aberdeen option of also speaking in French, Gaelic or more exotically in Hebrew or Greek. us to continue contacting you and further information on this can be Cover Image: Kate Sutherland found on the form on the reverse of your address label. If you enjoy this However after first year they had to speak magazine, and other communications from your University, it is vital that VOICE Magazine, only in Latin. University of Aberdeen, King’s College you review this form and respond to us accordingly. “The dig has revealed elements of Aberdeen, Scotland the ground-plan of the building and we In this edition of Voice we bring you news of exciting new plans AB24 3FX to develop world-leading centres in Aberdeen dedicated to cancer will now assess its survival for further investigation in the future.” research and women’s health, a pioneering scholarship scheme creating The project was supported by the researchers of the future and a new online tool which is allowing us Heritage Lottery Fund and excavation work As part of our ongoing commitment to to share the ‘jewel in the University crown’ with the world. These formed a key part of the University’s 2017 developments would not be possible without the support of our global sustainability the University has made Voice magazine available in electronic format. If you May Festival. Aberdeen family and we thank you for your continued commitment to Chris Croly from the Public Engagement your University. would prefer to receive your copy in this way please email [email protected] with Research Team, says it proved a big hit “People really with school pupils, students and members Professor Sir Ian Diamond, FBA, FRSE, FAcSS Remember you can also keep up-to-date with enjoyed seeing of the public alike. University news at www.abdn.ac.uk/news Principal and Vice-Chancellor and contributing “People really enjoyed seeing and contributing to a real-life archaeological to a real-life FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: investigation,” he adds. @aberdeenuni archaeological “We were able to uncover vital clues investigation which are enhancing our understanding of ADD US TO FACEBOOK: everyday life in the school and education www.facebook.com/ during this important period.” AberdeenUniversityAlumni or www.facebook.com/universityofaberdeen Image:???????????????????????????????????????? ” UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN VOICE | 02 VOICE | 03 Embracing the ‘new’ spirit Ben explains: “Alex and I had already come of Scotland up with an idea for ‘project gin’ but my time was consumed with running the bar and Alex was travelling internationally to compete in bartending competitions so it didn’t get off the ground. “Josh joining us gave us a shared passion Scottish gin has proved a and the impetus to really begin distilling national success story and but we faced one major stumbling block – to experiment with the delicate flavours at the heart of this is a drink we all believed necessary to create a co-created by Aberdeen world-class product, we needed a piece of equipment called a rotary evaporator, alumni and named after a scientific tool that can distil at much Image: Porter’s Gin team: L/R Alex Lawrence, Ben Iravani, and Josh Rennie a University professor. lower temperatures. “This is where our University connections once again provided the “We were grateful for the scientific Porter’s Gin – named after Professor Porter driver in converting our pipe dream into expertise of Professor Porter and Dr - launched in December 2015 and its first a reality. As scientists as well as Orchid’s Charlton in showing us how to record cask, a run of around 3,300 bottles, sold hile Scotland has long been financial backers, Professor Porter and accurately our experiments in order to out within the month. famed for its whisky, it is now Dr Charlton were intrigued by our ideas to recreate our desired flavours. By using Ben says: “It was a crazy, hectic time but producing 70 per cent of the create a ‘distinguishing gin’ by combining low temperatures we were able to take a an amazing experience. The response to Wgin consumed within the UK and the traditional technology with innovative different profile of the botanicals and the Porter’s – the first gin distilled in Aberdeen international market for its craft-distilling new methods. result was a unique and delicious flavour for more than 100 years – was fantastic. is booming. “They helped us source the various profile in our gin which works in both “We’ve since been Gold Medal winners Former University of Aberdeen students parts required to build our own rotavap. classic cocktails and also stands out in at the International Wines and Spirits Ben Iravani and Josh Rennie were quick This looked like something out of the traditional G&T.” competition for the London Dry Gin to recognise the gap in the market after Frankenstein’s lair, a far cry from the nice For Josh, patience and determination category, which is an amazing accolade, developing a passion for the spirit while shiny equipment that we have today, were the keys to developing the right and Porter’s is in demand all around working in a city centre cocktail bar. but was vital to our early distilling days.” flavour and while the process of gin making the world. The pair came together after Ben Josh quickly took on the role of the is a far cry from his studies in law, he says “The years I spent at the University have graduated with a degree in engineering project’s distiller and botanical researcher taking a methodical approach and using undoubtedly contributed to its success. I and opened his own bar Orchid, with and Ben says he was “soon turning up daily the analytical skills he developed gained life skills that have definitely helped the support of University academics with bags of unusual herbs, plants, fruits were essential. in business and made friends and contacts and entrepreneurs Andy Porter and and spices”, which he had procured from “Making a good gin takes time, patience without whom ‘project gin’ would never Dr Keith Charlton, co-founders of the various sources, often utilising his Chinese and a lot of experimentation,” he adds. have happened.” successful biotechnology spin-out connections to source them directly “Fractions of millilitres became important, company Haptogen. from farmers. and the most frustrating moments came Friends from childhood, law graduate “We spent a lot of time distilling these when an extra microlitre - yes, micro - of “ This is where our Josh began work in Orchid after five years at different temperatures and pressures to pink peppercorn turned a promising gin University connections in China and the pair joined forces with see how they would react, and what kind into a disaster.