Issue 298 ▸ 25 november 2016 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community
Critical Mass Researchers and students mobilise for a nuclear energy revival → centre pages
INNOVATION GLOBAL REACH RAPID RESULTS DESTINATION The innovative Scientists Imperial Global MBA develop an launches new and the HIV test in innovation hub students a pen drive at White City benefiting PAGE 7 PAGE 3 PAGE 10 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
The Queen opens the Francis Crick Institute
The Queen and The Duke of founding partners, alongside the further 250 support staff. Edinburgh, accompanied by Medical Research Council (MRC), During their tour of the Crick, EDITOR’S CORNER The Duke of York, opened the Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, The Queen and The Duke of £650 million Francis Crick Institute UCL (University College London), Edinburgh saw some of the state- in London this month. and King’s College London. of-the-art facilities for research. Powering The Crick is bringing scientists They spoke with Imperial’s The Crick is the biggest biomedical together from across disciplines President, Professor Alice Gast, ahead research institute under one roof to tackle the pressing health and representatives of the other in Europe and is investigating concerns of the 21st century. founding partners. the fundamental biology underlying At full capacity in 2017, it will Imperial’s President Professor As a society there are human health and disease. Imperial be home to 1,250 researchers, Alice Gast said: “The opening of few more important and College London is one of its including from Imperial, and a The Francis Crick Institute confirms controversial topics than London’s central place as a leader that of energy – and in medical research. It is an awe- ensuring its sustainable inspiring space for brilliant science supply. No doubt it will which will strengthen the fight have been on the agenda against cancer, heart disease, for Imperial academics infections and neurodegeneration. and students who “Imperial’s strategy says that travelled to Marrakech for no university can realise the full the COP22 climate summit benefits of its work by itself. We are (right). Meanwhile, a proud to be a founding member and new centre at Imperial’s we look forward to building on our Business School is aiming collective strengths to shape the to help investors make future of biomedical research.” better decisions about Chief Executive and Director of the Francis Crick Institute, Sir Paul Nurse with The Queen —LAURA GALLAGHER, COMMUNICATIONS AND energy infrastructure PUBLIC AFFAIRS (page 4). Nuclear power adds another level of controversy to the debate, but there is something approaching a consensus now among experts Climate mission that nuclear should form part of a diverse in Morocco energy portfolio which includes wind, solar, Representatives from Imperial travelled to Morocco carbon capture and other last week to attend the United Nations climate change technologies (see bit.ly/ conference (COP22). hinkleyc). From a purely engineering perspective, Staff, students and climate communicators engaged I’ve always been with international policymakers, learned about the fascinated by nuclear negotiation process and talked about how research, power – that we humans innovation and finance can provide solutions to the Grantham Institute PhD students Arnaud Koehl, Oliver Schmidt and Daniel Hdidouan at the conference venue in Marrakech can harness the immense climate change problem. power of atomic bonds The Grantham Institute, together with Imperial for peaceful gains. But College Business School, also organised an official side- from industrialised nations to those at risk from the it requires tremendous event at the conference, to encourage discussion about effects, rules about tracking progress of mitigation, expertise to do it safely. how investment banks that target companies developing and the potential to use trading or market mechanisms Imperial has long been at low-emission technologies, and other funding schemes to deliver its goals. the forefront of that effort, will be needed to tackle climate change. Grantham Institute Co-Director, Professor Joanna and aims to continue to The Paris Agreement was drawn up at the COP21 Haigh, said: “It was remarkable that 197 countries play a role (centre pages). conference in Paris in December 2015, where 197 nations unanimously reached an agreement in Paris. A further agreed to limit global warming to ‘well below two achievement is that the treaty has legally entered into ANDREW CZYZEWSKI, EDITOR degrees’ above pre-industrial temperatures, and to aim force within less than 12 months. Reporter is published every for a more ambitious limit of one and a half degrees. “Now, of course, the harder work begins in month during term time As next steps, delegates at the COP22 conference finding routes to achieve the stated objectives,” in print and online. Contact will flesh out details of the concepts and principles said Professor Haigh. Andrew Czyzewski: agreed in Paris. Amongst these are provisions for [email protected] —SIMON LEVEY, GRANTHAM INSTITUTE – CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT adapting to climate change, financial contributions 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 >> newsupdate
Imperial launches its new hub Climate change health for innovation at White City risks probed
The I-HUB, Imperial’s new A new initiative has launched this month to understand translation and innovation the ‘catastrophic risk to human health’ caused by hub, launched last month climate change. at the White City Campus. Academics from 16 organisations including Imperial will Providing more than 185,000 establish a range of measures, for example tracking the square foot of new laboratory, spread of infectious diseases, deaths or illness resulting incubator, accelerator and from heatwaves or droughts, and health problems caused office space, the facility will by air pollution. enable the co-location of start- The initiative was ups, entrepreneurs, and major announced on Monday at the corporations alongside United Nations climate change Imperial’s academic community. conference (COP22) taking A core aim of the 13-storey place in Marrakech, Morocco. building will be to support the Researchers Dr Kris Murray commercialisation and translation at the Grantham Institute and of research and innovation for the Professor Paolo Vineis at the benefit of society. School of Public Health are Welcoming representatives contributing. from industry, partners and Hammersmith Professor Sir Brian and Fulham Borough Council to the launch, Imperial’s Vice President (Innovation), Hoskins, an eminent expert Professor David Gann, said: “We are delighted to be opening this new landmark in meteorology and climate hub for innovation, incubation and collaboration, reaffirming London’s position change and chair of the Grantham Institute – at the forefront in applying leading-edge science. Businesses in the I-HUB will Climate Change and the Environment, at Imperial, be focused on taking fantastic research ideas out into the market where they can said: “It is important to note that an average rise of have a direct positive impact for society.” two degrees Celsius will mean melting ice and permafrost The I-HUB is operated by Imperial College ThinkSpace, which provides high in polar regions but also the hottest regions of the Earth quality laboratory and office workspaces to companies at every stage of their warming to a climate not seen on Earth while humans growth, co-locating them with Imperial. have inhabited the planet. The building is the second to open at Imperial’s White City Campus – “Populous coastal regions can expect to see a research and innovation centre that is in its initial stages of development. more flooding with sea levels rising by perhaps half At the 25-acre site, researchers, businesses and higher education partners a meter, with all the problems that entails for health will co-locate to create value from ideas on a global scale. and sanitation. The weather will change for entire The launch was followed by a two day Global Challenge Showcase at the regions, leading to problems for people, agriculture I-HUB, with guests from industry and partner organisations invited to find out and livelihoods that may be caused by, for example, more about Imperial research and the new facility. heavier rain storms and increased water shortages.”
—JOHN-PAUL JONES, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS —SIMON LEVEY, GRANTHAM INSTITUTE – CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Creative Quarter 2016 Screen star in surgical sim Imperial students and Alan Alda – the renowned actor, “No direction? researchers joined forces with writer, director, and presenter musicians from the Royal Albert – visited Imperial this month, Well that’s just typical Hall to bring science to life on meeting researchers and trying of universes these days. in brief the streets of South Kensington. simulated surgery. Mr Alda is an As part of Creative Quarter 2016, enthusiastic supporter of science It needs to buck its ideas organised by Discover South who has presented long-running up or it will just drift on Kensington, groups of ‘science science programmes on PBS and buskers’ lined Exhibition Road helped to found the Alan Alda into heat death, just like to demonstrate the science Center for Communicating of music and sound. Creative Science at Stony Brook University. that feckless, layabout Quarter is an annual event in He met several Imperial universe next door. Get a South Kensington which offers researchers during his visit, young people the chance to which was hosted by Imperial’s haircut and get a job!”
explore the latest developments President, Professor Alice Gast. READER DAVID LENG’S TONGUE-IN-CHEEK RESPONSE in the creative industries and TO RESEARCH SUGGESTING THE UNIVERSE HAS NO gives an overview of career DIRECTION: bit.ly/uni-res paths in art, science, design, Professor Roger Kneebone explains technology, music and drama. simulated surgery to Alan Alder 4 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Risk and reward New bond to support Imperial’s growth
A new centre that will help businesses to Imperial has agreed to issue bonds for Muir Sanderson, Chief Financial Officer, make better green investment decisions £200 million through private placement said: “Strengthening and diversifying launched this month. to support major capital projects. our revenues is a key part of the College’s strategy. This successful bond shows The Centre for Climate Finance & The agreement, which was signed a shared belief in Imperial’s long-term Investment at Imperial College Business on 17 November, will allow Imperial vision. The initial offering was four School will work with companies to manage to draw down funds to times oversubscribed, the risks and financial opportunities support part of a £600 enabling Imperial to increase posed by climate change – for example million programme of the transaction to £200m. in choosing to invest in technologies that growth and diversification This is a mark of recognition help stabilize the climate, whilst providing at Imperial’s South for Imperial’s academic a good return on investment. Kensington and and financial strength. Dr Charles Donovan, Head of the White City campuses. “This support from the Centre for Climate Finance and Investment, The funds will be investment community will said: “Climate change has already repaid at an average fixed help us to deliver our ambition created major political and technological rate of 2.46% to a range of for growth and maintain our changes that are disrupting a number of UK and North American investors position at the forefront of education, business sectors. Adapting intelligently with maturities varying between 33 and research and innovation.” to these changes is not just about the 40 years. Lloyds Bank acted as the sole —DEBORAH EVANSON AND ANDREW SCHEUBER, environmental agenda for companies, placement agent for the transaction. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS it’s about how they survive and thrive amidst a climate of risk. The new research centre will help businesses avoid the serious impact of climate change, whilst raising the prospects for global Consultation launches economic growth.” The work of the centre will be divided for new Learning into three main themes: tools for financing and Teaching Strategy climate-ready infrastructure; routes to sourcing clean energy investing (new forms Imperial has launched a consultation, of investing and the barriers to business open to all staff and students, on the growth); and managing firms in carbon- development of a new College-wide constrained economies (financial returns Learning and Teaching Strategy. on sustainable business management and the impact of carbon pricing.) The development of the new Learning and Teaching Strategy is being led by Professor Find out how climate change is affecting businesses Professor Buitendijk with Luke McCrone in this animation: bit.ly/climate-risk Simone Buitendijk, Imperial’s Vice-Provost for Education. It aims to bring modern —LAURA SINGLETON, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS and fresh approaches to the educational Imperial College Union on the development experience of students across Imperial. of the new strategy, including Nas From evidence-based teaching methods Andriopoulos (President), Luke McCrone through to new approaches to assessment (Deputy President for Education), and feedback, the new Strategy will be key and the network of student academic to delivering excellence and innovation representatives. in education. Luke said: “I’m really pleased to be One of Professor Buitendijk’s first working with Simone and with colleagues priorities is to provide the opportunity in the union on the development of the new for all staff and students to feed in, with strategy. We have a lot of ideas about how a College-wide consultation taking place we can improve the learning experience of during Autumn Term 2016. students at Imperial, but we’re really keen Professor Buitendijk said: to make sure that all students have a say.” “Imperial aims to take big steps towards After the consultation closes, the key new ways of educating – and it needs themes emerging will be reviewed and the to be a joint effort with our community. Strategy will then be developed, with the The development of the new Learning aim of launching the new Learning and and Teaching Strategy will require the Teaching Strategy in Summer 2017. participation and insights of everyone Watch a video about the consultation here: across College engaged with supporting bit.ly/teach-strat and delivering learning and teaching.” The College is working closely with —ELIZABETH NIXON, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 5 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 >> newsupdate
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will create a super-research council – Forget the start-up garage UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – led by myth. We need golden a powerful chair and chief executive to oversee the near-totality of publicly funded research triangles and super clusters in the UK. Never before in the history of WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ▸ 03.11.2016 British science have so few individuals been responsible for so much spending. This bill is Writing on the World Economic Forum website, a direct threat to the autonomy of our existing Professor David Gann, Imperial’s Vice President institutions and needs to be amended to ensure (Innovation) and Mark Dodgson attempt to adequate consultation and proper parliamentary dispel the myth that technology start-ups Why the Higher Education scrutiny. It’s not too late. You can help to amend typically begin in a humble garage. “It is clusters and Research Bill must the bill by contacting your MP to express your that bring together start-ups, established be amended concerns (bit.ly/vital-science).” corporates, specialist and aligned businesses, and, very importantly, research-intensive GUARDIAN ▸ 18.10.2016 Rigid testing delays universities. Such is the intensity of world-class Writing in the Guardian, Professor Stephen dementia diagnosis universities, tech-savvy consumers, start-ups, Curry (Life Sciences) argues that the 2016 availability of finance and culture, that London THE TIMES ▸ 09.11.2016 Higher Education and Research Bill that is can more fairly be described as a ‘supercluster’, currently before parliament represents massive or cluster of clusters. Universities, Dementia patients face serious delays in constitutional change that will undermine the historically the quiet heart diagnosis because of needless barriers put up autonomy and vigour of Britain’s universities of clusters, are playing a by specialist clinics, a study has suggested. and its research base. “As it stands the more active and assertive Some memory clinics demand that older bill envisages far-reaching changes to the role. Imperial Incubator patients are all tested for syphilis before they organisation of universities and research. has seen scores of spin- will assess them for dementia as part of It establishes the Teaching Excellence outs connected to Imperial unjustifiably complex and restrictive access Framework (TEF), an assessment exercise College agglomerate and criteria. Dr Benedict Hayhoe (School of Public based heavily on a variety of simple metrics with grow on campus. In less than Health) who carried out the study, told the Times: questionable relationships to teaching quality; a decade – from the basement “We’re talking about multiple appointments it lowers the threshold that private providers rather than a garage of an academic building with GPs with patients who are already forgetful; must meet to become degree- – Imperial Incubator firms have attracted more there’s an obvious problem there.” awarding universities; and it than $1 billion in investment.” awards and honours extensively on producing next- NATURAL SCIENCES COLLEGE generation materials capable of Research reach-out Driving change operating in extreme conditions, such as severe thermal and Dr Jessica Wade has been Dr Simon Philbin received radioactive environments and recognised for both her the Franklin B. W. Woodbury was formerly Director of the outstanding research in her field Special Service Award from the Centre for Nuclear Engineering and also the work she does in American Society for Engineering (see pages 8-9). Professor Lee’s encouraging others to study Management (ASEM) at the appointment is the latest in a physics. She was announced recent ASEM International Annual long string of achievements, as this year’s winner of the Conference held in Charlotte, including being awarded a Institute of Physics’ (IOP) Bell North Carolina, USA. The award Fellowship of the Royal Academy Burnell award on 9 November is for his contributions as the of Engineering and being at an awards ceremony at IOP’s International Director of ASEM. ENGINEERING appointed Deputy Chair for offices in London, where the Dr Philbin is Director of Imperial’s Fired-up the Government Committee four finalists were first invited Programme Management Office on Radioactive Waste to talk about their research (PMO), which provides support Professor Bill Lee, an expert Management (CoRWM). and outreach work. Dr Wade for the management and in ceramics and glass from the Last year he appeared (inset, left) is currently a administration of collaborative Department of Materials, has as an expert on researcher in the Centre research programmes and become the first non-US president ceramics on for Plastic Electronics commercial projects delivered of the American Ceramic Society BBC2’s The at Imperial and senior in support of academic-driven (ACerS) in its 118 year history. Great Pottery outreach officer at King’s initiatives across the College. Professor Lee has worked Throwdown. College London. 6 >> scienceroundup www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Deep impact
Scientists have simulated the conditions that formed a huge bullseye-shaped crater on the Moon, called Orientale.
The Orientale impact basin is located on the Moon’s south western region, or the left-hand edge as seen from Earth. It is made up of concentric rings that resemble a bullseye pattern. At over 900 kilometres across and with an age of approximately 3.8 billion years, Orientale is one of the largest and best preserved example of what scientists call a multi-ring basin – observed on many of the rocky and icy worlds The Orientale impact basin resembles a bullseye pattern in our solar system. The team was able to show with their computer Moon mapping simulation that following the impact of the asteroid, the asteroid impact that created it. It was a world- The researchers used data gathered by the deep crater that was initially created quickly changing event that in a matter of minutes generated NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior collapsed. This caused material on the surface and a huge pool of melted rock inside the crater and Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. Completed around the outside to flow inward, covering up the enormous fault scarps that were several times taller in 2012, the mission consisted of two spacecraft orbiting the Moon. Instruments exposed rock from the Moon’s than Grand Canyon.” on board measured changes in gravity interior and generating huge “Our model is helping us to see caused by different features, such as concentric faults outside the how its distinctive concentric rings mountains and craters. These changes crater that cut through the were formed, which is really exciting in gravity caused the spacecraft to move slightly toward and away from each other entire crust from the surface 64km because we now have a much clearer as they circled the Moon. An instrument to 50 kilometres in depth. estimated length of the asteroid idea of the size of the asteroid that aboard each spacecraft measured the Study co-author Dr Gareth that made the basin formed this crater and we can now use changes in their relative velocity precisely, Collins (Earth Science and this information to infer how multi-ring and scientists translated this information into a high-resolution map of the Moon’s Engineering) said: “Next time there’s a full Moon, basins on other worlds may have come into being.” gravitational field – including over the take a moment to look at it and see if you can spot Orientale basin. —COLIN SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS Orientale on its surface. Imagine the moments after
Asteroid impacts could create niches for life
Scientists studying the ancient – drilling 506 to 1335 similar physical properties. Chicxulub crater have shown how metres below the This may partly explain how life large asteroid impacts deform modern day sea floor took hold on Earth. rocks in a way that may produce to understand more Lead author Professor habitats for early life. about the ancient Joanna Morgan (Earth Science cataclysmic event. and Engineering) said: Around 65 million years ago a Now, the “It is hard to believe that the massive asteroid crashed into researchers have same forces that destroyed the Gulf of Mexico causing an carried out the first the dinosaurs may have also impact so huge that the blast and analysis of the core played a part, much earlier on subsequent knock-on effects wiped samples. They found in Earth’s history, in providing out around 75 per cent of all life that the impact the first refuges for early on Earth, including most of the deformed the peak life on the planet. dinosaurs. This is known as the ring rocks in such a We are hoping that Chicxulub impact. way that it made them further analyses of In April and May 2016, more porous, and the core samples an international team of scientists less dense, than any been heated inside will provide more undertook an offshore expedition models had previously predicted. the Earth’s crust. Early insights into how and drilled into part of the Porous rocks provide niches Earth was constantly life can exist in Chicxulub impact crater. Their for simple organisms to take hold, bombarded by asteroids, these subterranean mission was to retrieve samples and there would also be nutrients and the team have inferred environments.” from the rocky inner ridges of the available in the pores, from that this bombardment must —COLIN SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS crater – known as the ‘peak ring’ circulating water that would have have also created other rocks with AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 7 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 >> scienceroundup
HIV test via pen drive
Scientists have developed a USB “However, monitoring viral load is device which can test for HIV in crucial to the success of HIV treatment. under 30 minutes – offering patients At the moment, testing often requires throughout the world new ways costly and complex equipment that to monitor their own treatment. can take a couple of days to produce a result. We have taken the job done The disposable test, created by by this equipment, which is the size scientists at Imperial and DNA of a large photocopier, and shrunk it Electronics, uses a drop of blood down to a USB chip.” to detect HIV, and then creates an Dr Cooke added that this electrical signal that can be read by a technology, although in the early computer, laptop or handheld device. stages, could allow patients to Current tests to detect the amount regularly monitor their virus levels of virus take at least three in much the same way that Why pints spill but straws days, often longer, and people with diabetes check “Monitoring involve sending a blood their blood sugar levels. don’t: researchers uncover viral load is sample to a laboratory. In The technology could the science of spilling crucial to the many parts of the world, be particularly powerful success of HIV particularly those with in remote regions in New research shows that it is not only the size, treatment.” the highest number of HIV sub-Saharan Africa, but the shape of a tube that determines whether infections, such testing which may not have easy a liquid will spill out of it when tipped over. does not exist at all. access to testing facilities. Finding out Also viral levels cannot be quickly if a patient, particularly a Glasses of liquid, when turned horizontally, detected by routine HIV tests, baby, is infected with the virus is inevitably spill. This is not necessarily the case which is important, as study co-author crucial to their long term health however with very thin straws, which, when turned Dr Graham Cooke (Medicine) explains: and survival. on their sides, can retain liquid in them. “HIV treatment has dramatically The team are also investigating This simple relationship was thought to be improved over the last 20 years – whether the device can be used to test based purely on the size of the tube opening, to the point that many diagnosed for other viruses such as hepatitis. but by investigating more closely, a team of with the infection now have a normal researchers have determined that this rule of —KATE WIGHTON, COMMUNICATIONS life expectancy. AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS thumb doesn’t always hold true. The shape of the tube turns out to be important too, and if it is squashed enough – forming an elliptical shape – then no matter how thin the 991 95% 20.8minutes straw is the liquid will always spill out. This new understanding has practical blood samples were accurate average time to produce a result were tested applications in technologies that have liquids present on small scales - such as biomedical diagnostics, oil recovery and inkjet printing – where choosing the right tube shape could be as important as its size. The calculations – which took over seven years – were carried out by Professor Andrew Parry (Mathematics), alongside colleagues in Oxford and Spain. He said: “If your pint glass falls over, tragedy has struck and you know you’re going to spill your beer. But conversely that doesn’t necessarily happen if you suck your beer into a straw and turn that horizontally. In that case common experience tells us that if the straw is thin enough the liquid stays in. Now, we have discovered that it should be possible to create minute straw shapes that would mean that any liquid spills, or empties out of the tube, no matter how thin it is.”
—HAYLEY DUNNING, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 8 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 Critical Mass As the UK gears up for a new wave of nuclear energy infrastructure, Imperial is consolidating its expertise in research, training and consultancy
In September, the UK Government gave the With global commitments to curb climate grows, there’ll be green light to build a new nuclear power plant change, nuclear is back in the spotlight as more and more at Hinkley Point in Somerset. It will be the first a low-carbon, base-load power source, opportunities for such nuclear plant in the UK for 20 years and and Imperial is once again aiming to play those who’d never will be built by French energy company EDF, a key supporting role – this time through thought of doing with investment from China General Nuclear. the cross-departmental, cross-faculty Centre it. I honestly believe With all the controversy surrounding that for Nuclear Engineering (CNE). there’s not a single area decision, it’s easy to forget that the UK was of the College that couldn’t a trailblazer in the early days of civil nuclear New wave contribute in some way. technology – the Calder Hall power plant in I recently had a conversation Cumbria was the world’s first commercial Formed in 2008, the CNE coordinates with Rolls Royce about their nuclear power station, connecting to the nuclear research from all areas of the College; plans for making civil reactors and national grid on 27 August 1956. administers undergraduate and postgraduate it cropped up that they need to do Imperial too played its role in the nascent degrees; creates dialogue with industry; seismic assessments. Well we have industry, hosting one of only a few small-scale and even gets involved in outreach and online people who do that at Imperial – research reactors in the UK at the Silwood Park learning initiatives. using satellites for example. That’s Campus, using it to prepare undergraduates for “The really exciting thing about nuclear a new connection that’s been made. work in the sector and also to carry out research. is that it’s such a huge field, such a collection In other areas it might involve using Completed in 1963, the reactor shut down in of activities, and there’s something for synthetic microorganisms to extract waste.” 2012 and is currently being decommissioned everyone,” says CNE Director Dr Mike Bluck Research at the CNE looks at five principal – making it one of longest running research (Mechanical Engineering). areas covering the entire end-to-end nuclear reactors in the world. “It’s about bringing people in; as nuclear cycle: the manufacturing of the fuel itself; designing, operating and maintaining nuclear reactors; managing spent fuel and waste; investigating long-term repositories for the most toxic waste; and finally nuclear policy, security and regulation. Some of that research is fundamental, exploratory science, as Imperial has been doing in this area for more than 50 years – while other research is reactive to the contemporary needs of industry in this fast changing field. “It’s an exciting time right now,” says Mike. “For many years the work has been focused on maintaining and extending the life of current reactors – crucial, interesting work, The really but perhaps exciting thing about not always so aspirational nuclear is that it’s such and inspiring. Above, a CDT student a huge field, such a But we’re now examines nuclear isotopes in a time-of- collection of in a position flight mass spectrometry where new build is (TOFMS) machine. activities.” actually happening. Left, examining There’s tremendous materials using an electron microscope opportunity to work on future designs.” 9 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 >> featurefocus
Director of the Centre for Nuclear Engineering Dr Mike Bluck with graduate students from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy
Training future generations “What’s unique about nuclear is that it’s a very long-term proposition, and so a lot of what we are looking at is 60 years hence,” says Dr Mike Bluck, Director of the Centre for Nuclear Engineering (CNE). For that reason, it’s vitally important not just to train the next generation of engineers, scientists and policy-makers, but several generations ahead. Imperial has long had an undergraduate nuclear engineering offering and some postgraduate opportunities, but the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Nuclear Energy offers something uniquely tailored to today’s graduate students. Launched in 2014, it is a collaboration between Imperial, the University of PhD student Dimitri Pletser Cambridge and the Open University, core- (right) and Professor Bill Lee funded by the Engineering and Physical visited Fukushima last year to see Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). the clean-up operations. Dimitri’s Aimed at attracting a diverse spread project focuses on developing of applications, the programme begins with glass composite material a full-time year of study towards an MRes wasteforms from Fukushima. in Nuclear Energy at Imperial to give a solid foundation in the topic. This is followed by a PhD research project at one of the academic partners, often with industrial placements. Crucially for a field where collaboration is implicit, the programme encourages cohort-building activities, such as trips to research reactors in Romania and Norway, Collaboration the opportunity to organise an international conference, and receive media, public engagement and entrepreneurship training. The College, alongside Bangor University, PhD candidate Sophie Morrison said: this month signed a memorandum of “The most beneficial aspect of the CDT is the cohort building that takes place over the understanding with Hitachi-GE to collaborate on years. Students come from such a variety research into Advanced Boiling Water Reactors. of backgrounds and use their individual The Japanese-US conglomerate is planning to knowledge and experiences to ensure a level build new nuclear power plants in Anglesey, of consistency amongst the graduates – something which will prove vital in the face North Wales and Oldbury in Gloucestershire. a fleet of small modular reactors. That’s routine. of the skills gap within the nuclear industry.” Looking further to the future, Mike is It’s the same risk and outlay as is if you decide For graduates with aspirations to work particularly enthused at the possibility of working to build a new jet engine design.” in the field, but who are unable to undertake with long-term Imperial partner Rolls Royce on The small modular reactor concept also plays the CDT programme, there is a five week massively open online course (MOOCS) its plans to build small modular nuclear reactors into ambitions for a more distributed ‘smart-grid’ in nuclear energy. Delivered by Open (SMRs). These are essentially miniature versions that is responsive to the needs of communities University, it is open to anyone and features of full scale reactors like Hinkley, but crucially (see issue 296 of Reporter). But clearly if we are Imperial academics Dr Mark Wenman and they can be built almost entirely in factories, ever going to see mini nuclear reactors in our Professor Bill Nuttall explaining aspects of nuclear power – such as its history, reactor then transported by road or rail to site – towns and cities, there will need to be a collective physics, safety culture and accidents and the making them more cost effective. journey with the public in terms of understanding economics of new build. “The intention is to build reactors on and acceptance – something Mike and the whole Many CDT students also get involved in outreach activities, sometimes to school a production line; it’s what’s known as an CNE team are only too aware of. children, for example at Imperial Festival. investable model,” Mike explains. “You need “We do a lot of outreach work, for example at So in a way they’re also preparing the way around £20 billion to build a full-scale, one-off Imperial Festival, Cambridge Science Festival for the subsequent generations of engineers reactor and it’s difficult to persuade investors, and public lectures to create discussion and and scientists – some of whom, like them, may find the nuclear an exciting, flourishing as Hinkley has shown. But people are more we’re trying to grow that even more. History has career prospect. willing to invest one or two billion [pounds] shown that if you’re going to pursue nuclear, for the design and production infrastructure for you have to open about it.”
10 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Education Insights: Global reach In the first in a series of articles looking at Imperial’s innovative educators and their students, Reporter speaks with Dr David Lefevre from Imperial College Business School
STUDENT PROFILE
Khilona Radia Global Online MBA 2016–17 Khilona is a businesswoman based in Cape Town, South Africa. She previously lived in London for around 10 years and had long harboured ambitions to undertake an MBA in the capital. However, she moved back to her native South Africa to set up a company focused on social healthcare innovations. “I was already running a start-up, a real life MBA if you will, but I needed more − something different, something unique that would give me the edge. Imperial College fitted the bill with its strong research, innovation and entrepreneurship focus.” For Khilona the benefits of the Global MBA are clear and tangible: “What I enjoy the most is that it’s almost an instantaneous application. So I might learn about corporate finance and valuation, and I’ll almost immediately practice it in the real world. And in that sense, your learning becomes far deeper, beyond just the written and theoretical components, you really absorb it.” She extols the user-friendly, technology driven Some people see virtual education as an easy In addition, the capability built to approach of the platform, where she can see if tutors way of offering cut-price education, but not support the Global MBA is now being are online and communicate with them almost immediately. “It’s almost an Dr David Lefevre. As the man who created expanded into Imperial’s partnership with And as a mother of three Imperial’s first online degree programme, edX, a non-profit organisation that offers children, Khilona also instantaneous the Global MBA, he is clearly passionate free online education from some of the finds that the Global MBA application. about the benefits of this approach. world’s best universities. Imperial’s first programme suits her busy So I might learn lifestyle. He says: “The Global MBA has been a offering via edX is a series of courses “I can sit in the car park about corporate great success. Students on the course are designed to prepare students to pursue while I’m waiting for my finance and the most satisfied in the Business School, a full MBA. kids to finish some valuation, extracurricular activity and and Business School students are already The easy part is actually having the vision, and I’ll almost I can work through a session. some of the most satisfied at Imperial.” says David, who notes that the technology It ticks all the boxes really – immediately The obvious benefit of a virtual degree is is also constantly evolving and opening up it works with my start-up, it practice it in that students do not have to be on campus, possibilities. The challenging part, works with my personal life the real world.” – it just works!” or even in the same country, as the university he asserts, relates to organisational change. (see box, right). Global MBA pupils visit South “Switching to online teaching and Kensington just twice over their two-year part- learning means that everyone involved has time course, once at the start of their first year to do their job in a slightly different way.” and again at the start of their second. He explains that online learning forces “Our students are people who couldn’t teachers to approach lessons differently: study at Imperial in the traditional way “To deliver online courses our academic because of their time-commitments or their staff need to adopt a team approach, location,” David explains. “And these are often working together with an instructional exactly the kind of student Imperial needs designer, teaching assistant and media to have influence in business.” specialists who develop the online To set up the programme, existing MBA courseware.” course content had to be digitised – a massive Dr Lefevre says the whole process has undertaking but one that brings additional taken around a decade but his motivation is benefits. “We ran a pilot project last year clear: “We hope to use technology to enhance for undergraduate engineering students. the learning experience of all students. This allowed us to deliver online modules For example, on a typical course students in topics such as economics, accounting spend 80 per cent of their study time outside and entrepreneurship to our campus based the classroom. This can be a very isolating students, something that was previously experience but when students log in to our impossible due to timetable clashes online environment they have access to across departments.” help, support and a sense of community.”
11 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 insidestory inside story
mini profile Chris Hankin
Professor Chris Hankin is Director of Imperial’s Institute for Security Science and Technology and was recently asked to serve on an advisory panel considering the Football, fun and robots: implications of Brexit on the UK’s cyber infrastructure Imperial scientists pitch up Tell us about the new role? at QPR I investigated new European Union legislation, which Who’s got the best lung capacity in White City? Do sports drinks really contain comes into force in 2018. It is electrolytes? Why is it important to exercise your heart? A team of Imperial aiming to make companies staff and students held an interactive stand to explore these questions and more open and accountable and the financial sector is examine the science behind sport at a QPR vs. Reading match last month. when data breaches occur. something we at the Institute I also investigated the rules are very keen to build some As work progresses on Imperial’s new White City “We came to around the right for users to be activity around. It is an area Campus, staff and students are making efforts to build the QPR match forgotten. This is where users that is very attractive to serious to links with the local community and share the wonder to engage have a right to have their data organised crime, but one could of science, engineering, medicine and business. On 15 football fans removed from search engines also imagine that it could be October members of the College’s community took up with interactive if they can demonstrate that a primary target of attack from positions in the fan zone of QPR’s home turf at Loftus experiments leaving the data there can nation states, if they wanted Road, just down the road from the White City Campus. that explore the cause them undue stress. to undermine the UK economy The team from Imperial was captained by Priya connections The EU are also aiming to Pallan, the College’s recently appointed Community between introduce legislation to more How is the cyber threat Engagement Officer for White City. science and severely punish companies changing on a nation-state Priya explains: “We came to the QPR match to engage sport.” that breach data protection level? football fans with interactive experiments that explore rules and I was also looking There are many benefits to the connections between science and sport. More than at the implications for the UK. digitising the services that we 230 fans took part and it was great to see people of all I also looked at the implications rely on, such as train networks ages having fun and discovering something new.” of Brexit on innovation in the and our energy generation Hosting the event was Justin Stone, Multi Sports Manager, from the QPR UK’s higher education sector. and distribution systems. Community Trust: “We were delighted to have our neighbours from Imperial In particular, we looked at the It makes them more flexible make such a buzz at our fan zone. The aim of the zone is to give families the potential implications of the and responsive, and smarter. opportunity to turn a football match into a family day out. It’s a great way for loss of Horizon 2020 funding It also makes them vulnerable us to interact with club supporters of all ages.” on UK science. to cyber-attacks. Many Imperial’s vision for the new White City Campus is to be a long-term countries are taking an partner of the local community. The College will be opening up a dedicated Is London a special case in interest in these systems community engagement hub in 2017, and is running a series of interactive terms of its needs around and are developing tools activities across the local area. Priya said: “We would love to hear your cyber-security? to compromise them. They thoughts and ideas on how we can best interact with the local community, I think London is potentially a are seeing cyber as another and suggestions for future events.” special case because it is one weapon in their armoury. Priya can be contacted at [email protected] of the main financial capitals —COLIN SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS in the world. Cyber security AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS —JOHN-PAUL JONES, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 12 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Meet London’s most innovative international student
Design engineer Luca Alessandrini beat the International Student Innovation Awards hundreds of other entries from 49 countries to was set up to highlight the work of the city’s take home the £10,000 prize at the International international students. Student Innovation Awards. Luca, originally from Urbino, Italy, said: “Studying in London has been one Luca’s project, a violin which is made of the best experiences in my life and this from a mixture of spider silk and resin, incredible initiative will allow me to bring was developed during his MSc in Innovation my project closer to reality. Design Engineering, run jointly between the “I have spent two years working full time Royal College of Art (RCA) and Imperial’s with 38 people from 14 different countries Dyson School of Design Engineering. and I couldn’t imagine a more supportive When the violin is played, the spider silk and stimulating environment than this city.” vibrates the instrument’s casing, emitting a Entries from Imperial students made up sound which can be customised by tweaking eight of the fifteen projects in the final – the exact blend of the material. The combination and two of these projects won second of silk and resin produces a unique tone which and third place at last night’s competition. can be altered by Second place went to Kitty Liao from the blending different Dyson School of Design Engineering, and quantities of the Abellona U from the Department of Surgery raw materials. and Cancer. The pair have developed a vaccine who has used recycled waste chicken feathers Devised by delivery system which could potentially help to create building materials, such as water London & Partners, to save lives around the world. repellent paint, thermal insulation and a range the Mayor’s official Third place went to Elena Dieckmann from of consumer goods including tooth brushes. promotional company, the Dyson School of Design Engineering, —JON NARCORSS, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Papal prize Imperial students crowned iGEM Champions
A former Imperial student An Imperial team has been crowned winners of an international student prize for who developed a neonatal synthetic biology at a special Jamboree event in Boston, USA on 31 October 2016. incubator made from cardboard has won a The team took the prestigious international grand prize and competition at the Vatican. five major prizes at the International Malav Sanghavi, who Genetically recently completed an MSc in Engineered Machine Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial, was selected as one (iGEM) competition, of two winners at the Vatican Youth Symposium earlier this week. beating over 295 The Vatican Youth Symposium was hosted by the Pontifical other undergraduate Academy of Sciences (PAS) in collaboration with the UN’s teams from Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) universities all and its Youth Initiative. over the world. It brought together 50 young innovators from The team’s across the globe in the search for solutions to synthetic biology achieve social inclusion, economic prosperity project, Ecolibrium, and environmental sustainability across is focused on developing a framework for engineering ‘co-cultures’ – the world as part of the UN’s Sustainable different types of cells grown together. Co-culturing allows co-operation Development Goals. between bacteria for purposes such as engineering the human microbiome —JON NARCORSS, COMMUNICATIONS or the biosynthesis of metabolites. AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS Congratulating the team, Imperial’s Provost James Stirling said: “This is a wonderful achievement, and the iGem team should be incredibly Malav’s cardboard incubator, LifeCradle, proud. Our students fought off very strong competition from around the world, (formerly known as and our repeated success in this competition demonstrates the excellence LifeBox), is intended of our students: not only do they excel in their core disciplines, but they are for use in the also are able to develop their innovative ideas and showcase their talent.” developing world —JON NARCOSS, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 13 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 insidestory
Communicating science through sculpture A sculpture of Dolly the Sheep taxidermy remains at the has been placed in Imperial’s National Museum of Scotland, Central Library, to commemorate to spending hours perfecting twenty years since Dolly the sheep our papier mâché technique was cloned from mammary cells. at Imperial’s art studio. We The sculpture, which was made hope our results invite people by students on Imperial’s MSc to share their memories of in Science Communication, Dolly’s legacy 20 years on.” invites viewers to reflect on what Roberto Trotta, Director Dolly has meant to the world of the Centre for Languages, and to them. Culture and Communication, said: “This piece is a Dolly (5 July 1996 – 14 February great example of how 2003) was a female domestic contextualising ground- sheep, and the first mammal breaking, important cloned from an adult cell. science in its broader She was cloned by Ian Wilmut, social and scientific Keith Campbell and colleagues setting helps in at the Roslin Institute, part of the understanding University of Edinburgh, Scotland. comments and cartoons that a model of Dolly its meaning and Made on a papier mâché base, appeared throughout her life. took us on quite impact. And it the sculpture is finished with a The sculpture was made a journey – demonstrates collage of media responses to as coursework for the MSc from sourcing science Dolly. On her legs are found copies Science Communication by Ellyw newspaper articles communication of the original research papers, Evans, Zoe Ohman, and Joanna at the British Library, at its best: engaging, while on her body are news pieces, Wolstenholme, who said: ‘Creating through visiting her provocative, and fun.”
Imperial Lights
A week long video projection was held earlier this month to promote the work of the College’s Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication (CLCC)
The Imperial Lights projection on the front of the Central Library displayed a creative graphic video which explored the range of opportunities and activities that take place within the CLCC as well as the Graduate School, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre, the Learning and Development Centre and the Educational Development Unit. The 23-minute long animation was projected forty metres and 3000 pixels wide across the library’s façade. The home of humanities at Imperial, in topics as diverse as music technology to add some excitement to the building’s façade the CLCC includes the Science Communication and crime and justice as well as a range to better represent the creative things that Unit and the Imperial Horizons programme as of language courses. happen inside it.” well as night classes and language courses open Dr Roberto Trotta, Director of the Centre Imperial Lights is one of a number of new to staff, students and members of the public. for Languages, Culture and Communication, or expanded initiatives from the CLCC this year The CLCC aims to provide breadth to the said: “The idea was to make more visible the including new evening classes, a project pairing study of science, engineering and medicine at great work that goes on in the centre and do it up Imperial and LSE students to look at global the College, engaging students in a range of in a creative way for the whole of the Imperial challenges and their new research seminar humanities subjects. It offers over 80 different community to see. series that launches this week. courses through the Horizons programme “In choosing a light projection we wanted Watch a video here: bit.ly/Imperial-Lights 14 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Staff featured in this column have given many years of service to the College. Staff listed celebrate anniversaries during the period 1 October–31 October. The data are supplied by HR and correct at the time of going to press.
30 years 40 years 50 years • Professor Desmond Johnston, Vice Dean (Education) • Dr Michael Barrett, Senior Lecturer, Head of • Emeritus Professor Andre Balogh, for the Faculty of Medicine Learning Resources, Faculty of Medicine Centre Distinguished Research Fellow, Physics • Professor Paul Kelly, Professor of Software • Emeritus Professor Christopher Isham, • Dr Michael De Freitas, Distinguished Research Technology, Computing Distinguished Research Fellow, Physics Fellow, Civil and Environmental Engineering • Emeritus Professor Walter Murgatroyd, • Meilin Sancho, Technician, Physics • Professor David Gosman, Distinguished Research Emeritus Professor, Materials • Professor James Roy Taylor, Professor of Ultrafast Fellow, Mechanical Engineering • Professor Richard Thompson, Consul for the Faculty Physics and Technology, Physics • Professor John Monhemius, Senior Research Fellow, of Natural Sciences, Physics Earth Science and Engineering • Professor Rees Rawlings, Visiting Professor, Materials • Dr David Widdowson, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Chemistry
SPOTLIGHT Meilin Sancho, Technician, Physics 40 years
It was quite a change in direction coming to Imperial from art school; yet the search for signs of quarks in high energy physics experiments also demanded keen observation and a steady drawing hand (I worked as part of a scanning and measuring team on Bubble Chamber experiment films from SLAC and CERN). The College’s diversity was a bonus, after all, I was born and bred in Trinidad and felt at home. In 1984, I was privileged to spend some weeks at CERN experiencing big science on an international scale – with all the delights of Geneva and Swiss chocolate. In the late eighties and I moved on to departmental photography when I attended day release in general photography plus science and technical photography. My circle of contacts widened to the entire department as did my activities from portraits to experimental projects. I have absorbed much by osmosis and curiosity. Some of the highlights include the College’s centenary in 2007 and being instrumental in bringing music back to its original starting point in our Blackett Common room. Our student population has exploded through the years and so has the reputation of the College. I am grateful for the drive towards more awareness and care in working conditions. I must mention a few people: my first and exemplary manager Pat Hurst; Sir Tom Kibble, whose brilliance shone quietly and who took time to laugh at my jokes; and Danny Segal, a fine human being and a wonderful musician who once sang the original French version of ’Autumn Leaves’ to his own guitar accompaniment. In their lifetimes they have enriched our lives. There are many remarkable, admirable Imperial people who have been friends and supportive colleagues for decades. I am truly proud to be a part of Imperial.
Two of Meilin’s photographs. Above, experimenting with high-speed photography on an undergraduate project. Below, an abstract shot from the Physics terrace looking into the Blackett Common Room 15 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298 insidestory
Mr Peter Gordon, ESE Dr Paolo Piazza, Medicine Welcome Dr Susannah Gray, Faculty of Medicine Centre Mrs Livia Pierotti, Centre for Environmental Policy Mr Joshua Green, Chemistry Ms Vanessa Powell, Medicine new starters Dr Karen Grewal, Surgery & Cancer Dr Katarzyna Procyk, Medicine Miss Florence Gschwend, Chemical Engineering Ms Yasel Quintero Lares, Mechanical Engineering Dr Yoshiaki Abe, Aeronautics Miss Ana Guedan Paredes, NHLI Miss Priscilla Rajakumar, Bioengineering Dr Pedro Aceves Sanchez, Mathematics Dr Bakul Gupta, Materials Dr Emma Ransome, Life Sciences (Silwood Park) Mr Alexandros Adam, ESE Dr Arash Hamzehloo, Mechanical Engineering Miss Mary Raymer, Centre for Environmental Policy
Ms Anisha Ahmed, Library Miss Chiara Heal, Advancement Mr Ahsan Raza, Finance on. moving Miss Anum Akhtar, Business School Dr Marta Hojka, Life Sciences Ms Lucie Richards, Design Engineering Ms Yukie Akune, Medicine Dr Ruien Hu, Chemical Engineering Mr Amerigo Salemme, Catering Services Mr Saleh Alatabi, Physics Dr Kang Huang, Chemical Engineering Mr Philip Sandwell, Grantham Institute Mrs Semiha Alma, Advancement Mrs Shahnura Hussain, Finance Dr Nina Sanghani, NHLI Dr Fatin Altuhafi, Materials Mr Christopher Hutcheson, Sport and Leisure Ms Ruth Saunders, Business School Dr Maryam Anwar, Institute of Clinical Sciences Dr Jennie Hutton, Chemistry Mr Daniel Schade, Physics Mr Rory Baggott, Physics Dr Eleni Ioannou, Mechanical Engineering Dr Sonke Schmidt, Computing Dr Edward Bailey, Chemical Engineering Mrs Josephine Ireneo Mendoza, Medicine Miss Juliette Scull, Centre for Environmental Policy in. moving Mr Ilias Bamis, Chemistry Mr Kuldip Jaj, Faculty of Medicine Centre Mr Giovanni Serra, Security Services Mr Joseph Barrit, Life Sciences Ms Marija Jevtovic, Finance Dr Jose Serrano Contreras, Surgery & Cancer Mr Luke Bevan, Grantham Institute Ms Bethan Johnson, Life Sciences Dr Louise Shelley, Faculty of Medicine Centre Mr Moshiel Biton, ESE Mr Charalambos Kallepitis, Materials Ms Bryony Simmons, Medicine Miss Emma Blyth, Faculty of Medicine Centre Dr Andreas Kampitsis, ESE Dr Sabrina Simoncelli, Physics Miss Hazel Blythe, Surgery & Cancer Mr Kaiser Karamdad, Chemistry Dr Stacey Skaalure, Materials Dr Jacopo Bono, Bioengineering Miss Roya Karimnia, Public Health Mr Robert Smith, ICU Mr Francesco Borghesan, Chemical Engineering Dr Aditya Karnik, Chemical Engineering Professor Rod Smith, Mechanical Engineering Ms Laura Bouche, Life Sciences Mr Daniel Kelly, Computing Mr Jakub Sobiecki, Public Health Miss Claire Burgess, Materials Dr Faaizah Khan, Life Sciences Miss Lauren Stevens, Faculty of Engineering Mr Paolo Cadinu, Bioengineering Miss Maryam Khan, Medicine Ms Lorna Suckling, Bioengineering Professor Jeff Cash, Mathematics Dr Min Kim, NHLI Ms Georgina Tennant, Computing Dr Margherita Castronovo, Bioengineering Dr Rebecca Kordas, Life Sciences (Silwood Park) Ms Cristina Termenon Casado, Dr Ayhan Celik, Chemistry Dr Lobna Kouser, NHLI School of Professional Development Dr Juan Cerrolaza Martinez, Computing Mr Juan Kuntz Nussio, Chemistry Ms Romina Tocci, Surgery & Cancer Dr Jason Chang, Bioengineering Mr Chaipat Lapinee, Chemistry Mrs Thilagavathy Toman, Surgery & Cancer Mr Lloyd Charles, Security Services Dr Maria Lathouri, ESE Dr Vivian Tong, Materials Dr Dongwan Choi, Computing Ms Jo Leask, Business School Mx Melinda Toumazos, Public Health Dr Lorenzo Cirri, Surgery & Cancer Mr Yong Li, Mechanical Engineering Miss Foteini Tzakoniati, Chemistry Mr Izaak Coleman, Computing Dr Kartik Logishetty, Surgery & Cancer Dr Claire Villette, Civil and Environmental Engineering Miss Claudia Contini, Chemistry Miss Lizzie Lomer, NHLI Dr Aaron Vincent, Physics Ms Carolina Contreras Quintanilla, Ms Romy Lorenz, Medicine Mr Matthew Watts, Life Sciences (Silwood Park) Chemical Engineering Mr Edmund Lovell, Physics Dr Shoshana Weider, Faculty of Engineering Dr Christopher Corbishley, Enterprise Ms Maria Lucey, Medicine Ms Maria Weinert, Medicine Dr Joseph Cotter, Physics Mr Fabio Luporini, ESE Dr Nathan Welch, Chemical Engineering Mr Steven Cousins, Business School Mr David Mack, Physics Miss Ruth White, Surgery & Cancer Mr Michael Crone, Medicine Miss Sanja Maglajlija, EYEC Mr Matthew Wilkins, Business School Mr Samuel Cryer, Chemistry Mr Daniel Malko, Chemistry Mr Aaron Williams, NHLI Mr Keith Davies, Mechanical Engineering Miss Naila Mannan, Medicine Mr Mark Woodbridge, Medicine Mr Alexander de Giorgio, Surgery & Cancer Ms Katie Martin-Fagg, ICT Mr Menglong Ye, Computing Mr Francois de Luca, Chemical Engineering Dr Alba Matas Adams, Materials Mr Kailun Zheng, Mechanical Engineering Dr Alexandre De Zotti, Mathematics Mr Ruairi McEvoy, Business School Ms Alison Dexter, Enterprise Dr Ryan Meade, Public Health Miss Kanika Dharmayat, Public Health Mr Nitish Mital, EEE Miss Aikaterini Diamanti, Chemical Engineering Miss Syafrina Mohd Sharif, Dr Ruth Dobson, Medicine Centre for Environmental Policy This data is supplied by HR and covers staff joining Dr Beverly Donaldson, Medicine Dr Zahra Mohri, Bioengineering the College during the period 21 October – Dr Dawn Doran, Surgery & Cancer Miss Nazma Mojid, Estates Division 21 November 2016. This data was correct at the time Miss Tinuke Durotolu, Public Health Mrs Luisa Mouta Faria de Lima Doria, Surgery & Cancer of going to press. For Moving On, visit the online Mr Merlin Fair, NHLI Mr Julian Mutz, Public Health supplement at www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter Miss Lavender Fan, Surgery & Cancer Miss Dianna Nguyen, Chemistry Dr Sara Fontanella, Medicine Miss Jennifer Ofoedu, NHLI Dr Matteo Fumagalli, Life Sciences (Silwood Park) Mrs Natalia Okele, Faculty of Natural Sciences Please send your images and/or comments about Mr Ivan Garcia Kerdan, Chemical Engineering Mr Brian O’Neil, Security Services new starters, leavers and retirees to the Editor Mr Spyros Giannelos, EEE Mr Afzal Patel, ICT at [email protected] Miss Cher Goey, Chemical Engineering Dr Lucy Penfold, Institute of Clinical Sciences Mrs Sayuri Gong, ICT The Editor reserves the right to edit or amend these Dr Ana Pestana Gomes, Institute of Clinical Sciences as necessary. Dr Sakina Gooljar, Medicine 15b1 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 25 November 2016 • issue 298
Dr Victoria Lopez Morales, Computing Farewell Dr Ifung Lu, Surgery & Cancer Retirement Mr David Malatinszky, Life Sciences moving on Ms Sujita Mall, NHLI Mr Derek Parker, Estates Division (14 years) Dr Stefan Matthies, Chemistry Mr David Winstanley, EEE (19 years) Mrs Tawiah Adekunle, HR (10 years) Ms Eilis McCarthy, Central Secretariat Dr Mian Ahmad, Surgery & Cancer Dr John McGinley, Mechanical Engineering Dr Folake Akinduro, Life Sciences Dr Andrew McKinley, Chemistry (5 years)
Mr Justin Alsing, Physics Miss Feryal Mehraban Pour Behbahani, Computing on. moving Dr Nadav Amdursky, Materials Dr Yulia Melnikova, ESE Dr Uma Anand, Medicine (6 years) Dr Marija Milojevic Jevric, Computing Dr Bani Anvari, Civil and Environmental Engineering Ms Ania Mirkowska, Business School (9 years) Dr Mubarik Arshad, Surgery & Cancer Dr Isabel Moraes, Life Sciences (6 years) Miss Josephine Backhouse, Faculty of Medicine Centre Dr Jordan Muscatello, Chemical Engineering Mr Roberto Banfi, Catering Services Mr Chris Natt, Design Engineering Dr Claudia Battistelli, EEE Dr Peter Norsworthy, Medicine (24 years) Mr James Birch, Life Sciences Miss Linda Ogunbiyi, Finance in. moving Miss Carina Blythe, Faculty of Medicine Centre Mr Christopher O’Sullivan, Residential Services (9 years) Mr Melvyn Patmore, Physics (5 years) Dr Guido Bolognesi, Chemistry Dr Sarah Perkins, Faculty of Medicine Centre (7 years) Miss Marielle Bouqueau, Medicine Dr Sebastian Pike, Chemistry Mr George Bowie, Estates Division Mr Morgan Pinfold, Estates Division Miss Katharine Buckle, Faculty of Natural Sciences Dr Sebastian Potter, Public Health Mrs Julia Byrne, Business School (5 years) Dr Christos Rossios, NHLI (6 years) Mr Ben Campion, Faculty of Medicine Centre Dr Kevin Rue-Albrecht, Medicine Dr Subhojit Chakraborty, Bioengineering Dr Milagros Ruiz, Public Health Dr Shu Chen, Materials (5 years) Dr Sadia Saeed, Public Health (5 years) Miss Lisa Collins, Sport and Leisure Dr William Scott, Public Health Dr Alethea Cope, Medicine (5 years) Dr Rachel Shaw, Surgery & Cancer Dr Robert Currie, Physics Mr Jamie Silman, Catering Services Ms Kirstie Cuthbert, Faculty of Engineering Dr Daniel Skodlerack, Mathematics Mrs Christelle Dalle, Catering Services Dr Laura-Jane Smith, NHLI Mr Frederik Dieleman, Physics Emeritus Professor Rodney Sobey, Dr Ying Fan, EEE Civil and Environmental Engineering Dr Ildar Farkhatdinov, Bioengineering Dr Aggeliki Spentzou, Medicine Miss Laura Fellows, ICU Dr Mark Steedman, Institute of Global Health Dr Frederic Francois, EEE Mr Keith Tarnowski, Mechanical Engineering Dr Michael French, Public Health (9 years) Dr Grigoris Tsolkas, Bioengineering Dr Benedicte Galmiche, Mechanical Engineering Mr Sergio Velez-Moss, Reactor Centre (27 years) Ms Amber Gibney, Medicine Dr Ignacio Villar Garcia, Materials Miss Simren Gill, Medicine Dr Dominic Walker, Library Dr Benjamin Goislard De Monsabert, Bioengineering Dr Edward White, Chemistry Mr Alastair Gregory, Mathematics Mrs Daisy Wiley, Surgery & Cancer Dr Nabil Hajji, Medicine Dr Tobias Witting, Physics (7 years) Miss Charlotte Harvey, Life Sciences Dr C Peng Wong, Public Health Dr Harini Hewa Dewage, ESE Mr David Yeo, ICT Dr Ashleigh Howes, NHLI Dr May Yong, Computing Miss Yvette Ighorue, Medicine Dr Nada Yousif, Medicine (6 years) Dr Marilia Ioannou, Medicine Dr Michiyo Iwami, Medicine Miss Mishell Jachero Bustos, Catering Services Dr Philip Jedrzejewski, Chemical Engineering Miss India Jordan, ICU Dr Sebastian Kaltwang, Computing Emeritus Professor Barry Kay, NHLI (12 years) Mr Alexander Kirby, Materials Mr Kostas Konstantinidis, ICT Dr Everett Kropf, Mathematics Mr Nicolas Kylilis, Bioengineering Miss Katie Lamb, Medicine Mrs Jennifer Landmann, Public Health Dr Maria Lathouri, ESE Miss Rositsa Lecheva, Catering Services (6 years) Dr Yufei Liu, EEE
This data is supplied by HR and covers staff joining the College during the period 21 October – 21 November 2016. This data was correct at the time of going to press. FOR COMPLETE DETAILS: events highlights www.imperial.ac.uk/whats-on December 2016
08 DECEMBER, 17.00 take note Imperial Fringe: All around the world Take a festive trip of discovery explorers and rainforest ecologists, to volcano Accessibility information around the globe to meet scientists climbers and junior doctors helping remote available online and adventurers working amongst mountainous villages in Nepal, find out how Detailed accessibility information, rainforests, in deserts, up mountains far (literally) science and engineering can take including detail on entering and navigating and at the North Pole. The latest you as we present their stories and treasures buildings, is now available for seven Imperial Fringe brings together gathered from the field. Register in advance College campuses. The information on the scientific adventurers from the world’s and exchange your tickets on the night for free South Kensington Campus includes extra most exotic locations. From polar Christmas treats from around the world. details about lecture theatres, seminars, meeting rooms and teaching areas. Staff are encouraged to share the link when organising events or inviting visitors, such 08 DECEMBER, 17.30 as prospective students or job applicants, A metallic journey through human history to the College. Arsenic in drinking water. Lead in such as malnutrition in large areas of Find out more: the atmosphere. Uranium leaking the developing world. In his inaugural bit.ly/access-online from nuclear waste. A little too lecture, Dominik Weiss will discuss a much of some trace elements in the career investigating the past and present environment can have fundamental movement of trace elements around our effects on human and environmental environment. This will include work to health. However too little of others explain how valuable metals for our health can have equally disastrous are taken up by rice plants. consequences, leading to issues
24 NOVEMBER, 19.00 07 DECEMBER, 17.30 Wasted works: a conversation The Bionic Man Join Professor Sara Rankin in conversation with artist Explore the potential to interface the Gina Czarnecki about science-art collaborations including human nervous system with robotic the Tooth Palace. limbs at the inaugural lecture of Professor Dario Farina.
08 DECEMBER, 18.15 Bio-inspired flying robots for future cities This year’s Children’s Christmas Lecture take a journey towards a future smart city that could see friendly flying robots moving autonomously alongside their human neighbours. 13–15 DECEMBER, 09.00 The IET and Synbicite Engineering Biology Conference Imperial’s Synthetic Biology, Engineering Biology Industrial Accelerator and the IET host a conference on synthetic biology for manufacturing.
30 NOVEMBER, 17.30 14 DECEMBER, 15.00 New drugs for old diseases Intrusion detection in critical infrastructure Explore new treatments for A joint seminar between the Institute for Security traditional ailments such as Science & Technology and the Department of malaria, the common cold, and a Mathematics Statistics Section to look at the signs greasy hedgehog at the inaugural for the next Stuxnet cyber attack. lecture of Professor Ed Tate.
08 DECEMBER, 18.30 06 DECEMBER, 18.00 A new Antarctica: The technological exploration Renewable Gas: The lowest cost pathway of Earth’s last wilderness to decarbonising heat? Professor Martin Siegert explains how technology This year’s Sustainable Gas Research Annual Lecture is changing how we view Antarctica, from a lifeless will be given by David Parkin the Director of Safety and continent, to one shaping our global environment. Network Strategy at National Grid.
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Designed and produced by Communications and Public Affairs, Imperial College London // Principal photography: Imperial College London Additional photography: Francis Crick Institute (p2), Justin Knight (p12, iGem)