www.imperial.ac.uk reporterissue 199 • 11 December 2008

Teacher time Imperial’s first Education Day highlights innovations and opens up debate > centre pages

doctoral mini profile winter training Professor chillout £18 million to Martin Plenio College staff nurture new and the science plan for the scientists of the small holidays PAGE 3 PAGE 10 PAGE 13 news update editorial Editor Emily Ross Engaging the public with [email protected] the natural world 2008 has been a busy year for Imperial and what you read in the pages of Reporter is just a small snapshot of the activity which goes on across all campuses and in every department of the College. Since January we have attracted around 1,100 research awards, helped 3,731 students to graduate, held 88 major events and welcomed 1,561 new members of staff.

This month we’ll all get the chance to put down our books, turn off our computers and take a well deserved rest. To find out what some staff members are doing over the winter break, see page 13.

Enjoy your time off and see you in the New Year for the 200th issue of Reporter.

A national project to involve the Department of Physics and Dr public in the first ever community- Sally Power are running the OPAL led study of the natural world was London and OPAL South East launched at the Natural History regional projects respectively. These Eastside topping out Museum on 25 November. are two of nine projects being run Directed by Dr Linda Davies by universities across the country On 20 from the Centre for Environmental which will focus on local environ- November, Policy, the OPAL (Open Air mental issues. College staff, Laboratories) project will pioneer a Professor Toumi’s OPAL London students wide range of events and initiatives project aims to increase under- and guests across that will give people standing of climate change and joined project the tools and support to identify, weather in London. Dr Power’s contractors monitor and record plants and OPAL South East project will invite on the roof of wildlife in their local area. local communities to investigate the the Eastside Scientists effects of traffic emis- residential from across “ OPAL will encourage sions on urban green halls in South the College are spaces and nature con- more people to spend involved in servation sites along- for a topping out ceremony, marking the point in OPAL. Biologists more of their time outside side major roads. building work when the structure reaches its full height. at the Silwood exploring, studying OPAL Director Rector Sir Roy Anderson thanked everyone involved in Park Campus, and enjoying their local Dr Linda Davies said: the project for their hard work, and Chris Scott, Director of led by Dr Sally “OPAL will encourage environments” Projects at contractor Laing O’Rourke (pictured right), pre- Power, are more people to spend sented the Rector with a small glass memento of the day. running the more of their time The Rector also buried a sprig from a yew tree in national OPAL Air and Climate outside exploring, studying and concrete, which according to ancient tradition should Change Impacts projects. These two enjoying their local environments. bring luck to the building and ward off evil spirits. projects will focus on understanding There is so much to discover and Marking this milestone in developing new student the impact of air pollution on plants together we hope to gain a much accommodation had particular significance for both the and how droughts, changing rainfall greater understanding of the world Rector and Mr Scott—talking earlier they discovered that patterns and biodiversity loss affect around us and how to protect it, as students they had both been based in Falmouth Hall in the ability of ecosystems to carry out particularly the most disadvantaged what is now Southside. important processes. parts of England.” The new development replaces Linstead Hall, built in Researchers from the Centre The OPAL project has been the 1960s, and will provide three student halls housing for Environmental Policy, led by awarded an £11.75 million grant 441 students, along with two common rooms, a café bar Dr Nick Voulvoulis and commu- from the Big Lottery Fund. and a convenience store. David Lloyd Smith, the Dean of nity scientist Dr Martin Head, are —Danielle Reeves, Communications Students, said: “It looks like a smashing building, much running the OPAL soil centre which more in keeping with the architecture here and very appro- will focus on soil quality and the To watch a video on the priate for meeting both students’ and commercial needs.” biodiversity of earthworms. OPAL project, see: www3. —John-Paul Jones, Communications Professor Ralf Toumi from the imperial.ac.uk/news/opal

2 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 news update New process for clinical £18 million for next generation medical trials of researchers

From January, anyone planning cation for the inclusion of the costs Five new Centres for Doctoral Training are to be set up at a clinical trial of investigational for InForm. Imperial, thanks to a funding injection of over £18 million medicinal products such as Up until now researchers have announced on 5 December. drugs or therapies will need to developed their own systems to The funding is part of a larger £250 million award from the include costs in their grant appli- log information which has been Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) cations for a new online system both time consuming and announced by Lord Drayson, the Minister of State for Science called InForm. requires more staff and Innovation, which will fund 44 Centres for Doctoral Training The new system allows: to manage the (CDTs) and create over 2,000 PhD studentships at universities • researchers to track administrative across the UK over five years. their patients at side of clinical Unlike traditional PhD programmes, CDTs enable PhD each stage of the trials. The new students to work with, and learn from, scientists across a variety trial in real time standardised data of fields. They aim to produce a new generation of researchers • both the College capture system with the interdisciplinary skills and expertise to help them tackle and the research will give the some of the major challenges facing the world today. team to oversee College access Three of Imperial’s new CDTs will be led by the Department the trial activity to informa- of Physics and will focus on plastic electronic materials, materials • the appropriate tion to ensure theory and simulation, and controlled quantum dynamics. people to be the trials are The two additional Centres, designated as industrial doctorate informed of any legally com- training centres, will be led by other institutions, in collaboration event that requires pliant and will with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering urgent reporting also reduce the and the Department of Materials. or tracking, thanks risk of having —Danielle Reeves, Communications to an auto alert incomplete function trial data. • www3.imperial.ac.uk/news/5centres • a full audit trail The Clinical • the investigator and sponsors Research Governance Office to closely monitor participant is planning road shows to progress and safety provide more information about • reports to be automatically InForm at each of the Campuses. generated Please check the CRGO website • the trials to be archived on for updates. the College system All trials will be assessed by the • If you are planning to begin a Clinical Research Governance clinical trail from January onwards Office and a fee will be decided email the Clinical Research upon, depending on the com- Governance Office before you apply plexity of the trials. From for funding: c.beckford@imperial. January funding applications ac.uk, or for more information for clinical trials of medicinal visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/ products should include a justifi- clinicalresearchgovernanceoffice

in brief • Revised Imperial • Guardian Student • Visit from top • Outstanding win College fire safety policy Media Awards success Taiwanese institutions for Hoskins The Imperial College Fire Team is Felix, Imperial’s student newspaper, A group of 10 Taiwanese university Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Director launching a revised fire safety policy. won the Student Newspaper of presidents visited Imperial on of the Grantham Institute for Climate Central to the revised arrangements the Year Award at this year’s 2 December to meet academics, build Change, has been awarded the 2008 is the need to have a Fire Safety Guardian Student Media Awards on stronger research links with Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Coordinator for each building or 26 November. Last year’s editor, Tom the College and discuss possible Outstanding Scientific Paper Award department, supported by Fire Roberts, received the title Student future collaborations. by the US Office of Oceanic and Wardens. Help, advice, support and Journalist of the Year. I, Science, the The visit was part of a tour of Atmospheric Research. Professor training course are available from the student science publication, was a five of the UK’s universities including Hoskins was nominated for a report Fire Team. Look out for the new runner up in the Student Magazine the University of , the which contributed to work under- Imperial College Fire Team Intranet of the Year category and Felix’s Angry University of Cambridge, UCL and taken by the Intergovernmental Panel site early in 2009. For more informa- Geek was a runner up for Student King’s College London. on Climate Change. tion contact: [email protected] Columnist of the Year.

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 3 news update Academic staff time survey 2009

awards and From January, academic staff across Imperial will be asked to participate in the 2009 TOAST honours (The Original Academic Staff Time) survey. Managed by the Planning Division, this is an online survey of academic staff time which the College uses to meet the government requirement for all universities to establish the costs of Sir Peter presented with Ives Medal research, teaching, and ‘other’ activities. Professor Sir Peter Knight, Imperial’s Senior The survey takes place every three years and all professors, readers, senior lecturers and Principal, received the Ives Medal from the lecturers in academic departments and divisions will be asked to take part. Optical Society of America (OSA) at the Each participant will report on his or her activities for three randomly selected non-adjacent OSA’s annual meeting in New York in weeks during 2009 by completing a 24-hour diary, with October. The medal recognises overall each 30-minute slot to be allocated to an activity from a distinction in the optics field and is given list. An email will be sent to staff shortly before the highest award given by the OSA. each survey week with instructions on how to Sir Peter’s research expertise focuses access and complete the survey. The software is on theoretical quantum optics, strong field physics and quantum information science. the same as for the last survey in 2005-06. Survey returns are anonymous, and will be Dr Ying to speak on used to inform the College’s costs under fEC bionanotechnology (full economic costing) and therefore support the Dr Liming Ying (NHLI) has been selected as a recovery of the cost of our activities only. speaker at the Biochemical Society conference Michelle Coupland, Director of Planning, explained: Bionanotechnology II: from biomolecular assembly “It is critical that academics participate when they are asked to applications, in January 2009. Nanote- to do so as this will serve to ensure that the Government accepts our data as robust.” chnology has been widely touted as the basis of ‘the next industrial revolution’. To find out more see www.imperial.ac.uk/planning/toast A particular aspect of nanotechnology is its interface with the biological Please send any queries about TOAST to: [email protected] sciences, which has been dubbed ‘bionanotechnology’. This emerging discipline draws on biological inspiration and provides new tools to investigate biological systems with unprecedented resolution and input. Launch of Customer Service Academy www.biochemistry.org/meetings/programme. cfm?Meeting_No=SA093 Providing world class customer service is the aim behind the Customer Professor Schneider wins Service Academy launched this month ‘Dragons’ Den’ medical award at the College. Professor Michael Schneider (NHLI) has The Academy will focus on raising won the Translational Research Innova- standards and providing excellent service tion Award for Cardiology to help turn to Imperial’s 13,000 students and 6,000 his research into a treatment for heart staff, as well as to partners, neighbours disease patients. The award is one of and visitors. It also aims to raise aware- the Medical Futures Awards, which have ness of the importance of meeting the been dubbed the medical equivalent of Dragons’ needs and expectations of the College’s Den, after the BBC programme in which would-be diverse customers. entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a panel of judges. The award will help Professor Schneider harness the Twenty delegates from the Business regenerative power of heart progenitor cells and School, Registry, Catering, Finance and bring the treatment to clinical trials. ICT are involved in the first Customer Service Academy project which will run Imperial volunteers recognised throughout 2009. In their inaugural task at On 2 December Nur Syahidah Sahrom (one of the launch event, teams were sent out to The manager of the newly established Imperial’s 2008 biochemistry graduates) received visit London landmarks and tourist attrac- Academy, Steve Rathborn (Learning and a Student Volunteering Award from the Higher tions to assess the service they received. Development Centre) explained its purpose: Education Academy for a homework Future tasks will include assessing “The Academy will provide opportunities for and tutoring volunteering project she customer expectations and considering teams representing service departments across the was involved in, organised by the the steps required to meet or exceed College to explore the focus and quality of what Imperial Volunteer Centre. Helen Kefali these. The group will also analyse levels they provide and suggest ways of improving this (pictured), a Contracts Administrator of customer service within the education on a continuous basis.” in the Department of Engineering, was also shortlisted for the Staff Volunteering sector and other international organisa- —Naomi Weston, Communications Awards for her work with London-based charity tions through conducting surveys and KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now), delivering sports acting as ‘mystery shoppers’. They will For more information about the Learning and and recreational activities for disabled children. use their comparisons to make improve- Development Centre please visit: ments at the College. www.imperial.ac.uk/staffdevelopment

4 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 news update media mentions —Naomi Weston, Communications

The Guardian • 1 December Daily Mail • 8 December Spin-out companies to benefit Contaminated pork fears from city experts Concern about Irish pork is growing after it was Spin-out companies which are set revealed that pig farms in Northern Ireland, as well up by universities to find commercial as some in the Republic of Ireland, used animal applications for research are expected feed contaminated with cancer-causing dioxins, to increasingly recruit city experts to the Daily Mail reported earlier this week. Pigs in help develop the business, reported The Ireland were given feed contaminated with high Guardian this month. Russ Cummings, Chief Investment Officer of Imperial levels of dioxins, which are found in diesel oil Innovations, told the paper that he now receives triple the number of CVs and industrial pollutants. Professor Alan Boobis he did a year ago. “I’m getting up to 10 CVs a week and more personal (Investigative Science) told the Daily Mail: “These recommendations compared with one or two six months to a year ago. Part of compounds take a long time to accumulate in the body, so a relatively short that is down to the recession,” he said. exposure would have little impact. One would have to be exposed to high levels for a long time before there would be a health risk.”

Financial Times • 3 December 2008 European business schools comment on the economic crisis The past decade has seen a proliferation of business schools in Europe, reported the Financial NEWS Times earlier in December, but it is not clear whether they can all survive the economic downturn. Professor David Begg, Principal of Imperial’s Business New centre to improve hip replacement surgery School, answered questions about educational strategy, restructuring of The London Implant Retrieval Centre (LIRC) opened last month at Master’s degrees and how business schools equip students with key skills. He Charing Cross Hospital. The Centre’s core aim is to improve the told the paper: “At Imperial College, we have prioritised the integration of our outcomes of common hip replacement surgery by systematically business school with the College’s knowledge expertise in science, technology evaluating the failure of metal-on-metal partial hip replacements. and medicine. We believe that we can manage this future better by working This is done by collecting failed implants and associated blood more closely with those helping to invent it.” and tissue from hospitals across the country and performing a series of sophisticated tests to determine the underlying cause of inflammation and failure of the original procedure. The tests include MRI and CT scanning, specially adapted The Daily Telegraph • 3 December for use with metal hip implants, to look at positioning, and Imperial team works on revolutionary stem cell surgery investigations on blood and tissue samples to determine metal Researchers at the College are developing a technique to rebuild a damaged levels. Examination of some prostheses has shown wear at a rate heart using stem cell surgery. They have discovered a way to extract and grow 70 times greater than predicted. in the laboratory muscle-building cells which can be used to patch up the Alister Hart, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Imperial heart and increase its pumping power. This advance could help thousands of College Healthcare NHS Trust and senior lecturer at Imperial, heart disease patients and is the principal investigator at the Centre, which he co-founded end the need for transplants. with John Skinner, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Lead researcher Professor National Orthopaedic Hospital. Michael Schneider (NHLI) He said: “Metal-on-metal hip replacements are becoming told The Daily Telegraph: “In increasingly common, especially for young people who want to an ideal world we could have stay active. While most are successful, a substantial number a situation where patients have needed to be revised after patients experience severe yet with heart disease have their seemingly unexplained pain. disease reversed as healthy “What this Centre aims to do is to bring clinicians, industry tissue grows back.” and basic scientists together to discover exactly why this is happening by taking research from the bedside back to the bench and beyond.” > —Cymbeline Moore, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Sign up for Imperial news Press Office Join our mailing lists that bring regular Imperial news, information and website alerts to all subscribers. To sign up: www.imperial.ac.uk/media/jointsignup

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 5 scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup

Red alert for tomatoes! How a bacterium overcomes a tomato of a dangerous disease—in the same way plant’s defences and causes disease, by that an intruder would deactivate the burglar sneakily disabling the plant’s intruder alarm before gaining entry to a house. detection systems, was revealed Professor John Mansfield (Life in new research published in Sciences), one of the authors of the Current Biology on paper, says: “Once the receptors have 4 December. been taken out, the plant’s defences The study focuses on are ‘offline’ and the bacterium is able a pathogen which causes to spread rapidly, feeding on the bacterial speck disease in plant without encountering any tomato plants. This bacte- kind of resistance.” rial invasion causes black Together with colleagues lesions on leaves and at the Max Planck Institute fruit. Severe infection in Cologne and the Zurich- How ancient Earth can cause extensive and Basel Plant Science Centre, costly damage to tomato Professor Mansfield used escaped deadly crops, and researchers believe an experimental model plant that understanding more about how this called Arabidopsis, which is also affected by microbe works could lead to new ways of the disease, to examine what happens at the deep freeze tackling it, and other plant diseases, without molecular level when bacterial speck infects the need for pesticides. a plant. The planet’s present day greenhouse Scientists have found that the pathogen The research at Imperial was funded by scourge, carbon dioxide, may have played is very effective at attacking tomato plants the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences a vital role in helping ancient Earth escape because it deactivates and destroys receptors Research Council. from complete glaciation, say scientists. which normally alert the plant to the presence —Danielle Reeves, Communications In their review for Nature Geoscience (30 November), UK scientists claimed that the Earth never froze over completely during the Cryogenian Period, about 840 to 635 million New cell membrane research years ago. This is contrary to the ‘snowball Earth’ hypothesis, which envisages a fully Chemistry researchers at Imperial have frozen Earth locked in ice for many millions been awarded £1.75 million to study various of years as a result of a runaway chain aspects of cell membrane structure and reaction causing the planet to cool. function, using analytical techniques from How the Earth escaped from a complete the physical sciences. freeze is uncertain, but the authors of Understanding how cell membranes work the study point to recent research at the is important because there is more to their University of Toronto. This speculates that role in the cell than merely providing a barrier the advancing ice was stalled by the inter- between the contents of a cell and the outside action of the physical climate system and world, and forming compartments within the carbon cycle of the ocean, with carbon the cell. Professor John Seddon (Chemistry), dioxide playing a key role in insulating the principal investigator, explains: “Cell the planet. membranes are highly active interfaces: for The review’s lead author, Professor example, they control, activate and deacti- “Cell membranes...control, activate Phillip Allen (Earth Science and vate many vitally important cell functions, Engineering), says that something must have are involved in cell signalling, and are the and deactivate many vitally important kept the planet’s equatorial oceans from binding sites for over 80 per cent of all cell functions” freezing over: “In the climate change game, commercially available drugs. We believe carbon dioxide can be both saint and sinner. that physical interactions such as the elasticity of the membrane and its tendency for curvature These days we are so concerned about global are intimately involved in many of these processes. There is a subtle interplay between lipids and warming and the harm that carbon dioxide is membrane proteins in controlling membrane structure and protein function.” doing to our planet. However, approximately Cell membranes are made of two asymmetrical layers of lipid molecules. One of the objectives 600 million years ago, this greenhouse gas of the new project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), probably saved ancient Earth and its basic is to better understand the consequences of this lipid asymmetry. In addition, researchers aim to life forms from an icy extinction.” develop new methods for model membranes, which are also asymmetric. Professor Allen hopes his review will The funding will also enable the research team to tackle other emerging areas in membrane prompt climate modellers to realign their biophysics including drug–membrane interactions and the mechanisms by which cells dynami- thinking about the Cryogenian period, to cally control the make-up of their membranes. An additional aim is to encourage closer collabo- reflect a warmer Earth at this time. rations between UK scientists working in membrane biophysics. —Colin Smith, Communications —Danielle Reeves, Communications

6 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup scienceroundup

Pinpointing zinc pollution New unit to tackle liver disease

essential mineral used by plants A £1 million clinical research hepatitis C recurs in the trans- and animals. But at higher levels, facility dedicated to tackling planted liver. zinc pollution is suspected of liver disease, the fifth most Professor Howard Thomas, causing cardiovascular, common cause of death in the the director of the new facility, reproductive, immune, and UK, has opened at Imperial. said: “Tragically, patients respiratory problems. The Robert Hesketh can live with liver problems Researchers trialled their Hepatology Clinical Research for several decades with no method on atmospheric samples Unit aims to provide care symptoms, not knowing that collected in São Paulo, Brazil, and develop new therapies they are unwell until they working with researchers from to reverse rising liver disease reach the end stages of cir- the University of São Paulo. death rates. rhosis and liver cancer. Analysis of air samples The unit will accommodate suggested that a major source fifty researchers, doctors and of zinc in the city’s atmosphere nurses from the College and A new way of pinpointing comes from cars and not from Imperial College Healthcare where zinc pollution in the manufacturers as previously NHS Trust. atmosphere comes from could thought. The study’s co-author, Patients will have the improve pollution monitoring Dr Dominik Weiss (Earth Science chance to take part in the and regulation, says and Engineering), unit’s research programmes, research published “Exposure to zinc said: “We need as well as clinical trials in Analytical to know where addressing the four main pollution over a long Chemistry in these sources causes of liver disease— November. period of time is a of pollution are alcoholism, fatty liver disease Imperial significant concern for coming from and chronic hepatitis B and C, researchers say their the health of residents because exposure together with liver cell and bile work is a major to zinc pollution duct cancers. in big cities such as breakthrough as over a long period Unit researchers will current methods for São Paulo or London.” of time is a sig- examine why some people analysing zinc pollu- nificant concern are genetically predisposed to “We need to focus our tion only measure for the health of residents in big alcoholism, which is respon- research, clinical facilities and pollution in the atmosphere; they cities such as São Paulo sible for 70 per cent of chronic most importantly the NHS on do not trace it back to its source. or London.” liver disease. One of many the importance of screening Their method will provide a The new method analyses clinical trials will investigate patients for the early stages new tool for policy makers and zinc isotopes and could be whether treating hepatitis C of liver disease, when inter- modellers and could inform and applied to tracing the sources of patients with warfarin after ventions can return the liver improve national and interna- other metals such as cadmium, they have undergone a liver to normal.” tional pollution strategies. copper and thallium. transplant, can reduce the —Laura Gallagher, At low levels, zinc is an —Colin Smith, Communications scarring that occurs when Communications

HIV film to tackle teacher discrimination

Addressing the discrimination against The new film and book, called Copies will be supplied to teaching organi- HIV-positive teachers in Africa is a key Courage and Hope: African Teachers sations so they can be used as part of aim of a new documentary and accompa- Living Positively with HIV, tell the teacher training programmes. nying book by Imperial’s Partnership for stories of 14 HIV-positive teachers in Dr Michael Beasley, Acting Director of Child Development, sub-Saharan Africa. The the Partnership for Child Development, based in the Faculty “Teachers can be great at teachers explain how said: “Up to 60 per cent of public sector of Medicine. delivering a message to they discovered their workers in Africa are teachers. They play An estimated HIV status and discuss an important part in society, acting as role 122,000 teachers in people and help reduce the how it has affected models for adults as well as children. sub-Saharan Africa stigma attached to HIV.” their lives, including Because of this, teachers can be great are living with HIV, the impact on their at delivering a message to people and and most of them have not sought testing relationships with their families, help reduce the stigma attached to HIV. and do not know their status. Stigma inhibits schools and communities. A strong and healthy teaching workforce is teachers from being tested for HIV and many Thousands of copies of the DVD and key to making this a successful endeavour.” of those who know their status fear dis- book will be distributed around the world —Lucy Goodchild, Communications crimination if they declare it, according to the following the launch at the 15th International Imperial team. Conference on AIDS and STIs in Senegal. www3.imperial.ac.uk/news/hivfilm

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 7 Innovative teaching Earlier this month, around 200 members of Imperial staff with an interest in teaching and learning came together for the College’s first Education Day.

The event was developed by the Pro Rector for Education, Julia Buckingham, and the Centre for Educational Development (CED). A series of lectures took place throughout the afternoon, given by Imperial academics who spoke of different teaching methods they have adopted. Subjects included the use of simulation in teaching medicine and the EnVision programme which fosters initiatives in engineering education. Speaking on the day, Rector Sir Roy Anderson noted that while Imperial is known for being a research intensive university, staff shouldn’t forget that the College is equally excellent at teaching. He said: “I hope we will continue to do more to stimulate creativity in education”. Robert Winston (Professor of Science and Society at Imperial) also spoke about the challenges of communicating science. He discussed the relationship between scientists and the media and how this can be both useful in order to get messages out to the public as well as detrimental as a result of misleading headlines and inaccurate reporting. Using video clips from his BBC1 series Child of Our Time he showed how devices such as case studies can be useful tools for the effective communication of complicated scientific processes.

“The aim of the event was to put teaching and learning in the spotlight and to bring people together to share new ideas and best practice.” —Roberto Di Napoli, Senior Lecturer, CED

Posters In addition to the lectures, over 30 posters were on display at the event illustrating many of the different initiatives departments and academics have introduced to their courses. Among the varying teaching methods presented was a clinical e-learning programme with e-lectures, video podcasts and online quizzes enabling students to identify gaps in their knowledge. Four prizes were given out by Professor Buckingham to the researchers who produced the best posters to reward them for their innovative ideas. Winners were as follows: • John Conway and Philip Ramsden from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Bang Nong and Tina Rowe from the Faculty of Engineering for the 2008 online version of Metric; a tool initially designed to support the transition from A level to undergraduate level maths which is now also being used by students in Materials and Physics. • Jane Saffell and Emma Salter from the Faculty of Natural Sciences for their poster entitled Evaluation of different research-based modules in biochemistry and their influence on students’ perceptions of bioscience research. > Examples of teaching innovation at • Pramudith Sirimanna, Sonal Arora, Rajesh Aggarwal, Nick Sevdalis, Alice Imperial. From top to bottom: a large- scale construction project undertaken Moran, Roger Kneebone and Lord Darzi, all from the Faculty of Medicine, by Civil Engineering students; undergraduate for their poster entitled Mental practice enhances surgical performance in novice physics students using clickers to take part in an laparoscopic surgeons—a randomised controlled study. interactive lecture; screenshot of an e-module designed for use by undergraduate medics; students using an operation • Elaine Walsh, from the Graduate Schools, for her poster entitled Cold micro- simulator to practice keyhole surgery. climates and cultural mishaps: the perils of PhD life for overseas students.

8 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 Teaching Awards The winners of the Teaching Excellence Three of the award winners were also named Demonstrating that there is commitment Awards were: Imperial’s 2008 Teaching Fellows. They were: across the College to using innovative • Mitch Blair, Medicine • Steve Cook, Life Sciences methods to inspire students, in his speech • Richard Dashwood, Materials • Karim Meeran, Investigative Science on Education Day, the Rector also high- • Helen Dowker, Physics • Lynda White, Mathematics lighted the 2008 Teaching Excellence Awards • Leroy Gardner, Civil and Environmental —Emily Ross and Naomi Weston, Communications presented on 24 November. He said: “On Engineering Monday I was privileged to present 14 • Kate Hardy, SORA To read abstracts of all posters displayed at awards for excellence in teaching to aca- • Klaus Hellgardt, Chemical Engineering Education Day 2008: www.imperial.ac.uk/ demics from all of the College’s faculties. It and Chemical Technology edudev/cedevents/educationday was wonderful to highlight the inventiveness • Roger Kneebone, SORA and dedication of those involved in learning • Geoffrey Smith, Investigative Science and teaching. The awards clearly illustrated • John Tippins, Life Sciences the link between excellence in teaching and • Dimitri Vvedensky, Physics excellence in research. Students here thrive in • Dominic Wells, Neurosciences a challenging, research-driven environment.” and Mental Health

Interview with Pro Why did you decide to nicating science effectively What was the Rector for Education hold Education Day? to the public. Then we heard purpose of the poster Julia Buckingham There are lots of opportuni- about some of the challenges presentations? ties to discuss education faced by different disciplines— We felt it was particularly about Education Day within the various College for example teaching clinical important to encourage committees—for example, I skills to medical students and informal discussions during Why are teaching and education is something that chair the College’s Strategic physics to first year undergrad- the coffee breaks, and the learning so important stays with you for life, not just Education Committee which is uates. This was an opportunity posters, created by staff who for Imperial? for Christmas! responsible for developing our to learn from each other and to had been awarded teaching We have an incredibly educational strategy. However share best practice. grants, provided a fantastic important role in educating Who inspired you as a there is no forum outside focus for discussion and the next generation. Great student? the committee structure for What is the value debate. On the day the atmos- teaching and great research That is difficult, there were academics and others who of innovative phere around the posters was go hand-in-hand. I suspect quite a few, but if I had to work with students to discuss approaches to delightful—the noise levels that if any of our academics select just one, it would be my teaching and related issues teaching? reflected the enthusiasm. were asked what inspired tutor in Sheffield, Iain Chester- with colleagues from other There is no doubt that them to become scientists, Jones. He was an amazing disciplines in the way there students’ approaches to Is there going to most of them would pinpoint scientist and teacher—I always is for research. I thought a learning have changed over be another a teacher who enthused them remember him telling me symposium would provide the years. We too must move Education Day? and drew them into their about his first ‘big discovery’ this platform. with the times, be open to Absolutely! We want it to area of expertise. Of course, and how excited he was about testing and evaluating new become an annual event and many of our students will not it; I found that very inspira- What were the aims methodologies and taking from the feedback we have pursue careers in science but, tional. His tutorials were a of the day? advantage of new tech- had from across the College whatever they choose to do, bit chaotic sometimes but To discuss strategic issues nologies. I don’t think that and the Rector, there is a lot of they will have had the excite- were always challenging and and innovative approaches e-learning will ever be a substi- support for it. ment of learning about cutting fun—above all they opened up to teaching. We started with tute for face-to-face teaching edge science and being taught a whole new field of biology strategic issues—how to but it is a very powerful tool —Emily Ross, Communications by some of the world’s leading for me and had a very big influ- select the best students, and and has enormous potential scientists—and a research-led ence on my future career. the importance of commu- for further development.

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 9 >science for beginners science > made easy mini profile science science Professor Martin Plenio> for beginners > from scratch scienceProfessor Martin Plenio from the Department of Physics > for beginners Fuel cells “In 1839 Sir William Grove, a Professor Plenio specialises in that we’ll need to use the rules of quantum Welsh scientist, first observed sciencequantum physics—the for beginners science of physics to build them and make them work. that if the ends of two strips of the very small. platinum were hung in an acidic > Stem cells and What do you enjoy most about solution and the other ends So how did you get into science? your work? were exposed,E one to a tube My family was always interested in science so Finding out how things work, and making of hydrogen and the other to a tube of oxygen, it was a natural direction for me. At first calculations to prove ideas. The pity is thatSCIENC as a when the ends of the platinum were connected I couldn’t decide between mathematics professor you have less and less time for that. > fortogether beginners by a wire, a current would be produced. scienceand physics so I studiedfor both, beginners but I enjoyed the I like to give talks about science as well. I also This discovery led to the invention of the fuel cell. maths that you need have a fantastic group of A fuel cell converts chemical energy directly in physics more than postdocs and students into electrical energy through an electrochemical >pure stem maths itself cells so and it is a pleasure to reaction, similar to the way a battery works. A eventually I ended up work with. battery will eventually run out of power because in theoretical physics, the chemicals inside the battery are used up. A as it was the best of Who is your fuel cell, however, can be constantly supplied both worlds. favourite scientist? with the fuel and oxygen needed to produce Alive and working in power, so will only stop producing power if the What is quantum my field, perhaps the sciencesupply of fuel or oxygen runs out. physics? theoretical/mathematical Hydrogen fuel cells are attracting attention Quantum physics physicist Reinhard > forfrom car beginners manufacturers as they provide is a theory which Werner. He did a lot of an environmentally friendly alternative to explains things on Eexcellent work and is conventional engines because the only waste a very small scale. SCIENC also a very honest and product from fuel cells is water.” Nowadays it is tough judge. So you may —Dr Laura Williams sciencebecoming increasingly important> because for the beginnersrest assured that he will tell you if your work >for beginnersstructures on computer chips inside our iPods, is wrong or that it represents mere doodling in • Dr Williams is studying forE a PGCE via science mobiles and laptops are getting smaller and the margins of science. SCIENCImperial’s INSPIRE scheme: www.imperial. > for beginners smaller and some day soon they’ll be so tiny —Danielle Reeves, Communications ac.uk/inspire > for beginners > science ‘Green’ electricity to help UK meet 2050 carbon emissions target for beginners This month researchers from Imperial’s energy needs, in particular to replace liquid Grantham Institute for Climate Change and fuels for ground transport and natural gas for Energy Futures Lab embarked on a pro- heating buildings. gramme to develop new technologies which Professor Nigel Brandon, Director of could help the UK dramatically cut its carbon Imperial’s Energy Futures Lab, commented: emissions by 2050. “A lot needs to be done over the next few The programme aims to help decades to develop new the UK meet the goals set by “ A lot needs to be done ways of producing and the UK Committee on Climate supplying electricity, and to Change in October 2008. These over the next few investigate how it could be state that by 2050 the UK should decades to develop new used to replace the gas in our reduce greenhouse gas emis- ways of producing and homes and petrol in our cars. sions by at least 80 per cent supplying electricity” “At Imperial we have a compared to 1990 levels and large number of researchers in the same timeframe, global working on technologies emissions would need to fall by at least to provide solutions. Planet 2050 brings them 50 per cent. together and, through Electric Futures and One element of Imperial’s Planet 2050 other projects, builds on their existing work to programme is the Electric Futures project help achieve significant carbon reductions over which will explore the use of low-carbon the next 40 years.” electricity to meet a large part of the UK’s —Danielle Reeves, Communications

10 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 Dual lives Reporter highlights members of staff who lead extraordinary lives outside of their role at the College

Ian Hackford During the week Ian Hackford is the Dr Mark Richards Divisional Safety Coordinator for the Division of Medicine and the Division By day: Dr Mark Richards, Honorary of Epidemiology Public Health and Primary Care, but at the weekends he Research Associate (Physics) Mark graduated in chemistry at the University of Manchester before can be found with an SA80 assault moving to Imperial to study physics in the Space and Atmospheric research rifle on his shoulder, dodging live group. His career at the College has drawn him away from the lab and into bullets in simulated war scenes the more entrepreneurial side of applied sciences. One of his key roles working as part of the Territorial Army. today is working on technology transfer within the High Energy Physics research group. What is your day job? My role is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of 750 members of staff, By night: DJ Kemist students and visitors in the Divisions of Medicine and EPHPC, dealing As a teenager, Mark started buying records and listening to music. This led with risks ranging from human pathogens to offsite work. him to experiment with turntables, and his DJ career started while he was a student. Friends from his What is your key role in the TA and what attracted you to the home town nicknamed him organisation? ‘chemist’ but to differentiate I’m a communications systems operator in 31 Signal Regiment 5 himself from other students Squadron, the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars—we are trained both he began to play under the name of DJ Kemist. Today not in infantry combat techniques and military communications. To me it’s a only is he a DJ but he massive adventure—I love the outdoors, the teamwork, the exercise, and is also a co-founder of the camaraderie. Xtremix Records, an independent record label What are the benefits of having a regular job and being a member based in Ladbroke Grove, of the TA? . I can serve for six months in a year and live a ‘normal’ life for the rest of it—it’s the best of both worlds. Linking music Does the uniform help you make the transition from your day job? with science The TA (and the British Army as a whole) believes in old fashioned prin- For Mark, science and music ciples like selfless commitment, courage, integrity and team spirit. When are reflections of his personal I put on my uniform I feel like I’m part of something bigger, I stand taller, interests and both stem from carry myself differently and I’m more conscious of my actions. his passion and from a need to fulfil both logical and What skills are you able to creative sides of his person- take across to your day job? ality. He maintains that the Being in the TA trains you to be technical skills he developed as a team player and helps you to a scientist have actually enhanced his music career. In the lab he works on see the bigger picture in disputes. disentangling electromagnetic waves and analysing them, whereas as a DJ he recombines sound waves to create new and exciting mixes. I’ve also gained managerial experience which can be directly translated into my Music as a form of outreach everyday work. Dr Richards is also keen to encourage equal opportunities and is involved in Imperial as One, the College’s race equality advisory group. Through Do you have any fears about his work he attempts to break down prejudices and stereotypes. He says: being called up? “I am concerned that children from underprivileged backgrounds tend to Personally I’m looking forward lean towards arts and sports without realising that science can do a lot for to it. I know it sounds like them.” To break down these artificial divides, Mark is involved in a variety of bravado but as a TA soldier you outreach activities where he talks about the science of waves but then goes on to demonstrate how the same principles can apply to music production. have to be happy to put your life on the line to keep the peace. —Mico Tatalovic, MSc in Science Communication (Humanities) > Ian Hackford in his ‘other office’—the back of a fitted-for-radio Land Rover —Emily Ross, Communications

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 11 Buddy for a day > Course review This month volunteers from Imperial introduced a group of school children to the world of Imperial as part of a ‘buddy day’ MEd in University organised by the Imperial Volunteer Centre in collaboration with Learning and Teaching IntoUniversity. IntoUniversity is a charity which operates at centres across Attendee: Dr Jane Saffell, Senior Lecturer, London and aims to address underachievement and social Division of Cell and Molecular Biology exclusion by offering out-of-school opportunities and mentoring schemes to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. What is the MEd in University Learning and Teaching? Throughout the day the volunteers showed 12–14 year olds It’s a new Master’s course designed by the Centre for Educational from Burlington Danes Academy, west London, around the South Development, available from this year to Imperial academics interested in Kensington Campus, organised a treasure hunt, and assisted with a learning and teaching, research and communication. science workshop. One of the volunteers was the Undergraduate Admissions Can you describe the structure of the course? Officer from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Marcus Heneghan. The MEd is flexible and can be completed in up to four years. Within a In his job Marcus is involved in a lot of outreach activities for Life framework of a few short taught modules, including one on education research Sciences applicants, as well as students in their last year of GCSEs methods, course members complete a literature dissertation on a topic of their or first year of A levels. He says: “Being a ‘buddy’ helped me choosing, and then an original education research project. professionally as I could take this experience and apply it to how I organise my open days and taster days. It helped to inform me Why did you choose to go on it? of what advice kids need before taking their A levels, especially if To enhance our reputation for teaching excellence we need to disseminate our they want to follow a science career.” He adds: “It was great to see innovative teaching and learning practices effectively in educational literature, so many funny, articulate and clever children taking part in which uses very different methodology and language from that we are used to something they obviously really enjoyed”. in science and engineering. —Petronela Sasurova, Volunteering What have you learnt so far? Contact the Imperial Volunteer Centre to find out how volunteering Being on the course has reminded me what it is like to be a student! It is an can help you in your job: [email protected] important reminder of how hard it can be to navigate in a new discipline. I have also become aware of key theories, developments and controversies in learning and teaching. crossculture Cross Culture is an empty scrapbook for staff and students to fill with their Countdown to Christmas in Poland local recipes, cultural traditions and “On 6 December children in Poland experiences of living in other parts of traditionally receive their presents from St the world. Nicholas—usually something placed under their pillow while they sleep. A traditional Christmas Eve is the most important time in Polish Christmas celebrations. Everyone Christmas in Poland gathers together to decorate the Christmas by Gosia Gayer (Grantham tree with baubles as well as tasty treats like sweets and fruits. Our tree at home always Institute for Climate Change) had a star placed on top and the sight of “I come from Radom [100 kilometres the first night star in the sky traditionally marks the time that the Christmas south of Warsaw] in central Poland but have lived in the feast begins. The feast includes 12 different dishes which vary according to the UK for many years. I joined Imperial as PA to the Pro Rector region you live in and can include anything from mushroom soup to dumplings for Development and Corporate Affairs in 2002, moving to stuffed with sauerkraut, pan-fried carp and poppy seed cake. Traditionally, we my current role as Administrator of the Grantham Institute do not eat meat on that day and we always set an extra place so that the meal last year. can be shared with an unexpected visitor—although I don’t remember anyone Christmas in Poland is a very important religious ever turning up when I was a child! After eating, we usually sing or listen to festival and also a time for all the family to get together. carols and exchange presents. At midnight, those of us who have enough This year, I won’t be going home, but hope to recreate a energy attend midnight mass at our local church. traditional Christmas with my Polish friends in London. Christmas Day is a religious holiday for Mixing English and Polish traditions is a lovely thing to do us so we usually go to church—especially for although it’s probably not so great for the waistline!” children to see the nativity scene—and stay at home with our family. It is also a day when To contribute to cross culture please send we can eat what we want, which means your ideas to [email protected] too many meats, sausages, cakes and sweets!”

12 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 I’ve just started the leadership I’ve been working here in the vox pop and development programme UK to improve my English; for black and minority ethnic I’m currently on a break from What will you be doing over the staff and we’ve been given some studying mechanical engi- winter break? books to read, so I’ll be spending neering at university in my home a bit of my time studying! I’ll country of Brazil. I’ll be spending We caught up with some Imperial staff to find be visiting family and getting the holiday travelling round out their plans: together with my friends a lot too. Europe, visiting France, Belgium, Germany and Hungary before I —Rose Brown, Learning and Development Centre I’ll be doing a bit of work over head back to my own studies. the holiday. Because it’s so quiet This year I’m looking forward —Rafael Albernaz Alves, Catering it’s a good time to focus and get to spending time with family some research done. I love snow and sharing a few old memories We’re staying put this year and and skiing so I might keep a when we all get together in having a quiet time. We’ve got look out for last minute holiday Wandsworth. Next year though an 11-month-old daughter so it’ll bargains—I’d like to get away to we’re planning to go to Jamaica, be her first Christmas—then two Switzerland if I can. where I’m from. It’ll still be quite days later it’s her birthday. We —Ryo Torii, Chemistry traditional though—no Christmas on the beach! won’t be making any plans for New Year—having a new baby we —Henry Palmer, ICU Shop It’s a very special holiday for take any sleep we can get! my family this year, as we are —Tim Evans, Physics I’ll be heading back to Swansea, visiting our son in South Africa. I can’t wait—being able to go We’ll be spending Christmas on I’ll be home over the holiday, for walks on the beach will be a the beach and seeing some of though if there’s any snow real contrast to London. Every the sights, everything from a I’ll be out with my camera— Boxing Day my dad and I go see heritage narrow gauge railway photography’s my passion. In the Swansea City play at the Liberty collection to a stay at a vineyard diplomatic service I spent lots of Stadium, this year we’ll hopefully as well as a two day safari! Christmases overseas in poorer be cheering the Swans on to countries where all have very —Kim Winter, Building Projects victory against Coventry City. little. Community over consum- —Sam White, Planning Our holiday will be a bit of a mad erism is still very important to dash around the country me at Christmas. We’ll be spending the winter to visit family! We’ll be heading — Valerie Flisher, Registry break in Nice visiting my parents- up to York for Christmas Eve in-law, eating and drinking far then getting up early on too much on Christmas Day. I’m Christmas Day and driving to looking forward to enjoying the visit folks outside Glasgow. Corrections and milder weather and escaping to Heading to Edinburgh on the somewhere where we can wear clarifications 27th and back to London the t-shirts in December. Apart from In the article ‘Teaching science in Samar’ next day. After that I’ll be recovering! that, I don’t plan to do much at all! on page 11 of the last issue, Kristina —Margaret Christie, Research Office —Kevin O’Leary, Library Östman’s name was misspelt.

Students stay up all night to raise scholarship funds

It’s 2.00 on a cold November Friday morning, Student Opportunities Fund, which provides and while their peers are snuggled up in scholarships to gifted but financially their beds, 12 Imperial students are in the disadvantaged students. middle of their shift, calling alumni in the “By employing new software, we’ve been able USA as part of the biannual to match students to alumni with similar inter- telethon campaign. ests much more closely,” said Heather Campbell Running from 20 October to 11 (Office of Alumni and Development). Discussing December, the telethon offered alumni the benefits of this new approach, she added: a chance to stay in touch with College “Ensuring that they have interests or clubs and life, and support the Annual Fund. societies in common really improves the Autumn 2008 was the first time that experience for alumni.” alumni in the USA have been con- Joe Rumer, a second year chemistry student, tacted through the telethon and so far enjoyed his time as a student caller. He said: “It more than £26,000 has been raised allows the College to stay in touch with alumni for the fund’s projects. Areas of the in a friendly way, as well as raising money from College to benefit include the renova- some of its greatest supporters!” tion of the Union building and the —Alasdair Glen (Alumni and Development)

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 13 celebrating long service Obituaries Dr Allen Shelton • Dr Allen Shelton, former Assistant Director of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, died 20 years in March aged 84, Carol-Anne Shaw • Assistant Divisional Administrator (NHLI) shortly after an operation following John Grover, Buildings Manager (Estates) a series of falls at John Grover started at Imperial in December 1988 as Stores Manager for the the beginning of the year. His daughter, Debbie Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He remembers: “It was Rendall, describes his career: great that I was hired just before Christmas, I had a party on the first day!” “Allen obtained his BSc and PhD at Imperial With the party season over Mr Grover applied himself to his job, and was before joining the academic staff in 1954. He soon promoted to Assistant Technical Services Manager, shortly followed by worked under Professor Sir Hugh Ford in the the manager role and Departmental Safety Officer. Two years ago Mr Grover Applied Mechanics Group on strength of materials, moved into Facilities Management where he is responsible for maintenance and refurbishment projects. He explains what he enjoys about his current specialising in plasticity. In 1957 he was awarded a role: “I like watching old turn to new and delivering projects that really satisfy their users”. Outside of place to lecture and undertake research at Brown work one of Mr Grover’s passions is sailing his Southerly 28 yacht. Married for 25 years to Linda, he is University, Rhode Island, USA for a year. also immensely proud of his daughter Catherine who is currently studying for a history degree at the Allen felt that at Imperial he was given a University of East Anglia. perfect opportunity to combine his interest in research with his very real commitment to both Shirley Line, Deputy Divisional Administrator (SORA) undergraduate and research students. Shirley Line joined the Charing Cross Medical School as Department Assistant He additionally gave occasional lectures at 20 years ago, but her involvement with Imperial goes back to 1979, when Queen Mary College and was an external she started as a Chemistry lab technician. She left for three years from 1985 examiner at Polytechnic (which later till 1988, so her 20th anniversary is also her 26th year. Looking back on her became Middlesex University), where after his time at Imperial and all the changes she has seen, Ms Line says: “I have never retirement Allen continued to help establish an been terrified by change or a new challenge.” international engineering course with Bremen and Ms Line remembers the merger of the medical schools with the College to create Imperial as we know it today. She says: “When the merger first Lille universities. happened, there was a culture of ‘them and us’, but now with an influx of fresh people that has all Allen had many interests, including classical changed.” Ms Line believes the people she works with are so important to her job satisfaction, and music, and he sang with the basses in the Imperial says: “If I didn’t like the people and the job, I would not have lasted 20 years.” College Choir for 50 years. He was devoted to his family and is very much missed by them.” Martin Trusler, Professor of Thermophysics (Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology) Professor Trusler joined Imperial in 1988 as Mobil Lecturer in the Department, with research interests in intermolecular forces and the physical properties of fluids. Over time his interests have focused increasingly on oil industry applications, especially the measurement of fluid properties under the harsh conditions of oil reservoirs. “Many experiments we currently perform cannot Obituary notice: Professor be done with commercially available equipment. We design and construct the apparatus necessary to measure precisely thermophysical properties and Jeremy Jass phase behaviour at 200 degrees Celsius and pressures of up to 2000 bar,” says Professor Trusler. In 2001 he was appointed Professor of Thermophysics and Director of Resources, and became a member of the Executive Committee of his Department. In the latter role he has helped implement We were very sad to hear of the death of Professor systems to collect high quality management data, enabling resources to be allocated fairly and Jeremy Jass on 30 November 2008. Professor future research income to be forecast. Jass joined Imperial College as Professor Since January, Professor Trusler has also led a research collaboration in the area of of Gastrointestinal Pathology based at St chemical and biological engineering with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Mark’s Hospital in January 2007 but unfor- (KAUST), a new University in Saudi Arabia. tunately was taken seriously ill in October of that year. The Division of Surgery, 30 years Oncology, Reproductive Biology and Marion Brady • Business Systems Specialist (ICT) Anaesthetics was delighted that it had succeeded in persuading him to Anna Hikel • Undergraduate Office Secretary (Civil and Environmental Engineering) return to the UK from Canada and he Stephen Woodrow • AV Technician (Faculty of Medicine) will be greatly missed both personally and professionally. Staff featured celebrate anniversaries during the period of 13 November–19 December. Data is supplied by HR and is correct at the time of going to press. —Julia Anderson (Medicine)

14 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199 Welcome Mrs Ellen Ley, EYEC Dr Alison Campbell, SORA Mr Guangquan Li, EPHPC Miss Jane Colvin, EPHPC new starters Miss Anna Lisowska, CEP [REDACTED] Ms Mary Alikian, SORA Dr Stephen Lui, NHLI Dr Louise Fleming, NHLI Mrs Vidya Anand, Medicine Miss Poh-Choo Pang, Molecular Biosciences Ms Heather Fry, Educational Quality (8 years) Ms Jacqueline Ardley, EYEC Mr Yannis Pappas, EPHPC Mrs Mary Harris, Human Resources Miss Chloe Baker, Business School Ms Erin Paterson, Kennedy Institute Dr Harini Kulatunga, Computing Dr Christopher Bell, Bioengineering Dr Katherine Price, Chemistry Mr Peter Levermore, Physics Mr Andy Black, ICT Dr Charlotte Ramsay, Faculty of Engineering Dr Charles Lindveld, Civil and Environmental Engineering Dr Alison Cambrey, Faculty of Medicine Mr Marcus Rees-Roberts, Development and Corporate Affairs Dr Jesus Martinez-Borra, Medicine Ms Kirsty Cashman, EYEC Ms Sara Reimers, Physics Dr Neil McCarthy, Investigative Science Mr Jie Chen, Mechanical Engineering Miss Catherine Robinson, Graduate Schools Mr Dilip Nilaweera, Estates Miss Yvonne Collins, NHLI Mrs Rosemary Russell, College Headquarters Dr Emma Porter, Clinical Sciences Miss Jennifer Cooke, NMH Mr Richard Seivewright, NMH Dr Nathaniel Pryce, Computing Dr Achille Fonzone, Civil and Environmental Engineering Miss Phoebe Sharp, Medicine Dr Neema Sofaer, Clinical Sciences Miss Maria Fragiadaki, Medicine Dr Joanna Shearer, International Office Dr Owen Waller, Computing Dr Paul French, Physics Ms Julia Sinclair, NMH Miss Carly Whittaker, Biology Mr Ian Gilmore, Chemistry Mr James Sudlow, Chemistry Mr Jianfeng Yu, Biology Mr Alasdair Glen, Development and Corporate Mr Andrew Surman, Chemistry Dr Yanmin Zhu, Computing Affairs Miss Helen Swanton, Estates Miss Leila Gogsadze, NHLI Ms Vanda Van Niekerk, Catering Services Miss Lucy Goodchild, Communications Miss Deborah Wade, Faculty of Engineering retirements Mrs Neidja Gould, NHLI Mrs Alison Wastnidge, Faculty of Natural Mr Keith Willson, NHLI Ms Birgitta Hall, Development and Corporate Sciences Affairs Mr Robert Westaway, Registry This data is supplied by HR and covers the period Mr Dennis Harnett, Faculty of Medicine Ms Susanna Willsher, Humanities 9–29 November. It was correct at the time of going to Mr Andrew Harrington, ICT Ms Naomi Wynter-Vincent, Faculty of press. Years of service are given where an individual Mr Kyriakos Hatzaras, Business School Engineering has been a member of College staff for over five years. Miss Yuhui Yang, Bioengineering

Miss Jemima Hills, EPHPC Asterisk (*) indicates where an individual will continue moving in. moving on. Mr Peter Huthwaite, Mechanical Engineering Dr Natalia Zotova, Chemistry to play an active role in College life. Ms Caroline Jaffe-Castle, Estates Ms Vasanthi James, NMH > Please send your images and/ Miss Maria Jimenez Solomon, Chemical Farewell Engineering and Chemical Technology or brief comments about new starters, Dr Seo Jung, Mechanical Engineering moving on leavers and retirees to the Editor at Dr Ai Koh, Materials Ms Gemma Adcock, Medicine [email protected]. The Editor Dr Romina Barbagallo, Investigative Science Dr Katharina Kreissig, Earth Science and reserves the right to edit or amend Engineering Mrs Leslie Bolsover, Library Services Mr James Leung, Molecular Biosciences Miss Hema Bye-A-Jee, NMH these as necessary. letters to the editor World AIDS Day

Dear Editor, To mark World AIDS Day on 1 December, Medsin Imperial, a student group interested in global health and economic A social event involving Imperial College Football Club is currently under inequality, ran a number of fundraising events including investigation by both Imperial College Union and the club itself. a sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a chamber concert and a Unfortunately the event was spoiled by the actions of a small minority, talk by Professor which has now brought both the Club and Imperial College into disrepute. The Jonathan Weber Club and the Union are working together to ensure the guilty individuals are (Medicine), the identified and suitably dealt with. founding editor On hearing about the event, another Club official and I personally visited of the journal the affected parties to offer our sincerest apologies on behalf of the Club. AIDS, about the Further to this I would like to extend apologies to the wider Imperial com- role of science munity. I am deeply embarrassed by the behaviour of these members as well as in HIV preven- the damage it will do to the reputation of the Club and College. tion. To further The new Club executive has recently been working hard to remove a raise awareness, previously negative culture which had been instilled in the Club. I am confident a red ribbon, the the Club will move forward and proudly represent Imperial as the majority of symbol of World our members currently do. AIDS Day, was projected onto James Skeen the Queen’s Imperial College Football Club Captain 2008–09 Tower on the • If your letter is featured in Reporter you will win a cup of coffee and a sizeable piece Campus. of cake, courtesy of Catering Services: www.imperial.ac.uk/eatinganddrinking —Stephanie Lewis, fourth year Please note: the editor reserves the right to edit content for clarity and space. Medicine

11 December 2008 • Issue 199 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 15 notice board 11 December 2008 what’s on take note

17 December 18.00 15 January 13.00–13.45 SCR Refurbishment Carols by Lunchtime concert The Senior Common candlelight Abbracci Piano Quartet Room (SCR) on the A service of readings Read Theatre, Level 5, Sherfield Building South Kensington and carols with music Campus is being by Imperial College q First come, first served refurbished over the Chamber Choir Christmas vacation Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road period. As a result of the work, the 20 January 12.00–13.00 q First come, first served SCR will be operating with reduced seating capacity Music in the brain from lunchtime on Friday 19 December until Monday Professor Peter Vuust 12 January. The Junior Common Room will be available throughout this time. 18 December 16.30–17.30 Institute for Mathematical IgH class switching, DNA breaks, Sciences Complexity Science translocations and cancer Seminar Series 53 Prince’s Gate, Exhibition Road Dr Frederick Alt, Howard Hughes Medical Room for rent in Fulham Institute q First come, first served A postdoc leaving Imperial has a room to let in her four- bedroom house in Fulham. Amenities include Wi-Fi, Committee on Immunology Seminar Series 2008 plasma TV, all top quality modern conveniences and a G16 Lecture Theatre, Sir Alexander Fleming Building cleaner who visits once a week. The house has a large 21 January 18.00–22.00 reception, large kitchen, conservatory and a very small q First come, first served garden (where two rabbits live). The room is double in Wind Power: the band of the Coldstream size, but with a single bed, desk, antique wardrobe and Guards lead Imperial Winds in concert fireplace. Would suit considerate non-smoking young professional. Rent: £850 per month including all bills. classifieds 18 December 17.30–18.30 Benefit dinner and concert for Please contact: [email protected] student scholarships Straight back to the septic infections of To place a classified please submit no more Great Hall, Sherfield than 50 words to the Editor, Emily Ross, by email at the Middle Ages: Almroth Wright and Building Alexander Fleming in the Great War [email protected] for a chance for your q Tickets to be advertisement to appear. The Editor reserves the right Kevin Brown, St Mary’s purchased to amend advertisements as necessary. Archivist and Curator of the in advance: Alexander Fleming Museum e.charles@imperial. ac.uk St Mary’s Campus Christmas Lecture Wildlife events helpers De Rothschild Lecture Theatre, 2nd 22 January 13.00–13.45 Floor, Medical School Building, St Project: Event helpers Mary’s Campus Lunchtime concert Project ID: 1969 Organisation: Royal Society Registration in advance: [email protected] q Charles Owen (piano) for Protection of Birds Read Theatre, Level 5 Sherfield Building (RSPB) Location: 14–30 January q First come, first served Volunteers are needed to help at a range of RSPB Ghost Tank • All events are at the South Kensington events. The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a volunteering healthy environment for birds and other wildlife. This is Work by Royal College of Art students Nathan Campus unless otherwise stated. a great opportunity to get involved with the charity and Barlex, Robin Footitt and Andrew Larkin develop new skills at the same time. Volunteers can give as much or as little time as they choose and select Blyth Gallery, Level 5, Sherfield Building the events they want to help at. They will be required to chat to members of the public about the work of the RSPB, and encourage people to offer support, through membership, retail purchases, donations and volunteering. Training will be given, focused on people- engagement techniques, and volunteers will be briefed on the work of the RSPB before events.

First published in 1995, Reporter aims to Editor share stories of Imperial’s community Emily Ross For more information and to highlight individual and College [email protected] achievements. Reporter is published every three weeks +44 (0)20 7594 6715 To take part in a scheme or to hear more about during term time in print and online at volunteering in general, contact Petronela Sasurova Layout • 020 7594 8141 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter. Caroline Prew • [email protected]

The copy deadline for issue 200 is Wednesday 7 January. Principal photography For full details of over 250 volunteering opportunities Publication day is 22 January. Contributions are welcome visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/volunteering Imperial College London (no more than 300 words). Please note the editor reserves the right to cut or amend articles as necessary. Informa- Additional photography Subscribe to the weekly newsletter by emailing [email protected] tion correct at time of going to press. Michele Panzeri

16 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 11 December 2008 • Issue 199