Issue 236 ▸ 21 July 2011 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community Know how

Postgrads show they have the confidence to succeed, thanks to the Graduate Schools’ training → centre pages

UAE visitors Alex kendall outer space Undergrads On the student If you visited from Khalifa union’s support a Goldilocks University get for Imperial’s planet, would a taste of new financial you expect a College life aid package warm welcome? PAGE 2 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

Magazine makeover

Imperial is the College’s revamped represented backgrounds into higher magazine for friends, supporters and education and this year’s Felix Editor, editor’s corner alumni. Published twice a year by the Kadhim Shubber, writes about social net- ­Communications and Development working and life in the library. ­division, it replaces the alumni ­publication “We want Imperial to appeal broadly To do list Imperial Matters. The magazine has to our alumni and stakeholders so along- adopted a new editorial approach and is side crisply designed features, we have tapping into both in-house and alumni introduced a travel section, a behind the Even if the weather’s not ­talent as well as writers, artists and scenes tour, and articles on transport, offering many clues, when ­photographers from around the world. fashion and innovation,” said Natasha Dalby Court becomes The Spring Summer 2011 issue fea- Martineau, Head of Research Communica- the base for excitable tures new thinking from Professor David tions and features editor for Imperial. You can download Imperial from www.imperial.ac.uk/ yellow backpacked school Edgerton (Humanities) about the rela- “It’s exciting to see the magazine turn into imperialmagazine, or order children ready to get a tionship between the Second World War a reality, and a privilege to have worked copies for distribution taste of university life, I and innovation, and the role that Imperial with so many people to bring Imperial at events by emailing know that summer has played in it. ­Physics alumnus Dr David Pol- alive for all our readers, whatever their imperialmagazine@ imperial.ac.uk arrived. For many of us, lard talks about guiding boys from under- connection with us.” the quieter campuses provide the perfect opportunity to tackle our ‘to do’ lists. After this issue of Reporter UAE students sample goes to press, at the end of an academic year College life in which my highlights have included learning Twelve undergraduates about the invention from the United Arab of Spray-on fabric and ­Emirates have completed a Take home a getting a sneak preview of three-week visit to Imperial, the tailless, super energy shadowing PhD students­ professor efficient plane designs from the Department of of the future, I’m keen to ­Bioengineering and ­gaining Want to listen to public lectures draw up my grand plan an insight into research life given by Imperial professors over for Reporter’s 2011–12 in the UK. The students, features. While Reporter from Khalifa University Visiting students Ahouod Almarzouqi the last year? and Meera Al Mehairi in the Department in print takes a break in Abu Dhabi, were each of Bioengineering. until September, Reporter assigned a PhD student,­ Online will still be open whom they then shadowed for business, so please across the course of the and it isn’t that scary – even in a keep in touch, sending three weeks, assisting world class institution!” me your story suggestions with their work and carry­_ The initiative was proposed and telling me what you’re ing out their own mini and funded by Khalifa University, up to, whether you too research projects. its aim being to establish ­strategic are completing your ‘to As well as attending links between the institutions’ do’ lists or seeking some talks by Imperial doctoral­ bioengineering departments and sunshine. ­students, the UAE guests to expose the Khalifa students to Emily Ross-Joannou, Editor had the opportunity to modern bioengineering research. Lies, damned lies and ­present on the work with Ahouod Almarzouqi, who spent light fantastic Reporter is published which they had been her time at Imperial working on every three weeks during term Professor Martin McCall time in print and online. The ­assisting, in a symposium­ research into the structure of a Department of Physics next publication day is held on 8 July, their final protein, enjoyed the experience 22 September. day. One of the visitors, of being in London too: “It’s been Contact Emily Ross-Joannou: [email protected] Meera Al Mehairi, said: “I really easy to adapt to living here, was really worried about even in the short time we’ve been Catch up on what you’ve been Cover photography: Research how I would find postgrad- at Imperial. I’m really enjoying the postgraduate Kelly Morris missing and sign up for next year’s uate research, if I decide rain too! It has rained for the past (MRC Clinical Sciences Centre) programme at explaining her research on to pursue it. The last three four days and the novelty www.imperial.ac.uk/ embryonic stem cells to a weeks have really helped to still hasn’t worn off!” events/catchup lay audience at the GSLSM give me a much clearer pic- —John-Paul Jones, Symposium. ture of how this might look Communications and Development 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236 >> newsupdate

Concrete structures expert recognised Financial support by leading institution Professor Nick Buenfeld for students (Civil and Environmental ­Engineering) has become a new of support. Whilst raising fees to Fellow of the Royal ­Academy of £9,000 is necessary to maintain­ Engineering – he is among our quality in response to the 59 new Fellows from around reduction in government fund- the world to be ­recognised ing, this package will ensure that this month. all those with demonstrated abil- ity to manage Imperial’s courses Professor Buenfeld, who will have the support they need to help take over from Professor David on the back for my t­echnical ­manage its costs.” Nethercot as Head of the ­contributions in the fields of —Simon watts, communications and Department of Civil and Envi- concrete technology and struc- On 12 July Imperial announced development ronmental Engineering in Sep- tural engineering. It also comes its financial support package for Read an interview with outgoing tember 2011, was recognised at a time when I am about to Home undergraduate students Imperial College Union President, by the Academy for his research take on a new challenge, where joining the College in 2012. Com- Alex Kendall, on page 8 to find out how and consultancy work with my focus will move away from Imperial College Union and the College prising both tuition fee waivers worked closely to develop the financial industry on concrete structures, my own research to foster- and cash to help students man- support package. including bridges, tunnels, dry- ing excellence in the Depart- age up-front living costs, financial docks, offshore structures and ment, building on the good support will be offered, on a slid- major public build- work already done ing scale, to students from house- The Imperial package ings, focused on “Nick’s research to provide an hold incomes of up to £60,000. making them more ensures that these ­environment where The College currently spends • A maximum of £6,000 in sustainable, reli- infrastructures, students and staff approximately £3.5 million on ­non-­repayable support available able, safe and which we rely on can excel.” per annum to students from financial support; it estimates household incomes of less durable. so heavily, will be Professor Jeff that by 2015–16, it will spend than £25,000. Speaking about safe and last for Magee, Principal between £6–£8.4 million on his award Professor years to come” of the Faculty of • Financial support available to financial aid for UK students. Buenfeld said: Engineering, adds: those from household incomes The College also announced a up to £60,000. “I feel very fortunate to be “Nick’s research ensures that significant increase in its outreach elected a new Fellow by an these infrastructures, which we programme targeted to give disad- • College estimates amount spent ­institution that plays such rely on so heavily, will be safe on financial support by 2015–16 vantaged students a better chance will be between £6–£8.4 million. a vital role in advancing and last for years to come. of achieving the academic stand- ­engineering in the UK and I am delighted to hear that ards in science necessary to enter • A maximum of £9,250 per stu- abroad. I am indebted to the he has been made a new the College and other selective dent per year in non-repayable excellent students­ and research ­Fellow of the Royal Academy support available from College universities. and government sources. assistants I have worked with of ­Engineering. It is an honour Rector Sir Keith O’Nions said: over the years, who have helped that is well deserved.” “I am delighted that we are able to Learn more about the new scheme at to make this honour possi- —Colin Smith, Communications www.imperial.ac.uk/studentfinance announce this generous package­ ble. This recognition is a pat and Development

Gold in fashion Graduate­ Schools merge New NHLI Head Pride London The Science in Style The Graduate School of Life Professor Kim Fox, Professor of Clinical Imperial 600, Imperial’s spray-on fashion show ­Sciences and Medicine­ (GSLSM) Cardiology, has accepted appointment as LGBT group, lent their held at Imperial last and the Graduate School of Head of Department for the National Heart support to the Pride London September has won ­Engineering and Physical and Lung Institute (NHLI) in the Faculty of Festival by marching in the in brief a gold medal in the ­Sciences (GSEPS) will merge Medicine from 1 September 2011. He will annual Pride Parade on Individual Special with effect from 1October ­ succeed Professor Michael Schneider, who 2 July. Pride London is about Events category 2011. Professor­ Richard Kitney,­ has led the NHLI since 1 January 2009. promoting understanding, of the Council for ­having served his five-year Professor Fox was appointed Registrar at cooperation and education Advancement and term as Director­ of GSEPS, will Hammersmith Hospital in 1976, where he in diversity in a celebratory Support of Education’s stand down from that date completed his early clinical and research atmosphere. Pride attracts 2011 Circle of Excellence Awards. The event and Professor­ Andrew George, training as a research fellow and senior over one million people, and was a collaboration between the Research ­currently Director­ of GSLSM, will registrar. He was awarded his MD in 1980 Imperial staff and students Communications group, spin-out company become Director of the single and appointed to the staff of the National were among the crowds, Fabrican, the Department of Chemical Engineering Graduate School. He will continue Heart Hospital in 1982. He has been a wearing Imperial T-shirts and and Chemical Technology, Design London, his role as Director­ of the School consultant at the Royal Brompton Hospital carrying banners. Corporate Partnerships, Conference and Events, of Professional Development. since 1990 and was appointed Professor of and the staff photo club. It was also featured in See pages 6-7 for more on the Clinical Cardiology at Imperial in 2002. Reporter 223: http://bit.ly/pHufL8. ­Graduate Schools. 4 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

Join our mailing list for regular media mentions news, information and website alerts: —Sam Wong, Communications and development www.imperial.ac.uk/media/jointsignup

bbc news ▸ 24.6.2011 daily express ▸ 29.6.2011 evening standard ▸ 4.7.2011 the guardian ▸ 5.7.2011

Cloaking device shields Diet drinks linked Sulphur pollution masks objects from sound to bigger waists coal plants’ warming

Scientists have Researchers in the US have Sulphur emissions from China’s rapidly developed a cloaking suggested that diet soft expanding coal power industry have device that makes drinks may make people Capital tops table for partially offset their effect on global objects invisible to fatter, according to the Daily low carbon travel warming, according to the Guardian. sound waves, BBC Express. A study of 500 Droplets of sulphuric acid in the News reported. The people by the University London leads the UK in minimising stratosphere reflect sunlight, but this technique, developed by a team from of Texas found that those the carbon footprint of commuting, cooling effect will soon Duke University, could be used to make who drink diet drinks every reported the Evening Standard. be diminished

ships invisible to sonar, or to improve day had 70 per cent bigger Londoners emit just 1.3kg of CO2 per when the power the acoustic design of concert halls. The waistlines than those who person per day on their journeys stations install device uses stacked sheets of plastic drank none, and even those between home and work, largely scrubbers with regular arrays of holes. The stack who kept to just two diet thanks to the high availability of that cut redirects sound waves so that reflected drinks a day put on almost public transport. The research down on their waves behave as they would do if the two inches around the commissioned by EDF Energy has sulphur dioxide stack was not there. Describing the middle. Dr John Stevenson indicated that a large use of public output. Professor device, Professor Ortwin Hess (Physics) (NHLI) suggested a possible transport, walking and cycling in Joanna Haigh (Physics) said: “It’s almost like someone could explanation. “In America very Greater London has managed to told the newspaper: “The researchers take a pencil and poke holes in a obese people can be seen make the busiest UK city the leader are making the important point that

particular way in the plastic”. The wandering round with a triple in reducing harmful carbon output the warming due to the CO2 released principle has only been demonstrated cheeseburger in one hand but from travel commutes. Professor by Chinese industrialisation has been in two dimensions, however. “It’s a bit always with a diet drink in the Nigel Brandon (Energy Futures Lab) partially masked by cooling due to more challenging for three dimensions. other, presumably working said: “London has shown that it’s reflection of solar radiation by sulphur I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t on the basis the diet drink doing its bit in reducing the carbon emissions. On longer timescales, with be possible but it won’t be just an cancels out the calories in the footprint and other regions across cleaner emissions, the warming effect afternoon’s work,” he added. food,” he said. the UK should follow its lead.” will be more marked.”

awards and which studies the mechanical Also... honours behaviour of fluid-filled porous Career award for Lane • Professor­ materials, such as rocks, concrete David Lane (Medicine), has been and bones. selected to receive a distinguished­ career award by the International­ engineering engineering Society on Thrombosis and Zimmerman’s outstanding Robotics award for ­Haemostasis. He will pick up his contributions Hamlyn Centre engineering medal and certificate in Kyoto, Engineering teaching Japan later this month. Read about ­Professor Researchers at the Institute of award Professor Lane’s research on Robert Global Health Innovation’s Hamlyn ­microvascular thrombosis in PNAS: ­Zimmerman Centre received the Best Medical The Faculty of Engineering’s ethics­ http://bit.ly/DavidLane (Earth Robotics Paper Award at the IEEE course, run by Dr Esat Alpay ­Science and International Conference on Robot- (Engineering), pictured third from Gadolin Award • Professor Bengt ­Engineering) ics and Automation, held in May. the right, has won the 2011 Higher Långström (Medicine) received received The winning paper introduces the Education Academy Engineering­ the Gadolin Award for outstanding­ the 2010 Maurice A. Biot Medal design features of the joint mecha- Subject ­Centre ­Teaching Award, achievement in radiochemistry­ at the annual meeting of the nism used in the i-Snake® device, sponsored by the Engineering at the Turku Positron­ Emission ­Engineering Mechanics Institute which incorporates state-of-the- Council UK. The course aims to ­Tomography (PET) ­Symposium in of the American Society of Civil art imaging and intuitive manipu- raise student awareness of the Finland on 28 May. PET is a nuclear Engineers in Boston in June. The lation technologies that will allow importance and value of ethics in medicine imaging technique that medal is awarded for sustained surgeons to carry out more complex ­engineering work, study and other produces a three-dimensional ­contributions to ­poromechanics, procedures within the body. ­professional contexts. image of processes­ in the body. 5 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236 >> scienceroundup

‘Smart Allergy relief possible as materials’ protein structure discovered boost research into new drugs ­development of a new generation of anti-histamine drugs that are effective Researchers at Imperial against various allergies and do not and the University of Surrey cause adverse side effects. have developed­ a new method to make proteins from crys- Professor Iwata said: “It took a con- tals using ‘smart materials’ that remember the shape and siderable team effort but we were finally characteristics of the molecule. The technique, reported on able to elucidate the molecular struc- 23 June in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ture of the histamine H1 receptor pro- should assist research into new medicines by helping scien- tein and also see how it interacts with tists work out the structure of drug targets. anti-histamines.” Scientists need to produce crystals of proteins, so that H1 receptor protein is found in the they can study their molecular structure using a technique cell membranes of various human tis- called X-ray crystallography. The number of proteins iden- sues including airways, vascular and tified as potential drug targets is increasing exponentially intestinal muscles, and the brain. It as scientists make progress in the fields of genomics and An international team of scientists binds to histamine, which is an impor- proteomics but, with current methods, scientists have suc- has successfully solved the complex tant part of our immune system, but in cessfully obtained useful crystals for less than 20 per cent three-dimensional structure of the certain susceptible individuals this can of proteins that have been tried. human histamine H1 cause an allergic ‘overreac- The new method for making proteins crystallise uses receptor ­protein. This tion’ to non-harmful sub- ­materials called ‘molecularly imprinted polymers’ (MIPs). molecule triggers itches, We can stances such as in hayfever MIPs are compounds made up of small units that bind rashes or swelling in design and or food and pet allergies. Dr together around the outside of a molecule. When the the one out of every four Simone Weyand said: “First molecule is extracted, it leaves a cavity that retains its people who suffer with develop much generation anti-histamines shape and has a strong affinity for the target molecule. hayfever or other allergic more targeted such as Doxepin are effec- This property makes it easier for proteins to come together reactions to food or pets. treatments” tive, but not very selective, and form crystals. The group comprised and because of penetration “Rational drug design depends on knowing the struc- ­Professor So Iwata and across the blood-brain bar- ture of the protein you’re trying to target, and getting good Dr Simone ­Weyand (Life ­Sciences), rier, they can cause side effects, includ- crystals is essential for studying the structure,” said Profes- as well as Diamond Light Source, the ing sedation, dry mouth and arrhythmia. sor Naomi Chayen (Surgery and Cancer). “With MIPs, we can Scripps Research Institute in Califor- By showing exactly how histamines bind get better crystals than we can with other methods, and also nia, USA, and Kyoto University, Japan. to the H1 receptor at the molecular level, improve the probability of getting crystals from new pro- we can design and develop much more teins. This is a really significant innovation that could have Published in the journal Nature targeted treatments.” a major impact on research leading to the development of in late June, the researchers’ —Adapted from a press release issued by Diamond new drugs.” Light Source ­discovery opens the way for the —Sam Wong, Communications and Development

Distant quasar discovered The discovery of the most distant quasar ever astronomers can view the history of the uni- seen was announced in a study published in verse. Light from the quasar reaching Earth now the journal Nature on 30 June. A quasar is an has travelled for nearly 13 billion years (13,000 extremely bright source of light visible at infrared­ million years), meaning that we are seeing the wavelengths, emitted as gas falls into quasar as it was when the universe a very massive black hole. The inter- was only six per cent of its present “The thing that national group of astronomers, led age, just 770 million years after the is particularly by Dr Daniel Mortlock (Physics), have Big Bang. The newly discovered important about named it ULAS J1120+0641. The dis- quasar lies in the constellation Leo, this quasar is how covery came to light thanks to data a few degrees from the bright gal- bright it is” from an ongoing survey of the sky that axy Messier 66. use it to tell us for the first time what conditions is being ­conducted by scientists at the “The thing that is particularly were like when the universe was young.” UK Infrared ­Telescope in Hawaii. important about this quasar is how bright it The team plans further detailed observations Looking further away in space means look- is,” said Dr Mortlock. “It’s hundreds of times of ULAS J1120+0641, but also hope to find more ing back in time, because of the time the light brighter than anything else yet discovered at such distant but bright quasars. takes to travel. Therefore by looking further away such a great distance. This means that we can ­—Simon Levey, Communications and Development 6 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

Chiara Lee (Life Sciences) and Daniel Reed (NHLI) present their research to staff and student judges at the GSLSM symposium. Imperial’s launch grad

Ten years after the formation of the first Graduate School, the Graduate School of Life Sciences and Medicine (GSLSM) and the Graduate School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (GSEPS) will merge in October. Reporter investigates how the College is meeting the needs of Imperial’s 6,600-strong postgraduate community.

Every year, floods of passion- Due to the all-in nature of the strongest activities, which served us very well. The ate postgraduates – made up of research, postgraduates have make them such a vital resource new merged school will postgraduate researchers and less time to take part in activi- for the postgraduate commu- build upon the good ­practice taught postgraduates – come ties outside the laboratory and nity. These include putting on ­developed over the past to the College to intensively the library than undergradu- high-profile events bringing 10 years to enhance the study a niche area of science ates. This is where the ­Graduate together postgraduates from ­professional ­development of for anything up to four years. Schools come in – they are a different disciplines to learn our students and their oppor- Unlike undergraduates, who postgrad’s link to the College as about science outside their tunity to gain insight to inter­ are guided through their stud- a whole and to each other. own research interests; hosting disciplin­ary science.” ies, postgraduates have to be social activities, research sym- Bringing the two schools self-motivated and willing to Changing face posiums and the award-winning together will avoid duplication dedicate long hours to their transferable skills programme. of effort and also recognises the research. Many are self-funded Professor Andrew George, cur- Professor Julia Bucking- appetite across College for mul- or sponsored and have left jobs rently Director of GSLSM, who ham, Pro Rector (Education and tidisciplinary working. Andrew to return to study, so they have will head up the combined Grad- Academic Services), says that hopes it will encourage more a personal investment in doing uate School when it relaunches rethinking the format will help collaborations as postgraduates a good job, whether they are next term, explains that the plan consolidate the activities car- from different departments will headed for industry or intend to isn’t to completely revamp the ried out by the schools: “Our have more chances to socialise pursue a career in academia. Graduate Schools but to join up two Graduate Schools have and ferment ‘blue sky thinking’. 7 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236 >> featurefocus

Skills building people to train students in altering their timings and professional skills are the location. She also set up The value of multidisciplinary supervisors, as they know the a Facebook group, which working is one of the factors student, know the context has over 500 active users, being looked at as part of and know the best time to to advertise events. “Last a review of the Graduate give the advice. For example, term the ­Badminton Club School’s transferable skills the time to learn how to give organised a special night for courses. This review, led a presentation is two weeks ­postgraduates and over 100 by Julia, involves staff and before an internal event. I’d people turned up to play, net- representatives from the really like supervisors to feel work and have fun – this led postgraduate community. part of the ­Graduate School,” to regular badminton meet- Over the last decade the he says. ups. I really hope that this Graduate Schools have devel- approach can be rolled out to oped a series of courses more clubs,” she says. designed to develop the per- sonal and ­professional skills They have the Having a voice needed for postgrads to excel literary skills needed in their future careers. Elaine Walsh, Senior Lecturer “Not surprisingly, in to write a thesis and in Transferable Skills for the the current environment, the communication Graduate Schools, conducted Michael Wortley (NHLI) has been a post- students are very concerned skills and confidence a well-being survey published grad at Imperial for the last three years. about their career prospects in 2010, which revealed that On 15 July Reporter caught up with and are keen to invest time needed to present being frustrated with the Col- him at the GSLSM Symposium, where in developing their broader at international lege’s administration systems he was one of the winners in a poster skills,” says Julia. The review conferences” was one of the key concerns ­competition, that judged the presenta- will ensure that only the for postgrads. However, due tion of research to a lay audience. most popular and relevant to work commitments, they courses go through to the new tend to have less time to What is your poster about? Graduate School. Getting out and about address these concerns. One My poster focuses on the research Andrew says that one of of Deena’s aims as GSA chair I’m doing into the effect of cigarette the common misconceptions Another function of the was to get the postgraduate smoke on the sensory nerves, which of postgraduate researchers, ­Graduate Schools is to bring voice heard and represented alters the cough response in patients after three years of working postgraduates into the fold on all major committees. To with chronic obstructive pulmonary in a lab and producing a of College life. “Research can try and get them engaged, disease, and how the smoke leads to thesis, is that they are only be a very tough, stressful and Deena informed postgrads the hacking cough you may recognise qualified to talk about their lonely pursuit,” says Andrew. about changes at the College from heavy smokers. specific field of research, “I often speak to postgradu- that affect them, like the new when, in fact, they have ate students who are working postgraduate accommodation How have the Graduate gained a whole wealth of in a vibrant lab with a really and the Transferable Skills Schools helped you? skills that are highly attractive supportive supervisor but still course review, through the It’s really easy to become tied up in to employers, along the way. feel like they are the only peo- GSA newsletter. She has also your research but the Grad Schools “They have experience of ple going through a particu- encouraged them to pass on help you to broaden horizons with working in a team in a lab, lar research problem.” The their thoughts to their depart- events and meet other ­people. I’ve they have an understanding ­Graduate Schools’ socials, mental reps. also found the courses really ­helpful of both the breadth of a symposiums and research As for the future, Andrew and I’m definitely going on their ‘Fin- ­subject and the minute detail. lectures are an opportunity wants to engage even more ish up and Move On’ course to get They have the literary skills for postgraduate students to with potential employers and some ideas on what to do once I finish needed to write a thesis and ­network and to discover peo- help them understand the my PhD next year – at the moment I’m the communication skills and ple doing similar research benefits of employing a PhD planning to stay in ­academia if I can confidence needed to present who are going through the student. “A PhD isn’t just get the funding. at international conferences,” same challenges. training for academia – most he notes. Imperial’s clubs and soci- of those with PhDs make an One of Andrew’s aims eties are historically geared i­ncredibly ­useful contribution for the future is to get post- towards undergrads but to the economy and society, graduates’ supervisors more Deena Blumenkrantz (Medi- beyond the realms of the involved in the development cine), the outgoing President ­university campus.” of the new Graduate School of the Graduate Students —Emily Ross-joannou, in the same way that they Association, has spent the Communications and Development currently work with course last year working with Impe- supervisors and the Direc- rial College Union to try and tor of Postgraduate Studies. accommodate postgradu- “Sometimes I think the best ates’ busy schedules by 8 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

Why did the Union take a What is your opinion different stand to the National of the government’s Union of Students on the rise decision to cut The value of in tuition fees? funding to arts and We are one of the only student humanities subjects? unions to publicly support the Essentially, sciences cost fees rise in the whole of the UK more to teach and if we are student input and it’s not an easy position to going with the plan that take. The government wasn’t ­everyone pays the same, going to spare higher education then the government needs at the expense of the NHS, and to continue to give some The outgoing Imperial College Union it was decided that £9,000 fees funding to the sciences. The would be what was needed to biggest issue that has come President, Alex Kendall,­ has been closely help universities cover the cost of out of this is that it forces involved with the development­ of the provision. They could charge less people to think, “Is this and have less financial aid, but I degree worth it?” And that’s ­College’s financial supportpackage ­ don’t think that’s in anyone’s best not a bad thing. interest. It would be much easier announced on 12 July. Reporter met Alex to find out how he for me to say, “Yeah, let’s go on a What do you hope will contributed to the College’s discussions and why he backed march”. It’s easy to complain but happen next? it’s harder to solve the problem. One thing I hope happens the final proposal. is that the government seri- ously considers what’s going to happen to postgraduate When you became President What are the benefits of The government students, because it’s going of the Union, did you think Imperial’s package? wasn’t going to spare to get more expensive and I you would be as involved with The main benefit is that while don’t think they have a real developing financial aid for someone is at Imperial, they will higher education plan about how to help them students as you have been? be able to take part in everything at the expense of financially. No, when I started I didn’t know that the College offers. They won’t the NHS, and it was that the College would completely have to sit in their room all day What advice do you review its provision. I knew some- eating baked beans, unable to decided that £9,000 have for students who thing was going to happen with join clubs and societies or have a fees would be what are finishing school and the new fees regime, but I didn’t social life. was needed to help thinking about their know what form it would take. future options? In terms of the College’s universities cover Go to Imperial, because How were you and the consultation with the Union, the cost” they’re going to get the best Union involved? who approached whom? bursary scheme out there! When the fee level was deter- When the Fees and Financial Aid —Jessica Adams, Communications mined at £9,000, we realised Working Group was set up by the and Development that the extra income meant College Secretary, we were asked the ­financial support package if we wanted to be a part of could be more generous. Luck- it. It was all very amicable. In ily, the College and I share the comparison to other univer- view that you can’t do this without sities, that’s prac- ­consulting students. tically unheard We came up with the idea of. Some student of conducting a survey of all the unions were told students who currently receive about the sug- ­bursaries, which provided some gested changes very interesting results – the most and some had important of which was that stu- seen the relevant dents need cash-in-hand sup- ­documents but port to help them with living I’ve yet to hear of costs, as opposed to fee remis- another ­university sion. Since the College incorpo- which invited rated this ­finding into its Access their union to ­Agreement, the people who filled help them out that survey really helped the write the new scheme. proposal.

9 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

Leaders of Tomorrow symposium

PhD student Radomir Tylecote (pictured centre) has recently returned inside from a Leaders of Tomorrow sympo- sium in Switzerland. Radomir, who is studying foreign investment in China’s wind and solar industry in the Business story School, tells Reporter about his visit.

“Every year, the university town of St Gallen hosts a four-day symposium nature in the institution and the mini profile for 200 young people and, last month, ­institution in nature. The essay looked I was lucky enough to be one of them. at the need to understand evolutionary The symposium aims to encour- ­psychology and do away with the false Arnab age dialogue between division between the leaders of today and ­science and social Majumdar leaders of tomorrow. For Constant science, in order to four days, we met in the networking, high- help organisations Dr Arnab Majumdar,­ Lecturer convivial­ surroundings – and ultimately and Director­ of the Lloyd’s of a campus overlooking calibre young ­societies – become Register ­Education Trust St Gallen and its alpine people from more adapted to Transport Risk Management­ ­valley, to hear from today’s across the planet instinctive human Centre, researches transport leaders of ­business, poli- nature and better safety and risk for the public tics and academia. These and a rewarding places to live. good in the Department of included UBS boss, flow of ideas” The symposium Civil and Environmental­ were measured using a NASA Oswald Grübel; French was hosted with, in Engineering. He spoke designed bio-harness worn by Finance Minister and new head of the the words of the organisers, “constant to Reporter about help- the pilots. All this data helped International Monetary Fund, ­Christine networking, high-calibre young people ing a major airline improve us to assess the pilots’ per- Lagarde; the Financial Times’s Martin from across the planet and a rewarding ­passenger and crew safety. formance and whether fatigue Wolf; and the CEOs of Shell and BP. flow of ideas”. It was really an honour­ affected it. Selection for the symposium was and an awesome experience, and it You’ve worked at Imperial based on past achievements and an would be great for others from Imperial­ since 1991; can you tell me What’s your greatest essay on this year’s theme of ‘Just to attend in future. about one of the consultancy achievement at Imperial? Power’. I caught the judges’ interest To find out more, see: ­www.stgallen-sym­ projects you’ve been When I started my PhD in air with my essay, Evolutionary ­leadership: posium.org/Symposium.aspx working on? t­raffic management, I was the One project has only person who seen us act as was studying it consultants for [Our] data at the College. science from scratch a major low cost helped us to Now we have a As explained by Pippa Goldenberg, MSc Science Communication airline. They team of 14 people wanted to find assess the pilots’ and are regarded out if their pilots performance and internationally­ as and cabin crew whether fatigue leading players Goldilocks planets were working at in air traffic­ man- an optimum level, affected it” agement research Goldilocks planets are planets which have the right conditions to support human life, to make sure they and teaching. and which may even already support other forms of life. These planets must have a did not pose a safety risk to pas- certain mass and diameter, and be the right distance from their star, so that sengers by being tired. We car- What do you love most they can maintain liquid water on the surface (rather than ice or steam). ried out a fatigue assessment about your work? They also need to have an atmosphere similar to Earth’s: if they can study of pilots and cabin crew Part of my job is to hold water and have an atmosphere with the right mix of gases, over a period of three weeks. ­dissemin­ate the they could support life as we know it. It is possible that new forms research at the Centre of life – whose living requirements we do not yet know about – What tests did you conduct? for Transport Studies – could inhabit these mysterious planets. Astrophysicists are using There were cognitive tests, it’s enabled­ me to travel the Kepler probe (which can detect the change in light pattern sleep diaries and subjective the world and meet so when an orbiting planet comes between it and a distant star) to tests where pilots were asked many people. try to find as many planets outside our solar system as possible, how tired they felt. In addition —Emily Govan, International Office in a continuing search for planets, and maybe life, like our own. One there were physiological meas- Goldilocks planet was discovered last year by researchers at University All Imperial academics can act as urements, such as heart rate consultants; to find out more please of California, Santa Cruz, and the Carnegie Institution of Washington. It was named and skin temperature, which visit: www.imperial-consultants.co.uk Gliese 581g, after the Gliese 581 red dwarf star that it orbits. 10 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 21 July 2011 • Issue 236

inventor’s corner Genes work

What have you developed? Professor Eric Alton is Professor We have a number of prod- of Gene Therapy and Respira- ucts to deliver the working tory Medicine (NHLI). He heads gene to patients with CF. Our the UK Cystic Fibrosis­ Gene firstproduct ­ uses a liposome ­Therapy ­Consortium (UKCFGTC), to deliver the functioning gene. a group of leading cystic fibrosis We’ve run trials to show that tions does not bode well and gene therapy­ researchers from it works, but these only lasted Book review this is reinforced when you real- Imperial, Oxford and Edinburgh a few weeks and so couldn’t ise Elizabeth is the mother of Universities. measure the patient benefit of The White Queen by Philippa the two princes in the tower. His- the treatment. We’re currently Gregory reviewed by Paula tory records that the princes were What’s your main waiting to start a large clinical Evans, Principal Library Assis- seen playing in the grounds of the research interest? trial into this product,­ which will tant, Business and Humanities Tower of London­ in the summer of The main aim of the UKCFGTC treat patients over the course (Central Library). 1483, but after that... nothing. Did is to find a way to of a year, allowing Richard III, their uncle, have them replace the faulty us to measure and “I always relish the thought of murdered to secure his place on “If we can gene in the lungs of evaluate the ben- a Philippa Gregory novel. The the throne? The fate of the princes introduce the patients with cystic efit to the patient, author holds a PhD and her thor- remains a mystery to this day, but working gene, ­fibrosis (CF) with a in terms of reduced ough research of the his- their story can we can…improve functioning­ copy. lung disease and torical figures, and times too easily be CF patients’ “The main character is One way this faulty damage. that she writes about, viewed in isola- natural defence Elizabeth Woodville,­ a gene affects patients Our second shines from every page. tion; this book mechanism” beautiful Lancastrian is by ­causing a ­product is a mod- ­Combining imagina- widow who marries brings them to ­dysfunction of the ified virus that tion and a passion for the warrior king, life and makes lung clearance mechanism,­ delivers a functioning copy of her subject, she has the Edward IV of York” you speculate ­meaning that patients can’t rid the gene. We’ve undertaken ini- ability to turn potentially what would their airways of bacteria and tial trials, which show that this dry history into a rivet- have hap- viruses, which leads to fre- second ­product dramatically ing page turner. The White Queen pened if they had lived and ruled. quent and chronic respiratory­ increases the duration of gene is the start of a collection of nov- ­Certainly Henry VIII and Elizabeth I ­infection. Most cystic fibrosis activity and how effective it is. els about the ‘Cousin’s War’, set might never have come to the patients die from complica- Uniquely, it can also be repeat- ­during the Wars of the Roses; throne. Food for thought! tions related to these frequent edly administered. We’re wait- the main character is Elizabeth My lunchtimes over the last few infections and the damage ing to start safety profiling for ­Woodville, a beautiful Lancastrian weeks were spent at the foot of the they cause. If we can intro- this product to ensure it will be widow who marries the warrior Queen’s Tower in the sunshine eat- duce the working gene, we can safe to use in patients. king, Edward IV of York. ing more book than sandwich!” reverse this effect and improve —Gavin Reed, Imperial Innovations A marriage of such importance­ Pick up The White Queen from the CF patients’ natural defence between the two warring fac- www.cfgenetherapy.org.uk Central Library, level 5, 800 GRE. mechanisms.

vox poP What has been your highlight of Imperial’s Open Day?

Imperial held its annual “The present­ “There’s a real “The accom- Science and Engineering­ ations in the community modation “The architecture Open Day on 30 June, mathematics feel to the was really of the buildings on campus, and how attended by 2,200 ­lecture – you campus which impressive­ – could see the is really nice – it looked friendly and helpful prospective­ students­ students really I also like that really modern everyone we have and 1,200 parents.­ enjoyed what everything and tidy.” met today has been. Reporter caught up with they did and is close Shruti, Newcastle, wanted to tell together.” Nick, Suffolk, who plans to study some sixth formers to who plans to chemistry us about it.” study aero- Savanna, Bristol, who plans to gauge their impressions­ nautics study biochemistry of the College. ­­Mary Dai, Stratford-upon-Avon, who plans to study mathematics Technology Engineering and Chemical Mr Selim Douieb, Chemical Sciences Dr Tania Dottorini, Life Accommodation Miss Lara Dooley, Mr Adam Dobbs, Physics Accommodation Mr Jaspal Dhadwal, Sciences Dr Alfonso De Simone, Life Resources Human Davids, Raygana Miss Mercaderes, Computing Dr Roxana Danger Medicine Miss Karina Corware, Mrs Malene Cohen, Medicine Accommodation Miss Chinua Chudum-Ilobi, Accommodation Miss Lucy Chatters, Cancer Mrs Frances Carr, Surgery and Accommodation Mr Matthew Carney, Accommodation Miss Hannah Butler, Mr Adam Britton, Life Sciences International Office Miss Madeleine Bothe, Accommodation Miss Anca Bontea, Mr David Boland, EEE Accommodation Mr Gavin Blake, Dr Sergio Bertazzo, Materials Accommodation Miss Ashanti Bentil-Dhue, Accommodation Baty, Nikola Miss Accommodation Ms Nicola Bartlett, Accommodation Miss Olukorede Balogun, Medicine Ms Noura Bahardrian, Resources Miss BernieBabel, Human Accommodation Mr Pascal Assani, Kourounioti,Clinical Sciences Ms Melissa Antoniou Bioengineering Mr Harsh Amin, Accommodation Mr Mudassar Aman, Faculty of Medicine Centre MrsAlwad-Rahman, Salma Medicine Dr Mina-Olga Aletrari, Mathematics Mr Mohammad Akhtar, Mr OmerAbdelrahman, EEE new starters Welcome

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Medicine Centre Miss Ilona Lewicka, Faculty of Mr Christian Ledig, Computing Aeronautics Mr Matthew Laffan, Accommodation Miss Natalie Kumah, Dr Pipin Kojodjojo, NHLI Accommodation Miss BethKelleher, Accommodation Miss Joanna Kefas, Accommodation MissJohnson-Gray, Sherma Chemistry Mr Aleksandar Ivanov, Cancer Dr Lisa Iddon, Surgery and School Miss Kira Hughes, Business Mathematics Dr Gustav Holzegel, Medicine Centre Mr Peter Hinton, Faculty of Medicine Miss Bianca Hinds-Walters, Dr John Heap, Life Sciences Accommodation Mr KimHanbyearl, Mr John Hall, Accommodation Sciences Ms Prachee Gupta, Life Accommodation Miss TahliaGreatbatch, Dr Marco Genoni,Physics Services Miss Tessa Gardner, Research Mr Kaviraj Gakhal, Medicine Cancer Dr Robin Fortt, Surgery and Engineering Mr Antonio Forte,Mechanical and Cancer Miss Kirsty Flower, Surgery Accommodation Mr TassosEracleous, Accommodation Mr Iheukwumere Duru, 21 July 2011•Issue 236 impressions still hold true.” roundings. Luckily, those first children and attractive sur the friendly staff, happy interview for Imperial,Iliked school. Daniel says: “At my own English language and thenestablishing his teaching English to children spent 10 years inJapan, first Putney. Priorto this hehad year working at anursery in Centre inMay, following a the Early Years Education (EYE Years Miles, Early D C), joined aniel aniel ­Educator - and Cancer MohammedDr Tirech, Surgery Accommodation Anne Thesenvitz,Ms Mr Liku Tezera, Medicine Business School Miss Sarah Stubbings, Accommodation Miss Morag Stuart, Accommodation MissChristine Strachan, Dr Graeme Stasiuk, Medicine Mr Nathan Sparks, Physics Ms Sarah Skoff, Physics Sciences Dr Alekos Simoni, Life Chemistry James Serginson, Mr Mr Karl Scholfield, ESE Technology Engineering and Chemical Dr Christian Richard, Chemical Accommodation Mr ThomasRhoades, School Miss Kate Raison, Business Accommodation Miss Kirsty Poore, Accommodation Mr Karl Phillips, Accommodation Miss Elizabeth Perry, Accommodation Patel, Reeya Miss Accommodation Mr Jehan Pasangha, Aeronautics Dr George Papadakis, Accommodation Mr Harshil Palan, Accommodation Mr Alistair Owen, Accommodation Miss Esther Ogundeji, Institute Ms Vicky Nicolaidou, Kennedy Accommodation Munzi, Natasha Miss Medicine Dr Esther Morel Barcena, and Cancer Dr Gemma Molyneux, Surgery Accommodation Mr Matthew Merker, Accommodation Miss AimeeMckeon, Sciences Miss Lynsey McInnes, Life Dr Stephen McAteer, Medicine Medicine Miss Efstathia Maropoulou, Mr JanMarchant, Life Sciences Institute Dr Szymon Manka, Kennedy Mr Jiefei Ma, Computing Computing Lovegrove,Mr Steven Accommodation Mr Craig Lindo, Dr Morgan Mager, Materials Dr Emilia Kot, Chemistry School Dr Evelina Klerides, Business Dr Simon King,Chemistry Dr Andy Jones, Life Sciences Dr Paul Johnson, Mathematics Dr Markus Horn,Physics Sciences years)(5 Mr Marcus Heneghan, Life and Cancer Dr SilkeHeinzmann, Surgery Mr Tobias Hannes, NHLI Materials(12 years) Mr Richard Hamilton, Dr IanGroves, Medicine Dr Chris Goddard, Physics Life SciencesMr Thomas Gent, Surgery and Cancer Dr Pilar Garcia Allende, Medicine Miss HeidiFitzgibbon, Fey, Registry Kerry Miss Humanities years)(5 Miss Idalina Ferreira Gomes, Dr Allyson Egan, Medicine (29 years) Ms Elizabeth Davis, Library Services(10 years) Mrs Paula Consiglio, Security Medicine Centre Mr Keith Cann, Faculty of Sciences Dr Michael Life Bright, Cancer Dr Nancy Brewig, Surgery and Dr Joseph Boyle, NHLI Mechanical Engineering Dr Francesco Bottone, Sciences Dr Julia Blanchard, Life Dr Natalia Bezaeva, ESE and Corporate Affairs Ms Laura Barker, Development Dr Victoria Barker, Chemistry Dr Heiko Andresen, Materials Medicine Miss Marie-Laure Aknin, moving on F Ms Daryl Yang, Library Miss Claire Wenden, NHLI Health Ms Alexandra Weldon, Public Accommodation Miss Shivanee Vigneswaran, Mathematics Professor David van Dyk, Medicine Mr Raphael Underwood, Mrs Swapna Udupi, ICT arewell

insidestory of going to press. This data was ­ ­covers theperiod 13 June–3 July. This data is supplied by HRand Mr Clive Curtis, EEE (18 years) retirements (11 years) Mr Nicholas Witt, NHLI Aeronautics Dominicvon Terzi,Dr Cancer PovlMr Vaughan, Surgeryand Computing years)(5 George Tzallas-Regas,Dr (6 years) Dr Kevin Twidle, Computing Mathematics Gheorghe Tigan, Dr XiangEEE Dr Tian, Mechanical Engineering YaroslavDr Tenzer, Dr Carol Stanier, Materials Sciences years)(5 Dr Graham Smith, Clinical Dr Paul Shearing, ESE years)(5 Dr Anser Shakoor, EEE Public Health Mrs Revital Shahar Golan, Mr David Savill, Humanities Mr Sam Rudwick, Library (8 years) Dr Lionel Rossi, Aeronautics years)(5 Dr Lucinda Rand,Medicine Dr Plamen Petrov, Physics and Cancer (5 years) Surgery Payne, Rachel Miss Technology Engineering and Chemical Dr Candice Palmer, Chemical Division(18 years) Mr Richard Page, Estates Dr Keat-Eng Ng,NHLI (8 years) Mrs Niga Nawroly, NHLI Biomedical Engineering Dr Brian McGovern, Services Miss Theresa Manns, Catering these as necessary. right to edit or amend The Editor reserves the [email protected] and retirees to the Editor at about new starters, leavers images and/or comments Please sendyour correct at thetime

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moving in. moving on. for complete details: events highlights www.imperial.ac.uk/events 21 July 2011

take note

22 july ▸ seminar Mary, University of London, and develops and delivers highly engaging mathematics activities. Stand-up mathematics This stand-up routine, open to students and HR website

Mathematician turned comedian, Matt Parker’s staff, is hosted by the Graduate School of The newly redesigned erudite brand of comedy takes on the topical and Engineering and Physical Sciences as part of HR website is now daft in equal measure. Matt studied mathematics its summer symposium. Matt will talk about his live, with a cleaner and physics in Australia before working as a attempts to communicate maths and science look and feel, teacher both there and in the UK. He is now with the public and show examples of what goes and improved based in the mathematics department at Queen wrong when people don’t understand science. navigation. Latest information and notifications, including 13 september ▸ public lecture Government Communications Headquarters employment­ legisla- biographer Professor Richard Aldrich, Imperial’s The science of secrecy: tion, pension updates and former Chief Operating Officer Dr Martin Knight changes to College policies ciphers to cyberspace and Institute of Physics President-elect Professor and procedures, are now publicised Sir Peter Knight. Between them they will cover through the HR Notices blog. Increased From ciphers to cyberspace, join the Institute the past, present and future of cryptography, for Security Science and Technology for a romp use of flowcharts and ­summaries provide and take questions from the audience. A drinks ‘at a glance’ ­illustrations of HR processes. through the history of cryptography. Guest ­reception and the opportunity to meet the speakers include science writer Simon Singh, speakers will follow the event. See the new look at www.imperial.ac.uk/hr

22 July ▸ Conference 16 August ▸ Seminar 23 September ▸ Public Lecture meet the Research students’ symposium Understanding the role of Science Uncovered reader Hosted by the Graduate School of media in health Join Imperial researchers at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Dr Tammy Boyce, The King’s Fund Natural History Museum

External events 11 July–24 August 17–18 August 29 July Journey of a lifetime Lego landscapes After Hours Exhibition at the Royal Geographical Life-sized Lego building fun at Explore the Natural History Society the Science Museum Museum after dark

Mechanical Engineering student photo expo Amit Mistry, shop assistant at the Union Newsagents, South On 3 July, Dr Tilly Collins Kensington Campus. (Biology), pictured centre, What are you doing in the picture? I’m reading Reporter in front of the pick ’n’ took part in a voluntary mix section of the shop. Pick ‘n’ mix is very popular with the customers but I have to be bird-counting exercise to careful that I don’t eat too much! Every day I help Imperial scientists allow myself to buy just five or six chocolate- covered peanuts. I’ve worked in the newsa- carry out a census of rose-­ gent for three years as it’s good part-time work and a way to earn some extra income. ringed parakeets (right) living in London and the south What would you do if you were editor of Reporter for a day? east of England. I’d interview someone from Finance to find out what happens to our fees. For the full story see: http://bit.ly/nYcAKF Who would be your cover star? I’d feature a photo collage of the graduating classes for that year, to highlight everyone’s achievements. They wouldn’t be formal photographs, instead, I’d take pictures of students going crazy at the end of term. Stay in the loop → Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/events for more details about these events Want to be the next reader featured in and others. To sign up for regular updates about Imperial events please Reporter? Send in a picture of yourself with a copy of Reporter in your location of choice to: email: [email protected] [email protected]

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