Issue 231 • 24 March 2011 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community News makers

Felix Editor Kadhim Shubber on the award-winning newspaper and the 135 students who make it happen > Centre pages

plastic steering science from electronics engineering scratch Imperial ranked Professor Why does a in top three Jeff Magee rainforest have for materials on becoming greater capacity science Faculty Principal than a desert? PAGE 3 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

Duke of York witnesses healthcare innovations

editor’s c orner His Royal Highness The Duke of industry, commerce and health- York (pictured far right) visited care has been central to its mis-

Imperial on 2 March to learn about sion since its foundation in 1907. The Duke of York with Lord Ara Darzi and Professor Guang- Big picture the College’s pioneering­ health- Speaking at the end of his Zhong Yang in the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery. care innovations in the UK and tour, the Duke said: “Imperial­ has internationally. He heard about gripped the problem of being able Natural disasters are the College’s­ international partner- to deliver its output internationally for International­ Trade and Investment, that emotive subjects. Since ships, visited early-stage compa- in a way that many other universi- what you do is utterly brilliant.” the massive earthquake nies in the Imperial Incubator and ties have not been able to achieve. The Duke was also given a tour of the shook Japan on 11 March, learnt about developing robotic It’s not just about education, it’s Incubator which houses 17 early-stage technol- the frightening scenes of technologies to enhance surgery. about allowing people to innovate, ogy companies spun out of the College. Each devastation in the news Welcoming the Duke of and to expand their minds to do receives support from Imperial­ Innovations, the have led to outpourings York, Rector Sir Keith O’Nions, the things that I’ve seen going on company that commercialises­ technologies and of sympathy at the tragic explained that the univer- here. I would just like to say, as discoveries emanating from the College. loss of life and admiration sity’s application of its work to the UK’s Special Representative —Simon Watts, Communications and Development for the emergency workers who are offering practical support in the face of such adversity. Searching for a better understanding Imperial College Union of the forces behind the catastrophe, as well as refurbishment their repercussions, I, like many, have been hooked The Rector and senior staff on the internet, reading joined trustees and members a combination of formal of the Council and Executive and informal reports. And, of Imperial College Union from the other side of the (ICU) on 8 March to celebrate Expand your media machine, a number the completion of the latest of Imperial academics are phase of work to refurbish horizons offering the public insight the Union building. into everything from the The Department of Humanities structure of buildings The transformation of the in Tokyo to the human Union’s main facilities in is offering summer evening impact of radiation on Beit Quad on the South classes in languages including FiveSixEight bar, named after the number of the Japanese population. ­Kensington Campus began in millilitres in a pint. The bar has a concrete Japanese, Arabic, During a time of intense 2008. The work has resulted façade, and has been designed so that HD Russian, Mandarin uncertainty the opinions in more space for student TV can be projected on to it. Chinese and English of experts here are playing club and society activities, conversation for ­­ a valuable role in helping and refurbished gym facilities to provide clarity about a on the third floor. The area the Union enhance the student non-native speakers. situation on the other side previously used by the Stu- ­experience at Imperial. Short arts courses in of the world. Our thoughts dent Activities Centre in the Describing the impact the refur- Creative Writing and are with all those who have east basement has been con- bishment has had on the work Music Technology are also family and friends in Japan. verted into meeting rooms of Imperial College Union, Alex offered. Enrolment starts Emily Ross, Editor and club storage space. And ­Kendall, ICU President, said: “The 28 March 2011. in the refurbishment’s most Union has, after several years, Reporter is published every three weeks during term time recent phase, which began finally got to a stage where we can in print and online.The next in March 2010, the nightclub put ongoing refurbishments aside Visit: www.imperial. publication day is 14 April. and bar were renovated and and see what else needs to be done ac.uk/humanities/ Contact Emily Ross: renamed Metric and FiveSix­ to improve the services we offer. As [email protected] eveningclasses Eight respectively. for the refurbishments, the changes Cover image: Kadhim Shubber The cost of the final to the Student Activity Centre were by Felix photographer Miles phase of development was hugely important; Imperial has the Robertson, an undergraduate in £2.6 million, two-thirds highest participation in clubs and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. funded by Imperial College societies in the UK and we need to Union and a third by a gift provide the best facilities for stu- from the College to help dents to run their clubs.” 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231 >> newsupdate

Imperial ranked in world top Imperial College three for materials science Lectureships

Imperial is one of the The search for the brightest top three institutions in talent to the Imperial College the world for materials­ Lectureships scheme is nearing ­science research, completion, following a recruit- according to a global ment drive launched in Novem- review of the most ber 2010. The scheme, which ­prominent researchers seeks to appoint a significant in the field. number of non-clinical Lecturers The Lectureships will provide teaching across the faculties, and Assis- and research opportunities for early- career academics. The review lists the tant Professors to the Business 100 researchers, and School, attracted more than their institutions,­ who 750 applications of outstanding where the Faculty is going in achieved the highest international quality. Following future it depends on the staff A flexible plastic LED device, which could be used to provide citation impact scores energy-efficient, low-cost lighting in computer displays. the interview process, offers we recruit today.” for research papers have been made for positions Professor Michele Dougherty­ ­published since January across all faculties, and the (Physics) was appointed under 2000. Scientists from Imperial’s scientists are for Plastic Electronics, ­College hopes the new lecturers the parent scheme of the new the Centre for Plastic working across physics,­ Professor Donal Bradley will be in post by Imperial College­ ­Electronics at Imperial chemistry and materials (Physics). Autumn 2011. “At Imperial we’re Lectureships in are the first, second, ­science on areas includ- “I would like to investing in the 1999. Today she fourth and sixth most ing realistic solutions for ­congratulate our four col- Rector Sir Keith brightest and best is the Principal prominent materials solar power generation, leagues whose research O’Nions chaired to gain long term ­Investigator for an ­scientists in the UK, new low-energy com- has been celebrated­ in the panel that rewards” international team according to the scale. puter displays, solid- this influential listing,” made the final working on the Cas- The list has been state lighting, pervasive said Professor­ Maggie decisions. Speak- sini spacecraft’s compiled by publishing electronics, imaging ­Dallman, Principal of ing about the rationale behind magnetometer, currently orbiting­ giant Thomson Reuters and sensing arrays, and the Faculty of Natural the scheme, Sir Keith said: Saturn. Speaking of her experi- in celebration of the photonics. Sciences, which hosts “These may be uncertain times ences on the scheme as a boost 2011 International Year The four staff the Centre along with for universities on the whole, earlier in her career, she said: of Chemistry and was ­members ranked by partners in the Faculty but at Imperial we’re invest- “Besides having the peace of reported in Times Thomson-Reuters were, of Engineering. “Plastic ing in the brightest and best at mind, I found having the security Higher Education on in list order: Professor electronics and materials this ­‘counter-cyclical’ point to of the lectureship was a huge 24 ­February 2010. Jenny Nelson (Physics); science are areas where gain long term rewards.” help in attracting funds for my Plastic electron- Professor Iain McCulloch Imperial truly excels, and Professor Jeff Magee, research work.” ics is a rapidly growing (Chemistry); Co-director this is an outstanding Principal of the Faculty of Teaching remains an field of research with of the Centre for Plastic recognition of some of ­Engineering, was highly important part of her role: “It the potential to bring Electronics, Professor our interdisciplinary and impressed with the quality accounts for about a third of my significant develop- James Durrant (Chemis- cross-faculty science.” of applications: “We have an activities, and I still very much ments in energy, environ- try); along with the other —Simon Levey, Communications astounding set of really excel- enjoy it. Fundamentally I think ment and healthcare. Director of the Centre and Development lent candidates. In terms of teaching keeps you honest.”

New Earth Developing links in HEFCE grant Students do battle Science and clean energy and the allocation announced in Varsity 2011 ­Engineering head life sciences The College has received notification This year’s Varsity sporting Professor Jan Cilliers,­ On 14 March, the Governor of that it will receive £149.2 million in ­challenge was the biggest yet, and funding from HEFCE for 2011–12, an saw more than 50 teams compete in in brief Chair in Mineral Massachusetts, Deval Patrick ­Processing, has and his delegation were wel- increase of £0.2 million compared 25 matches at venues across accepted appoint- comed to Imperial by the Energy with 2010–11. Imperial is one of only ­London. The day delivered an over- ment as Head of the Futures Lab and Professor Molly five universities in the UK to receive all win for Imperial College but, ­Department of Earth Stevens, Research Director for an increase in funding in cash once again, Imperial Medics took Science and Engineer- Biomedical Materials (Materi- terms, bucking the trend when the home the first team rugby hon- ing, with effect from 1 August 2011, for a period of five als). The visit was part of the total HEFCE funding available has ours. The match finished 25–12. A years. Professor Cilliers will succeed Professor Martin Governor’s trade mission to the been cut by 4.1 per cent. In the con- disappointed Imperial College side Blunt, who has held the position since 2006. Prior UK, building links for Massachu- stituent parts of the overall funding, received medals from Rector, Sir to joining the College in 2005, Professor Cilliers was setts industries in technology, Imperial’s teaching grant has fallen Keith O’Nions whilst JPR Williams a member of staff at the University of Manchester, clean energy and life sciences. by £2.1 million (3.8 per cent) com- presented the Medicals’ Captains where he established the Froth and Foam Research Governor Patrick led a discussion pared to 2010–11, while the research with the JPR Williams Cup trophy. Group. Whilst there, he also undertook an MBA at on the challenges of becoming a grant has increased by £2.3 million See Photo Expo on page 15 of Manchester Business School. low-carbon economy. (2.4 per cent). this issue for pictures. 4 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

Big Science Pub Quiz

Science reporters from Journalists from organisa- included True or False, 11 national and special- tions including the BBC, ­Science in the Movies, ist media outlets were The Guardian, New Scientist ­Science in Song and The ­welcomed to the College on and Physics World joined News Round. At the helm 8 March to take part in over 60 Imperial research- was quiz-master Gareth Imperial’s first Big ­Science ers to form teams, pit their Mitchell – a lecturer on Pub Quiz, staged by the wits against rivals and make Imperial’s MSc in Science ­Communications and Devel- new contacts. A squad Communication course and “I enjoyed myself enor- Collider, led by Professor opment Division. The event of press officers from UK presenter of the Imperial mously. I was amazed how Wendy Barclay, from the was held in the Haemo research councils and other ­College Podcast and BBC much more knowledgeable Department of Medicine, Globe Inn, a ‘pop-up’ pub partner organisations also Radio 4’s Digital Planet. our New Scientist partners with journalists from New ­created especially for the came to test their science Professor Martin McCall were than us physicists!” Scientist, stormed to victory. occasion on the South know-how. (Physics), who was on the Following a tie-breaker, —Laura Gallagher, ­Kensington Campus. Question rounds Particle Zoo team, said: the team Large Hadron Communications and Development

Unravelling causes School pupils NASA-bound of chronic diseases after mission success

A new partnership­ amongstthemselves, before undertak- to study the ing two days of intense research and ­myriad environ- design, supported by volunteers from mental factors­ that Imperial’s staff and students. affect a person’s­ Their efforts culminated in a health held its first ­presentation of their designs to a panel ­meeting at the of judges, including academics and ­MRC-HPA Centre ­representatives from Boeing and the UK for Environment Space Agency. and Health in the School of Public Health on 25 Febru- The victorious team’s design fea- ary. The Exposome ­Alliance, a collaboration­ between ­ tured a ring-shaped, solar powered ­Imperial and the University of California, Berkeley, will space station called Cassandras. Team investigate the causes of chronic diseases such as high members will visit NASA’s Johnson blood pressure, cancer and diabetes. Space Centre in Houston, Texas, to represent the UK in the finals of the “Genes only represent a small proportion of the factors­ International Space Settlement Design underlying chronic diseases,” said Professor Paolo Competition later this year. Vineis (Public Health), one of the co-founders of the School pupils will be jetting off to The winning team consisted of ­alliance. “It is now widely recognised that the interaction NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in pupils from the City of London Acad- between genes and the wider environment is perhaps America for the international finals of emy, Sheringham High School, Pates the most important factor in determining the health of a space settlement ­Grammar School, an individual.” design competition Lumen Christi College The concept of the exposome refers to the multitude after triumphing in This is a and Chatham Grammar of external environmental factors which everyone is the UK round of the weekend where School for Boys. exposed to in everyday life, from conception onwards. competition, organ- Postgraduate “The number of factors which make up the ised by Imperial. imaginations run wild student Daniel Went ­exposome is extremely broad, from the products of and where children (Physics) is one of the gut bacteria to exposure, to pollutants or dietary UK school pupils mature in front of Imperial volunteers ­components,” notes Professor Vineis. “Tackling this aged 14–18 (pic- who helped organise or seemingly overwhelming complexity requires a wide tured above) spent your very eyes” participate in the week- range of methods,­ including data collection and analysis the first weekend end. He said: “This is on a vast scale, and high-throughput technologies.” of March at Imperial working on a a weekend where imaginations run wild The partnership with Berkeley is designed to brief to design a space settlement that and where children mature in front of address these challenges. “We hope the alliance will shuttles between the orbits of Earth your very eyes. Sacrificing the time is a enable us to make major progress in understanding the and Mars. The pupils were split into small price to pay to witness that.” causes of major diseases,” he said. four competing companies, appoint- — John-Paul Jones, Communications and Development —Sam Wong, communications and development ing presidents­ and senior managers 5 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231 >> newsupdate

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

bbc online • 16.2.2011 the engineer • 9.3.2011 daily mail • 8.3.2011 the sun • 15.3.2011

Extreme rain and Issues mapped out Ballooning popularity Japanese nuclear flooding risks disaster Findings by The Royal Greenhouse gas ­Academy of Engineering warn Japan’s unfolding nuclear disaster emissions are that society is ‘dangerously escalated further as three reactors ­making extreme over-reliant’ on satellite navi- headed for a possible meltdown, rainfall events more gation systems, reported The reported The Sun. The revelation common and, in the Engineer. The report focused came as the stricken Fukushima UK, have increased on the world’s increasing reli- Daiichi plant experienced two the risk of flooding, ance on global navigation Having a balloon inflated in the more blasts, with radiation­ say scientists in a satellite systems (GNSS), the stomach can lead to significant levels there rising story on BBC Online. Using real-world data limited use of back-up sys- weight loss with few side-effects, ­following and computer models, a team from Oxford tems, and their vulnerability reported the Daily Mail. The new an University says it has proved the link between to natural interference such research suggests that implant- earth- greenhouse emissions and the observed as solar flares and surrepti- ing a silicone balloon is highly quake, measuring nine on the increase in extreme rains in the Northern tious ‘jamming’. “As part of effective at reducing appetite. “It Richter scale, and a tsunami that Hemisphere, while another team from ­Canada the process of utilising this has to be combined with diet and devastated parts of the country.­ and the UK says global warming made the really important infrastruc- lifestyle advice because once The first explosion damaged the UK floods of 2000 more likely. “Both stud- ture, what we are asking is the balloon­ is removed after six No.2 reactor, injuring 11 people, ies depend heavily on the accuracy of their how might the system fail, months or so, people need to avoid ­followed by an explosion­ in the computer models,” Professor Sir Brian and are the barriers we have putting the weight back on,” said No.3 reactor, damaging a sup­ Hoskins, Director of the Grantham Institute in place today able to protect Professor Nadey Hakim (Surgery pression pool container. “If the for Climate Change, commented. “We need us, or do we need to do more and Cancer). “The technique’s concrete shell that surrounds the to better understand the actual physics of dif- research and development?,” ­popularity has increased because reactors is damaged, there will be a ferent flooding events and make sure that the says Professor Washington more people are aware of its exist- risk of harmful radiation exposure­ models are able to capture this,” he added. Ochieng (Civil and Environ- ence, and recent evidence suggests and widespread health problems,”­ “Studies like these should be repeated as mental Engineering), one of that it works well for patients with said Professor Robin Grimes from models continue to improve.” the report’s co-authors. lower BMIs,” he added. the Department of Materials.

awards and Research Presentation competi- engineering next-generation plastic electronic honours tion. Jack’s BSc research project on Technology Leadership in technology. the ­potential ­preventative effect Education Award of statins on ­cognitive decline medicine ­following surgery, was supervised At the Annual Flexible Electronics­ Research paper award medicine by Dr Daqing Ma (Surgery and and Displays Conference on shortlisting Penn wins RSM ­Cancer), pictured left in the image. 9 February,­ Dr Natalie Stingelin­ presentation prize (Materials), pictured below, Professor Wendy life sciences ­collected the Technology Leader- Atkin (pictured) Ganeev’s outstanding ship in Education­ Award on behalf and her group achievements of the in the Depart- Doctoral ment of Surgery­ Dr Rashid Ganeev (Physics)­ was Training and Cancer have presented with the Khwarizmi Centre in been shortlisted­ ­International Award for outstand- Plastic for the British ing achievements in research, Electron- Medical Journal Group’s Research Jack Penn, pictured middle, who ­innovation and invention in fields ics. The Paper of the Year Award. Their completed his intercalated BSc related to science­ and technology at FlexTech study demonstrated­ the benefits of in ­Surgery and ­Anaesthesia at a ceremony­ on 5 February in Tehran. Alliance prize recognises the out- ­flexible sigmoidoscopy as a one-off ­Imperial in June 2010, has been Dr Ganeev­ researches short-wave- standing work of the Centre, which screening test to prevent colorectal awarded this year’s first prize length laser radiation from a variety is funded by the Engineering and cancer in a 16-year randomised trial. in the annual Royal Society­ of plasma sources containing ­Physical Sciences Research Council, The winner will be announced at a of Medicine Undergraduate atoms and ions. in educating scientists­ to design ­ceremony in May. 6 >> scienceroundup www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

Doctors should discuss weight problems with patients

but had not been told this by a doctor, did not think they were overweight. Nineteen per cent of obese people, who had not Sugary drinks been advised of their condition associated with by a doctor,­ did not think they were overweight. Of those whose higher blood pressure ­doctors had given them an honest Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages assessment of their weight, only is associated with higher blood pres- six per cent of overweight people sure, according to a study of over 2,500 and three per cent of obese people ­people reported in the first week of did not think they were overweight. March in the journal Hypertension. “With the whole population Patients who are told by their appeared to be a key factor in ­getting heavier, obesity is becoming­ High blood pressure is a major risk fac- ­doctor that they are overweight whether or not study participants­ normalised, so many people who tor for heart disease, which is the lead- or obese are more likely to considered them- are seriously overweight ing cause of death worldwide. Someone ­acknowledge a weight problem selves overweight. “Many people don’t realise that their with a blood pressure level in millime- and try to do something about Doctors consider who are seriously health is at risk,” said tres of mercury (mmHg) of 135 over 85 it, according to a new study pub- people with a body overweight don’t Dr Sonia Saxena (Public is twice as likely to have a heart attack lished in the Archives of Internal mass index (BMI) realise that their Health), senior author or stroke as someone with a reading of Medicine on 28 February. above 25 to be over- health is at risk” of the study. “Our study 115 over 75. weight, and those shows that having a doc- The new study, by researchers in Researchers from Imperial and with a BMI over 30 to be obese. tor tell someone they are ­overweight the School of Public Health, shows the Medical University of South Among 7,790 of participants in is a key factor­ in the patient’s aware- that for every extra can of sugary drink Carolina found that getting an hon- a US interview survey, 37 per cent ness of the problem.” ­consumed per day, participants on aver- est assessment from a physician­ of people who were overweight, —Sam Wong, Communications and age had a higher systolic blood pres- Development sure by 1.6 mmHg and a higher diastolic blood pressure by 0.8 mmHg. This difference was statistically significant even after adjusting for factors such as Battlefield blast injuries need better study weight and height. The study did not examine the Imperial scientists say more people survive mechanism that might link sugary more interdisciplinary conflicts despite multiple drinks with blood pressure. However, research is needed to injuries, for example, the researchers suggest that raised uric improve the treatment­ 89 per cent of wounded acid, which has been linked to sugar- of soldiers and civilians­ soldiers survived the sweetened beverage consumption, injured by landmines­ conflict in Iraq, com- might raise blood pressure by reducing and improvised pared with 70 per cent in the levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that ­explosive devices (IEDs). World War II. However, relaxes the lining of the blood vessels. the number of injuries The association between sug- Recent conflicts have caused by IEDs in the ary drinks and higher blood pressure seen a proliferation of current conflicts show a was especially strong in people who these weapons, which are worrying upward trend. ­consumed a lot of salt as well as sugar. capable of causing multi- Writing in Diet drinks were linked with lower ple, severely injured casu- ­Philosophical Trans­ hospitals in war zones enclosed spaces, such blood pressure levels in some analyses, alties in a single blast. actions of the Royal could help surgeons as a vehicle hit by an but the association was not consistent Study author, Dr Kate Society B, researchers make decisions that IED, demonstrates­ that or strong. Brown (Life Sciences), from the cross-faculty would improve the quality the environment is Senior author of the study, Profes- said: “IEDs pose the most Blast Biomechanics and and speed of treatments. ­significant in determining sor Paul Elliott (Public Health), said: prevalent single threat to Biophysics Group say Military surgeon and the underlying­ patterns “It’s widely known that if you have too troops operating in war- that if clinicians, natural main author of the article,­ and causes of injury. This much salt in your diet, you’re more torn regions such as Iraq scientists and engineers Arul Ramasamy (Bioen- understanding is funda- likely to develop high blood pressure. and Afghanistan.” worked together, it would gineering), explained: mental to developing new The results of this study suggest that Combined improve- be possible to improve “A comparison between technology to protect the people should be careful about how ments in body armour, the quality of treatment the injuries sustained soldiers on the ground.” much sugar they consume as well.” pre-hospital care and for these combat casu- from IEDs out in the —Simon Levey, Communications and Development —Sam Wong, Communications and Development aero-evacuations mean alties. Data from field open, versus those in 7 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231 >> scienceroundup

Genetic studies From the Asian elephant to find five new the roadrunner variants linked to heart disease The structures inside animals’ thigh bones that enable them to support­ Five new genetic variants linked huge loads, whilst being relatively to heart disease have been lightweight, were revealed in identified in ameta- ­ ­analysis research published in the journal of four large genome-wide Proceedings of the Royal Society B association studies, published on 9 March. The researchers say in Nature Genetics in the first their work could lead to the devel- week of March. The findings opment of new materials based on will guide research into new thigh bone geometry. treatments for coronary heart disease, which kills 88,000 people in Britain each year. A team from Imperial and the Royal The discoveries add to 11 common variants previously shown to be Veterinary College collected thigh Dr Doube discovered that one strut associated with heart disease, and provide further evidence that many in this elephant’s trabeculae is bone samples from British museum bigger than a Shrew’s whole femur. genes have a small but significant effect on heart disease risk. collections and zoos, analysing The Coronary Artery Disease (C4D) Genetics Consortium, co-led specimens of the femur bone from by groups at Imperial and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, 90 different species, including the from Imperial,­ who is also ­compared the DNA sequences of Asian elephant, Etruscan shrew, a veterinary ­surgeon,­ says: ­thousands of people with heart roadrunner, crocodile,­ emu, turkey, “Scientists had not previously disease in European and South Asian Each gene leopard and giraffe. They explored known that the structure of ­populations with controls from the same we discover how animal size related to the trabeculae varied, or scaled ethnic groups. ­formation of an interlinking lattice up, depending on the size of All of the variants linked to heart tells us about of tiny bone struts inside the femur the animal. We assumed that ­disease in the study appeared to be the biological called trabeculae. The research- trabeculae would be impor- equally significant in people from mechanisms ers found that trabeculae, typically tant in supporting­ the weight ­European and South Asian ancestry. found near joints, have different of larger creatures, such as Professor Jaspal Kooner (NHLI), underlying heart geometry depending on the size of Asian elephants,­ which can Dr John Chambers and Professor Paul disease” the species. weigh more than three tonnes. ­Elliott (both Public­ Health) co-led the The researchers say their new ­However, we were surprised research at Imperial, and determined the contribution­ of these variants to understanding of how femur bones to find that animals that have heart disease amongst South Asians living in the UK. are structured could be used to comparatively lighter loads, “These findings add weight to the idea that a large number of genes advance a class of tough, light- such as the Etruscan shrew, affect your likelihood of developing heart disease, each gene having a weight structural materials, which weighing three grams, also ­relatively small effect,” Professor Kooner said. “This means that genetic could be used to improve body- has trabeculae supporting its tests are unlikely to be useful for predicting heart disease, but each gene work for planes and cars. tiny body.” we discover tells us about the biological mechanisms underlying heart Dr Michael Doube (Bioengi- —Colin Smith, Communications ­disease and gives us a new lead to look for new treatment strategies.” and Development neering), lead author of the study —Sam Wong, Communications and Development New land-move theory for early plants

Prior to this time, plants were only published in Biology­ ­Letters on relationship is so close, maybe we able to extract nutrition directly from 9 March, suggests that the first fungi shouldn’t say a plant has roots, water. Then, in one of the most influ- to assist plants on we should say it has ential events in the evolution of our land were in fact a “This relationship ­mycorrhizas.” The fungi planet, plants developed a special different type related is so close, maybe are well adapted to relationship with fungi whereby they to today’s Endogone we shouldn’t say a absorbing chemicals exchanged energy made by photo- (Mucoromycotina). plant has roots, we from the soil, being synthesis for nourishment extracted The so-called should say it has thinner and longer than New research by Dr Martin ­Bidartondo from the soil. ­‘mycorrhizas’ (literally mycorrhizas” the plant’s roots. (Life Sciences), who holds a joint post Ancient plants preserved in the fungus roots) are now “This new data at Imperial at Kew ­Gardens, has given fossil record led scientists to believe common in around 90 means we should rise to a new theory about how early that fungi related to present-day per cent of all plants, where they grow ­reconsider the process whereby plants (such as liverworts, pictured) Glomus (Glomeromycota) were the in and around the plant’s own cells, plants evolved the ability to live on were able to colonise­ the land 400 first to provide mineral nutrients to and spread out into the soil. dry land,” he added. million years ago. plants. However, the new study, Dr Bidartondo explained: “this —Simon Levey, Communications and Development 8 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

From left: Navid Nabijou (Maths), Deepka Rana (Physics), Matthew Colvin (Maths), Kadhim Shubber (Physics), Jovan Nedic (Aeronautics) and Gilead Amit (Physics).

Reporter goes behind the scenes articles that interest them. to learn about the student­ team’s Kadhim explains that it’s passion for their work on Felix a very hands-on publication Press gang and how they found publishing and students get experience of a daily. the whole production process from commissioning articles to It’s an hour before Felix’s press deadline and there is an air of urgency The idea for the Daily Felix came ­writing, editing, taking photos from watching the film about and laying out their pieces in in the basement of the Imperial College Union building as the students the founding of Facebook, The Adobe InDesign. near the end of a record week, in which they published five issues Social Network. In the film Deputy Editor, Gilead Amit the students kept mention- (Physics), says that it’s the fast in five days. Charged with Red Bull and drumming his fingers to the ing their daily pace nature of ­newspaper the creating a news- music of LCD Soundsystem, Felix Editor Kadhim Shubber Harvard Crimson. We are united paper which flits between computers doing last-minute tweaks ­“Somehow this by a common attracted him to made me think work for Felix in to layouts and scanning articles that maybe we enthusiasm and the first place. could publish love of the paper; “It’s the feeling over the shoulders of his every day too, as it’s a great team of writing a news team-mates, eager to hit the it had never been story with an done before to be part of” hour to go before button and send at Imperial,”­ the paper has to explains Kadhim. “No one told reach the printers that makes it the final Daily me it was a bad idea so we just so exciting.” Felix to the went ahead,” he adds. Kadhim is the only member Felix, first published in 1949, of the Felix team who is on a printers. is a weekly newspaper dedi- paid sabbatical from his Physics cated to telling Imperial students degree but you wouldn’t be able about what goes on at the Col- to tell from the amount of time lege. The Felix motto, ‘Keep the and effort the team dedicate to Cat Free’, refers to the tradition the publication. What is tangible of free speech, and those who is the sense of community in write for the newspaper are the office. “We are united by a given a free rein to follow-up ­common enthusiasm and love of 9 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231 >> featurefocus

the paper; it’s a great team to be phone calls or word of mouth. part of,” says Chief Copy Editor, “Week in, week out, someone Thursday – press day Lizzy Griffiths (Life Sciences). always messes up a little bit and Gilead believes it’s particu- gives us a hook for an article,” Thursday is all about copy larly important to have a paper he says, gleefully pointing to the editing. There used to be a like Felix, which welcomes anyone stories which helped fill the Daily bit of flexibility in terms of who wants to get involved, at Felix, such as the hacking of the the time we went to press Imperial. “I have always felt that Department of Computing’s IT but now the Daily Mail shares Felix is a blessing for a science system and a number of thefts our printer, so if we are late university, where students of an in the Department of Electrical then we get bumped off until artistic disposition and Electronic the next day to ensure the might worry about ­Engineering. Daily Mail is on the news- feeling stifled. I don’t I know I Kadhim is most stands in time. As a result I’ve know how my written could work fewer proud of the A week in had to become stricter – so English would have reporting of the we normally­ go to press at been affected had hours if I wanted Life Sciences the life… 18.00, then I work with the it not been for the to but I wouldn’t restructuring, online editors to upload all regular practice.” be as happy with noting that Kadhim describes the content­ onto the website. This year an the topic has a typical week in I finish around 22.00 and get average issue of Felix the outcome. I attracted lots the Felix home just in time to watch has around want Felix to be as of attention offices Question Time. 48 pages, and good as a proper from staff and ­features the work of students. Monday over 100 contribu- newspaper” Felix doesn’t tors and 35 editors­ just attract I usually get in at 7.30. Today (including four who work on Felix local acclaim – this month the is pretty relaxed as I have online). The paper is made up of ­publication won the London a false sense of security as 15 sections­ featuring articles on a Student Journalism Support Net- press day seems far away. range of topics from fashion­ and work’s Prize for Best Publication. At lunch I meet with all the Friday politics, to film and music. Kadhim will be handing over ­section editors to discuss For the Daily Felix, Kadhim to the new Editor after the sum- what is going in the paper I wake up early and work scaled down the publication to mer term and is looking forward that week. News meetings are from bed, publishing all the 24 pages and used a different to his final year of his Physics held straight afterwards and news stories I uploaded the company to print it. The issues degree, as a step back from all the stories are allocated. night before. included themed pull-out supple- Felix. As for taking up journalism I normally work until 19.00. I then make ments on subjects such as music, as a career, Kadhim isn’t con- my way technology and art. In order to get vinced that he is cynical enough Tuesday into the first issue out on the Monday, and thinks it would harden his ­College the students worked through heart. “I get really anxious about Today is all about follow- and head to the weekend, going to press on sticking the boot in and am too ing up leads, researching, the post room to pick up the ­Sunday night, and for the rest ­amiable with people I’m interview- ­interviewing and writing up boxes of Felix and distribute of the week Felix absorbed all of ing – I’m happy to admit that!” stories. I sometimes work them to the bins all across their time outside of lectures. Kadhim confesses to being from home. campus, so students can Creating the Daily Felix was a bit of a perfectionist and on grab a copy before their 9.00 ­ undoubtedly a team effort. “It Wednesdays he works through Wednesday ­lectures. It’s great seeing involved a lot of time, effort and the night to check the whole lay- people enjoying it. I spend coordination,” explains Lizzy. out of the newspaper, taking a Wednesday is the most the rest of the day checking “For me it was about making few hours’ break to sleep on the stressful day and it’s all my emails, then head to the sure everything was finished to sofa. “I know I could work fewer hands on deck in the office. Union Bar for the weekly a high quality and that mistakes hours if I wanted to but I wouldn’t At 20.00 I go to Tesco and Felix social. were removed from every issue, be as happy with the outcome. load up with cans of Red Bull. which was not always easy! We I want Felix to be as good as a Then I look at all the pages were really relieved when it was proper newspaper,” he says. in the issue and try to fix over but there was a real sense of ­­—­Emily Ross, Communications the layout. I take a kip in a ­satisfaction that we achieved and development sleeping bag on a sofa in our it together.” meeting room for two or three One of the things Kadhim was hours, then start again. most concerned about in produc- ing the Daily Felix was how to generate enough stories to fill the pages. Kadhim gets tip-offs about potential stories via emails, 10 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

audio-visual products, including Excellence in teaching television sets. Jeff was promoted to Head In addition to excellence in of the Department (HoD) of research, Jeff is keen for the Computing­ in 2004 and now Faculty to achieve excellence ­follows in Stephen Richardson’s in teaching. Jeff explains that footsteps as Faculty Principal. “I the Faculty has just come to the think appointing someone to this end of a five-year programme role who has experience of being called EnVision, which looked at a HoD is advantageous, as they improving the way engineering really understand the needs of education was delivered academics,” says Jeff. at Imperial. One of the outcomes of Joined up working the programme has been an approach that delivers teach- While Jeff is committed to main- ing using a combination of taining excellence in each of the ­traditional methods, new tech- nine departments, one of his nologies and practical projects. priorities for the Faculty is to A particular success to highlight contribute expertise to teams is the Constructionarium, which of academics across the College offers hands-on experience to Heading in the undertaking multidisciplinary civil engineering students, with research projects. “The Faculty previous projects including the of Engineering has begun to construction of bridges, involv- develop more of a collegiate ing teams of industry experts. right direction ethos over the last few years, in Due to funding cuts, many the way we work together, but universities increasingly depend From tinkering with radio equipment why I love computers so much, as they we can do better,” he says. on computer modelling and as a teenager to bringing together ­provide instant results,” he adds. Jeff points to the Medical simulation alone to educate multidisciplinary research teams at Following in his uncle’s footsteps, Engineering Solutions in engineers. “I worry that if we Imperial, Professor Jeff Magee, recently Jeff pursued electrical and electronic Osteoarthritis Centre of embrace this approach, we will appointed Principal of the Faculty of engineering at Queen’s University Excellence funded by the lose the connection between Engineering, speaks to Reporter about Belfast and went to work for Post Wellcome Trust and the EPSRC, engineering education and his career progression and his hopes Office Telecommunications (now BT) as an example of the huge ­engineering practice,” says for his new role. after graduating. It was at Post Office opportunities for applying Jeff. “The Faculty is committed Telecoms that Jeff discovered computers engineering solutions to to maintaining and providing After five years working as Head of – working with a teletype, a form of healthcare. world class engineering labs and the Department of Computing, Jeff typewriter that operated at 10 characters Based in the Department of workshops that support both was asked to take on the top role in per second and communicated with Bioengineering, the Centre aims its teaching and research,” he the­ Faculty­ in January when Professor a Burroughs Timesharing Computing to improve the quality of life for adds, pointing to the newly refur- ­Stephen Richardson­ System. individuals with osteoarthritis – bished and re-equipped­ labs in became Deputy Post Office Tel- one of the most common cause the Bessemer and Skempton Rector on a full-time I’ve always been ecoms funded Jeff’s of chronic pain in the UK today. ­Buildings on the South Kensing- basis. “It is certainly quite impatient and Master’s in Comput- “In the Osteoarthritis Centre ton Campus. daunting head- ing at Imperial which everyone’s working towards the Jeff says that getting the ing up the largest finding out how to he started in 1979. same goal,” says Jeff. “They all teaching right is a massive and definitely the make things work was A year after finish- want to do something to slow part of upholding the student best engineering my way of putting this ing, he returned to or halt the progression of this ­experience and ensuring engi- faculty in the UK,” the College to do a disease.” At least nine different neering degrees don’t become Jeff admits, “but I’m trait to good use” PhD in Computing disciplines come together in the sterile. “When students leave keen to meet the Science, before join- virtual centre: engineers, sur- the College, I’d like them to be expectations of my colleagues and pass ing the Department of Computing as a geons, rehabilitation therapists, as proud of studying at Imperial on my passion­ to the next generation ­lecturer. He became a professor in 1999. chemists, imaging scientists, as we are of them as graduates of engineers”. Jeff made his mark in the Depart- computer scientists, materials – that’s how I’ll know we, as a Jeff’s first introduction to engineer- ment as one of the originators of the scientists and cell biologists. ­Faculty, have done a good job.” ing was mending pieces of old radio research field known as software archi- “Those teams are stronger —Emily Ross, Communications and equipment given to him by his uncle, tecture, establishing the structures of for having so many different Development an electrical engineer with the Northern software elements required to develop ­perspectives on the problem. Ireland Electricity Board, when he was technical solutions. A version of one If just one of those people in his early teens. “I’ve always been of the software tools developed by Jeff were working on their own, quite impatient and finding out how to and his colleagues was adopted by they would never imagine the make things work was my way of putting Philips – one of the largest electronics ­solutions that the centre is this trait to good use. It also explains companies in the world – for all their ­coming up with.”

11 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

“I applied to work as a student caller as I thought it would be good to put my ‘love of talking’ to use. With the current economic climate, the idea of working for the College to help shape inside someone’s future felt really worthwhile. At the same time, it was a chance to make new friends from completely dif- story ferent departments. I chose three shifts a week – ­Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. It was Student callers a fun working environment and I loved being there each night. mini profile pitch in for The first call was the hardest and a million thoughts ran through my head. fundraising All that I was aware of was that I had to Michael talk to a complete stranger and I had no Over the last eight weeks a team of clue how they would respond. Liebreich 55 student callers has been involved As the days passed, it got much in the College’s bi-annual telephone easier and we started having some great Michael Liebreich, Chief ­fundraising campaign. Working conversations with alumni. The best Executive of Bloomberg New ­evenings and week- thing was when you were Energy Finance, is present- ends to contact alumni comparing what life was ing this year’s Energy Futures across the world, the All that I was like at Imperial when the Lab annual lecture, entitled students have spoken aware of is that alumnus was here, with Global Trends in Clean Energy to over 10,000 alumni, what it is like now, or hear- ­Investment, on 29 March. He gaining pledges of I had to talk to a ing about their experiences talks to Reporter about his more than £300,000. complete stranger of working in industry. I experience as an Olympic The money raised will and I had no clue personally raised almost skier and shares his vision for This is an unstoppable trans- help to ensure that £16,000 in four weeks, the future of green energy. formation because fossil­ fuel the most academi- how they would which was a great feel- sources are inherently finite and cally able are able to respond” ing! Over the course of the Can you describe what because there are economic study at the College, ­telethon I laughed, shared, Bloomberg New Energy ­drivers pushing us, as a society, regardless of their financial circum- cheered, made new friends and gained a Finance does? towards renewable­ forms of stances. Niharika Midha, a Master’s mass of experience.” We help policy makers to make energy. There are opportunities­ student (Bioengineering), reports on Students keen to take part in the College’s good decisions about green to make, or lose, a lot of her experience­ of being a student caller next telephone fundraising campaign should energy. In practice, this money in the process. I see my for the campaign: contact: [email protected] means providing them with ­personal role in the business information about industry, as describing­ what this clean clean energy, carbon markets energy future could look like and upcoming areas of research and showing people some of the science from scratch in relevant fields. roads to get there. As explained by Andrew Purcell, MSc Science Communication What are you here at Imperial You also used to be an to talk about? Olympic skier – how did I’ll be talking about what role that happen? money and markets play in I learnt to ski when I was just Carrying capacity driving change to green energy three years old and after that I because it is through the quickly became pretty ­ It may surprise you to learn that the term ‘carrying capacity’ actually has nothing to do ­combination of both engineering obsessive about skiing. In with how much shopping you can lug home from Tesco. Instead, it refers to and financial expertise that real 1992, I was selected to the number of organisms any given ecosystem can support. The carrying changes can be made. represent the British capacity of a rainforest, for instance, is considerably greater than that Olympic team. I may of, say, a desert. Hence, the two per cent of the Earth’s surface that What is your personal view have only finished is covered by rainforest is home to over half of all plant and animal on the future of energy? in the middle­ of species. By contrast, the world’s deserts are relatively sparsely My view, which is also the the rankings at the populated. With the human population set to break the seven billion ­reason I set up this business, is Albertville Olympics, barrier later this year, some scientists and politicians are starting to that we must inevitably change but I was certainly the worry about what the Earth’s ultimate carrying capacity could be. They from a dumb, centralised,­ highest placed manage- speculate that maybe there isn’t one; maybe technology can be used to ­insecure, high-carbon economy ment consultant! increase the Earth’s carrying capacity indefinitely. Perhaps advancements in to a more intelligent, decen- —Andrew Purcell, MSc Science GM agriculture, renewable energy or other as yet unforseen technologies will enable tralised, low-carbon economy. Communication us to support even more people on this planet. 12 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

Imperial students share their experiences of life at the College on the student bloggers website. Dual lives

Student blogger Christopher on By day, Andrew Codling works as an ICT service improvement manager, but, out of work hours getting a bit of culture: he patrols London’s streets as a special police “As students you should inspector. He speaks to Reporter about his really be utilising those Wednesday ­different roles. afternoons: once you enter the real world your employer “My role at Imperial, working in ICT, is to identify­ is highly unlikely ways of improving computers, phones or the to give you an general way teams operate. I liaise with exter- afternoon off a nal companies and then suggest ways to make week to kick a ball things more efficient. Four and a half years ago around a park. I began looking for some voluntary work to do The uniform really helps me to make Why not get some my bit in the community. I had some friends who my transition from my day job – people people together volunteered for the police react in a different way when and do something and they seemed to really they see someone in a uniform a little cultured enjoy it, so I thought I’d Every shift is and you’ve got to be aware of like visiting the give it a go myself. different – you go what’s going on around you and theatre? For a quiet “I was assigned a be more alert on the street. Wednesday matinée role as a police inspec- out on the street “I’ve developed lots of skills (or even evening) performance, you tor, which is a great never knowing that can apply in both worlds, in can buy the worst seats in the house, job. Every shift is differ- what’s going to particular dealing with people, then simply shuffle forward as the ent – you go out on the which is much harder on the show starts, saving yourself a lot of street never knowing happen” street as people who approach cash. The ushers don’t really seem to what’s going to happen. you for help are usually emo- mind or notice. In the unlikely event People can approach you asking questions from tional or distressed. The best thing that this backfires on you for some “Where’s Harrods?” to “Can you help me find my about my role is that I can do it when it reason, my condolences.” child?” We’re there to help them. We’re also used suits me. People ask why I don’t swap at major events, such as the London Marathon. careers but I like my job at the College!” www.imperial.ac.uk/campus_life/studentblogs

Creative approaches to education

This year’s Education Day, organised by ­Imperial’s Strategic Education Committee and the Educational Development Unit, will take place on 7 April. The event aims to raise the ­profile of teaching throughout the College. Dr Philip Kilner, Consultant and Reader in ­Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (NHLI) and teacher in the Science and Patient module­ of the second year undergraduate medical course, shares his view on the theme of this year’s event – the importance of embedding research in university education.

“I think embedding research memory, but I don’t sup- and contributing to their in university education is pose I’m alone in looking own and their university’s fundamental, although I back and finding that what progress. Each individual things, I studied and worked My career detour had intro- would choose slightly dif- I learned for the sake of has original discoveries and with the sculptor John duced me to ways of inquiry ferent words. I believe that passing exams has been all contributions to make. If Wilkes at Emerson­ College more enjoyable and, I think, processes of inquiry, obser- too forgetta- students learned in Sussex. He specialised in more fruitful than those I vation and experimental ble compared “Each individual only what their designing shaped surfaces had ever achieved in medi- engagement should be inte- with what I has original tutors knew, to enhance flowing water’s cal school. My ideal uni- gral to individual and group discovered discoveries and ­progress would tendencies to move rhyth- versity would be driven by processes of discovery. Con- and placed contributions to be limited. mically. Creative engage- open-minded inquiry and templative reflection should in context make” Partly through ment with form and flow creative, practical engage- also be part of the cycle. through my dissatisfaction led me back into medical ment, with opportunities for University life could be seen own inter- with what I per- research, which included the arts to challenge and as a privileged and hope- ests, inquiries­ and practical ceived as constraints, and making models to study enliven the sciences.” fully invaluable part engagement. But equally because I was drawn to fluid dynamics in relation to For more information about of a lifetime of discovery important should be the artistic work, I took a career heart surgery. I later moved Education Day visit: and engagement. question of how effectively ‘break’ after qualifying­ in to non-invasive imaging of www.imperial.ac.uk/edudev/ I may have a poor each student is engaged medicine. Amongst other the heart and circulation. events/educationday2011 13 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231 insidestory

inventor’s corner course review Virtual surgery

Dr Roger Kneebone is Reader in ­SurgicalEducation ­ (Surgery and Cancer)­ and runs the UK’s only ­Master’s course in ­Surgical Education.­ He started his career as a trauma surgeon,­ spending five years in southern Africa. On returning to the UK he worked as a GP in Wiltshire for 12 years before moving­ to Imperial in 2001. His research since the 90s has By course attendee Dr Maurice Farmer, IT focused on highly realistic medical simulations. Programme Manager (Business School)

What have you developed? Decision-Making A simulated surgical environment used to train surgeons. What did the course cover? As a project manager I have to make decisions all the time, How have you achieved this? for example, I have to work out which IT projects in the Business School should be prioritised, as we have limited With the help of Studiohead, a creative engineering resources. Sometimes these decisions are very rational design consultancy, we have developed an inflat- but sometimes they’re intuitive and based on previous able operating theatre by recreating key elements experience of similar situations. I hoped the course would of the surgical environment. The inflatable thea- guide me on the best approach to take. tre includes pop-up furniture and an overhead LED What did you learn from the course? operating lamp. There are also built-in cameras I learned a framework for making decisions and about Top: Dr Kneebone’s inflatable operating theatre. some common failures, like jumping in at the deep end, and microphones, allowing surgeons to look back Bottom: A simulation of abdominal surgery. taking shortcuts and group thinking. on recorded footage and consider how they could have done things differently. How has it been helpful to you in your role? For me, one of the most useful parts of the decision How does it work? Why does your research stand out? framework that we discussed has been implementing the first step – define the decision to be taken. This asks The pop-up surgery unit is designed to be entirely Currently there are few simulation centres you to think about what you need to decide, take a broad controlled from a laptop­ and allows a trainer to con- in the UK, all of which are very costly. The view of the issue and decide what criteria you’ll use to trol elements, such as realistic background noise or ­portable operating theatre, which inflates choose between options. It also helps you to understand the heart rate of the patient. This, alongside using in three minutes, is designed as a lower the context within which you’re making the decision and the different drivers for the decision. For example, is professional actors in the roles of patients with cost version which, when packed away, is this a reaction to something and is the original problem highly realistic prosthetics, can train surgeons how small enough to fit in the boot of a car. clearly understood? to deal with realistic­ stressful situations­ such as —Anoushka Warden, Imperial Innovations ­challenging patients or surgical teams. For more information about the course, visit: www.imperialinnovations.co.uk http://bit.ly/98xj2x

Consultancy matters

Professor David Nethercot, Head for academics working in a practical sub- established their credentials with the oil of the Department of Civil and ject like engineering. While incidental industry through consultancy projects, ­Environmental Engineering, is an conversations with funding or research can follow. active Imperial consultant. Professor people engaged Finally there is the finan- Nethercot consults on the structural in engineering are There is cial benefit– if you’ve got a framework of commercial buildings, helpful, there is nothing like being PhD student who needs a few often acting as an expert witness in nothing like being extra months of funding or high profile trials where the design involved in a real involved in a real you want to go to a confer- of a structure has been brought into piece of work. Also piece of work” ence, you’ve got the money question. He speaks to Reporter when giving lectures from your consultancy work about the benefits of consultancy to or tutorials, you can illustrate a point to use at your discretion. The so-called industry and academia. with an anecdote from your experience, Imperial Consultants’ dividend­ gives us which reinforces what you are teaching. the opportunity to spend in constructive “It seems to me that there are a num- Secondly consultancy may lead to and imaginative ways.” ber of benefits in doing this. Firstly I collaborations in the future. For example www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/consultants think that industrial relevance is vital where academics in fluid dynamics have 14 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 24 March 2011 • Issue 231

Reporter features staff who have An evening with the given many years of service­ to the ­College. Staff listed below celebrate­ ­anniversaries in the period 15–21 April.. Royal Institution Data is supplied­ by HR and is correct at the time of going to press. On 26 January, the Royal Institution of Great Britain (RI) held a fundrais- 20 years ing event. Instead of its usual Friday • Miss Carol Barlow, Experiments Manager (Physics) ­Evening Discourses on controversial • Dr Varnavas Serghides, Senior Lecturer (Aeronautics) areas of science or its Christmas Lec- ture series, for one evening only, the RI 30 years concentrated on the work the organisa- • Dr Mohammed Aslam, Clinical Vascular Scientist tion itself does to connect people with (Surgery and Cancer) the world of science. Pippa Goldenberg, who is studying for an MSc in Science Communication, describes her experi- focusing on four of the main players: ence of volunteering at the event: Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, John Tyndall and James Dewar. He talked “When I arrived at the RI, I joined the about their inventions, their personali- group of volunteers and we were shown ties and their contributions to the RI, how to make ice cream using liquid looking at them not only as scientists nitrogen to serve dur- but also as men who ing the interval. The ice made mistakes. cream was made using [He focused] The best parts of the pre-mixed lemon juice, on four of the main evening for me, however, lemon zest, sugar were the demonstrations and water which we players, looking at that interspersed Quentin combined with liquid them not only as Cooper’s talk on the RI’s nitrogen to make the scientists but also history. For example, one ice cream. The process of them showed Faraday’s looks awesome as the as men who made work with hydrogen; dry liquid nitrogen evapo- mistakes.” ice was added to water rates off really fast so and indicator solution, there is a lot of vapour. The end product showing how oceans become more is perfectly safe to eat and tastes great! acidic as more CO2 is absorbed. After setting everything up, we We had to leave early to prepare made our way over to the lecture the refreshments for the guests during ­theatre to watch the first half of the the interval. After some thorough taste Long servers’ party event. Quentin­ Cooper, from Radio testing, the guests arrived and seemed Four’s Material World programme, to really enjoy watching us make the ice On 28 February, Professor Terry Tetley, Professor of talked about the history of the RI, cream, as well as eating it!” Lung Cell Biology (NHLI), who has worked at Imperial for 30 years, attended a celebration for staff marking 25 or 30 years of service to the College in 2010. She obituaries describes her experience: “When I received my invitation it was quite shocking to aiden donnelly realise how long I have been here! But when I arrived Aiden Donnelly, Car Park Security Officer (Security Services), at the event it was good to see other members of staff I died on 7 January 2011. Nick Roalfe, Director of Facilities know and to reminisce about how we got where we are Management, pays tribute to his colleague: “Aiden was a now. It is very rewarding and gratifying to have one’s long-serving member of the Security Car Parking Team, hav- contribution to the College recognised. It has not all ing worked on the South Kensington Campus for 18 years. been easy and there have been many changes along He was a very loyal and hard-working member of the team, the way, as the Rector noted in his speech. who made many friends and was very dedicated to his work. Apparently, ‘long servers’ account for over 25 per Aiden was well-known to staff, visitors and contractors, and cent of what goes on in the College; it was good to dis- was one of the first members of the College anyone would cover that we are still a significant force! Having said see when visiting the main campus. Outside of work, Aiden was a keen fisherman that, one of the best things about being at Imperial is until his health failed him. its diversity, and working with people of all ages and “Aiden retired from Imperial due to ill health in September 2009. He will be backgrounds. The evening made me reflect on how greatly missed by his colleagues for his unique sense of humour. He is survived by much I have enjoyed doing research and teaching med- his wife Bernadette, daughter Sinead, and son David.” ical students for all these years.” Environmental Engineering Mr Thomas Lyscom, Civiland Dr Tony Lawrence, Finance Mr MatthewLaffan,Aeronautics Dr AntoniosKonitsiotis, NHLI Technology Engineering andChemical Miss JoanaKettner, Chemical Cancer Dr BeatrizJimenez,Surgery and Bioengineering Dr NathanaelJarrasse, Ms MelanieIkeh,Medicine Ms Raunaque Hasnat,Public Health Mr Torsten Medicine Hartwig, Mr Tobias Hannes,NHLI Dr JoachimHamm,Physics Engineering Mechanical Mr AttilaGajdacsi, Dr Carol Fitzgerald, Medicine Dr JonathanDusting,Chemistry Dr Lydia Durant, NHLI Mrs Katherine Dominy, Medicine Miss ArminderDeol,Public Health and Leisure Miss SophieClarke-Hackston,Sport Mrs Terezia Clarke,Engineering Clark,Library Mr Rupert Dr DesmondChow, NHLI Dr JochemCaris,Surgery andCancer Mr Tim Burnett,BusinessSchool Sciences Dr Konstantinos Bourdakos, Life Ms Sara Barnett,Medicine Dr MarkBannister, NHLI Sciences Mr Gebreselassie Asefa,Life new starters Welcome For thefullstory:http://bit.ly/i1tL rugby seenin witnessed someofthebest students, staffandguests crowd ofapproximately 1,400 home toHarlequinsRFC.A Stoop Stadium in for theJPR two 1stXVteamscompeted Varsity 2011finishedontherugby pitchasthe

www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter photo expo Williams Cupatthe Varsity history.

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24 March 2011 • Issue231

Sciences Sciences Miss Sarah Waechtler, Natural Computing Mr Marco Visentini Scarzanella, Technology Engineering andChemical Ms Irina Valtcheva, Chemical Dr Lochran Traill, LifeSciences Sciences Mr Kieran Thompson, Natural Dr Kate Tatham, Surgery andCancer Cancer Mr Richard Starkey, Surgery and Miss Rowan Stace, Engineering Dr IrinaSpulber, EEE Miss AntoniaSolomon,NHLI Environmental Engineering Dr Way Way Sim,Civiland Dr Katherine Scott,Medicine Mr Griffin Ryder, Medicine Dr Paul Rutter, Public Health Dr Vanessa Raymont, Medicine Ms SianPolley, Medicine Miss Stephanie Plant,Medicine Dr MichaelPetersen, Physics Mr JamesPatterson, Computing Health Dr Georgios Papageorgiou, Public Public Health Dr GiuseppinaOrtu, Dr AlistairNunn,Medicine Miss Komal Nayak,Medicine Public Health Ms Deborah Navarro Rosenblatt, Quality Office Mr DavidMooney, Educational Clinical Sciences Dr ChristopherMcDermott-Roe, Technology Chemical Engineeringand Miss AlikiMavromoustaki, Mr DanielMaskell,Medicine Casado,Chemistry Dr Ruth Martinez

Engineering Engineering Dr Marc Ingram, Mechanical Dr Stefan Iglauer, ESE Miss SusanHines,Medicine Mr IanHansen,Humanities Dr Vaibhav Gowadia, Computing Mr BjornGerlach,Medicine Dr JanGebauer, LifeSciences Cancer Dr Lynsey Flowerdew, Surgery and Environmental Engineering Mrs Rachel Flatt,Civiland Dr Mei-LiFang, Humanities Miss EmilyDixon,Medicine Miss Paige Daniel,Medicine Dr CharlotteCombs,Medicine Dr Karen Chu,Medicine Clinical Sciences Dr Navpreet Chhina,Instituteof and Development Mr AmirChasson,Communications Dr Wai Chan,EEE Dr SuzanneCarreira, Medicine Engineering Ms MicheleBrunton,Biomedical Dr Valerie Borel-Vannier, NHLI Mr Fabrizio Bonci,Medicine Mr Rodolphe Bernard, LifeSciences Dr MichaelBeaton,EEE Ms MandanaBaghai,Humanities Dr JohnArmitage,ESE Dr DavidAlbesa-Jove, LifeSciences Dr ErlendAasheim,Medicine moving on Farewell Mr Joseph Wright, Medicine Dr Philip Webster, ClinicalSciences

Dr Alexandra Wormit, LifeSciences Mr Tim Watts, Physics Dr Mark Wass, LifeSciences Dr JamesUprichard, Medicine Dr Jon Turney, Humanities(5years) Mr John Tovey, Physics Dr Tim Szeto, Medicine and Chemical Technology Dr SheungSo,ChemicalEngineering Miss HarrietSmith,Accommodation Dr Vikas Sharma,ClinicalSciences Policy Saunders,Environmental Mr Robert Mr Richard Ritchie,BusinessSchool Miss Dovile Rickeviciute,Catering Mrs Alexandra Potier, Humanities Policy Dr Yvonne Pinto,Environmental Dr MatthewParsons, Bioengineering Dr JosephParker, LifeSciences Mechanical Engineering Mr Tassanai Parittotokkaporn, Dr JulienPansiot, Computing Cancer Mr Kieran O’Donnell,Surgery and (5 years) Mr Tawanda Nyabango,Estates (8 years) Dr HajimeNiwa,LifeSciences (13 years) Mr JamesMilsome,Estates (8 years) Mr Steven Michael, Security Services Institute Miss Kay McNamee,Kennedy Mr JanMarchant, LifeSciences Mr BruceMachan,Catering Miss Rui Li,Bioengineering This data is supplied by HR and­ This dataissuppliedby HR ­correct atthetimeofgoingtopress. period 15February –6March. This datawas Contact EmilyRoss: reporter and onlineatwww.imperial.ac.uk/ three weeks duringtermtimeinprint ispublishedevery is 14April.Reporter the College. The nextpublicationday We welcome contributionsfrom across S speak out

tory ideas? ideas? tory

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moving in. moving on. for complete details: events highlights www.imperial.ac.uk/events 24 March 2011

take note

29 March • Talk of activity that is needed if the world is to see greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector Championing Global trends in clean peak by 2020. In the Energy Futures Lab Annual energy investment Lecture, Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of postdocs Bloomberg New Energy Finance, looks at the flow In 2010, global investment in clean energy of money into the sector. The Postdoc Development Centre is looking shrugged off the recession and soared 30 per for academic champions – staff appointed to cent to a record $243 billion. This is nearly five Read an interview with Michael on page 10 promote transferable skills development for times the level of 2004 and halfway to the volume of this issue. postdocs within their departments. Functioning as a conduit between postdocs and the academic community, champions also help 7 April • Course education’ and Professor David Radcliffe, Kamyar to ensure continuity in information given to Haghighi Head of the School of Engineering postdocs by their departments. Education Day 2011 Education at Purdue University, Indiana, USA, will be opening the day. Dr Jonathan Leape, Director Education Day aims to raise the profile of teaching of the LSE100 course at the London School of throughout the College, bringing together staff Economics, will also be a keynote speaker. The day to discuss ideas and practice, and to honour will conclude with the presentation of the College outstanding teachers from across the College. This Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Pastoral Care year’s theme is ‘Embedding research in university and Research Supervision. For more information, contact: [email protected]

meet the 24 March • Music 30 March • Seminar 7 April • Talk reader Lunchtime Immune memory to viral infections Surgical concert Professor Rafi Ahmed, Director, Emory innovator and Schubert Ensemble Vaccine Centre, Atlanta, USA educator of London Inaugural lecture by Professor Nigel 31 March • Seminar Standfield (Surgery and Cancer) 24 March • Talk Extreme weather events How I learned to love laminin Workshop hosted by the Business School Inaugural lecture by Professor Erhard 12 April • Talk Hohenester (Cell and Molecular Biology) 31 March • Talk High velocity incubation Public Panellists include Dr Nick Leon, Director of 29 March •Talk engagement with Design London St Mary’s campus meeting science Dr Alice Bell Professor Sir Anthony Newman Taylor, 13 April • Talk (Graduate Schools) Principal of the Faculty of Medicine Hammersmith campus meeting Peter Pesl, Research Assistant Professor Sir Anthony Newman Taylor, (Electrical and Electronic 29 March • Workshop 5 April • Talk Principal of the Faculty of Medicine Engineering) Chemical Images of tribology Engineering PhD Inaugural lecture by Professor Andrew 16 June • Seminar What are you doing in the picture? Symposium Olver (Mechanical Engineering) Integrating I’m at the ExCeL Centre in East London for the Professor Sir Bill infection NHS Healthcare Innovation Expo 2011, where, Wakeham, former prevention into with my colleagues, I presented technology 5 April • Workshop used in our artificial pancreas project. We Deputy Rector of healthcare use a bio-inspired approach to develop an Imperial The future of automated container delivery terminals automatic system that senses glucose and Annual Scientific delivers insulin to Type 1 diabetics. Hosted by the Port Operations Research Meeting of the National Centre for and Technology Centre at Imperial Infection Prevention and Management What would you do if you were the editor of Reporter for a day? I would create a special sports edition, as I love doing outdoor sports. I recently participated in the Hyde Park Relays, which is an annual relay running event organised by the Imperial College Cross Country Club.

Who would be your cover star? I would put the guys from the cafeteria at the EEE Building on the front cover. They are always having fun which creates a great atmosphere. And they make excellent coffee! 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 email: [email protected] copy of Reporter in your location of choice to: [email protected]

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