Issue 260 ▸ 16 May 2013 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community

Festival for all Festival-goers share their experiences of Imperial’s big weekend → centre pages

CAUTION: GOOD FELLOWS COLLEGE CONTENTS HOT! Royal Society COMMUTE Researchers Fellowships Examining take a look awarded to the travelling beneath the three Imperial habits of staff Earth’s crust scientists at College PAGE 6 PAGE 3 PAGE 10 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

Milestone for tropical disease campaign

A charitable organisation based at ments they have delivered has Imperial has given out its 100 mil- passed 100 million. EDITOR’S CORNER lionth treatment for a debilitating SCI’s Director, Professor Alan tropical disease. Fenwick (School of Public Health), said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve reached Celebration The Schistosomiasis Control Initia- this milestone and so proud of what tive (SCI) was established in 2002 to we’ve achieved so far, but there These last couple of weeks bring treatments to the poorest pop- are still too many children who are the Reporter inbox has ulations in Africa. Also known as bil- worms in the body. affected by diseases that can eas- been full to the brim with harzia or snail fever, schistosomiasis Over the last 11 years, SCI has ily be treated. We hope to be able to awards, exciting events is caused by a parasitic worm that helped ministries of health and edu- eliminate schistosomiasis in at least and news. Three members lives and breeds in blood vessels cation in 16 countries to map the some countries by 2020.” of staff have received causing malnutrition, anaemia and distribution of the disease and offer —SAM WONG, COMMUNICATIONS AND arguably the highest long-term effects on the bladder wall treatments to people infected, espe- PUBLIC AFFAIRS accolade that scientists in and the liver. Praziquantel, a medi- cially school-aged children. This For information and donations visit: this country can achieve cine taken as a tablet, kills adult month, the total number of treat- bit.ly/9xhpTv in becoming Fellows of the Royal Society (page 3). Among them one of our most prominent female scientists: Joanna Haigh, Business and academic Head of the Department of Physics. leaders honoured The College has worked hard to ensure a level alongside postgraduates playing field for women in research and this was Students and guests from reflected in an institution- more than 100 countries Imperial Car Club wide silver Athena SWAN gathered on 1 May for the award (page 3). 2013 Postgraduate Grad- launched! The theme of celebration uation Ceremonies. continued with an unusually sunny In the largest graduation Staff and students can now access three Postgraduate Graduation event for postgraduates low emission cars following the launch of Ceremonies (page 2 in the College’s his- Imperial Car Club yesterday. The cars can and page 13) followed tory, 2,600 graduands received their degrees in front of 5,000 be used for business or leisure on a pay-as- by the second Imperial friends, family and supporters, over three ceremonies in the you-go basis at a rate £4.50 an hour. Festival. Now, I witnessed Royal Albert Hall. some of the hard work President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions told the graduands: and preparation that “As individuals you might think that your own efforts are a mere For further details and price information: hundreds of staff had drop in the ocean, but the impact that 2,600 of you graduating bit.ly/18tm6z0 put in for months today will have on the world will be enormous.” beforehand, so I expected Alongside the postgraduates, honorary doctorates were or email Victoria Stanger, Strategic ­Purchasing it to be a noteworthy conferred on renowned industrialist Sir John Parker, pioneering Advisor: [email protected] event. However, I wasn’t engineer Professor Dame Ann Dowling, leader in higher educa- quite ready for what an tion and statistics Professor Sir Adrian Smith and distinguished incredible spectacle it mathematician Professor Tim Pedley. turned out to be. But don’t At the ceremonies, Imperial College Medals were awarded to take my word for it — turn three people who have made an exceptional contribution to the to the centre pages to find College: economist and former Principal of the Business School out what festival-goers Professor David Begg; alumnus and chairman of Friends of thought (pages 9–10). Imperial College Roderick Rhys Jones (Civil Engineering 1964); ANDREW CZYZEWSKI, ACTING EDITOR and founder of the Pimlico Connection student-pupil mentoring programme Emeritus Professor Sinclair Goodlad (Electrical and Reporter is published every three weeks during Electronic Engineering). term time in print and online. Mr Rhys Jones said of the award: “The College is such a pow- The next publication day erhouse of energy, ambition and scientific progress that it is is 6 June. a privilege to be involved in helping to showcase its achieve- Contact Andrew Czyzewski: [email protected] ments to the public.” — ANDREW SCHEUBER, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 >> newsupdate

Women in science awards Haigh, Bloom and Darzi The College has been granted silver Athena SWAN status, one of become Royal Society Fellows only three universities to have ever received an institution-wide award of this level. Two departments also earned bronze awards. An atmospheric physicist, an expert in the treat- ment of diabetes and obesity, and a pioneering The awards recognise Imperial’s successful development of robotic surgeon have joined the ranks of the UK’s employment practices that further and support the careers of most pre-eminent scientists as part of the 2013 women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine. election of 44 new Fellows of the Royal Society. President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions said: “This is the result of a serious long-term commitment to gender equality at every Professor Joanna Haigh (Physics), Professor level in the College. Our Departments of Mathematics and Medi- Sir Steve Bloom (Medicine), and Professor the cine deserve special commendation for achieving departmental Lord Darzi of Denham (Surgery and Cancer) are bronze awards. recognised for their contributions to science “If we are to fulfil our potential as a global leader in science, and are now permitted to use the letters FRS we must continue to eliminate obstacles to career progression after their name. and create new opportunities for women.” Professor Haigh’s research contributes Professor Dot Griffiths, Chair to the understanding of climate variability by of Imperial’s Academic Opportu- examining how the Sun’s radiation is absorbed We must nities Committee, said: in the atmosphere. continue to “The Athena SWAN commit- “I am delighted to have been given this hon- tee has rightly recognised how far our,” said Professor Haigh. “I happily acknowl- eliminate Imperial has gone in levelling the edge the inspiration provided by colleagues and obstacles to career playing field. students, and also the practical support provided progression and “These awards help focus our by senior academic staff, administrative staff minds on removing barriers, spot- (and the Early Years Education Centre!), that have create new ting opportunities and improving enabled me to develop my career to this point.” opportunities our understanding of the issues Professor Bloom, a physician with a par- for women” around women in science. ticular interest in endocrinology, commented: “Gender equality requires “It is a very pleasing honour for the entire team hard work on a day-to-day basis. We intend to keep this up and who have worked together over many years. The build on Imperial’s significant progress.” world pandemic of obesity causes great suffer- In conferring the award, the Athena SWAN panel were par- ing, so there is much for us yet to do.” ticularly impressed by initiatives including the prizes in every Lord Darzi holds the Paul Hamlyn Chair of department named after distinguished Imperial female scientists, Top to bottom; Professors Surgery at Imperial and is an Honorary Consultant the College’s annual Athena Lecture and networking event, the Joanna Haigh, Sir Steve Surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust annual dinner for all academic women, lunches for all promoted Bloom and Lord Darzi and the Royal Marsden NHS Trust Hospitals. women, receptions for all new award holders and the Imperial “I am truly honoured and delighted to be women’s portrait series. elected Fellow of the Royal Society,” he said. Each Imperial faculty has a committee devoted to discussing “It is humbling to be amongst a group of such distinguished peers. I issues around – and taking action on – the recruitment, retention would like to thank my many colleagues for their help and support in all and promotion of academic women. my endeavours.” —ANDREW SCHEUBER, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS —SIMON LEVEY, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Alumni Sir Mark returns as Imperial delegation lounge Honorary Distin- in China The last time we opens guished Professor President & Rector Sir Keith saw similar levels of Alumni visit- Professor Sir Mark Walport O’Nions is leading a delega- CO2 in the atmosphere in brief ing the College has accepted appointment tion to China this week, where can now drop as an Honorary Distin- Professors Jianguo Lin, Yike was about 4.5 million by and relax in guished Professor of Medi- Guo and David Gann are deliv- years ago when the the new Alumni cine at the College. The ering lectures to alumni in Bei- Visitor Centre, appointment is for the jing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. world was warmer on near the Main Entrance of South Kensington Cam- duration of Sir Mark’s role At the Beijing event on 13 May, average by three or four pus. Opened on 29 April, it offers visiting alumni a as the government’s Chief Imperial alumnus and President degrees Celsius.” lounge, and a room with an LCD screen for presen- Scientific Adviser. Sir Mark of Tsinghua University Profes- tations and videos that may be booked for alumni had been the Director of sor Chen Jining said: “This is Sir PROFESSOR SIR BRIAN HOSKINS, DIRECTOR Keith’s third official trip, dem- OF THE GRANTHAM INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE meetings. Facilities include complimentary tea, the Wellcome Trust since CHANGE, COMMENTING ON NEWS FROM THE coffee and cold drinks, free Wi-Fi, newspapers and 2003, and before that he onstrating that Imperial really MAUNA LAO OBSERVATORY IN HAWAII THAT magazines, information about the College, as well was Professor of Medicine cares about China. This rela- THE CONCENTRATION OF CO2 GAS IN THE ATMOSPHERE PASSED 400PPM. as a left luggage facility. and Head of the Division of tionship is good for Imperial, Medicine at the College. China and the world.” 4 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

Creative curriculums Staff complete disability explored at leadership course Education Day April. As well as face-to-face sessions, other programme requirements included written International insights, innovative assignments and group work. teaching and the student perspective Participants invited their managers to the were all on the agenda at this year’s final session on 29 April where they heard per- Education Day on 22 April. sonal testimonies about the positive impact that Calibre has had. Over 150 staff were joined by Imperial Lucca Da Silva Junior (Security Services), College Union representation, head- Campus Receptionist, was among those to teachers and speakers from both the successfully complete the programme: “Not College and as far away as Singapore. only did I learn a lot from the course, I learnt a Professor Debra Humphris, Pro Rec- lot from other people taking part. Calibre has tor (Education) and Professor Andrew Imperial has become the first institution in helped me enormously, both professionally George, Director of the Graduate the higher education sector to run a unique and personally, and I would recommend it to School and the School of Professional development course designed for people with anyone at the College who may benefit.” Development, welcomed guests to the disabilities. Bernadette Gahan (Medicine), Library annual event, now in its sixth year. Assistant, also took part and said that the “Education, along with research The Calibre Leadership Programme is designed course provided: “A respectful and confidential is the core business of Imperial and to build the leadership skills of staff with dis- environment in which I felt safe to grow.” our annual Education Day provides a abilities and is also open to staff from other —LUCY HANDFORD, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS focal point in the academic year,” she universities. For more information, visit the Equality and Diversity said. “The event offers a chance for Twelve participants attended a series of pages: bit.ly/YZ99qf or contact Leyla Okhai, Staff staff from across the College to come interactive workshops between January and Disabilities Adviser: [email protected] together to share good practice and discuss ideas, as “The event well as to hear offers a chance the contribu- for staff to tions of invited come together speakers.” New frontiers to share good The speakers practice and offered insights The Department of Physics, NASA and the discuss ideas” on designing US Embassy joined forces last month to creative curricu- give school students an insight into space lums from a range of perspectives. Dr research. Eryl Price-Davies (Professional Devel- opment) talked about Imperial Hori- The Women in Space Science, Technology, zons, which provides courses ranging and Engineering event on 18 April was aimed from business and professional skills at students in Years 10 to 12 who are already to humanities and social sciences studying, or considering studying A Level that students can study alongside Physics – particularly female students, who their degree. Professor Peter Childs are under-represented in the subject. (Mechanical Engineering) presented High profile female space scientists and Year 12 student, Elizabeth, from work by students on the Master’s engineers, including Nagin Cox from NASA’s St Michael’s School in Finchley, was one of course in Global Innovation Design run Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Professor 200 students who came to the event. “I espe- with the Royal College of Art. Michele Dougherty (Physics) talked about cially liked Michele’s talk about how mag- Dr Anita Hall (Life Sciences), a sen- their careers and what it’s like to explore Mars netometry could be used to try and discover ior teaching fellow attending the event, and Saturn. and learn things about planets and moons.” said: “Education Day gave me the per- Nagin, a spacecraft systems engineer, dis- Asked if she might consider a future career fect opportunity to set aside some time cussed her work on the $2.5 billion robotic in physics, Elizabeth said: “I didn’t realise to think about my teaching and how rover Curiosity which touched down on Mars there was quite so much still to discover in best to improve it. I learnt about imagi- in August last year. “That’s about as exciting space. There are so many different ways we native, enjoyable ways to engage stu- as it gets for a robotic mission,” she said. can go into it, so there’s a lot more options dents and met some new educator Professor Dougherty gave a presentation to consider. colleagues and friends.” on the Cassini spacecraft mission to Saturn, —LUCY HANDFORD, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS —LUCY HANDFORD, COMMUNICATIONS AND noting that she first glimpsed the planet from PUBLIC AFFAIRS Read more about events run by the Physics Outreach her father’s telescope, aged 12. Office:bit.ly/P9sHso 5 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 >> newsupdate

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST media mentions for regular news alerts: www. —MAXINE MYERS, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS imperial.ac.uk/media/jointsignup

the observer 27.04.2013 Gene therapy offers Born in the water? ▸ All three graduated in Electrical and new lease of life Electronic Engineering in 2010. the independent ▸ 30.04.2013 One of the most controversial ideas about human evolution is that our species arose as ‘amphibious apes’; losing our fur, starting to walk upright and developing big brains because we Lies, damn lies and GDP took to living the good life by the water’s edge. The theory’s financial times ▸ 27.4.2013 supporters argue that our brain biochemistry is also revealing. “Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found in large amounts in seafood,” said Dr Michael Crawford is due to revise the way the national (Medicine). “It boosts brain growth in mammals. That is why accounts are calculated – in particular a dolphin has a much bigger brain than a zebra, though they gross domestic product (GDP). This have roughly the same body sizes. Without a high DHA diet raises the possibility that the chancellor from seafood we could not have developed our big brains.” might find a ‘triple dip’ reinserted into The first attempt in Britain to treat heart the figures or, if things go better, the failure patients with gene therapy is to current ‘double-dip’ recession washed begin within weeks, as part of a study away, according to the Financial Times. aimed at improving the lives of up to Electrifying Africa Professor Jonathan Haskel (Business a million people in the UK who suffer the sunday telegraph ▸ 28.04.2013 School), who has helped the ONS with this debilitating and potentially fatal thinking on research and development, condition. “Once heart failure starts, it Imperial alumni Chris Baker-Brian, Mansoor Hamayun and told the newspaper. “The R&D numbers progresses into a vicious cycle where Laurent Van Houcke developed the core technology for their have stayed relatively robust over the the pumping becomes weaker and business, BBOXX – linking solar panels to a battery pack recession so that suggests you will get weaker, as each heart cell simply cannot capable of powering a space up to the size of a small office – some effect on growth,” adding that respond to the increased demand,” said when they were students at Imperial, The Sunday Telegraph if the ONS took a comprehensive view Dr Alexander Lyon (NHLI), a consultant reported. “At the end of university, we had all this knowledge of intangible investment including cardiologist at Royal Brompton Campus and thought we could use it to improve electrification rates in design and branding, Britain’s growth speaking to The Independent. Africa,’ says Mr Baker-Brian. BBOXX has opened a joint-venture in 2011 and 2012 could be revised 0.5 factory in China and signed its first franchisee in DR Congo. percentage points a year higher.

awards and Swanton, Environmental Officer their community. Mr Akhtar will be honours (both Estates). undertaking a project where he will visit centres of excellence in ENGINEERING orthopaedic surgery in the USA. ESTATES Prestigious grant to EcoCampus silver help tackle obesity NATURAL SCIENCES Space leadership roles The College has won a silver A project to create an implant to for academics EcoCampus award for its work in reduce appetite in obese patients establishing an environmental received a new Synergy Grant MEDICINE The UK Space Agency has policy and system for managing from the European Research Medic wins Winston appointed two researchers from and monitoring environmental Council. The project at Imperial Churchill fellowship the College to head two sepa- performance. The EcoCampus is one of two at the College, and rate advisory committees. Profes- scheme was set up by HEFCE in only 11 across the entire Euro- Mr Kash Akhtar (Surgery and sor Michele Dougherty (Physics) 2005 as a way to limit the higher pean Union, to receive this fund- Cancer), a clinical lecturer in will chair the Science Programme education sector’s impact on the ing. Professor Sir Stephen Bloom trauma and orthopaedic surgery, Advisory Committee from 1 June, environment. It is a four-stage (Medicine) and Professor Chris has won a travelling fellowship advising the agency on indus- award process that eventually Toumazou (Bioengineering) have from the Winston Churchill try and potential spin-offs, sci- leads to ISO 14001 certification been awarded over €7 million for Memorial Trust. These awards are ence and society, and education in environmental management. the i2MOVE (intelligent implant- to given to British citizens from and skills. Professor Mark Seph- The project is managed by able modulator of vagus nerve all walks of life to travel overseas ton (Earth Science and Engineer- Sara Muir, Head of Energy function for treatment of obesity) and bring back knowledge and ing) chairs the Space Exploration and Environment, and Helen project. best practice for the benefit of Advisory Committee from 6 May. 6 >> scienceroundup www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

Getting under the skin of Africa Seismologists have created an accurate three-dimensional map Plate tectonics of the Earth’s structure 400 kilo- The Earth’s crust is divided metres below the Afar Depression into different sections called in East Africa. tectonic plates. These massive sheets of rock are The research could help to bet- continually being pushed around by movements in ter understand how the Earth is the mantle, shifting at a reshaping at this dynamic region glacial pace, millimetre by where two tectonic plates are millimetre, reshaping the pulling away from one another. Earth’s surface over millions of years. In regions such as In a few million years’ time this Asia, these plates slowly process will cause Africa to split collide, pushing upwards in two, creating an entirely new to form the Himalayas. The ocean and a continent. movement causes large earthquakes such as that “We call this process con- seen recently in China. In tinental breakup and the Afar other places like Africa, the Depression is the only place in plates move apart, breaking the world on land where we can up the continent. In East Africa, hot material rising study the final part of this pro- uses X-rays, we use these sound down and come out of the bottom from the interior of the Earth cess, which is really unique,” waves to build up 3D images of of the box. Well, the molten rock is responsible for Africa’s said lead researcher Dr James the Earth’s structure below the in the Earth does a similar thing unusually high elevation, which is on average 1.5 Hammond (Earth Science and surface. but, in this case, the molten rock kilometres above sea level. Engineering). They found that below the Afar is less dense than the surround- The process also controls Dr Hammond’s team used Depression molten rock is present ing rock and so it travels up along how oil is formed in East seismometers deployed across in small amounts and can work its small gaps in the rock to the sur- African river basins and is a vital factor in modelling way through the rock to the sur- face where it eventually erupts at East Africa to record earthquakes how sea-levels will change, from all over the world. Energy face, as Hammond explains. one of the numerous volcanoes in affecting our climate. from these earthquakes trav- “Imagine a box with sand in the region.” els through the Earth as sound it. If you poured water into the —COLIN SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS AND waves and, much like a doctor sand, it would slowly work its way PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Antarctica’s transition to ice world revealed The emergence of mammals, such as whales Engineering), who carried out the initial chemi- and penguins, and the ecosystem of Antarctica cal analysis on the core samples, said: “This can be traced back to when it was transformed is a pivotal moment in Antarctica’s history as into an icy world approximately 33.5 million it moves away from being a warm subtropical years ago, according to new research. world to a frigid cold world. The final step of this transition happened quite abruptly and had a An international team, led by Utrecht University major impact on the ecosystem.” and including researchers from Imperial, trav- Notably, the researchers analysed fossilised elled to Antarctica on a research ship as part of microscopic marine plankton called dinoflagel- the Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme, taking lates in the sediment cores. sediment cores from the sea floor. “We believe that the sudden change in the Previous studies carried out by the team on ecosystem of the Antarctic waters, as indicated these cores revealed that subtropical plants by the sudden appearance and dominance of covered Antarctica approximately 53 million these dinoflagellate species, was connected years ago. In this new study, the team focused with the development of sea-ice conditions,” on a segment of the core that shows a time in said study author Sander Houben of Utrecht Antarctic history 20 million years later. It shows University. “This was not only critical for climate, the climate gradually cooling until large ice but also for biology. Larger sea animals proba- sheets appear approximately 33.5 million bly adapted their diet because the algal growth years ago. season became shorter and more intense,” Dr Tina Van De Flierdt (Earth Science and —COLIN SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 7 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 >> scienceroundup

Sugary drinks carry diabetes risk

Drinking one extra sugar-sweetened soft was not associated with diabe- drink a day can increase a person’s risk of tes risk. developing type 2 diabetes by 22 per cent, a A meta-analysis of previous new study suggests. studies, mainly in North America, found a 25 per cent increased risk The findings come from a study led by of type 2 diabetes for each daily Dr Dora Romaguera (Public Health) looking sugar-sweetened drink. at consumption of juices, sugar-sweetened “The increase in risk of type 2 soft drinks and artificially sweetened soft diabetes among sugar-sweetened drinks in 350,000 people in eight European soft drink consumers in Europe is countries. similar to that found in studies in They found that each 336ml sugar- North America,” said Dr Romaguera. sweetened soft drink – roughly one can “Given that people are drink- – per day increased the risk of type 2 dia- ing more and more sugary drinks in betes by 22 per cent. This increase in risk Europe, we need to give out clear mes- fell slightly to 18 per cent after accounting sages about their harmful effects.” for total energy intake and body mass index —SAM WONG, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS (BMI), suggesting that the effect of sugar- sweetened soft drink on diabetes is not purely down to body weight. Type 2 diabetes People who drank more artificially Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. People with sweetened soft drinks were also more likely type 1 diabetes aren’t able to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes, to get type 2 diabetes, but this association which is much more common, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it doesn’t respond properly appeared to be because participants with to insulin. Diabetes can’t be cured, but treatments can help patients to control their blood sugar levels. If a higher BMI tend to drink more artificially it goes untreated, high blood sugar can damage nerves, blood vessels and organs, potentially leading to blindness, kidney disease or foot ulcers. Type 2 diabetes is most likely to develop in people over 40. People sweetened drinks and are also more likely to who are overweight or obese have a higher risk, as do people from South Asian, African-Caribbean or develop diabetes. Middle Eastern ethnic backgrounds. Eating healthily and exercising can reduce your risk of developing type Drinking pure fruit juice or nectar 2 diabetes. (diluted juices, sometimes with additives)

Growing galaxies

Astronomers have discovered an star formation rates astronomers have extremely distant galaxy that is seen; over two thousand times faster than expanding by more than 2,000 new our own galaxy, the Milky Way. stars each year. According to current theories of galaxy evolution, galaxies as massive as HFLS3 This is the most active that astronomers should not be present so soon after the have seen a young galaxy less than a bil- Big Bang. lion years old and, since this discovery, Even at its young age of 880 million they are rethinking some fundamental years, HFLS3 is already close to the mass ideas about how galaxies form and evolve. of the Milky Way, with a mass of stars and The newly discovered galaxy, known star-forming material roughly 140 billion as HFLS3, appears as a faint red smudge times that of our sun. in images from the European Space Agen- “With these observations, Herschel cy’s (ESA) Herschel space observatory. In has found a rare example of a galaxy reality, this represents the activities of a bursting with stars at a time in cosmic his- star-building ‘factory’, which is transform- tory when there were very few such galax- ing gas and dust into new stars. ies,” says Göran Pilbratt, ESA’s Herschel “This particular galaxy got our atten- project scientist. tion because it was bright and yet very The team is continuing to comb the red, compared to others like it,” enormous dataset from Herschel looking “Herschel has found a says Herschel researcher, Dr Dave for more examples of such extreme early rare example of a galaxy Clements (Physics). galaxies. bursting with stars” HFLS3 has one of the highest —SIMON LEVEY, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 8 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 Festival for all

A look at the recent Imperial Festival in the words of those who came along

Over 10,000 people descended on South Kens- and Helen Keen] which was great. You wouldn’t ington Campus on Friday 3 May and Saturday have thought comedy and science would mix, 4 May for the second annual Imperial Festi- but there were some funny gags!” val. Visitors were treated to an exciting array of talks, performances and activities – all made DAVID ▸ CREATURE FEATURE possible by the efforts of around 400 research- “There are two reasons why I’m ers and staff from support services. Reporter here: firstly both my kids have chatted with festival-goers around the site over got an interest in science, the two days, and asked them how they ended and secondly my dad came to up here and what they enjoyed most of all. Imperial in the 50s and is here at an alumni reunion. I basi- View of the people cally thought it’s a good way of seeing the grandparents without NATASHA ▸ MYSTERIES OF THE MIND being bored! I’m very impressed with the whole “I took science very early on thing – the interactive nature of it. I’m interested then went into psychology – in science myself but in a slightly damaged way; working as a psychoanalyst my dad always wanted me to be a scientist but for the NHS for 30 years. I I wasn’t very good at it and so I did arts sub- was talking to the research- jects instead. And now later in life I’ve found a ers at the neuroscience stand repressed interest has come upon me, particu- – it seems the brain is still a larly in physics. For me though it always felt like complete mystery! They’re mak- a chore, for the kids it’s much livelier. They par- ing strides in understanding with things like ticularly liked the zoology [Activity Tent] where brain imaging and MRI though; also the brain you could hold lizards and snakes but people tissue work with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and are actually on hand to tell you how the animals MS is really important. I’ve actually been most function. The pop-up surgery [with Professor surprised by the engineering; there are so many Roger Kneebone] was also good; although we different fields it crosses into now – for exam- were a bit disappointed it wasn’t a real person!” ple the way they design those twisted stents for artery disease so the blood doesn’t clot.” LAWRENCE ▸ RACING GREEN “My wife and I were passing by, SHANE AND JESSICA ▸ COMEDY CAPERS and since I’m interested in sci- “We tend to go to a lot of events ence, scientific inventions and like this in the summer, but we research, we decided to pop hadn’t heard of Imperial Fes- in and have a look at what tival so we thought we’d drop you’re doing. I was particu- by after work. We’re both sec- larly interested in the electric ondary school teachers in motorcycle [Racing Green] since I South London: I’m an English ride motorbikes myself. I think the situation with teacher and Jessica is a history electric bikes is similar to electric cars in that teacher, so we’ve not got any particular scien- there has to be improvements to the battery and tific knowledge – but there are plenty of things weight, and that’s particularly crucial on a motor- here to cater for the more casual observer. In bike which relies on its light weight and agility. fact we’ve just been to the Science Comedy Col- But that can be refined and worked on and that’s lider [with alumni Helen Arney and Adam Kay, obviously what they’re working on here.”

Festival stalls sold over 3,000 meals and drinks. Proceeds from the sale of more than 160 Imperial T-shirts are going to the Rector’s Scholarship Fund. 9 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 >> featurefocus

AMIR AND TARIQ ▸ MEDICAL FUTURE you work and what goes on here. So far, we’ve Amir (left): “I think we saw the done the Reach Out Lab where we made some advert in ShortList or Time Out wiggly polymer worms; we’ve held a gecko and decided to check it out. and a bearded dragon and stroked a toad. It’s Being a science teacher I’ve almost too popular this year; there are so many always had a keen interest in people here.” the subject, but I’m actually changing career now, I’m start- Alumni ing medical school, so to see all the medical research in the tent here is great Dr Ponnampalam Linkeshwaran (Civil and too. The chemical photography stand was really Environmental Engineering 1998) ▸ LIFE ON MARS interesting, looking at how to design drug coat- “It was an interesting talk [by ings so that you can take your tablets in the Professor Sanjeev Gupta]. morning and they slowly release during the day. We’ve read about the Mars Maybe that’ll be ready when I’m a doctor!” Rover in the news obviously, Tariq (right): “I’m more interested in physics, but I wasn’t aware that the really far-out stuff like string theory, so there Imperial was involved. The was something here on the physics of plasmas researcher here seems to be at and how hot gases behave in the universe.” the heart of the mission, which is great. I think missions like that really capture Imperial family – Staff the public’s imagination and also engage the younger generation. I think we’re going to take Sara Budinis (Chemical Engineering) and Maria the kids to the lab now to make some of those Barrera-Medrano (Mechanical Engineering), polymer worms!” Early-stage researchers ▸ LEARNING CURVE “We’ve come along on Saturday William Wong (Management School 1998) just to experience the festival ▸ MAKING CONNECTIONS but also hopefully to pick up “I just was blown away that you A record-breaking some ideas – we’re working can walk through this huge on a European project called marquee sitting on the 1,300 alumni and Energy SmartOps and our Queen’s Lawn and see the guests registered funders have asked us to look for output of so many depart- for the Alumni ways to communicate our research ments. I noticed that the Reunion and think of activities for families. It’s interesting students and researchers at to see how everything is interactive – you can the stands share one key thing: touch things and do simple experiments; I think they’re very enthusiastic about their work and that’s the key point. Maybe next year it’ll be us they’re really good ambassadors for the Col- presenting something – let’s see!” lege, doing public engagement on the front line. They’re good at explaining rather Simon Hepworth, Director of Corporate abstract, complex things. For the alumni Partnerships ▸ FAMILY AFFAIR [at the Reunion] it’s also great for networking “We were here last year as well, and meeting people – the badges are really and we knew it was a good day quite useful as an ice-breaker; in Britain out. It’s also a good opportunity we are still rather reluctant at approaching to show the whole family where people, I think!”

“It made me very proud to see staff and students representing every single academic department, engaging with thousands of visitors in imaginative ways,” Sir Keith O’Nions, President & Rector 10 >> featurefocus www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

Your travelling habits

— SARA MUIR (ESTATES), HEAD OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Staff and students were invited to complete the Energy and Environment team’s travel surveys in February 2013 with over 1,800 people contributing. The surveys give a picture of how staff and students travel to work and help the College to understand where changes and improvements to services are needed and whether current travel initiatives are effective. Following the 2012 survey we increased the number of bicycle parking spaces and introduced a trial bicycle pool scheme. The surveys also provide the data required to report travel statistics to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). From 2014 HESA will be requesting information on the College’s “Scope 3” carbon emissions – which encompasses emissions that organisations produce, but aren’t necessarily controlled by them, such as travel, supply chain procurement, waste and water.

London How do you travel to work? The percentage of Imperial sta How do you travelCar/motorcycle/taxi to work? 8% living in London is 74.4% ENFIELD Bus 12.6% Where do you live? Rail Rail 28% 28% South West London Underground 26% Inner: (Wandsworth and Lambeth) 14.8% UndergroundCycle 13% 26% Outer: (Hounslow, Richmond upon 8.3% Walk 13% BARNET Thames, Kingston upon Thames, London Bicycle 13% Merton and Sutton) Walk Cost of daily 1commute3% HARROW How do you travel to work? WALTHAM Free 15% The HARINGEYpercentage of Imperial sta REDBRIDGE West London FOREST HAVERING Bus Less than 12.6% £2.00 5% Car/motorcycle/taxi 8% Inner: (Hammersmith & Fulham, 17.6% Bus 12.6% HILLINGDON living in London is 74.4% £2.01-£5.00 22% ENFIELD Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster) Car/motorbike/taxi£5.01-£10.00 8% 29% Rail 28% ISLINGTON Outer: (Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing, Brent) 5.1% More than £10.00 30% Underground 26% BRENT South West LondonHACKNEY CAMDENInner: (Wandsworth and Lambeth) 14.8% Cycle 13% North London BARKING & Outer: (Hounslow, Richmond upon 8.3% Walk 13% Inner: (Camden, Islington and Hackney): 5.5% DAGENHAM BARNET WESTMINSTER Outer: (Barnet, En‘eld, Haringey and 3.0% Thames, Kingston uponTOWER Thames, NEWHAM How many days a week KENSINGTON & HAMLETS Waltham Forest) EALING Merton andCITY Sutton) How many daysdo ayou week normally do travel Cost of daily commute HAMMERSMITH HARROW CHELSEA to a College site? HARINGEY WALTHAM Free 15%

City of London 0.8% SOUTHWARK you travel to a College site? REDBRIDGE & FULHAM West London 0-2 days per week 2.8% FOREST HAVERING Less than £2.00 5% Inner: (Hammersmith & Fulham, 17.6% 3-4 days 15.8% £2.01-£5.00 22% East London GREENWICH HILLINGDON 0–2 days per week 2.8% Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster) days5 78% £5.01-£10.00 29% Inner: (Tower Hamlets and Newham): 3.9% HOUNSLOW 6-7 days 3.8% ISLINGTON RICHMOND Outer: (Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing, Brent) 5.1% 3–4 days 15.8% More than £10.00 30% Outer: (Redbridge, Barking 2.9% LAMBETH BEXLEY BRENT HACKNEY & Dagenham and Havering) UPON 5 days CAMDEN78% THAMES WANDSWORTHNorth London Are you able to BARKING & LEWISHAM DAGENHAM RICHMOND Inner: (Camden, Islington and Hackney): 5.5% 6–7 days work from home?3.8% South East London WESTMINSTER Yes 66% TOWER NEWHAM How many days a week Inner: (Southwark, Lewisham and 8.5% UPON Outer: (Barnet, En‘eld, Haringey and 3.0% THAMES No KENSINGTON & 34% HAMLETS Greenwich) Waltham Forest) EALING CITY do you normally travel Outer: (Croydon, Bromley and Bexley) 4.0% MERTON HAMMERSMITHCHELSEA to a College site?

City of London 0.8% SOUTHWARK KINGSTON How much does your daily& FULHAM commute cost? 0-2 days per week 2.8% UPON THAMES 3-4 days 15.8% East London Free 15% GREENWICH BROMLEY days5 78% Home counties and beyond Inner: (Tower Hamlets and Newham): 3.9% HOUNSLOW 6-7 days 3.8% Less than £2.00 RICHMOND 5% SUTTONOuter: (Redbridge,CROYDON Barking 2.9% LAMBETH BEXLEY & Dagenham and Havering) UPON 25.6% of sta live outside London, in the £2.01–£5.00 THAMES 22%WANDSWORTH Are you able to home counties and elsewhere in the LEWISHAM South East London £5.01–£10.00RICHMOND 29% work from home? UK and Northern Ireland. London Yes 66% Inner: (Southwark, Lewisham and 8.5% More than £10.00UPON 30% Greenwich) THAMES No 34% Surrey 5.3% How do you travel to work? The percentage of Imperial sta Outer: (Croydon, Bromley and Bexley) 4.0% Car/motorcycle/taxi 8% Hertfordshire 4.1% MERTON Berkshire 3.2% living in London is 74.4% ENFIELD KINGSTON Bus 12.6% Kent 3.1% UPON THAMES Rail 28% Oxfordshire 2.2% South West London Are you able to work from home? Underground 26% Sussex 2.1% Inner: (Wandsworth and Lambeth) 14.8% Home counties and beyond BROMLEY Cycle 13% Buckinghamshire 1.3% Outer: (Hounslow, Richmond upon 8.3% Yes 66% Walk 13% BARNET SUTTON CROYDON Essex 1.2% Thames, Kingston upon Thames, Cambridgeshire 0.8% No 34% Merton and Sutton) 25.6% of sta live outside London, in the Bedfordshire 0.7% Cost of daily commute HARROW Hampshire 0.5% home counties and elsewhere in the WALTHAM Free 15% HARINGEY REDBRIDGE Wiltshire 0.2% West London UK and Northern Ireland. FOREST HAVERING Less than £2.00 5% Inner: (Hammersmith & Fulham, 17.6% Elsewhere (UK and N.Ireland) 1.0% HILLINGDON £2.01-£5.00 22% Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster) £5.01-£10.00 29% ISLINGTON Outer: (Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing, Brent) 5.1% Surrey 5.3% SARA’S COMMENT: More than £10.00 30% BRENT HACKNEY Hertfordshire 4.1% CAMDEN While nearly three quarters of Imperial staff live in the capital, with North London Berkshire 3.2% BARKING & Inner: (Camden, Islington and Hackney): 5.5% Kent 3.1% the majority in living in west and southDAGENHAM west L­ ondon, this survey also WESTMINSTER Outer: (Barnet, En‘eld, Haringey and 3.0% Oxfordshire 2.2% TOWER NEWHAM How many days a week Sussex 2.1% KENSINGTON & shows that HAMLETSsome staff travel quite a distance to get to work, with over Waltham Forest) EALING CITY do you normally travel Buckinghamshire 1.3% HAMMERSMITHCHELSEA 25% living outside London in the home counties. 30% are spending to a College site? Essex 1.2% City of London 0.8% SOUTHWARK 0-2 days per week 2.8% & FULHAM more than £10 per day on transport, and 28% are using national rail Cambridgeshire 0.8% 3-4 days 15.8% East London Bedfordshire 0.7% for the largest portion of GREENWICHtheir commute. It’s interesting that a major- days5 78% Inner: (Tower Hamlets and Newham): 3.9% Hampshire HOUNSLOW 0.5% 6-7 days 3.8% RICHMOND Outer: (Redbridge, Barking 2.9% Wiltshire 0.2% LAMBETHity of staff do have the capacity to workBEXLEY from home, despite which, a & Dagenham and Havering) Elsewhere (UK and N.Ireland) UPON 1.0% THAMES WANDSWORTH massive 78% do visit the campuses five days per week. Thank you to Are you able to LEWISHAM South East London RICHMOND all who completed the survey. work from home? Yes 66% Inner: (Southwark, Lewisham and 8.5% UPON Greenwich) THAMES For the full set of results, please see: bit.ly/Y2bVg6 No 34% Outer: (Croydon, Bromley and Bexley) 4.0% MERTON KINGSTON UPON THAMES The statistics represented here are a selection based on the staff only sample of 1013 participants. Home counties and beyond BROMLEY SUTTON CROYDON 25.6% of sta live outside London, in the home counties and elsewhere in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Surrey 5.3% Hertfordshire 4.1% Berkshire 3.2% Kent 3.1% Oxfordshire 2.2% Sussex 2.1% Buckinghamshire 1.3% Essex 1.2% Cambridgeshire 0.8% Bedfordshire 0.7% Hampshire 0.5% Wiltshire 0.2% Elsewhere (UK and N.Ireland) 1.0%

11 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

Vivaldi virtuoso

At this year’s Postgraduate Graduation Ceremonies on 1 May, undergraduate inside student Dmitri Olayzola-Thomaneck gave a breathtaking performance from Vivaldi’s Recorder Concerto in C major. Currently in his second year of the BSc story in Physics and Music Performance, Dmitri recalls the event.

“The first performance was exhilarat- mini profile ing. I wasn’t nervous, which is unu- sual. My reaction afterwards was recorder, from garklein, which is 10cm different – I felt like shouting, I was so in length, to subcontra bass, which is David Gann excited. It was a childhood ambition of taller than a person. I also play viola, mine to play in the Royal Albert Hall on piano and sing tenor. Professor David Gann CBE, the recorder. In the future, I want to bring greater Business School’s innovation My parents came from Aberdeen recognition to recorder playing. Not strategy expert, has recently to see me, and I knew some people everyone thinks it’s a proper instru- been appointed Vice President who were graduating, so I got to play ment, but actually there’s a lot of tra- for Development and Innova- for them. dition associated with the recorder, so tion at the College. The movement I performed, chosen I’d like to see that continue.” by Richard Dickins, Director of Music, —CAROLINE PREW, COMMUNICATIONS AND What has driven your was new to me, and was the hardest PUBLIC AFFAIRS career to date? piece I’ve performed. It was a real priv- Watch Dmitri perform at Flauto Dolce, I’m interested in ideas and ilege to be asked. 24–25 June at the Royal College of Music: how we apply them. I’ve I play all the different sizes of www.rcm.ac.uk/events/listings always been interested in how we do. Digital technology and things function and how they big data will be revolution- can work better. Ever since I ary for science, technology, was a kid I would take things engineering and medicine. It apart – like my go-kart – and already is. We must be ready SCIENCE FROM SCRATCH put them back together. My to adapt. main interest is innovation Finally, we’ve run out of As explained by Stephanie McClellan, MSc Science Communication strategy: exploring why and space to grow in South Kens- how innovation happens, the ington. This is why we’re build- ways it continually transforms ing Imperial West, to forge the world we live in, more strategic rela- How does the battery in and how it can be tionships and cre- managed. I’ve ate more options for always been how we integrate my smartphone work? What are the technology, like key challenges interested in the tools behind Battery technology can essentially be traced back to the discovery of ‘animal elec- facing Imperial how things big data, into our tricity’ by Alessandro Volta and Luigi Galvani in the eighteenth century. They cre- right now? function and research and trans- ated an electric circuit consisting of two different metals connected in series to Firstly, we’re deal- lation work a frog’s legs. In contemporary terms, the frog’s legs acted as electrolytes – the ing with significant how they can source of the all important chemical reaction needed to produce the electrons to economic upheaval work better” How do you relax create a current. This possibly rather cruel experiment set the foundation for mod- and government sci- outside of work? ern battery technology. ence budgets cannot be taken My biggest passion is music. The most important development in battery technology in recent times has for granted, so we have to con- I’m a patron of Brighton Fes- been the use of lithium ion (Li-ion) chemistry. Li-ion batteries are successful tinue to diversify our funding tival, England’s largest multi- because of lithium’s physical properties. Being third on the periodic table, it has sources. The centre of grav- arts festival, and I go to the the lowest density, greatest energy to weight ratio, and the highest electrochemi- ity for global competition and opera at Glyndebourne. I love cal potential of all metals. This means that because lithium is highly reactive, it collaboration is shifting from gardening: we grow asparagus can store a lot of energy in its atomic bonds, giving Li-ion technology an advan- Europe and the US towards ris- and keep bees in our garden in tage over traditional batteries. Li-ion batteries are therefore now commonly found ing players in East Asia. We Hove. I also enjoy sport, namely in laptop computers, digital cameras, smartphones and even in some cars. must continue to build links exercising in the gym, walking, Manufacturers are continuing to improve battery technology, introducing new in the region. Technology is skiing and watching rugby. and enhanced chemical combinations to the market at a rapid pace. Large batter- changing the nature of educa- —ANDREW SCHEUBER, COMMUNICATIONS ies could even be used in green communities to store energy from renewable gen- tion and everything else that AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS eration, for later use when the wind isn’t blowing or the Sun isn’t shining. 12 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

IMPERIAL STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF LIFE AT THE COLLEGE ON THE STUDENT BLOGGERS WEBSITE. Working out for healthy minds

The College’s Occupational Health still invest in it. Regular exercise Student blogger Richard on Service and Sport Imperial ran a can boost self-esteem and help series of free activities as part of with concentration and sleep. The Working nine to five… what Mental Health Awareness Week great news is you don’t need any a way to make a living: from 13–19 May. special training or equipment to This year’s campaign focuses reap the rewards from going for a Beginning this year, third year students in on the theme of physical activ- brisk walk at lunch time.” the Electrical and Electronic Engineering ity. According to the Mental Health Regular free activities offered Department can opt to undertake a six-month Foundation, which is by Sport Imperial placement in a sufficiently technical role running the campaign, include a running club “Regular exercise as part of their degree. On 2 April, I started regular physical activ- that meets every Mon- can boost my six-month placement working in the ity can increase self- day from 12.15–13.00 self-esteem technology arm esteem and reduce and Tuesday from and help with of an investment stress and anxiety. It 07.15–08.00, and group concentration bank. I’ve never can also play a role power-walking sessions and sleep” worked in a financial both in preventing every Wednesday from institution before and alleviating mental 12.15–13.00 so this shall be health issues. Other services and support an interesting Events taking place at South available for staff and students experience. The first Kensington Campus included med- include free and confidential coun- week has been filled itation classes and occupational selling for staff and their families; with learning some proprietary programming health drop-in sessions. the Equality and Diversity Unit, the languages. This next week I am looking forward Claire O’Brien, Director of Occu- Disability Advisory Service and the to two days of financial and business training, pational Health, said: “We demand Chaplaincy Centre. which will give me an overview of the business a lot of ourselves – balancing work, —LUCY HANDFORD, COMMUNICATIONS AND area I’m in and the whole financial ecosystem. studies and family life – yet very PUBLIC AFFAIRS few of us talk about our mental For more information visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/campus_life/studentblogs health and well-being and fewer www.imperial.ac.uk/occhealth

Imperial student crowned top science speaker

Regular attendees at Imperial’s Science Festival in June. events might already be familiar Leon is a regular volunteer with PhD student Leon Vanstone’s at the Reach Out Lab and also (Aeronautics) brand of ebullient appeared as a ‘soapbox scien- science communication – but he’s tist’ at this year’s Imperial Festival now set to go global after winning answering big science questions the FameLab UK final last month. from visitors. FameLab was started in 2005 He said: “Obviously it was by Cheltenham Science Festival in nice to win, although I was quite partnership with NESTA, a charity surprised as there were many that works to increase the inno- strong acts that night. I’m look- vation capacity of the UK. Now a ing forward to the Cheltenham worldwide competition run with Science Festival and hope to do the British Council, it has seen some work with other Famelab more than 5,000 young scientists finalists”. and engineers participate in 23 Leon takes a prize of £1,750, different countries. part of which he must spend on In the annual competition, sci- a science outreach project. He entists from across the UK com- Wellcome Trust by describing the is considering using the money pete to entertain and engage Scientists from wonder of the Mars Rover landing to create a series of ‘how to’ vid- an audience about a scientific across the UK safely on the surface of the red eos, explaining what it takes to topic in only three minutes. Leon compete to entertain planet. be a brain surgeon or a rocket became the first engineer to win, He will now go on to compete scientist. beating off finalists from the Uni- and engage an against Famelab winners from 20 —KERRY NOBLE, COMMUNICATIONS AND versity of Oxford, UCL and the audience” other countries at the Cheltenham PUBLIC AFFAIRS 13 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260 insidestory

INVENTOR’S CORNER course review Future physio

Etienne Burdet is Reader in Human Robotics in the Department of Bio- engineering. His research integrates neuroscience and robotics to investi- gate human motor control and develop assistive devices for people whose movement is impaired, particularly those who have had a stroke. An early prototype of Etienne’s rehab platform By course attendee Dr Monica Marinescu (Earth Why have you focused on Science and Engineering), Research Associate stroke patients? Stroke is the leading cause of severe their movements. The tasks can be Postdoc Development physical impairment in the developed adapted to patients’ capabilities and Centre pop-up workshop world. After a stroke, most patients an affirmative system provides incen- are brought to the hospital for therapy tives to improve; we encourage the on EPSRC fellowships to get them mobile and discharged patient to independently solve a prob- Why did you go on the course? quickly; little training is performed with lem. Our system is affordable, compre- I was at the beginning of my second year as a postdoc, the upper limbs. However, we believe hensive and easy to use. and starting to define my career path. I was curious about fellowship opportunities and any behind-the-scene details. that this is vitally important for daily liv- ing and there is a real need for a home- What are the future applications? What did you learn? based rehabilitation system. This could potentially be used by any- The one-hour course gave me a good overview of the one with an upper limb deficit caused categories of EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) fellowships, the timeframe of the How have you achieved this? by a neurological disorder. For exam- process, and criteria for successful applicants and We’ve integrated robotic tools with a ple, we have some data from infants common pitfalls. It also provided a digested version of computer game interface to create a with cerebral palsy, who often have the EPSRC guidance document, with a set of links to other touchscreen table that responds to a weaker hand that they avoid using. helpful resources. The Q and A session at the end was also very informative, as I heard the problems and worries objects fitted with sensors that are We have developed toys with sensors other researchers have encountered at different stages placed on it. Patients are encouraged to that measure how the child moves and along the application process. repeat movements with these objects encourages them to use both hands to by interacting with a game on the table. the point where the brain does this nat- How has it been helpful in your role? For example, a patient might be asked urally, without prompting. The information gathered helps me establish a focus to simulate an everyday task using our —KAILEY NOLAN, IMPERIAL INNOVATIONS in juggling the different roles one has as a research associate. I have a clear idea about the breadth of skills I tools, such as opening a lid. We can For help in finding a commercial application need to develop and the achievements I should target and then examine their performance and for your research visit: bit.ly/YQZ1Vi by when, so that I can prioritise my activities. encourage them to repeat or change

VOX POP Graduating Masters and PhDs share their thoughts on the big day

The first truly sunny “It’s a fantastic “To have gradua- “I’m working for day of the year after an experience to be tion at the Royal a bank in London unusually cold spring here and I think Albert Hall is just at the moment it’s one that I amazing, it’s but as for future conspired to make the will cherish for a so beautiful. At plans I’m not Postgraduate Gradua- really long time. the moment I’m sure, we’ll have tion Ceremonies 2013 I’ve got a job moving towards to see. My short- particularly memorable. back home in fashion. I’m term plan is to Nigeria working taking a course become a British Reporter caught up with in the chemical at Condé Nast citizen; I’m actu- graduands around cam- industry as a College, part of ally taking the pus and asked them how strategy analyst the large pub- test tomorrow!” – it’s a good blend between business and lishing group, and I’m planning to complete a they were feeling on the DOMENICO CORAPI, PHD COMPUTING technical expertise.” Vogue diploma there.” big day and about their EGWONO KELVIN OKPOKO, PHD CHEMICAL ENGINEERING ANFISA BULGAKOVA, MSC STRATEGIC MARKETING plans for the future. 14 insidestory www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 16 May 2013 • issue 260

obituaries Staff featured in this column have given many years of service to the College. Staff listed below celebrate anni- STRUTHER ARNOTT versaries during the period 1 April–30 April. The data is Struther Arnott CBE FRS, Visiting supplied by HR and is correct at the time of going to press. Professor and Senior Research Fellow at Imperial, died on 22 20 years April aged 78. Professors Naomi • Professor Martin Allday, Professor of Virology and Cell Biology, Chayen and John Squire (Surgery Department of Medicine and Cancer) pay tribute to an • Mr Mark Brookes, Receipt and Despatch Assistant, Faculty of exceptional scientist. Medicine Centre • Dr Philip Ramsden, Principal Teaching Fellow: Cross-Curricular Maths, Department of Mathematics Struther made his name contributing to research that revealed the structure of DNA whilst working in the lab of Maurice Wilkins (a 30 years 1963 Nobel laureate alongside Watson and Crick) at King’s College. • Phillip Ramsdale, Senior Supervisor Groundsman, Sport and Leisure Services He developed new models to analyse X-ray diffraction patterns of fibrous polymer structures. He was a pioneer in this regard and was 40 years particularly known for his ability to visualise how DNA sequences • Professor David Chadwick, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering might arrange themselves to interact with proteins and drugs. In 1970 Struther moved to Purdue University in Indiana, USA, SPOTLIGHT becoming Head of Biological Sciences and later Vice-President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. He returned to the UK Phillip Ramsdale, Senior Supervisor Groundsman, Sport and Leisure Services 30 years in 1986 to become Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, which flourished under his leadership. He became As a groundsman at Harlington I’ve met many well- a Visiting Professor at Imperial in 2000, based in the Sir Alexander known people down the years, particularly working Fleming Building, and was known for his work with students in the with Chelsea Football Club. They used the ground as a training facility until 2005, after which Queens Park Faculties of Medicine and Engineering respectively. Rangers FC took over. We also had the England rugby As a colleague and friend, Struther would invariably light up a team train here under Martin Johnson. The College room with his presence and was always fun to be with. He was inter- has changed quite a lot in 30 years. It’s much more commercially orientated than when I first arrived. On ested in people, knowledgeable in a very wide range of topics and the whole I have enjoyed working at Imperial and they generous in helping others, whatever their status or background. have been a good employer. I’m now looking forward For him it was never a burden. to retiring in just under two years’ time. It was a privilege to know Struther and he will be greatly missed.

Hack for victory The term ‘hacker’ might conjure up negative sense sudden temperature changes. connotations of disruption and fraud, but hack- A group of hackers called ‘Team Fire’ devel- ing hardware and software also has the poten- oped a computer program for a sensor that tial to improve, and even save, lives. could fit neatly inside a firefighter’s helmet, monitoring temperature surges during a fire. This was demonstrated at the Hackathon event, Vibrating when it detects a rapid fluctuation in which hosted over 100 computer programmers, temperature, the sensor would alert the fire- developers and technologists at Imperial from fighter, so that they could make quick exit from 19–21 April, as part of the Urban Pro- the building. totyping (UP) Festival. “The Festival can Other finalist projects included In one challenge, programmers harness some of a mobile app to coordinate informa- were given access to data from the the public’s most tion between emergency services Hampshire and Dorset Fire Brigades innovative ideas and citizens in real time. The app to help them develop digital tech- and see them was designed to address the chal- nologies that could keep firefight- come to life” lenge of slow information gather- ers safe. Currently there is no system ing during crisis situations, such as for firefighters to detect temperature riots or floods. some of the public’s most innovative ideas and surges – a serious cause of death on duty. Commenting on the Hackathon, Research connect them with the funding opportunities Temperatures can rise hundreds of degrees Fellow Dr Catherine Mulligan (Business School), available to see them come to life and make a in seconds if a fire is hit with a blast of air, for who helped coordinate the event, said: “The difference to society.” example, when a window bursts. The risk has ideas that came out from the Hackathon were —MAXINE MYERS, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS increased as body protection has become more really inspiring and exciting. This is just an The Urban Prototyping Festival runs until 26 June: effective, since firefighters are less able to example of how the UP Festival can harness http://uplondon.net/ apy intheUK. sion of invitro fertilisation ther postcode lottery of NHS provi- by Chao Kowa, exploring the isAnInconceivabletured Truth medical humanities course. Pic medicine students taking the ferent works of by art fourth year exhibition that showcases 14dif the BlythGallery, Unsung isan Running from 8May–31 May at staff and students Wanted: from newart Madejska,Life Sciences Mrs Izabela Glegola- Life Sciences Mr Luke Dunning, Materials Dr Amutha Devaraj, Mathematics Dr Kengo Deguchi, Surgery and Cancer Mr Mark David, Miss Punam Dahya, NHLI Mr Michael Cutler, NHLI Computing Ms SuzanneCooney, Miss Coreen Cole, EYEC Bioengineering Choudhury, Shanas Miss Surgery and Cancer Ms Shin-Yi Chiou, Business School Mr Erik Chavez, Surgery and Cancer Miss Katie Chappell, Business School Mr Stephen Blake, Accommodation Ms YuliaBizyukova, Educational Quality Mr Alistair Appleby, Bioengineering Dr Jordan Ang, Life Sciences Ms Folake Akinduro, Agarafinei, Accommodation Ms Carmen-Sorina new starters Welcome www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter

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- - 16 May 2013 • Mechanical Engineering Mr Peter Newton, Materials Miss TahmilaNahar, Faculty of Medicine Miss Alex Moore, Medicine Ms Hortencia McKechnie, Surgery and Cancer Miss Deborah McElroy, Mr Jared Marklew, Chemistry Surgery and Cancer Miss Samina Malik, Faculty of Medicine Miss Ruth Lismore-Burns, Mechanical Engineering Dr Jozsef Kophazi, Chemistry Dr Mindaugas Kirkus, Dr Allan Kiprianos, NHLI Miss Nicole King,Medicine Public Health Dr Bernadette Khoshaba, Faculty of Medicine Ms MaryKavanagh, Public Health Mr Angelos Kassianos, Public Health Miss Emilie Karafillakis, Computing Dr David Johnson, Chemistry Mr XavierJeanbourquin, Dr Rachel James, Medicine Mr Nik Ilukkumbure, ICT Dr David Holland, ICT Dr Krishma Halai, NHLI - June with results inJuly. The deadline for applications is 3 indevelopingport creative ideas. personalised guidance and sup- Blyth, Mindy Lee, is offering free exhibitions. Tutor and curator at students to display inupcoming seeking from newart staff and For more information visit: bit.ly/JoLgyv issue The BlythGallery is currently

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Surgery and Cancer Miss Samantha Taylor, Dr Hannah Taylor, Medicine Dr Cephas Small, Materials EYEC MissJennifer Simmonds, Estates Miss Sylvia Sheppard, Clinical Sciences Mr Nicholas Sen, ZahidDr Sattar,NHLI Medicine Miss Gintare Rutkauskaite, Mr James Robinson, Finance Public Health Dr Mays Raheem, Materials Pramana,Dr Stevin Faculty of Medicine Patel, Dr Kirti Narasimhareddy, ICT Mr Pavan Parthyhally Surgery and Cancer Dr Greg Parston, Mr Abdul Oyede, Medicine Clinical Sciences Ms Judy O’Connor, Dr SiyangComputingZuo, Dr Xiaotian Zhang,EEE Dr Corin Yeats, Public Health Dr Hiroko Yaguchi, Medicine Mechanical Engineering Mr Feng Wang, Public Health Dr Lorainne Tudor Car, Life Sciences Mr Marios Tomazou,

NHLI Ms Julaiha Gent (6 years), years), Surgery and Cancer Dr Helena Gardiner (16 Business School Dr Daniela Gamberini, Filippoupolitis (5 years), EEE Dr Avgoustinos Business School Miss Philippa Egan, Miss Alexa Duff, Medicine Ms Bianca Donges, NHLI Life Sciences Dr Rey Carabeo (5 years), Chemistry Dr Hugo Bronstein, Clinical Sciences Mr James Brash, Mr Edward Catering Bennett, Bioengineering Dr Alberto Artola, Mr Steve Physics Annett, Fernandez,Life Sciences Dr Carmelo Andujar Dr Roxana Alexandrescu Dr Bashar Ahmad, EEE Faculty of Engineering Agombar,Mr Martin Estates Mr Alan Jones (34 years), moving on Farewell Public Health Ms Raunaque Hasnat, OfficeResearch Ms Cecilie Hansen,

insidestory the timeof going to press. overs theperiod 9April– 29 April. This data was and byHR issupplied data This Dr Jingyue Zhao, NHLI Business School Mr Russell Watson, Mr Franco Tembo, Catering Dr Iulia Salaoru, EEE Dr Katia Ruggero, Medicine Prodromakis, EEE Dr Themistoklis Clinical Sciences Dr Alexander Miras, andSport Leisure Mr Donald McLachlan, Miss MartaMauri, Medicine Dr Ilaria Marigo, Medicine Public Health Dr Jacqueline Leslie, Engineering Kleniati, Chemical Dr Polyxeni-Margarita Dr Ali Khiat,EEE Security Services Mr Anthony Hughes, Chemical Engineering Dr Shuxin Hou, (10 years),ICT Mr BenHenderson 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 c ­ Please sendyour

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moving in. moving on. FORFOR COMPLETE COMPLETE DETAILS: DETAILS: events highlights www.imperial.ac.uk/eventswww.imperial.ac.uk/events 16 May 2013

take note 24 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE industries? The effect of our research extends far beyond the realm of the classroom, and Imperial College Business through it we shape the lives of millions of School research exhibition people in the UK and internationally. This College Cafe drop-in exhibition will digitally showcase South Kensington Campus Did you know the research carried out at the leading research projects carried out by has a brand new place to eat Imperial College Business School is used the Business School, including hedge funds, – the College Cafe – offering in the development of healthcare systems, entrepreneurship, risk and insurance, and handmade sandwiches infrastructure, government policies and major health management. from the carvery, freshly made smoothies from the juice bar and boutique 28 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE measurement where tissue health is tracked espresso – a new in real time. Professor Martyn Boutelle range of coffee. The doctor will sense you now (Bioengineering) uses his inaugural lecture Accessible from Doctors have always taken measurements to explore how to build biomedical instru- the Main from patients to aid in diagnosis and monitor mentation, the challenges of using it in the Entrance and their treatment. Recent advances in engi- operating theatre and the intensive care unit, Dalby Court, it neering and measurement science are now and what to do with all the data obtained. is open Monday allowing us to develop a new type of clinical to Friday 08.00–18.00.

20 MAY ▸ PUBLIC 21 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE 29 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE meet the reader LECTURE Myocardial contrast Heavenly Global health echocardiography: a technique turbulence innovations: comes of age Professor Tim products, policy Professor Roxy Senior (NHLI) Horbury (Physics) and platforms Dr Julio Frenk, Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health 23 MAY ▸ MUSIC 30 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE Lunchtime concert Materials at their limit 20 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE Mengyang Pan (piano) Professor John Dear Heart and lung research open day (Mechanical Engineering) Hosted by the Imperial Biomedical Research Unit 23 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE Molecules on best 4 JUNE ▸ SEMINAR behaviour Mining the gap – three Royal 21 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE Professor Claire School of Mines benefactors: Alfred Hailey Smith, HR Administrator, Adjiman Human Resources Division Imperial Business Insights Beit, Otto Beit and Julius Wernher (Chemical Anne Barrett, College Archivist and Professor Martin Roth, Director, What are you doing in the picture? Engineering) Corporate Records Manager Victoria and Albert Museum I’m waiting for the Imperial College Staff Choir to start. We are a group of singers from all over the College, of mixed ability and 23 MAY ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE experience, who like to get together and sing 21 MAY ▸ SEMINAR Imperial Business Insights 4 JUNE ▸ PUBLIC LECTURE a really wide and fun selection of music! We meet every Wednesday at 13.00. Using viruses Gabriele Duesberg, Vice-President, Unveiling the to enhance JP Morgan secrets of the the efficacy of universe What would you do if you were editor of tumour-specific Reporter for a day? Professor Jim Virdee I would send out some roving reporters to T cells (Physics) 28 MAY ▸ SEMINAR investigate the wonderful staff clubs that Professor Cliona have sprung up throughout the College, Linking DNA variation to changes in Rooney, Baylor such as the knitting and photography clubs. College of Medicine, Houston gene expression The Support Services Social Committee also Professor Douglas Higgs, runs get-togethers like lunchtime walks in University of Oxford Hyde Park.

Who would be your cover star? It would have to be the choir’s conductor, Christina, and pianist, Robin. Both are undergraduate students and dedicate so much of their own time and enthusiasm to Stay in the loop → Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/events for more details about these events teaching us to sing. and others. To sign up for regular updates about Imperial events please —CALUM MACLEOD FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND email: [email protected] PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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