www.imperial.ac.uk reporter issue 196 • 10 October 2008 Creative zone Central Library refurbishment caters for the digital generation > centre pages exhibition ahsc first hidden road redesign birthday corners Imperial Professor Exploring the engineers Stephen Smith Fleming Museum pave the way profile at St Mary’s PAGE 2 PAGE 11 PAGE 13 news update editorial Editor Emily Ross Showcase for bioengineering [email protected] Microscopic devices to detect to communicate with one another. the early onset of infection and In addition, Peter Vincent, a joint On Monday morning 4,900 new faces research into a highly developed PhD student from the Departments appeared across our campuses, part of the brain were some of of Bioengineering and Aeronautics, bubbling with excitement and anticipation at the start of the latest advances discussed at discussed his work on how their Imperial experience. And, as staff and students look an international symposium last lipoproteins are transported into month (18–19 September). artery walls and what this could forward to a new academic year, the College reflects on a The Bioengineering 08 sympo- contribute ultimately to the onset of triumphant 12 months since the creation of the UK’s first sium brought together more than heart disease. Academic Health Science Centre, and the innovation and 190 scientists creativity that the unique partnership between Imperial from around the and the NHS has already inspired. On pages 10 and 11 read world. Hosted about the journey of the AHSC’s development through the by the College’s Department of eyes of Professor Stephen Smith, Principal of the Faculty of Bioengineering, the Medicine and CEO of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS event focused on Trust, and hear about the moment he realised the AHSC was setting the agenda going to become a reality. for the future of bioengineering • For more information about the AHSC please see the mini- research in the UK. guide for patients, staff and students, which is enclosed within Professor Tony this issue of Reporter. Cass (Institute of Biomedical The Bioengineering 08 symposium Engineering) spoke about his research into the development of new micro- The symposium signalled the Imperial engineers help scopic sensors able to detect the birth of the Bioengineering Society protein lysozyme, made by the body whose primary activities will include revitalise Exhibition Road in response to infections. sponsoring an annual conference Dr Simon Schultz allowing researchers across the UK (Bioengineering) discussed his and from elsewhere to present their research into the cerebellum, a part latest research advances. of the brain that is responsible for Professor Ross Ethier, Head of the integration of sensory infor- the Department of Bioengineering mation, bodily coordination and and symposium chair, said that he movement. Delegates heard how hoped the conference would become Dr Schultz, using animal models, an annual showcase for the best in has discovered neural circuitry that bioengineering. enables cells within the cerebellum —Colin Smith, Communications An artist’s impression of the new-look Exhibition Road Imperial fourth year civil and environmental Academic promotions announced engineering undergraduates are helping the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea with the redesign Over 90 academics have been recognised for their hard work in this year’s of South Kensington’s Exhibition Road. In a bid to academic promotions exercise and now hold a new title: senior lecturer, tackle overcrowding by 2012, the street will see signs senior research fellow, reader or professor. and traffic lights removed to make it a shared space for The academic promotions process begins at the start of the academic year cars and pedestrians. and members of staff can either be nominated for promotion by their depart- One of the projects will see undergraduates carrying ment or division or they can nominate themselves. Candidates are then consid- out skid resistance research on the granite paving tiles to ered either at faculty level or by the Academic Promotions Committee. be used on the road to determine how slippery they will This year 25 new professors, 47 academics have been promoted to reader, be in different weather conditions for pedestrians and three to senior research fellow and 18 to senior lecturer. vehicles. A 35 square metre granite paving area has been Among the new professors is Molly Stevens, who been appointed Professor laid behind the gate house at the entrance to Imperial of Biomedical Materials and Regenerative Medicine. She says: “I am delighted College Road, which leads into the College’s South to have had our research recognised by the promotion and have a truly won- Kensington Campus. The area experiences high volumes derful group of researchers working in my group to thank for this.” of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, enabling researchers to —Naomi Weston, Communications test the durability and reliability of the granite. —Colin Smith, Communications www3.imperial.ac.uk/news/academicpromotions08 2 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 10 October 2008 • Issue 196 news update Faculty of Medicine Gaining medical insight Over 270 school pupils attended a one-day conference at staff changes Imperial last month to gain insight into the diverse medical profession and to receive advice on the application process A number of staff changes in the Division on a permanent basis for Undergraduate Faculty of Medicine have been from 1 August 2008. The Medical Medicine. announced in the last month. Research Council has also recently The Vision 2008 Professor Sir Anthony Newman appointed conference, now in Taylor CBE, FMedSci (below) Professor Fisher its second year, was became Deputy Principal of as Head of the organised by Imperial the Faculty MRC Clinical medical students for of Medicine Sciences Centre. 15 and 16 year olds in succession Philip Blissett from less privileged to Professor (below) has backgrounds and Christopher been appointed Faculty Operating local schools. Kennard, on Officer. Formerly the Faculty The interactive 1 October 2008. Finance Officer for Medicine, Mr programme involved Sir Anthony, who Blissett replaces Dr Rob Bennett lectures, demonstra- holds the Chair in Occupational who took up a post with Queen tions, exhibition and Environmental Medicine, Mary, University of London earlier stands and mock has been Head of the NHLI in the year. interviews for all and Campus Dean of the Royal Commenting on the appoint- pupils to help them Brompton Campus. ments, Professor Stephen prepare for applying Professor Mervyn Maze Smith, Principal of the Faculty to medical school. FMedSci, Interim Head of the of Medicine, The school pupils Division of Surgery, Oncology, said: “We are benefited from meeting over 90 current Imperial medics. The Reproductive Biology and immensely students ran stands offering the chance to practise common Anaesthetics fortunate to have medical procedures, such as taking a patient’s blood pressure since July such a talented and passing a nasogastric tube through the nose to the stomach. 2007 (pictured team leading A lapmentor simulator from the Department of Biosurgery and left), accepted the Faculty of Surgical Technology enabled the school pupils to have a go at appointment as Medicine as we begin the second keyhole surgery. Head of SORA year of our Academic Health “It was wonderful to see so many students wanting to learn on a perma- Science Centre. The AHSC’s more about what a career in medicine would involve” said nent basis from success relies on the strong part- Sukhpreet Singh Dubb, Vision Outreach Founding President, 1 August 2008. Professor Maze nership between College and Trust, who organised the conference. He added, “One of the most will remain as Campus Dean for and across the leadership of both important messages I hope we have given to delegates is that, Chelsea and Westminster Campus. there’s the drive and enthusiasm regardless of their background, all students have an equal Professor Amanda Fisher to achieve our singular ambition. opportunity in their pursuit of their passion for medicine.” FMedSci, Acting Head of the Anthony, Mervyn, Amanda and —Naomi Weston, Communications Division of Clinical Sciences Phillip are outstanding individuals since January 2008 (pictured top and I’m delighted to welcome To view a video of the event, visit: right), was appointed Head of the them to their new appointments.” www3.imperial.ac.uk/news/vision2008 in brief • Imperial sixth in • Bright light • Leadership programme • New role for Reid the world Fourteen European countries have Applications are invited to Imperial’s Stephen Reid, formerly Director of Imperial continues to rank amongst agreed on a convention for the 2008–09 Leadership and Development Operations for Imperial College the world’s best universities, winning operation and construction of the programme for black and minority Business School, became the sixth place in the latest Times Higher European X-Ray Laser Project (XFEL) ethnic (BME) managers. The scheme, College’s Project Programme Director Education-QS World University to harness a high energy laser light, which will run from November 2008 to last month. His main task will be to Rankings, compared to fifth in the one billion times more brilliant than May 2009, aims to facilitate increased act as Programme Director for the 2007 table. The top spot is claimed modern X-rays. Professor John Wood, representation of BME professionals development of the South East by Harvard University for the fifth the College’s International Relations at senior management level. Par- Quadrant (SEQ) of the South year in a row, followed by Yale, Cam- Advisor and Chair of the XFEL interna- ticipants will benefit from a range of Kensington Campus. He said: bridge and Oxford. The full rankings, tional steering committee, explained professional development opportuni- “My role is to lead the team respon- which were published on 9 October, that XFEL will be used by scientists to ties. The deadline for applications is sible for designing an iconic new can be found at www.timeshigher provide insights into molecules 17 October 2008.