www.imperial.ac.uk reporter issue 202 • 6 March 2009 Creating an icon Plans revealed for the new face of Imperial > centre pages photo stories steve bloom leonardo Exhibition on thiakis society celebrates Developing an Who says Imperial’s female anti-obesity scientists scientists therapy aren’t artistic? PAGE 3 PAGE 11 PAGE 12 news update editorial Editor Emily Ross Research reserve launched [email protected] Making the most of university libraries, while The spring term brings about a wave safeguarding access to of themed weeks from Raising And information, is the aim of Giving to Fairtrade and Green Week—which see students and a new scheme launched at the College last month. staff taking action on issues they care about. These events Imperial is leading certainly have to compete for our attention—the internet the UK Research Reserve serves up a reason for us to celebrate every day of the year. (UKRR) programme, which March, for example, kicks off with National Pig Day and other will see low-use research The UKRR programme allows more space for creativity highlights include Peanut Butter Lovers day, a day to reflect journals stored and main- on the invention of rubber bands and not to forget Mother’s tained by the British Library, on Imperial’s Hammersmith Campus played freeing up university a key role in the pilot with over 1,100 metres Day on 22 March. While cynics may regard these ‘celebrations’ library space to be used of space being released. as manufactured simply to benefit card companies, they do more creatively. Deborah Shorley, Director of Library provide a focus that can lead to impressive results. Take, for Access to the journals Services, adds: “Libraries are being example, the £58,000 raised by the medical students during will be through an ordering transformed before our eyes, with IT giving RAG week (see page 12). There’s definitely something to be and delivery service at the us opportunities for innovation as never said for making every day count. British Library. before. We are determined to provide all “We want to use the our library users with the full range of space in our libraries in a services they need, either on campus in new more creative way whilst exciting spaces like level one of the Central securing knowledge for the Library on the South Kensington campus, future,” explains Frances or remotely.” Boyle, manager of the UK The UKRR programme will be imple- Research Reserve pro- mented across all of the other campuses at Fire at Northwick Park gramme at the College. Imperial. It is a five-year programme funded Imperial has recently through a £9.84 million grant from the Higher A fire broke out at Hospital’s A&E depart- completed an 18-month Education Funding Council for England. Northwick Park Hospital ment and other clinical pilot project to see how the —Naomi Weston, Communications on Wednesday 11 services were also severely UKRR programme would February causing major affected with patients work in practice. The library • For more information visit: www.ukrr.ac.uk disruption at the site, but being transferred to no injuries. other hospitals. Around 40 fire-fighters Imperial laboratories rushed to on the site the scene “ Most of the have been following facilities are now connected to reports of a the Hospital’s blaze in the operational and emergency basement at it is hoped that generators but around 14.20. full mains power frequent power Ask the Rector College staff will be restored interruptions and students are causing were evacu- before Easter.” problems, Q&A > Wednesday 11 March • 12.30 ated and the particularly for research laboratories and researchers using sensi- The Great Hall, South Kensington Campus undergraduate medical tive equipment. Campus education centre were Administrator Paul Purcell Submit your questions at: temporarily closed. The said: “Most of the facilities www.imperial.ac.uk/rector/ are now operational yourquestions and it is hoped that full mains power will be restored before Easter. The cause of the fire is thought to be an elec- trical fault but this is • Attendance will be on a first come, first served basis. The event will still being investigated be streamed live online and available as a podcast afterwards. Visit by the fire service.” the above website for details. —Emily Ross, Northwick Park’s main hospital entrance Communications 2 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter reporter 6 March 2009 • Issue 202 news update 100 women, 100 visions Creation of National Transport One hundred portraits of women scientists Research Centre of female staff and stu- and engineers across formalise the already dents—scientists and engi- the College. strong relationship we neers from all disciplines The exhibition was have with our colleagues and levels of academic designed and commis- at Leeds and UCL, and work—will be on display sioned by the Student more widely throughout in the Main Entrance on Society for Women in the transport research the South Kensington Science, Engineering and community. It will also Campus during the week Technology (SET). provide new funds, an following International Ellin Saunders, PhD administrative infrastruc- Women’s Day on 8 March. student in the Department ture, and an academic of Electrical and Electronic focal point for transport Engineering and co-organ- research in this country. iser of the event, says: “We A new £7.25 million research Imperial is set to benefit by being at wanted to illustrate the real centre aimed at tackling the the very hub of all this activity.” diversity of individuals UK’s transport policy issues was One of the principal objectives who study and work here. announced by the Minister of State of the UKTRC is to enhance multi- There is an excite- for Transport, Lord disciplinary working ment about the Andrew Adonis, “ Imperial is set to between transport future among during a visit to benefit by being at researchers and social us and a com- Imperial on 5 March. scientists to generate mitment to change The UK Transport the very hub of all new evidence and across College which Research Centre this activity.” insights into key “ We wanted to illustrate we felt was important to (UKTRC) will be transport problems. the real diversity of capture and communicate.” jointly run by Imperial, One of its first —Naomi Weston, the University of Leeds and projects will involve researchers individuals who study Communications University College London (UCL). from Imperial and the LSE and work here.” Research will be investigating the long-term effects carried out by leading of major transport projects on the The portraits have academics at universi- development of London, the impact been taken by Jackie King, ties from across the they have on the city’s economy recipient of the British country. and labour market, and their Professional Photographer The College’s success in easing commuter of the Year Award, and Centre for congestion. These may include aim to capture a sense of the Transport Studies (CTS), based the Crossrail project, a major rail growing community in the Department of Civil and network that will link Essex to the Environmental Engineering, will be City, Heathrow and Maidenhead one of the major contributors to the by 2017. The research outcomes Above: a postgraduate student from the UKTRC, providing academic and will be used to guide future Department of Chemical Engineering and administrative input. Professor John investment in major transport Chemical Technology. Right: an undergraduate student from the Department of Physics holding Polak, Director of the CTS (pictured infrastructure projects. up a drawing of a star constellation above), explains: “The UKTRC will —Colin Smith, Communications in brief • Imperial makes • Diversity lecture • EPSRC Doctoral • Director of a difference with On 17 February Ram Gidoomal CBE Training Grants Development One water presented the 2009 Diversity Lecture In February, Imperial received its Judy Beard has been appointed as entitled Multicultural societies under Imperial has taken a small step in Doctoral Training Grant (DTG) of £7 Director of Development in succession pressure: sustaining dialogue. During helping to provide clean free water million from the Engineering and to Fiona Kirk. Ms Beard will join the event Mr Gidoomal—a Crown to those who really need it by raising Physical Sciences Research Council Imperial from The Management Centre, appointee on Imperial’s Court and money through the sale of approxi- (EPSRC). The grant will enable the a not-for-profit training and consul- Council—discussed ways of improving mately 150,000 bottles of One College to recruit and provide indus- tancy organisation, where she has the dialogue between different ethnic water over the last 18 months. Thanks try training for the next generation of been Principal Management Consult- and cultural groups and reviewed to students and staff who bought the engineers and scientists. This year, ant since October 2007. Prior to this progress that Imperial has made in water, the College has been able to DTG funds were awarded to 45 univer- appointment she worked for 30 years terms of equality and diversity. donate a One water play pump sities and higher education institu- in the charity sector, most recently at to Ngabeni Primary School in www.imperial.ac.uk/media/ tions in the UK with Imperial among Macmillan Cancer Support. Ms Beard Maxesibeni, South Africa. onlinelectures the top three grant recipients. will take up her post in early May. 6 March 2009 • Issue 202 reporter www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter 3 news update awards and Another Varsity win for the medics honours With 42 teams, 21 matches and nine different sports including rugby, football, Professor Holden’s new fellowship lacrosse, squash and water- Professor David Holden (Investigative Science) polo, the day was packed with is one of 73 microbiologists elected to become fierce competition.