Issue 253 ▸ 1 November 2012 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community fringe benefits Visitors to the first Imperial Fringe take things to heart as they get to grips with our research → centre pages £35 MILLION FORWARD LONDON AWARD FOR THINKING BIKEATHON IMPERIAL Dr Simon Professor Dazzi HEFCE support Schultz on the on cycling 95 for Imperial value of looking miles with his West to the future patient PAGE 3 PAGE 7 PAGE 12 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 1 November 2012 • issue 253 Researchers unite to open up about animal research EDITOR’S CORNER Imperial has joined medical charities, remain high overall, with 66 per cent research funders, the pharmaceuti- of people supporting animal experi- cal industry and other universities mentation for medical research, Pregnant in signing a declaration for greater 40 per cent want to know more openness on animal research fol- before they form a firm opinion. pause lowing signs of a decrease in public Professor Maggie Dallman, “I hope this declaration will give s upport for animal research. Principal of the Faculty of Natural organisations and scientists the con- The results of a recent Ipsos Sciences, said: “Animal research fidence to speak out with the support As a number of you might Mori poll commissioned by the is a small but vital part of scientific of the wider research community.” know this is my final government reveal a 10 percentage and medical research in the UK. Ter- The declaration was signed by issue of Reporter before point decrease in public support for rorist activity by animal extremists in more than 40 research organisations, I go on maternity leave. scientific research involving animals the past has led some scientists to including 15 universities. 2012 has definitely been since 2010. fear what will happen to them if they —KERRY NOBLE, COMMUNicaTIONS AND an eventful time for me Although levels of support speak publicly about their work. DEVELOPMENT as Editor – in the future, I’ll be able to tell my daughter that this was the year I interviewed the Kneebone head of NASA, grabbed awarded a quote from an Olympic triathlete who went on Wellcome Trust to win a gold medal the fellowship next day and got to grips for public with the ins and outs A question of synthetic biology. As engagement always, I’ve loved meeting of calibre so many of you to hear Roger Kneebone, Professor about your adventures of Surgical Education (Sur- Let your team members shine both in and out of College. gery and Cancer), has been with a new development I will be leaving you in awarded a prestigious fel- the very capable hands lowship from the Wellcome programme designed to of Andrew Czyzewski, Trust to support his work support and encourage staff whom you can get to promoting public engage- During his fellowship, Professor with disabilities. know a little better in the ment with science and Kneebone will build links Meet the Reader column medicine. between the College’s world- on page 16 of this issue. The Wellcome Trust leading biomedical research and The Calibre Programme seeks to Please do keep sending in Engagement Fellowships a wide range of public engage- empower and increase the confidence all your story suggestions champion and develop ment events and venues, creating of disabled staff in organisations. Skills to him as they help make upcoming stars in public imaginative ways for scientists acquired will be useful for people who Reporter what it is – and engagement with science. and the public to share ideas and may be thinking about career develop- see you when I return! The scheme, now in its sec- influence one another’s thinking. ment or leadership roles. EMILY ROSS-JOANNOU, EDITOR ond year, provides support Professor Kneebone said: for science communicators “This Wellcome Trust Engagement To find out more visit: Cover image: Leon Vanstone (Aeronautics) freezing roses with a strong track record of Fellowship is a fantastic opportu- http://bit.ly/calibre12 with liquid nitrogen at the first delivering high-quality pub- nity to explore my ideas in a wide Imperial Fringe event, which lic engagement and aims range of settings. It will support or contact: took place on 25 October in to propel them to become me in developing as a leader in Leyla Okhai the Main Entrance of the South Kensington Campus. See centre leaders in their field. the field, within the creative set- [email protected] pages for the full feature. Roger Kneebone plans ting of the Wellcome Trust.” to use his fellowship to The Engagement Fellowships Reporter is published every three weeks during term build on his passion for are part of the Wellcome Trust’s time in print and online. The education, and for com- strategic vision of working with next publication day is municating and exploring researchers and the creative 22 November. new ideas. In particular, industries to help societies Contact the Acting Editor: [email protected] he will look at how his field explore and become involved of surgery overlaps with with biomedical science. the worlds of art, perfor- —ADAPTED FROM A NEWS RELEASE BY THE mance and craftsmanship. WELLCOME TrUST 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 1 November 2012 • issue 253 >> newsupdate and the economy, the site is expected to attract innovation Imperial celebrates on businesses to co-locate and Commemoration Day 2012 could offer a base in London to world class higher education On 24 October more than institutions from outside 2,400 Imperial under- the UK. The hub will also graduates gathered at provide high specification, the Royal Albert Hall to multidisciplinary research receive their degrees from space for 1,000 scientists and the College’s President & engineers investigating next Rector, Sir Keith O’Nions. generation materials. Sir Keith O’Nions, Receiving Student President & Rector, said: “The Awards for Outstanding opportunities presented by Achievement on the College receives the Imperial West technology day were Kadhim campus are tremendously Shubber (Physics), Jason Parmar and Marco Crouch £35 million to support exciting. It will bring together (both Chemistry), Nicolas Massie (Medicine), and world class teaching and Charlotte Ivison (Life Sciences), who have all been Imperial West plans research with our cutting nominated by senior members of College staff for their edge translation activities, contribution to student welfare, the College’s outreach Imperial has been awarded education, research and working closely with business, work, and charity. £35 million to support the translation activities, and the NHS and industry. I Imperial also honoured five members of staff who development of its new foster partnerships am delighted received Rector’s Medals at the ceremony. Professor Imperial West technology with global “The opportunities that HEFCE Alan Spivey (Chemistry) and Dr Emma McCoy campus in west London. stakeholders from presented by recognised the (Mathematics) both received Rector’s Medals for The award, funded by the business, industry, the Imperial huge potential Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence. Higher Education Funding higher education West technology with such a Professor Alison McGregor (Surgery and Council for England (HEFCE) and the NHS. campus are substantial Cancer) received a Rector’s Medal for Excellence in through the UK Research Incorporating tremendously award.” Pastoral Care. Partnership Investment Fund 50 new units exciting” Alongside A Rector’s Medal for Excellence in Supporting (UKRPIF), will contribute to for spin-out the award from the Student Experience went to Dr Michael Barrett the development of the cam- companies, the HEFCE – one of (Medicine), whilst Professor Adrian Sutton (Physics) pus’ £150 million research hub will serve the needs the largest awarded from the received the Rector’s Medal for Outstanding Contribu- and translation hub. of London’s enterprise UKRPIF, the new £150 million tion to Teaching Excellence. community, expanding research and translation hub Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, who served Imperial as The 42,000-m2 hub will support for innovation will be funded by a £90 million Chairman of the Court and Council from 2005–11, be the focus of the seven- drawn from Imperial and contribution from investor was awarded an honorary Fellowship, and alumnus acre technology campus on other leading universities. Voreda, with the remainder Jonathan Spatz received an Imperial College Medal the former BBC Woodlands With an emphasis on the funded by the College. for his work with the Imperial College Foundation – site, alongside the A40. commercialisation of research —SiMON WaTTS, COMMUNicaTIONS a non-profit corporation based in Georgia, USA. AND DEVELOPMENT It will deliver world class to bring benefits to society —ANTHONY WILKINSON, COMMUNicaTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT New Trust appointment Spin-outs give back Energy Minister visit Imperial AHSC submits views Imperial College DNA Electronics and Toumaz John Hayes MP, the newly on improving healthcare Healthcare Limited, two companies founded appointed Minister for Imperial College London and NHS Trust has by Professor Chris Toumazou Energy, came to visit Imperial Imperial College Healthcare (EEE), have announced they will be on 22 October to talk to 500 in brief appointed Profes- NHS Trust have produced a joint sor Sir Anthony awarding scholarships to students academics and private organ- response to the NHS consultation Newman Taylor to from overseas who want to study for isations about the future of on the future of healthcare services its board as a non- a MEng degree in the Department energy policy in the UK. Mr in north west London. The shared executive direc- of Bioengineering. The recipients Hayes’ speech focused on views of the College and Trust will tor. Sir Anthony, will be chosen later in the year. how the UK must invest in be considered along with those of who served as Professor Toumazou said: “I am areas like carbon capture and other stakeholders and the public Faculty Principal delighted that DNA Electronics storage to meet its ambitious as part of the Shaping a Healthier from 2010–12, following two years as Dep- and Toumaz are able to support energy targets.