Who’s taking part: March 2019

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! returns this March for two weeks from the 4th to the 15th. Scientists and school students across the country will be taking part in 14 different zones, from Organs and Time, to Drug Discovery and Relationships!

For the latest news and announcements about the event, find us on Twitter @imascientist, and follow the hashtag, #IASUK. Want to take part in our next online event? Sign up here for June 2019.

Let’s meet the scientists and schools taking part…


The Drug Discovery Zone

The Drug Discovery Zone is a themed zone supported by Wellcome.

The Scientists

Fiona Scott | PhD Student, Sussex Drug Discovery Centre

I work in a chemistry lab designing potential new cancer medicines.

Lee Steinberg | PhD Student, University of Southampton

When designing a drug, creators need it to lie in a ‘goldilocks region’ of solubility. Time and money is wasted building drugs that do not live in this region. Its about time we got computers to help with that.

Jennifer Harris | Discovery and Research Policy Executive, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

 I advise Government on how the UK should develop new medicines and treatments for patients.

Paddy Sudhakar | Postdoctoral Researcher, Earlham Institute

I look at how bacteria can be both “buddies” or “baddies” and how different cells and molecules work together to maintain a healthy gut.

Sebastian Cosgrove | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Manchester

I do research on new ways to do chemistry, specifically using naturally occurring catalysts called enzymes.

Eleanor Senior | PhD Student, University of Liverpool

I grow cow parasites in the lab and use computer programmes to look for interesting genes in the parasites.

The Schools

  • Bluecoat Aspley Academy, Nottingham
  • Aquinas College, Stockport
  • Orchards Academy, Swanley
  • Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form, Norwich
  • Walton Girls’ High School & Sixth Form, Grantham
  • St Augustine’s Catholic College, Trowbridge
  • The Corbet School, Shrewsbury
  • The Snaith School, Goole
  • St Mary’s School for Girls, Colchester
  • St Martin in the Fields High School for Girls, London
  • Ormiston Park Academy, Aveley

The Imaging Zone

The Imaging Zone is a themed zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Dan Porter | Beamline Scientist, Diamond Light Source

I use x-rays to watch electrons perform acrobatics in materials that have never existed before.

Marleen Wilde | PhD Student, University of Reading, School of Pharmacy

I work with a molecule that is a ‘taxi-service’ for specific medicines and want to know how it travels into the cells and if it arrives where it is meant to.

Sonal Bhadane | Global Product Specialist, Elekta Ltd

I help develop the image guided radiation therapy machines for cancer treatment

Matthew Selwood | PhD Student, York Plasma Institute

I am designing a new camera that can see through walls, detect contraband, and even see inside of nuclear explosions!

Atreya Acharyya | PhD Student, Durham University

I help finding out which galaxies we can see with our telescopes.

Rosanna Tilbrook | PhD Student, The University of Leicester

I look at lots of different stars in our galaxy to try and find new planets!

The Schools

  • Berkshire College of Agriculture, Maidenhead
  • Silverdale School, Sheffield
  • All Hallows Catholic High School, Preston
  • Dartford Science & Technology College, Dartford
  • All Saints Catholic High School, Knowsley
  • Walton Girls’ High School & Sixth Form, Grantham
  • St Gregory the Great Catholic School, Oxford
  • Hammersmith Academy, London
  • St Benedict’s Catholic College, Colchester

The Molecule Zone

The Molecule Zone is a a general chemistry zone for secondary schools in Scotland supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Andrew Jamieson | Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow

I design new drugs from toxins to treat pain and work as a senior lecturer in Chemical Biology.

Aryanne Finnie | PhD Student, University of Strathclyde

I’m covering microscopic gold rods with molecules from tea, in order to make them sticky enough for me to attach bacteria-finding particles to diagnose infections quicker!

Sumit Konar | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Edinburgh

I research the science of pressure cooking to make crystal and see through its structure using X-ray and Neutron; I work with explosives like TNT and also with anti cancer drugs.

Bryony Hockin | PhD Student, University of St Andrews

I am making molecules that can use energy from the Sun to split carbon dioxide apart into more useful things that don’t cause global warming!

Sylvia Soldatou | Research Scientist, University of Aberdeen

I focus on the discovery of new antibiotics from the marine environment, such as the deep-sea and the Red Sea

Kate McGonagle | Medicinal Chemist, Dundee Drug Discovery Unit

I slog it out in the lab to try and make drugs that kill pesky parasites!

Martin McCoustra | Professor of Chemical Physics, Heriot-Watt University

I want to know how chemistry controls the cosmos.

The Schools

  • Lasswade High School Centre, Midlothian
  • Auchinleck Academy, East Ayrshire
  • Arbroath High School, Angus
  • St Joseph’s College, Dumfries & Galloway
  • Vale Of Leven Academy, West Dunbartonshire
  • Smithycroft Secondary School, Glasgow City
  • Kirkcudbright Academy, Dumfries & Galloway
  • Levenmouth Academy, Fife
  • Tain Royal Academy, Highland
  • Mallaig High School, Highland

The Nuclear Zone

The Nuclear Zone is a themed zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Meirin Oan Evans | PhD Student, University of Sussex & CERN

I study the tiniest particles in the universe with the biggest science experiment in the world.

Sarah O’Sullivan | PhD Student, University of Sheffield

I make new uranium compounds to understand what happens when nuclear reactors go wrong

George Fulton | Materials Scientist, UK Atomic Energy Authority

I design and test materials that have to survive the hottest temperature in the solar system.

Emily Lewis | Scientific Computing Graduate, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

I make computer models to test new nuclear reactor designs for the future!

Andy Buckley | Lecturer, University of Glasgow & CERN

Studying subatomic particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider.

Sophia Pells | PhD Student, University of Manchester

I look for ways to make radioactive atoms and use them to kill cancer and take pictures of tumours.

The Schools

  • Prince Henry’s High School, Evesham
  • Wyvern Academy, Darlington
  • Howard of Effingham School, Leatherhead
  • Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, Lancaster
  • Dartford Science & Technology College, Dartford
  • John Flamsteed Community School, Ripley
  • King James’s School, Knaresborough
  • Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, London
  • Reepham High School and College, Norwich
  • Bohunt School, Liphook
  • Hampton Court House, East Molesey

The Organs Zone

The Organs Zone is a themed zone for primary schools supported by Wellcome.

The Scientists

Rebecca Gosling | PhD Student, University of Sheffield

I make 3D models of the arteries in the heart and use them to treat patients virtually.

Gareth Nye | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Manchester

I look at how the placentas transfer nutrients and gasses from the mum to the baby during pregnancy and investigate ways of improving the placenta function when it’s not working as well as it should.

Hanna Jeffery | Clinical Scientist, The Royal Gwent Hospital

When people are having trouble with their ears, I test them in all sorts of ways to find out what is wrong, including making them feel dizzy (and occasionally sick).

Marie Cameron | Lecturer in Nursing, University of the Highlands and Islands

I teach University healthcare students about how the body works, what happens when things go wrong, and what we can do to help make things better.

Matthew Smith | Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine

I’m trying to understand the mechanisms that control the formation of pancreatic cancer.

Raashid Ali | Senior Critical Care Scientist, NHS Manchester University Hospitals

Not your standard scientist, I work hands on with patients to support their organs, using machines important to help keep the very sick hospital patients alive!

The Schools

  • Irchester Community Primary School, Wellingborough
  • Beech Hill Community Primary School, Wigan
  • Hodthorpe Primary School, Worksop
  • Halyrude Primary School, Peebles
  • Lark Rise Academy, Dunstable
  • Greenhill Primary School, Leeds
  • Emmanuel Middle Church of England Voluntary Aided School, Verwood
  • St Mary’s Primary School, Magherafelt
  • Aith Junior High School, Shetland Islands
  • The Sibsey Free Primary School, Boston
  • St Bridget’s Primary School & Nursery Class, Glasgow City
  • St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Morecambe
  • Arboretum Primary School, Derby

The Perception Zone

The Perception Zone is a psychology zone for sixth form students supported by the British Psychological Society.

The Psychologists

Jane Aspell | Senior Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University

I study how the brain creates ‘me’ and how this relates to my feeling of having a body.

Tirso Gonzalez Alam | PhD Student, York Neuroimaging Centre and Department of Psychology

I look at images of the brain in action and try to figure out how our brain understands the meaning of life, the universe and everything: from what getting a bad mark at school means to knowing that a lit selfie is not literally on fire.

Matthew Longo | Professor, Birkbeck, University of London

I’m a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience interested in the mental representation of our body and how this shapes perception.

Vassilis Sideropoulos | Technician, London South Bank University

I’m a technician in a psychology laboratory.

Alexandra Quigley | NHS Psychologist, Guy’s Hospital, Rheumatology and Pain

I use my amazing science skills and knowledge about minds and bodies to bust myths about pain, and help people living with pain and health problems to live full and exciting lives!

Dawn Rose | Senior Research Associate, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

I try to figure out who can feel the beat, and who can’t, and how we can use that to help people move to their own groove.

The Schools

  • Dame Alice Owen’s School, Potters Bar
  • Freman College, Buntingford
  • Wigan and Leigh College, Wigan
  • The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College, Wigan
  • South Wilts Grammar School for Girls, Salisbury
  • Bournemouth School, Bournemouth
  • Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School, Reading
  • Queen Mary’s High School, Walsall
  • Cleeve School, Cheltenham
  • Hylands School, Chelmsford

The Relationships Zone

The Relationships Zone is a psychology zone supported by the British Psychological Society.

The Psychologists

Louise Rodgers | Industry and private sector, Applied Psychologies

I try to understand the mental life of children and young people well enough to help them be happy and successful at school.

Lucy Maddox | British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

I use talking therapies and psychology ideas to help people with mental health problems and other difficulties.

David Chadwick | Professor of Information Systems Security, University of Kent

How do you know who you are really talking to over the Internet, via Facebook or other social media?

Sally Tilt | Prison Psychologist, HM Prison and Probation Service

I explore why people have committed a crime, usually with the help of the person who committed it, and then find ways for them to make a better life.

James Munro | Psychology Technician, Edinburgh Napier University

I use magnets to find out if our brains all speak the same language.

Dan Taylor | PhD Student, University of Sunderland

I am a psychologist studying romantic relationships and researching alternative sexualities.

The Schools

  • Dover Grammar School for Girls, Dover
  • Wymondham High Academy, Wymondham
  • Park Hall Academy, Birmingham
  • Furness Academy, Barrow-in-Furness
  • Newbattle High School, Midlothian
  • Colne Community School and College, Colchester
  • Bay House School, Gosport
  • Wollaston School, Wellingborough
  • Salford City Academy, Manchester

The Time Zone

The Time Zone is a themed zone supported by Institute of Physics.

The Scientists

Hamid Ohadi | Lecturer and Researcher, University of St Andrews

I play with quantum liquids of light to make the internet go faster one day.

Zoe Wimshurst | Senior Lecturer, AECC University College

I help sports people see faster and more accurately so they have more time to make better decisions and be better at their sport!

Kai Guo | PhD Student, the University of Nottingham

I play with electronics to find where I am using satellites that fly 20,000 km above our heads.

Hannah Collingwood | Engineer, National Physical Laboratory

I’m a physics graduate with interests in astronomy and programming, currently working as an engineer.

Claire Greenwell | PhD Student, University of Southampton.

I search for the hidden black holes at the centres of galaxies.

Jose Eliel Camargo Molina | Theoretical Physicist, Imperial College

I work on testing new particle theories by checking whether they predict that our universe would have collapsed.

The Schools

  • Francis Holland School, London
  • Sir John Thursby Community College, Burnley
  • Newbattle High School, Midlothian
  • Sheringham High School, Sheringham
  • The Victory Academy, Kent
  • The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College, Wigan
  • King Edward VI School, Southampton
  • Darrick Wood School, Orpington
  • St Andrew’s High School, North Lanarkshire
  • Smith’s Wood Academy, Birmingham

The Water Zone

The Water Zone is a themed zone supported by Wellcome.

The Scientists

Silvia Imberti | Instrument Scientist, The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

I have a giant microscope and look at where atoms and molecules are.

Lowri Evans | Postdoctoral Ecologist, Bangor University

I’m developing an app to help decide whether a fishery is sustainable or not based on how long animals live for and how often a habitat is fished.

Scott Graham | Microbiologist, Scottish Water

I test water samples from taps, swimming pools, rivers and lochs to make sure they are safe from harmful bacteria.

Natalie Lamb | PhD Student, The University of Sheffield and Anglian Water

I am researching how to produce good quality drinking water without adding any chemicals to treat it.

Oliver Andrews | Lecturer, University of Bristol

I work on understanding how the chemistry and biology of our oceans are changing due to climate change.

Michelle Valkanas | PhD Student, Duquesne University

I use bacteria to clean up disgusting water!

William Rust | Hydrologist and Researcher, Cranfield University

I work to understand how big storms change water kept in the ground.

The Schools

  • St Dominic’s High School, Belfast
  • Fitzharrys School, Abingdon
  • The Victory Academy, Kent
  • High Storrs School, Sheffield
  • Dinglewell Junior School, Gloucester
  • Pitteuchar East Primary School, Fife
  • Gable Hall School, Stanford-le-Hope
  • Chatham Grammar School for Girls, Chatham

The Nobelium Zone

The Nobelium Zone is a general zone supported by Wellcome.

The Scientists

David Sünderhauf | PhD Student, University of Exeter

I’m finding a way to keep antibiotics working by removing bad DNA from bacteria.

Rosemary Josekutty Thomas | PhD Computer Scientist, University of Aberdeen

Building a system to create messages that would motivate people to make positive changes in their behaviour.

Jordan Kirby | Teaching and Research Technician, University of Reading

I work with lots of different disease causing organisms and change how they work!

Leigh Kesler | Postdoctoral Researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I study the effects of radiation on high temperature superconductors, an exciting new material that can be used to build fusion reactors.

Oliver Gordon | PhD Researcher, University of Nottingham

I teach computers how to “think” like people, which helps us build shapes with atoms 10 million times smaller than a millimetre!

Hannah Dennett | Principal Air Quality Consultant, Arcadis

I investigate, model and monitor the air that we breathe, and predict what it will be like in the future!

The Schools

  • Overton Grange School, Sutton
  • Caerleon Comprehensive School, Newport
  • St John Wall Catholic School, Birmingham
  • The Victory Academy, Kent
  • The Arnewood School Academy, New Milton
  • Churnet View Middle School, Leek
  • Swindon Academy, Swindon
  • The Billericay School, Billericay

The Lawrencium Zone

The Lawrencium Zone is a general zone supported by Wellcome.

The Scientists

Alexander Allen | PhD Student, University of Nottingham

I work with single atoms and molecules, working to understand how they behave and looking to see whether we can assemble them to build anything we like at the nano-scale.

Srinath Kasturirangan | Principal Scientist, Boehringer Ingelheim USA

My research involves using our own immune system to fight cancer.

Natasha Dowey | Lead Geoscientist, Halliburton Landmark

In my job as a geologist I learn about how the Earth has changed over millions of years; how the continents have moved, how volcanoes have made their mark, and how and where rocks that give us energy were made!

Marialuisa Crosatti | Research Technician, University of Leicester

I use a worm and an amoeba to understand how bacteria found around us may develop the ability to kill us.

Gautam Kambhampati | PhD Student, Imperial College London

I’m trying to see if we can use individual molecules to build a special type of computer, called a quantum computer.

Nana Odom | Healthcare Scientist, Royal united hospital

I buy, test, maintain, fix medical equipment and also ensure the equipment is safe before being used on patients and by those who work with the patients.

The Schools

  • The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs
  • Harwich and Dovercourt High School, Harwich
  • Ferndown Middle School, Ferndown
  • Outwood Academy Shafton, Barnsley
  • Colchester County High School for Girls, Colchester
  • The John Henry Newman Catholic School, Stevenage
  • Brayton Academy, Selby
  • Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre, Dunmow
  • Walker Riverside Academy, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • Franklin College, Grimsby
  • St Cuthbert Mayne School, Torquay

The Rutherfordium Zone

The Rutherfordium Zone is a general physics zone for primary schools supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Kathryn Boast | Outreach Officer, University of Oxford

I create science shows, videos, books, interactive art and more to explore and explain the work of “quantum materials” researchers, who grow and study crystals with amazing properties.

Jose Martinez-Gonzalez | Marie Skłodowska Curie Fellow, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

My job is to see how water interacts with different materials, using a neutron generator.

Gabriel Gallardo | DPhil Student, University of Oxford

Using the largest machine on earth, I try to study the smallest things known to man: the fundamental particles which make up our universe.

Affelia Wibisono | PhD Student, Mullard Space Science Laboratory

I am investigating Jupiter’s X-ray northern and southern lights to help find habitable alien worlds.

Adelie Gorce | PhD Student, Imperial College London

I study the time when the first stars were born and how they influenced the evolution of the Universe.

Russell Arnott | PhD Student, University of Bath

I want to find out how the shape of plankton affects how they behave in the sea. I’ve recently come back from working in the Weddell Sea (nr Antarctica) with the British Antarctic Survey.

The Schools

  • Irchester Community Primary School, Wellingborough
  • Mandeville Primary School, St Albans
  • Friskney All Saints Church of England (Aided) Primary School, Boston
  • Broughton Central P School, By Biggar
  • Allerton CofE Primary School, Leeds
  • Furzedown Primary School, London
  • Uxendon Manor Primary School, Harrow
  • Lark Rise Academy, Dunstable

The Dubnium Zone

The Dubnium Zone is a general zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Tori Blakeman | Impact and Engagement Officer, STFC

Using social media and written text, I tell stories about all of the fantastic science and innovation happening at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

Titus Mutwiri | PhD Student, International Livestock Research Institute

I look for organisms that cause diseases in humans and animals and study them so as to get a solution to the problems they cause in living beings.

Stuart Higgins | Research Associate in Innovative Materials, Imperial College London

I make tiny beds of nails which can be used to inject medicines into individual cells.

Hannah Dalgleish | PhD Student, Astrophysics Research Institute

I look at hundreds of stars that huddle tightly together and figure out how they move in order to understand their history!

Gill Harrison | Radiographer and Lecturer, City University of London

I am a radiographer who specialises in ultrasound scanning and run the ultrasound course at City, University of London.

Alessandro NovellinoRemote Sensing Geoscientist, British Geological Survey

My work involves studying ground motion from space!

The Schools

  • The James Hornsby School, Basildon
  • Silverdale School, Sheffield
  • Somervale School Specialist Media Arts College, Radstock
  • Simon Balle All-Through School, Hertford
  • Gordano School, Bristol
  • Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby Bridge
  • Allerton High School, Leeds
  • Summerhill School, Kingswinford
  • Robert May’s School, Hook
  • Queen Elizabeth School

The Seaborgium Zone

The Seaborgium Zone is a general zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

The Scientists

Verity Fryer | NHS Molecular Genetics Department, Exeter, Devon

I use computers to search through billions of letters of DNA to find causes for diseases.

Sergio Adan Bermudez | PhD Student, University of Edinburgh

I use lasers and nanotechnology to fight cancer!

Nick Werren | PhD Student, University of Surrey

I research the incredibly weird physics that goes on inside plants, revealing the genius of nature and the potential for new technologies.

Maria Walach | Researcher, Lancaster University

I try to work out which way the highest parts of the Earth’s atmosphere move in response to things happening in space.

David Whitworth | PhD Student, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics

I am trying to simulate the evolution of dwarf galaxies to see how stars form.

Annette Raffan | Research Technician, University of Aberdeen

I help other scientists squash and prod mud pies with plants growing in them to see what happens!

The Schools

  • Tupton Hall School, Chesterfield
  • Stirling High School, Stirling
  • Freman College, Buntingford
  • Beverley High School, Beverley
  • Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe
  • Ethos College, Huddersfield
  • Meridian School, Royston
  • The Elton High School, Bury
  • Hammersmith Academy, London
Posted on February 20, 2019 by in News. Comments Off on Who’s taking part: March 2019