I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! is back this November. Between Monday 11th and Friday 22nd, students at over 120 schools will be putting their questions to 70+ scientists across 12 different zones.
For the latest news and announcements about the event, find us on Twitter @imascientist, and follow the hashtag, #IASUK.
Let’s meet the scientists and schools taking part…
Big Data Zone
The Big Data Zone is a themed zone supported by Institute Of Physics.
Valerio Giuffrida | Lecturer, Edinburgh Napier University
I use computer algorithms to study the growth of plants in their environment.
Sreejita Ghosh | PhD student, University of Groningen
I look for patterns in data in order to find what is going on in the body of patients
Sam Lawrence | Researcher, University of Portsmouth
I’m a space scientist, looking at patterns of galaxies in the sky to try and understand the Universe
Kate Winfield | Environmental Data Scientist, STFC Harwell
I gather weather and air pollution measurements, satellite images and climate model data from across the world and put them in a super computer to allow scientists from across the world to access it.
Anastasia Aliferi | PhD Student, King’s College London
I am working on methods that can help us find out how old someone is just by looking at a drop of their blood
Adam Wootton | Lecturer, Keele University
I’m a lecturer at Keele University finding new ways to teach computers to stop bridges falling down
The Schools
- Hammersmith Academy, London
- Prestatyn High School, Denbighshire
- Teesdale School, County Durham
- The Peele Community College, Spalding
- St Mark’s CofE Primary School, Manchester
- Egglescliffe School, Stockton-on-Tees
- Lewis Girls’ Comprehensive School, Ystrad Mynach
- Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Kirkby Stephen
- Heathfield Community College, Heathfield
- Therfield School, Leatherhead
- Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Ilkeston
Darmstadtium Zone
The Darmstadtium Zone is a general zone supported by Wellcome.
Simon Brown | Technical Assistant, University of Bath
My job involves maintaining the Solvent Purification System, a system which removes water from solvents, solvent store management, dry ice and occasionally liquid nitrogen.
Selen Ozbek | Researcher, Circadian Therapeutics
I’m a psychologist working with army personnel and veterans who have lost their ability to see, to find out whether their ability to see is affecting their sleep pattern
Paul Laurance-Young | Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Derriford Hospital
I’m a biomedical scientist in cellular pathology, I help doctors provide a diagnosis for patients
Nawapat Kaweeyanun | PhD student, Imperial College London
I’m a physicist studying planets and moons in the Solar System to find out what they are like and how they interact with other bodies
Natalie Fowler | Senior Critical Care Scientist, Manchester University NHSFT
I work with equipment and technology that is used to support critically ill patients, my job involves picking the right machines to treat patients and making sure they are working properly.
Katy Bruce | PhD Student, University of Kent
I use a laser to study traces of makeup left at crime scenes, so that we can catch more of the bad guys!
The Schools
- Marr College, South Ayrshire
- Monkton Park Primary School, Chippenham
- Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich, London
- Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle
- The Co-operative Academy of Manchester
- Niddrie Mill Primary School, Edinburgh
- Rosslyn Park Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham
- Wright Robinson College, Manchester
- Heathfield Community College, Heathfield
- Torquay Girls Grammar School, Torquay
Electromagnetic Zone
The Electromagnetic Zone is a themed zone supported by STFC.
Heidi Thiemann | PhD student, Open University
I use data from many telescopes around the world to investigate stars which change in brightness, to understand what stars are in the night sky and how they’ll change over time, and discover new types of stars!
Jose Brandao-Neto | Senior Scientist, Diamond Light Source
I help researchers discover new medicinal drugs by shooting proteins with x-rays
Sameed Muhammed | Research Scientist, CERN
I shoot lasers and microwaves at particles of matter and antimatter and record how they interact with each other.
Freya Addison | PhD Student, University of Leeds
I use balloons and aircraft to spot the differences between instruments measuring clouds up in the air and radar instruments, which are on the ground looking up.
Joanna Barstow | Research Fellow, UCL
I am working on a research project looking at how the atmospheres of planets are affected by the light they receive from their parent stars
The Schools
- Turnbull High School, East Dunbartonshire
- Colne Community School and College, Colchester
- Deptford Green School, London
- St Joseph’s College, Dumfries and Galloway
- St Bede’s RC Primary School, Jarrow
- Colegio Escandinavo, Madrid
- The Arnewood School Academy, New Milton
- Kemnay Academy, Aberdeenshire
- Walton Girls’ High School & Sixth Form, Grantham
- Burnside Business and Enterprise College, Wallsend
- Lawnswood School, Leeds
- Reepham High School and College, Norwich
- Clytha Primary School, Newport
- St John Wall Catholic School, Birmingham
- Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, Hythe
Elements Zone
The Elements Zone is a themed zone supported by Royal Society of Chemistry.
Georgia Orton | Research Scientist, University of Nottingham
I work in a laboratory making tiny cages out of molecules and trapping other molecules inside them
Emily Sparkes | PhD Student, University of Manchester
I’m a chemist working with enzymes found in sea sponges, finding out what the enzyme looks like and what it likes to react with
Thibaut Deviese | Analytical Chemist, University of Oxford
I’m a scientist working with archaeologists to identify how old things like ancient mummies are using radiocarbon dating.
Harry Wilkinson | PhD student, University of Bristol
My job is to try and make versions of iron compounds found in the body to see if they act the same way outside of it.
William Wiseman | Technical Manager, Luxfer MEL Technologies
I make materials that go into things like aeroplanes, oil rigs and even the human body.
Aimee Egglestone | Development Chemist, Calachem Fine Organics
I help other scientists fix problems with their work as they go from tiny amounts in their labs to tonnes and tonnes at plant scale
The Schools
- Smithdon High School, Hunstanton
- St Dominic’s High School, Belfast
- Berkshire College of Agriculture, Maidenhead
- Slemish College, Ballymena
- Sandymoor, Runcorn
- Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg, Barry
- Wirral Metropolitan College, Birkenhead
- John Flamsteed Community School, Ripley
- Launceston College, Launceston
- Whalley Range 11-18 High School, Manchester
- The Holmesdale School, Snodland
Enquiry Zone
The Enquiry Zone is a psychology zone supported by British Psychological Society.
Pizza Chow | Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Exeter
I study how clever squirrels are, using different problem tasks to see how squirrels perceive the world
Caroline Brett | Senior Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University
I’m a psychologist who is interested in what makes and keeps people happy
Vassilis Sideropoulos | PhD research technician, London South Bank University
I’m a technician in a psychology laboratory
Kareena McAloney-Kocaman | Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University
I’m trying to find out how much religion impacts on our health
Line Caes | Lecturer, University of Stirling
I am studying to find out what parents feel and how they react when they see their child in pain.
The Schools
- Oaksey CofE Primary School, Malmesbury
- Merton Park Primary School, London
- Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, Plymouth
- St Bridget’s Primary School & Nursery Class, Glasgow
- Lark Rise Academy, Dunstable
- St Albert’s Primary School, Glasgow
- Stanton St Quintin Community Primary School, Chippenham
- St Philip’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Leeds
- Ramsden Primary School, Worksop
- St Matthew’s Primary School, Glasgow
- St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
- Wargrave CofE Primary School, Newton-le-Willows
Health Behaviour Zone
The Health Behaviour Zone is a psychology zone supported by British Psychological Society.
Emily Mattacola | Lecturer, University of Buckingham
I look at how teenagers think about and behave around their health, and how your relationships with your friends impacts this
Alex Spiers | PhD Student, Imperial College London
I am researching the effect of mobile phone use and mental health in young people in London and in India
Jolel Miah | PhD Student, University of Bedfordshire
I’m a Health Psychologist in training who helps people to make better healthier decisions so they can live a longer and happier life
Tracy McCrossan | Health Psychologist, Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex
I work with patients and other healthcare professionals to prevent ill health, promote healthy lifestyles and create positive health behaviour change.
Amber Cronin | Intelligence Coordinator, Healthwatch
I read about and report on people’s experiences of what positive and negative things are happening in health and social care services
David Belin | Lecturer, University of Cambridge
I try to understand why individuals are vulnerable to develop compulsive disorders such as drug addiction or OCD.
The Schools
- Stroud High School, Stroud
- Red Balloon Learning Centre, Reading
- Bay House School, Gosport
- Eastleigh College, Eastleigh
- St Paul’s School, Barcelona
- St John Rigby RC Sixth Form College, Wigan
- Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian
- Kepier, Houghton le Spring
- Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, Abertawe
- St Dominic’s High School, Belfast
- Wigan and Leigh College, Wigan
- Caerleon Comprehensive School, Newport
- King Edward’s School Witley, Godalming
Meitnerium Zone
The Meitnerium Zone is a general zone supported by Wellcome.
Sarah Knight | Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of York
I study communication and is working on a project about how we make judgements about other people from their voices.
Isaac Halstead | PhD Student, Royal Holloway
I explore attitudes towards gene editing, to better understand how people will respond when it is more widespread
Hira Virdee | Lumi Space
I founded a company which is working to enable the next generation of satellite technology by delivering power to satellites from a network of ground-based laser stations.
Elena Maters | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leeds
I’m a volcanologist studying how and why ash particles from different volcanoes influence chemistry and clouds high up in the atmosphere
Alex Leide | PhD Student, University of Oxford
I use lasers, electron microscopes, and particle accelerators to design new materials for building a fusion machine
Anisha Wijeyesekera | Lecturer, University of Reading
I analyse human biological samples (yes, urine, blood, saliva and poo!) to better understand biochemical changes in response to disease
The Schools
- Beech Hill Community Primary School, Wigan
- Arboretum Primary School, Derby
- Smithycroft Secondary School, Glasgow
- Lasswade High School Centre, Midlothian
- Irchester Community Primary School, Wellingborough
- Pennine Way Junior Academy, Swadlincote
- Longbenton High School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- City Academy Whitehawk, Brighton
- Cheetham CofE Community Academy, Manchester
- Outwood Academy Shafton, Barnsley
Microbe Zone
The Microbe Zone is a themed zone supported by Microbiology Society.
Steven Rudder | DNA Sequencing Research Assistant, Quadram Institute
I use DNA sequencing to detect and explore the genomes of bacteria that live inside humans and animals
Jessica Mitchell | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Leeds
I work with communities in Nepal to understand the health problems they face and find ways to keep them, their animals and their environments healthier
Clio Andreae | Senior Scientist, Charles River Laboratories
I am part of a team that works on infectious diseases, helping companies to find new treatments for bacterial and viral infections.
Bruno Silvester Lopes | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Aberdeen
I study how and why some harmful germs can’t be killed by taking medicines
Tom Snelling | Research Scientist, University of Dundee
I study how the body fights back against the tiny germs that make us sick!
Haafizah Hoosen | PhD Student, Leicester De Montfort University
I investigate microorganisms (parasites), which are tiny living creatures that you usually can’t see with your naked eye, and try to find out if they are making people sick more often than before
The Schools
- Aquinas College, Stockport
- Hounsdown School, Southampton
- The Holmesdale School, Snodland
- Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle
- Ridgewood High School, Stourbridge
- The Petchey Academy, London
- Weston College, Weston-Super-Mare
- Down High School, Downpatrick
- Bingley Grammar School, Bingley
- City College Plymouth
- Summerhill School, Kingswinford
- The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs
Nuclear Zone
The Nuclear Zone is a themed zone supported by STFC.
Mark Johnson | University Researcher, University of Manchester
I work on an international experiment that traps atoms made out of antimatter, a mysterious “mirror image” version of the building blocks making up almost everything in our universe!
Liam Gaffney | Postdoctoral Researcher, CERN
I measure the different shapes of the nucleus at the centre of atom
Laura Sinclair | Medical Physicist, Castle Hill Hospital
My job is to make radiation measurements for equipment like X-rays, CT, PET and gamma cameras to make sure they are working safely.
Kasia Clarke | PhD student, University of Bristol
I study the behaviour of a material that will be used in nuclear reactors to allow them to produce energy in a safer, more reliable way.
Felix Warren | Apprentice, Culham Science Centre, UKAEA
As an apprentice I do 3 month placements on a large variety of sites ranging from working with pressurised piping systems to running maintenance on robotic systems.
Gina Parker | Wood plc
I create computer models of the core of a nuclear reactor
The Schools
- The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs
- Meden School, Mansfield
- Reepham High School and College, Norwich
- Mallaig High School, Mallaig
- Wyvern Academy, Darlington
- Harris Girls Academy Bromley, Beckenham
- All Saints Catholic High School, Knowsley
- The Radcliffe School, Milton Keynes
- The Derby High School, Bury
- The North School, Ashford
Roentgenium Zone
The Roentgenium Zone is a general zone supported by STFC.
Anna Kalorkoti | Materials Scientist, Qinetiq
I do experiments on lots of different materials, to find out how they change when the world around them changes
Rebecca Shaw | Research Technician, University of Aberdeen
My job is to help student researchers and scientists in doing experiments which need to be carried out.
Alin Elena | Physicist, Daresbury Laboratory
I’m a physicist, I spend my time programming to solve scientific problems, usually on a super computer.
Adam Washington | Instrument Scientist, ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source
My job is to build and maintain special instruments for visiting scientists to perform various measurements and experiments with.
Varun Ramaswamy | PhD Student, Institute of Cancer Research
I am trying to find the shapes of defective proteins in cancer cells, to help design medicines to treat cancer.
Samantha Firth | Communications and Social Media Officer, STFC
I get to learn about the latest and greatest science – like landslides on Mars and deadly diseases – and then I talk about it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Schools
- John F Kennedy Catholic School, Hemel Hempstead
- Egglescliffe School, Stockton-on-Tees
- The British School Yangon, Myanmar
- The de Ferrers Academy, Burton-on-Trent
- Furness Academy, Barrow-in-Furness
- Redmoor Academy, Hinckley
- Harwich and Dovercourt High School, Harwich
- MidKent College, Gillingham
- Queen Elizabeth Studio School, Kirkby Lonsdale
- Caerleon Comprehensive School, Newport
- All Saints Catholic College Specialist in Humanities, Huddersfield
- Darlington College, Darlington
- New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone
Society Zone
The Society Zone is a psychology zone supported by British Psychological Society.
Kohinoor Darda | PhD student, Bangor University
I study what parts in the brain make us such copy-cats in day-to-day interactions!
Debbie Kinsey | PhD student, University of Exeter
I’m looking at how museums help people with dementia and their carers
Liam Wignall | Lecturer, Bournemouth University
I study how people interact with each other online, especially on social media.
Jack Joyce | PhD Student, Loughborough University
I am researching how people talk to each other during arguments, and the ways that people can be frustrating to each other.
Karolina Urbanska | Research Associate, University of Sheffield
I’m a psychologist studying if watching funny images or videos can affect our feelings and behaviour.
Phill Agnew | Product Marketing Manager, Brandwatch
I host a podcast called Nudge, which aims to explain the science behind why consumers make decisions
The Schools
- Queen Mary’s High School, Walsall
- Gordano School, Bristol
- The Burton Borough School, Newport
- Cleeve School, Cheltenham
- Allerton High School, Leeds
- The WREN School, Reading
- Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering
- The James Hornsby School, Basildon
- The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs
Sustainability Zone
The Sustainability Zone is a themed zone supported by Wellcome.
Stuart Goldie | Postgraduate Research Assistant, Durham University
I discover new materials for renewable energy by making a mess in the lab and doing computer programming.
Scott Dwyer | PhD Student, University of Warwick
I work on new ways to control a blood-sucking mite that feeds on and spreads viruses to honey bees.
Lisa Kelly | , BASF Plc
I work for a chemical company, selling their products into industries and applications that touch our every day life, and offering sustainable solutions
Caragh Whitehead | Senior Research Technician, University of York
I’m a plant scientist interested in how plants can lead to an improvement in all areas of our lives.
Alex Batchelor | PhD Student, University of Nottingham
I’m trying to find a way to make the roots better at getting a nutrient called phosphorous out of the soil, so that they can grow better
Jack Saunders | PhD Student, University of Manchester
I spend my time trying to make new plastics which go into paints. These paints will hopefully stop your garden fences from rusting. Although my job may sound boring (I watch paint dry) it’s actually a lot more interesting than that!
The Schools
- Shaldon Primary School, Teignmouth
- Louth Kidgate Primary Academy, Louth
- Mill O’Forest School, Aberdeenshire
- St Leonard’s CofE Primary School, Bridgnorth
- Touch Primary School, Dunfermline
- Beacon Primary Academy, Skegness
- Llanyrafon Primary School, Llanyrafon
- Howard Primary School, Croydon
- Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery, Weymouth
- Springside Primary School, Bury
- St Nicholas’ Primary School, Bearsden
- Pitteuchar East Primary School, Glenrothes
- Castle Academy, Northampton
- Barry Primary School, Northampton
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Morecambe
- Meadhurst Primary School, Ashford Common