Fame Lab

Here you can read about all the finalists from previous years and follow links to their showreels, vodcasts and podcasts.

You can scroll through all the finalists or if you are looking for a particular contestant or field of science then you can use the links on the left.

If you want to find out more or get in touch with any of the finalists then contact NESTA FameLab.

WINNER

Position: PhD Student, Imperial College London

Speciality: Hunting for 'Dark Matter'

Topics: CERN, The Large Hadron Collider, Particle Physics, Philosophy of Science

Qualifications: BA (Hons.) MSci Cantab: Natural Sciences (Experimental and Theoretical Physics), University of Cambridge, Sidney Sussex College

Location: London and CERN (Switzerland/France)

Experience:

Awards from the Institute of Physics for his lectures given around the UK and Europe

EPSRC NOISEmaker at Cheltenham Science Festival

Presenting two 3-Minute Wonders for Channel 4

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Winning Presentation

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Undergraduate Chemistry student, Durham University

Speciality: Explaining how "Chemistry is all about positive and negative charges combining to make the magic happen"

Location: Durham / Gloucestershire

Experience:

Theatre and improvised comedy performances

Presenting a 3-Minute Wonder for Channel 4

Interviews on BBC Points West and BBC Radio Gloucestershire

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Science Teacher

Speciality: Bringing cutting edge science out of the lab and into the public arena

Topics: Physics, Astronomy, Climate Change, Rocket Science, Astrobiology, Planetary Science

Qualifications: PhD Solar-Terrestrial Physics, University of Southampton
MPhys Physics with Space Science, University of Southampton
PGCE, Open University

Location: North London

Experience:

Presenting a 3-Minute Wonder for Channel 4

Talks to amateur astronomy groups and schools

Developing a website to help students pass their GCSE science exams www.studydoctor.co.uk

Worked on the INSPIRE scheme at Imperial college, acting as an outreach officer to several London schools

Watch & Listen: Showreel 

Links: www.studydoctor.co.uk

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: PhD Student, Oxford University

Speciality: The bacterial flagellar motor - The outboard motor for the salmonella speedboat

Topics: Molecular Motors, Biophysics, Laser and Optical Physics, Cell Biology and Bacteriology, Bionanotechnology

Qualifications: BSc Maths and Chemistry, The Australian National University

Location: Oxford

Experience:

Performing in poetry slams in Australia and the UK. Due to perform poetry at a range of UK festivals in 2009 and 2010

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Astrobiology Researcher, University College London

Speciality: The survival and detection of life on Mars

Topics: The Search for Life Beyond Earth, Alien Evolution, Optical and Auditory Illusions and 'How the Mind Works', Science in Films. Click here for details

Qualifications: MSc(Hons) Biological Sciences, University of Oxford
MRes Modelling Biological Complexity, CoMPLEX, University College London
PhD in Astrobiology, CoMPLEX, University College London

Location: London

Experience:

Freelances regularly for newspapers and magazines such as New Scientist, and has published a popular science book, 'Life in the Universe: A Beginner's Guide'

Has given public lectures and organised hands-on science events at a range of institutions, science centres, festivals and schools

Worked for 6 months during 2008 producing the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures with Professor Chris Bishop, and associated website

TV and radio interviews on topics including astrobiology and space exploration. Guardian online podcast and blog on astrobiology

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Links: www.lewisdartnell.com

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: PhD Student, University of Glasgow

Speciality: Malaria in Mosquitoes

Qualifications:

BSc & MSc by Research, Edinburgh University
MSc Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Location: Glasgow

Experience:

Science communication work in Glasgow schools

Winning a national science communication competition at the Liverpool Science Festival in 2008

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Maths Teacher

Speciality: Being a Stand-Up Mathematician

Location: London

Experience:

Winner of the Audience Award at the NESTA FameLab 2009 Final

Performed in the comedy science game show ‘Not Rocket Science' at the Cheltenham Science Festival 2009

Performed stand-up maths comedy in Einstein's Garden at Green Man Festival 2009

Working with Johnny Ball on a maths theatre show for school children as part of Maths Live!

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Links: Maths Live!

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Junior Research Fellow, University of Cambridge

Speciality: The formation of galaxies

Topics: Astronomy, Galaxies, Evolution of
the Universe, Theoretical Physics

Qualifications: PhD, University of Cambridge

Location: Cambridge

Experience:

Extensive outreach work

Winner of NESTA FameLab 2009 MasterClass Award

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Video Audition

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: PhD Chemistry Student, University of Bristol

Speciality: Superconductors

Location: Bristol

Experience:

Giving talks and demonstrations to school groups as part of the Bristol ChemLabS outreach project

Interview on BBC Points West

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Science Teacher

Speciality: Teaching A-Level Biology and Psychology

Qualifications: BSc Zoology, University of Bristol

Location: London

Experience:

Presented animal encounter sessions to the public and worked in outreach at Bristol Zoo

Running a number of extra-curricular school activities, including a gardening project and a science discovery club

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Video Audition

Click here for full biography

WINNER

Position: Quantum Physics PhD Student, Imperial College London

Speciality: Physics and generally finding out how things in the world work

Qualifications: BSc Physics
Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mathematics

Location: London

Experience:

Events at Science Festivals

Talks to school children in schools and volunteer centres

Speaker at Institute of Education Physics Day Lectures

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Co-Director of the Auditory Neuroscience Group, University of Oxford

Speciality: Sensory Neuroscience and anything to do with Brain and Mind

Topics: ‘Creativity - Method or Madness?' ‘Making Sense of Sound'

Qualifications: BSc Genetics
BA Mathematical Sciences
DPhil Physiology

Location: Oxford

Experience:

Several interviews on BBC Radio Oxford

Material World, BBC Radio 4

Café Scientifique presentations in Bulgaria and Greece

Public shows at Oxford Arts Week

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Links: www.oxfordhearing.com

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Particle Physics PhD Student, University of Sheffield & Science Communication Officer, Museum of Science & Industry

Speciality: Particle physics - Neutrinos

Qualifications: MPhys Physics and Astronomy
PhD Particle Physics

Location: Manchester / Sheffield

Experience:

Outreach projects in schools

Teaching science in Ghana

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Genome Biologist, Institute of Cancer Research

Speciality: Genes, Genomes and Biology

Qualifications: BSc Applied Biology
DPhil Genome Biology

Location: Sutton

Experience:

Many talks about his work to audiences of adults and children

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Biophysics Research Fellow, University of St Andrews

Speciality: Laser spectroscopy of biological cells and tissues

Qualifications: BSc Physics
MSc Photonics
PhD Biophysics

Location: St Andrews

Experience:

Hands-on demonstrations at science festivals with NOISE

Cabaret style science shows

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Senior Learning Co-ordinator, National Marine Aquarium Plymouth

Speciality: Marine Biology

Topics: "Experiments that Changed the World", "The Truth Behind Finding Nemo"

Qualifications: BSc Hons Marine Biology & Coastal Ecology
PGCE Post Compulsory Education & Training

Location: Plymouth

Experience:

Media person for the National Marine Aquarium (mainly radio and news reports). Appearances on BBC Breakfast News, BBC Spotlight, BBC Radio Devon, BBC's ‘Blue Peter'

Conducted Royal Society talks at Summer Society Exhibition, Cheltenham Science Festival and in schools. Talks at Manchester Science Festival and AIM higher event. Various schools outreach talks and presentastions to teachers & businesses

Article published in Diver Magazine

Working on PENCIL (Permanent European Resource Centre for Informal Learning)

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Natural Computation MSc Student, University of Birmingham

Speciality: Artificial Intelligence

Qualifications: BSc Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science

Location: Oxford

Experience:

SETNET Science & Engineering Ambassador

Running robotics workshops with school children

Teaching debating and public speaking as part of the International Competition for Young Debaters

Watch & Listen: Showreel   Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Physics Research Fellow, Cardiff University

Speciality: Patterns in Physics

Qualifications: Mathematical & Electrical Sciences, University of Cambridge
PhD Astrophysics, Cardiff University

Location: Cardiff

Experience:

Founding a company supplying motion-capture technology to the film industry

Working on science theatre projects

Appearances on BBC TV: Coalhouse, BBC TV: Dragon's Den, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales

Talks at primary schools and Cardiff University widening access days

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: Working in the Centre for Theoretical & Computational Neuroscience, Plymouth University

Speciality: Understanding how our brains perceive sound and music

Topics: "Science and the Violin", "Experiments that Changed the World", "Music and Memory"

Qualifications: BSc Chemistry
MSc Computational Intelligence
PhD Neuroscience

Location: Plymouth

Experience:

Science and maths events at science festivals, food festivals, music festivals and primary schools

Ran an interactive experiment bridging Cheltenham Jazz and Science Festivals which was covered in the Daily Telegraph

Collaborations with London based composer Lola Perrin on neuroscience and creativity

Advising journalists from publications such as The Times

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Links: ScienceLive Listing

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: PhD Student, Queens University Belfast

Speciality: Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis

Qualifications: BSc Biochemistry, University College Dublin

Location: Belfast

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: Freelance Technology Consultant, Stand-Up Comic & Television Scientist

Speciality: Making science funny and accessible to all ages

Qualifications: BSc Physics, University of Oxford

Location: London

Experience:

Part of geeky comedy double act Mould & Arrowsmith

Worked as part of Grey Matter theatre company

Being the BBC Blue Peter Scientist

Shows at Cheltenham Science Festival

Hosting the Planet SciCast North East competition in Newcastle

Interviews in local and national press

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Links: Steve's Website   Mould & Arrowsmith   Corporate

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: Science Teacher

Speciality: Bio-Inorganic Chemistry

Qualifications: BSc Chemistry, University of Hull
PhD Bio-Inorganic Chemistry, University of Hull

Location: Manchester

Experience:

Interviewed several times on BBC local radio

Has given a series of lectures in schools

Technical editor with the Royal Society of Chemistry

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: PhD Student, Experimental Nuclear Physics, University of Surrey

Speciality: Transmutation of nuclei and the manufacture of heavy atoms in the evolution of the universe

Location: Surrey

Experience:

Manages seminars within his department as a member of the Institute of Physics Nuclear Group Committee

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

RESERVE

Position: Science Media Centre, London

Speciality: Evolutionary Biology

Topics: ‘Penisology'

Qualifications: MSc Zoology, University of Sheffield
PhD Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh

Location: London

Experience:

Running murder-mystery science workshops for the Scottish Institute of Biotechnology Education

Presenting ‘Penisology' at Cheltenham Science Festival

Watch & Listen: Vodcast   Podcast

Click here for full biography

WINNER

Position: Editor, Materials Today Journal

Speciality: How biological molecules fit together in virus

Qualifications: Physics degree, University of Cambridge
PhD, School of Biology, University of Leeds

Location: Oxford

Experience:

Regular appearances on BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio 5 Live

Judged Institute of Ideas debating competition for sixth formers

Visited Copenhagen and Sri Lanka with British Council to talk to school children

Talks and events at Cambridge, Cheltenham and Manchester Science Festivals, East of England Science Teachers Conference, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, various schools, Science Oxford and the BIG conference

Institute of Physics ‘Physics in Perspective' residential course with A-level Students

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Space Mission Scientist at QinetiQ

Speciality: Crashing spacecraft into asteroids to deflect them away from the Earth

Qualifications: Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge
PhD, University College London

Location: London

Experience:

Radio appearances: BBC local radio, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 4: Material World

TV appearances: ‘Super Human' series for Channel 4, a pilot for Discovery Channel, film for Teachers TV

Talks at: Café Scientifique, Cheltenham, Cambridge and Surrey Science Festivals, events for IET, INTECH, London Youth Science Conference, Nature Careers Conference

British Council events in South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria

Local and national print coverage including The Guardian, The Independent and The Times

UKRC Outstanding Women in Science Communication 2007 Award. Short-listed for Women in the Future Prize in science Nov 2006

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Operations Business Analyst, Oil & Gas UK

Speciality: Molecular Parasitology

Qualifications: BSc Zoology, University of Edinburgh
PhD Molecular Parasitology, Moredun Research Institute/Glasgow University

Location: Scotland

Experience:

BBC Scotland freelance science presenter. Appearance on BBC Scotland's ‘Landward'

Events at Cheltenham and Cambridge Science Festivals, London International Youth Science Forum, FameLab International Conference

Science and Engineering Ambassador with SET Point

Event organiser, Aberdeen project 'Hungry for Energy' for Engaging Cogs

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Researcher, BBC Science

Speciality: Cognitive Neuroscience

Topics: ‘The Neuroscience of Love', ‘Love and Other Viruses'

Qualifications: BSc Biology, University of Oxford
PhD Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London

Location: London

Experience:

Talks at Cheltenham and Manchester Science Festivals and Café Scientifique

Talks in Athens with the British Council

Watch & Listen: Showreel   The Science of Attraction

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: PhD Student, Biochemistry, Queens University Belfast

Speciality: Viruses

Topics: ‘Love and Other Viruses'

Qualifications: BSc Virology, Edinburgh University

Location: Belfast

Experience:

Talks at Cheltenham Science Festival

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: MSc Chemistry Student, University of Leeds

Speciality: Using everyday objects to explain how chemistry works

Location: Leeds

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Research Scientist, School of Medicine, Swansea University

Speciality: Development, Cancer & Ageing

Qualifications: BSc Biology, University of Bristol
PhD, University College London

Location: Swansea

Experience:

Presenting an event at Cheltenham Science Festival with a full audience participation genetics experiment

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Imperial College London

Speciality: Molecules with unusual optical properties

Topics: Talking about how jelly gels and explaining the great mystery of how fake-tan cream works

Qualifications: BSc Chemical Technology, Massey University, New Zealand
PhD Organic Chemistry, Australian National University, Australia

Location: London

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Geographer, Durham University

Speciality: The ability of organisms to survive under extreme conditions

Topics: Survival strategies of plants living in the most extreme environments on Earth

Location: Durham

Experience:

Published two reference books examining carnivorous plants and life on mountain-plateaus in South America's rainforest

Was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme about the discovery of a new species of carnvorious pitcher-plant

Has held over 20 presentations documenting his research

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Research Scientist, Durham University

Speciality: Developing new techniques to clean up contaminated land

Topics: "The Science of Superheroes"

Qualifications: PhD, Newcastle University

Location: Durham

Experience:

Interviewed on BBC Radio Somerset

Local and national newspaper articles

Events at Cheltenham, Cambridge and Manchester Science Festivals, The BA Festival of Science and a range of schools

Participating in the Researchers in Residence Scheme and the BA's Perspectives Scheme

Watch & Listen: Showreel

Click here for full biography

WINNER

Position: Patent Examiner, UK Patent Office

Speciality: The physics of the rock guitar

Topics: ‘Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions', ‘Science Knight' (science in the middle ages)

Qualifications: BSc Physics, Edinburgh University
PhD Acoustics, Cardiff University

Location: Cardiff

Experience:

Over 100 local radio and press interviews throughout the UK, including BBC Radio 4's ‘Material World' & ‘Leading Edge' and BBC Radio 5 Live

TV appearances including: CBBC Xchange, BBC Newsnight, BBC The Money Programme, BBC The ONE Show, Channel 4 3-Minute Wonder

Numerous talks and shows including those at Institute of Education, Cheltenham and Cambridge Science Festivals, BA festival of Science and Institute of Physics Lecture Tour (10,000 children nationwide)

Article published in Physics World

Links: http://www.doctorlewney.com

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Radio & TV Science Presenter

Speciality: Evolution, Science Comedy

Topics: Recently giving talks on Evolution and Creationism

Location: Northern Ireland

Experience:

TV: Great Unanswered Questions BBC1 Northern Ireland (BBC3/4 later this year),  The Big Bumper Science Quiz BBC 1 Northern Ireland, Beauty the Geek, Channel 4. Currently recording a comedy/science talk show for BBC2

Radio: Great Unanswered Questions BBC Radio 4 & BBC Radio Ulster. Presenting a range of science programmes on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle next year

Lectures in person and on web-cam on a tour of China with the British Council and NESTA. Talks with Café Scientifique.

Xchange ‘Best of Fest' programme with Quentin Cooper for the BAAS

Science ambassador for Northern Ireland with Sentinus judging the yearly Young Scientists & Engineer awards

Click here for full biography

RUNNER-UP

Position: Junior Research Fellow, Clare College, University of Cambridge

Speciality: Pterodactyl flight

Location: Cambridge

Experience:

Radio appearances on the ‘The Naked Scientists', Canadian radio and BBC Radio 4

Talks at Cheltenham, Cambridge and Brighton Science Festivals, Café Scientifique

Various schools workshops

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Space Scientist in Industry along with running Science Innovation Ltd

Speciality: ‘Tours of the Universe' with school children

Location: London

Experience:

TV: BBC 1 Breakfast Show, BBC News 24, BBC 4 ‘Sputniks Children', Teachers TV, CBBC's resident scientist, BBC's ‘The Cosmos - A Beginners Guide'

Radio: BBC Radio 4 ‘Woman's Hour', ‘PM Program', BBC Radio 2 ‘Simon Mayo Program', BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC World Service

Many talks including: Role Model talks in schools, science cafes, Dana centre & At-Bristol, ‘Tour of the Universe' talk in many schools, various science festivals, schools & universities, Royal Society, Royal institution, BA, IET, IOP, WISE, Rutherford

MBE for Services to Science

UKRC Woman of outstanding achievement in SET

Links: http://www.science-innovation.com

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Public Engagement Programme, UK's Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council

Speciality: The unsolved mysteries of magnetism

Qualifications: PhD, Solid State Physics, University of Warwick

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Professor of Acoustic Engineering, Salford University

Speciality: Room acoustics & signal processing

Topics: ‘Beautiful Music Horrible Sounds'

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Physics, Birmingham University
Doctorate, Salford University

Location: Salford

Experience:

Numerous radio appearances including being resident scientist on BBC Radio Manchester and presenter of BBC Radio 4 Sounds of Science

TV appearances including: Richard and Judy, Channel 4 news, Channel 5 news, BBC News 24, BBC1 North West Tonight, Madlab, National Geographical TV, Connections, Discovery Channel, Teachers TV, How Science Works, Channel M evening news, Sky News

Many talks and events including shows to 4500 kids at Royal Albert Hall & Royal
Percival lecture for the Manchester Philosophy & Literature Society

EPSRC Media Fellow

NESTA FameLab judge 2009

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Researcher at ISVR, University of Southampton

Speciality: Designing and building science exhibits & multimedia installation artworks

Location: Bristol

Experience:

Teaching and lecturing in the UK & abroad

Many art works and projects being toured around the world

Receives regular television, radio and print media coverage

Links: www.lukejerram.com

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Working part-time for a biotechnology & medical health consultancy and part-time at FreshMinds

Speciality: The neurobiology of mental illness and creativity

Qualifications: BSc Human Science, University College London

Location: Cambridge/London

Experience:

Work on a BBC science documentary

Work on a sci-art film funded by the Wellcome Trust

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Chemistry PhD Student, University of Cambridge

Qualifications: BSc Chemistry, Imperial College London

Location: Cambridge

Experience:

Part-time magician and juggler

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Visiting schools explaining maths and history

Speciality: Computational Fluid Dynamics

Qualifications: BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Doctorate (EngD), Brunel University

Experience:

Work for various independent science-orientated TV production companies, including Fulcrum TV, Oxford Scientific Films and Windfall Digital

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Television presenter and running science communication company, "Ready, Steady, Science!"

Speciality: Evolutionary Biology

Qualifications: BSc Biology, York University
Research Masters, Glasgow University

Experience:

Presenter on ‘Inside Nature's Giants' Channel 4

Regularly appears at science festivals around the country including the Newcastle, York, Cheltenham & Cambridge and in schools, museums, universities, on radio & television.

Talks through SETpoint schemes and education & business partnerships

Performances at the Edinburgh Fringe

Click here for full biography

FINALIST

Position: Principle Chemistry Teacher, Comprehensive School

Speciality: Chemical Engineering

Location: Dundee

Experience:

Series of experiments for science week on BBC Radio Scotland

Talks at Sensation in Dundee and Cheltenham Science Festival

Click here for full biography