London Regional Final... Hard to pick just one winner
Who would have thought that the life cycle of the sun could be descibed as a spotty teenager and a man with middle-aged spread? This is how the winner of NESTA FameLab's London regional heat got through to the finals. Simon Foster took the judges and audience through an enthrwalling journey of the life cycle of the sun. The three wildcards Matt Wenham, who presented how research helps make the army's helmets protect from brain injuries and the science of alcohol, Becky West, the London Video winner who told us about the unusual reproduction process of the Komodo Dragon, and Matt Parker, who made us all think about how mathematicians can pick up girls at parties....
Here's how a contestant summed up their experience: "Well, I was as nervous as I have ever been, but I loved it! The judges comments were excellent and the feedback was excellent. I'm just happy that I had the opportunity to meet and talk in front of such a great group of people."
Simon Foster (pictured above) lives in Muswell hill, North London and is currently working as a science teacher as well as developing a website to help students pass their GCSE science examinations, called studydoctor.co.uk. Simon studied Physics with Space science (so he's a qualified rocket scientist) at the University of Southampton and stayed on to undertake a PhD in Solar-terrestrial Physics. Simon's research centred upon variations in the Sun's energy output, called the Solar Irradiance. Variations in the Solar Irradiance are caused by dark features called sunspots and bright regions called faculae (meaning little torches). Simon developed models and reconstructions of solar irradiance to help climatologists explain how the Sun has influenced the climate in the past, so they can better explain and understand current changes in the Earths climate. Simon's research was included in the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th assessment report into the physical science basis of climate change. After completing his studies Simon moved back to London and took a post at Imperial College as an INSPIRE research associate. Through this role Simon acted as a science teacher in two inner-city London schools, as well as undertaking research in the Space and Atmospheric Physics (SPAT) group, again investigating solar variability and climate change. The aim of the INSPIRE scheme is to bring cutting edge research out of the laboratory and into the classroom. Simon has a real passion for communicating all areas of science and would love to develop a career in science communication helping audiences of all ages and interests to understand and fall in love with science. In his spare time Simon studies both Kung Fu and Tai Chi and recently won a silver medal at the British Open Tai Chi championships. Simon also plays football and is a keen supporter of Arsenal.
Matt Parker (pictured above) is best described as a Stand-up Mathematician who does everything in his power to make more people excited about Mathematics. After studying Mathematics and Physics in Australia, Matt now works as a Maths teacher in a London secondary school. Around this he takes every opportunity to give talks to friends, family and strangers about Mathematics and why he is so passionate about it. Matt's favourite number is currently 496.
Becky West (pictured above) studied Zoology at Bristol University before moving to London to communicate science to the most critical and hard to please audience - secondary school children. Whilst in Bristol she presented animal encounter sessions to the public at the zoo and volunteered for the zoo's outreach team. Becky specialises in A-level Biology and Psychology teaching but also runs a number of extra-curricular activities, including a gardening project and a science discovery club. At home, she shares her living space with a menagerie of over 20 animals ranging from imperial scorpions to hamsters. In her spare time she plays jazz saxophone, bakes cupcakes and enjoys fermented grapes.
"I hope that FameLab will give me the opportunity to bring science alive to those who so unsuspectingly immerse themselves in it every day but will be the first to say ‘i don't get science'."
Matt Wenham (pictured above) is originally from Adelaide, South Australia, where he did his undergraduate degree in biochemistry. He moved to the UK in 2005 to start his PhD at Oxford University, studying the cell biology of cytotoxic T cells. In 2007, he committed the cardinal sin of following his supervisor to the University of Cambridge. After completing his PhD in July, Matt plans to continue in research in the US, and is interested in pursuing a career in science policy. He is an officer in the Australian Army Reserve, and is neutral when it comes to the Boat Race.