I'm a PhD student at University College London in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
I work on the ANITA (link opens in a new window) (Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna) experiment, a balloon borne radio detector that searches for interactions of elementary particles called neutrinos in the Antarctic Ice sheet. Neutrinos are yet to be detected at the incredibly high energies at which ANITA is sensitive, but it is hoped that through observation of them we will learn more about the most extreme environments in the Universe and the fundamental physics that drives them.
Outside of my research I have an interest in science outreach, communication and policy, having worked as a "Researcher in Residence" in a north London school and at the beginning of May 2011 commenced an STFC sponsored fellowship at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (link opens in a new window), the subject of this blog...
Never mind I'm a Celebrity - STFC scientists are hoping they're not the first to be given the boot in the award-winning "I'm a Scientist, Get Me out of here!"
The two week long competition sees students from as far afield as Hungary and Singapore, as well as many in the UK, ask a series of questions through an online forum and then vote for their favourite scientist. The idea is to give students a chance to speak to scientists first hand.
Ceri Brenner from STFC's Central Laser Facility and Derek McKay- Bukowski from STFC's RAL Space and the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory are two of the scientists taking part. Both are writing a blog about their experiences. Derek's blog can be found on the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory website. (link opens in a new window)
Ceri is writing a blog about her experiences, starting with day one where she's got a bit more about the competition and how she feels about entering the 'jungle'!
Meet Ceri and see where she works in our exclusive 'Backstage Science' video 'Super Intense Laser' (link opens in a new window).
For more information see the "I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!" web pages (link opens in a new window)
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the STFC.
