2022 Annual Student Conference

In its 5th year, the National Student Conference is an opportunity for student members studying on interdisciplinary programmes around the country to come together to share their research, interact with other scientists and build a network of contacts across different disciplinary areas – coming back to a physical meeting after the pandemic launched us all into a virtual world over the past few years.

Keynote Speakers

Dr Pete Harvey

Pete is a Nottingham Research Fellow within the Precision Imaging Beacon. He will be developing new platforms for molecular imaging of central nervous system disorders, with a focus towards neurodegeneration. His approach will utilize a combination of strategies including new imaging methodologies, contrast agent design for targeting and reporting on disease markers, and improving brain delivery of agents. 
Before joining the University of Nottingham, Pete was on a Wellcome Trust-MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship, working on molecular fMRI with Prof Alan Jasanoff within the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT. Prior to that, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester and completed his undergraduate and PhD studies at Durham University where his thesis focused on paramagnetically-enhanced 1H and 19F chemical shift imaging. 

Emily White

Emily works for C40 Cities, serving as a City-Business Engagement Manager. This job involves working across both the City-Business Climate Alliance (CBCA) and UrbanShift programmes to accelerate climate action through city-business collaboration. In this dual role, she facilitates delivery of local and global city-business partnerships by conducting research, organising events and developing tools and guidance for the CBCA Global Network. She also leads the development of UrbanShift’s private sector engagement strategy and activities and supports program communications and events.

In 2019 Emily completed an MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy at King’s College London which helped her to land her first internship with C40 Cities. She previously completed a BSc in Natural Sciences at Nottingham from 2015-2018.  Having a broad interdisciplinary knowledge from her undergraduate degree helped Emily to develop the confidence to approach complex problems holistically, and gave her a great start to her career. Emily studied geography, archaeology and biology which allowed her to see the scientific, cultural and political complexities of climate change.

Zachary Peggs

Zack is in the second year of his PhD in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Nottingham. He knew he wanted to pursue a career in a scientific field that put the physics he had learned throughout his degree to use in a practical, tangible way. Medical physics is a field which combines cutting-edge interdisciplinary science with real life patient focus, with a real opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.

Zack completed his natural sciences degree studying physics and maths in 2020. He was a committed student and throughout his undergraduate degree, he undertook projects surrounding the use of quantum mechanical sensors to measure brain activity with a high temporal resolution, and completed a work experience placement in the Medical Physics department of Queen’s Medical Centre. After his third year these experiences cemented his decision to apply for a PhD. His current work involves working on novel proton pulmonary MRI techniques. 

Full Conference Programme – (link to be added to pdf)

Georgi Alabone, Earlham Institute

Congratulations to our @UEANatSci student, Georgi @g_alabone who is doing her final year data analyst project with us @EarlhamInst on #microbiome#metaproteomics & #IBD for winning the poster prize @SocNatSci 5th Annual National Student

Millie and Charlie, developing as future leaders of interdisciplinary science.

Millie Barnes and Charlie Hall, from Loughborough University, attended the conference and were really excited to present their work.

“I had lots of interest in my work with ideas of how to develop and take further. Really fun to network with others across the UK, and chat about some of the exciting overlaps between our projects and general interests.”

Millie Barnes

“Really enjoyed the conference and got to deliver a presentation to an engaging audience. This was a great chance for me to test my own knowledge and for others to contribute. It was great fun networking with some fellow ‘NatScis’ and I look forward to staying in touch over the coming years.”

Charlie Hall