Pythagoras' Trousers

Every week we feature a STEM Ambassador of the Week. If you’d like to be considered, please contact us. Here are profiles of those who have taken part so far.

14/05/12 – Anne King

Listen to her talking about her job here.

30/04/12 – Brij Geerjanan

Job Title: Maintenance Systems Engineer, Tata Steel

Brij sustains, supports and improves maintenance business processes.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

23/04/12 – Aurelien Vadex

Job Title: Aerospace Engineering Student, University of Glamorgan

Aurelien also works as an advisor at the Citizen Advice Bureau, problem solving for various personal issues to the public and also guiding them to the right required information.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

16/04/12 – Obi Anyadike

Job Title: System Admin Assistant

Obi manages IT Systems that aid financial and business transactions in SAP and other periphery applications.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

02/04/12 – Mike Rose

Job Title: Apprentice Training Officer, Tata Steel

Mike recruits and provides pastoral care to the apprentices at Tata Steel, Port Talbot,

Listen to him talking about his job here.

26/03/12 – Dirk Peter van der Werf

Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Physics

Dirk produces and studies antihydrogen and positronium.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

12/03/12 – Vicky Young [I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here Contestant]

PhD Student, University of Edinburgh

Listen to her talk about herself here and read her full profile here.

12/03/12 – Ken Dutton-Regester [I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here Contestant]

PhD Student, Queensland University of Technology / Queensland Institute of Medical Research

Listen to him talk about himself here and read his full profile here.

12/03/12 – John Prytherch [I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here Contestant]

Oceanographer / Research Scientist, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

Listen to him talk about himself here and read his full profile here.

12/03/12 – Jarvist Frost [I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here Contestant]

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Imperial College London

Listen to him talk about himself here and read his full profile here.

12/03/12 – Indi Ghangrekar [I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here Contestant]

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester

Listen to her talk about herself here and read his full profile here.

05/03/12 – Steven Rees

Job Title: Operations Team Leader

Steven works within a multi-disciplined operations team developing a $7 Billion project to install a new Oil Production facility 75 km West of Shetland.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

27/02/12 – Richard Dean

Listen to him talking about his job here.

20/02/12 – Ben Tapley

Job Title: Architectural Engineering Student

Listen to him talking about his job here.

13/02/12 – Asif Rahman

Job Title: Mechanical Engineering Student

Listen to him talking about his job here.

06/02/12 – Chris Martin

Job Title: Pharmacist

Chris’ job involves working in pharmacies and research into biodegradable microneedle-facilitated transdermal (skin) delivery.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

30/01/12 – Christina Phillips

Job Title: Owner and artist at Blackcutwitch Designs

Christina is a sculptor and artist most of the time and a tutor of physics part of the time.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

23/01/12 – Ian Miller

Job Title: Raw materials specialist – Coal and Coke

Ian gets to work on areas which have the greatest impact on the bottom line at Tata Steel whether its coal/coke quality, process variability or driving forward innovative ideas to improve performance.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

16/01/12 – Lisa Morgan

Job Title: Communications Assistant, Magnox North

Listen to her talking about her job here.

09/01/12 – Karen Reed

Job Title: Research Associate

Karen works on a Cancer Research UK funded project looking at the importance of the gene APC2 in bowel cancer.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

19/12/11 – Lee Parry

Job Title: Research Associate

Lee works on a Cancer Research UK funded project on identifying new therapeutic targets for bowel cancer.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

12/12/11 – Kelly Williamson

Job Title: Student Teacher

Kelly is currently training to be a secondary school teacher of science and mathematics

Listen to her talking about her job here.

05/12/11 – Kelly Berube

Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology

Lecturing and researching on environmental toxicology, with a special focus on the effects of air pollution on human respiratory health.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

28/11/11 – Helen Green

Job Title: Development Officer

Helen supports people in setting up new community projects as well as being a trainer for courses in community development and campaign and lobbying.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

21/11/11 – Sian Ashton

Job Title: STEM Ambassador Manager (Wales)

Sian looks after the STEM Ambassador Scheme throughout Wales.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

14/11/11 – Wendy Sadler

Job Title: Director – Science Made Simple

Running a social enterprise that develops and delivers STEM outreach across the UK and internationally to around 70,000 people a year!

Listen to her talking about her job here.

07/11/11 – Jay Tate

Job title: Director of the Spaceguard Centre

Jay studies and tracks potentially hazardous asteroids as well as providing accurate and timely information on the impact hazard and planetary astronomy to the public and media.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

31/10/11 – Tim Jones

Job title: Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geology

Tim lectures and conducts research on the geoenvironment and pollution, and implications for human health.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

24/10/11 – Haley Gomez

Job title: Lecturer in Astrophysics, Cardiff University

Haley’s job consists of teaching undergraduates and postgraduates about astrophysics as well as investigating the origins of cosmic dust in galaxies using the European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

17/10/11 – Chris Allton

Job title: Professor of Physics, Swansea University

Chris researches the interactions of quarks – the fundamental particles which make up protons and neutrons, and therefore almost all of the known matter in the universe.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

10/10/11 – Paul Stephenson

Job title: Operations director, The Magic Mathworks Travelling Circus

Paul tours hands-on maths exhibitions here and abroad.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

03/10/11 – Paul Lindsay

Job Title: Operations Director, Aerospace Wales Forum

Paul’s job involves day to day discussions, meetings, conferences and exhibitions with industry executives in an effort to increase the Welsh presence in the global aerospace and supply chains.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

26/09/11 – Alysia Battersby

Job Title: Research Associate, Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University

Alysia’s job involves using human embryonic stem cells to make neurons which have the potential to be used in transplant therapy and drug discovery.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

19/09/11 – Emma Lane

Job Title: Pharmacology Lecturer, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University

Emma’s job involves teaching pharmacy students about the brain and how drugs interact with it and running a research group which explores treatment options for Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

12/09/11 – Liz Terry

Job Title: STEM Ambassador Manager (Wales)

Liz looks after the STEM Ambassador Scheme throughout Wales.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

05/09/11 – Cerian Angharad

Job Title: STEM Ambassador Manager (Wales)

Cerian looks after the STEM Ambassador Scheme throughout Wales.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

27/06/11 – Zoe Hughes

Job Title: Energy Optimisation Engineer

Zoe works on Energy Saving schemes, particularly the analysis, modeling and implementation of optimisation of combustible gases.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

20/06/11 – Rachel Taylor

Job Title: Researcher, greenhouse-gas footprinting

Rachel is responsible for developing tools and calculators that help measure the global warming impact of livestock farming and meat production on Welsh farms.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

13/06/11 – Simone Lowthe-Thomas

Job Title: Senior Sustainable Energy Project Manager

Simone provides advice and support for community renewable energy generation projects and consultancy on all aspects of sustainable energy delivery and policy.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

06/06/11 – Kevin Titley

Listen to him talking about his job here.



23/05/11 – Peter Wells

Job Title: Partner, Hoare Lea

Peter is responsible for teams of engineers designing mechanical, electrical and environmental systems for the offices, retail, healthcare, education, sports and leisure buildings.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

16/05/11 – Ben Jones

Listen to him talking about his job here.

09/05/11 – Heather Jackson

Listen to her talking about her job here.

18/04/11 – Tim Bowen

Job Title: Lecturer in Matrix and Molecular Biology

Tim’s work focuses on the regulation of gene expression in renal disease, particularly the hyaluronan synthase genes.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

11/04/11 – Andrew Taylor

Job Title: Head of Project Delivery Organisation, Wylfa Nuclear Power Station

Andrew leads a team that works to extend the life and enhance the safety of the power station.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

04/04/11 – Mike O’Gundare

Listen to him talking about his job here.

28/03/11 – Derek Sheehan

Listen to him talking about his job here.

14/03/11 – Sarah Fyson

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bristol

Sarah is a neuroscientist that uses optogenetic and electrophysiological techniques to investigate how brain cells or “neurons” talk to one another.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

07/03/11 – Graham Rowland

Job Title: Production Technologist, Tata Steel

Graham trouble shoots issues related to continuous casting and related projects.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

28/02/11 – Helen Cantwell

Job Title: Product Service Scientist

Helen’s job involves travelling throughout Europe and the US, researching and the developing new testing techniques in food safety.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

21/02/11 – Tom Crick

Job Title: Lecturer in Computing, UWIC

Tom highlights the pervasiveness and importance of computing and technology in everyday life and is currently researching the next generation of microprocessors and how to use hem efficiently.

Listen to him talk about his job here.

14/02/11 – David Jones

Job Title: Hydrogeologist, Environment Agency Wales

Dave works to protect the quality and quantity of groundwater, protect land and deal with the legacy of land contamination.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

07/02/11 – Chris Hopkins

Job Title: Head of Clinical Engineering & Physical Sciences, Cwm Taf Health Board

Chris uses state of the art electronic and computing techniques to design, develop, build and adapt specialised medical equipment.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

31/01/11 – Dan Livermore

Job Title: Graduate Engineer, VolkerStevin Ltd.

Dan is a field based engineer applying designs and supervising work on construction projects.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

23/01/11 – Iain Allardyce

Job Title: Hardware Engineer, Cassidian Systems Ltd.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

16/01/11 – Christine Purslow

Job Title: Senior Lecturer, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

Chris originally trained as an optometrist and now spends her time teaching student optometrists and conducting research projects about the human eye. She also spends much of her time talking to young people about her work and her career.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

09/01/11 – Alun Armstrong

Job Title: Managing Director, Metrology Systems Wales

Alun designs and manufactures of ways to measure things very accurately under challenging conditions.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

19/12/10 – Chris O’Brien

Job Title: Environmental Engineer, Tata Steel

Chris works at the biggest steelworks in the UK reducing air, water and waste pollution.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

12/12/10 – Hugh Griffiths

Job Title: Managing Director, Lilypad Films

Hugh works for a company providing media solutions to a range of clients.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

05/12/10 – Ian Amos

Job Title: Graduate Highways Engineer, Arup

Ian designs highway schemes around the UK which involves road geometry design and junction design as well as flood modelling and drainage design and how the highway impacts on the natural environment.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

28/11/10 – Kerry Cope

Job Title: Purchaser (Operations & Maintenance), Siemens

Kerry is responsible for spare part acquisitions and contract management for a CCGT gas fired power station.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

21/11/10 – Nikki Stockbridge

Job Title: Structural Engineer, Arup

Nikki’s job entails her coordinating with other members of the design team and designing the building frame in order to make an architectural concept into a real building.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

14/11/10 – David Dodd

Job Title: Field Team Leader, Operations, Department of Energy Networks, Scottish Power

Dave looks after teams of craftsmen who do maintenance and fault repairs to Scottish Power’s Electricity Network, helping to keep the lights on in the Dee Valley and Oswestry Areas.

Listen to him talk about his job here.

07/11/10 – Dr. Jacqui Mulville

Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Bioarchaeology, School of History, Archeology & Religion, Cardiff University

Jacqui explores the human past through ancient biological remains, everything from plants and bones through to tiny biomolecules such as DNA.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

31/10/10 – Dr. Hefin Jones

Job Title: Senior Lecturer, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University

As well as being involved in teaching undergraduates, Hefin also leads a Research Team exploring interactions between species in terrestrial and aquatic habitats and the ecological effects of climate change.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

24/10/10 – Gemma Lavender

Job Title: Astrophysics Student, Cardiff University & Freelance Science Writer

Gemma is in the final year of a four year course and she hopes to go on to obtain a PhD in Extra-Solar Planets. Her freelance science writing work has allowed her to write for the UK magazine “Astronomy Now”.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

17/10/10 – Olivia Blok

Job Title: Civil Engineering Student, Cardiff University

Olivia’s studies involve a lot of project design work and cover a wide range of topics including soils and water.

Listen to her talking about her job here.

10/10/10 – Nduka Ezediuno

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer, Tata Steel Europe

Nduka’s role is to do with tribology, more specifically the lubrication side of the department.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

03/10/10 – Sam Evans

Job Title: Chief Photographer, Cardiff University Dental Hospital

Sam photographs patients with various conditions affecting the mouth and teeth for medical records. He also works with forensic odontologists, collecting photographic evidence of bite mark injuries and the identification of unknown bodies. Sam conducts research into 3D imaging techniques for forensic odontology.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

26/09/10 – Alan Rowse

Job Title: Subject Leader, Design & Technology Initial Teacher Training, University of Wales, Newport

Alan leads and manages the undergraduate and postgraduate D&T programmes at the University of Wales, Newport. He also lectures in electronics & teaching studies, is involved in internationalisation and eductation for sustainable development & global citizenship resources and mentors trainee teachers whilst in schools.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

19/09/10 – Julie Gould

Job Title: Physics Student, Cardiff University

Julie studies all aspects of physics and her masters degree allows her to focus on what really interests her.

Listen to her talking about being a physics student here.

12/09/10 – Nick Ashley

Job Title: Managing Director, Red Rock International

Nick delivers training and consultancy in leadership, team development and innovation & change to global organisations.

Listen to him talking about his job here.

05/09/10 – Tina Crimp

Job Title: STEM Ambassador Manager (Wales)

Tina looks after the STEM Ambassador Scheme throughout Wales.

Listen to her talking about her job here.