| Personal Statement |
I have considerable experience in the design and construction of advanced optics- and laser- based experiments as well as the processing, optimising and understanding of the resulting data. I am skilled in characterisation of nano-materials both in terms of their physical- and optical- properties and have worked towards using them as optical sensing components. For a full listing of publications and presentations see the
presented work section.
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Employment |
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| 2011 - |
Buhler-Sortex, United Kingdom Research Engineer within the Innovations Division |
| 2008 - 2011 |
Macquarie University, Australia Research Associate in the Optical Biomedical Imaging and Sensing Group • Assisted in the set up of the research group, including initialisation of projects and training of PhD students as well as construction of experiments and development of relevant theory. 6 publications. • Study into the interactions between nanoparticles and living cells via specific and non-specific cellular pathways. • Characterisation of the non-linear properties of zinc oxide nano-particles as well as studying the behaviour of these nano-particles on human skin using multiphoton confocal microscopy. • Development of algorithms for rapid and accurate characterisation of human scars tissue. • Also studied novel techniques for the imaging and analysis of nanoparticles, including Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy of nano-diamonds, use of up-converting nano-particles as well as time-gated imaging techniques. |
| 2006 - 2008 |
Hokkaido University, Japan Post Doctoral Researcher in the Quantum Matter Physics Group • Constructed experiments to investigate the vibrational properties of various nano-structures using ultra-fast laser techniques; also studied interactions between surface acoustic waves and micro-structures using interferometric ultra-fast laser techniques. Published 4 papers. • Gained valuable cultural and communication skills by working and living in a foreign country and achieved day to day fluency in Japanese. |
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Education |
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| 2002 - 2006 |
University of Southampton, United Kingdom PhD in the Ultra fast Quantum Optics Group Thesis title: Light-Matter Interactions on Nano-Structured Metallic Films. • Characterisation of surface and localised plasmonic behaviour. • Studied surface enhanced Raman scattering and aided in the continuing development of single molecule detecting substrates, technology patented. • Researched whispering-gallery resonators coupled to synthetically produced quantum dot emitters. • Researched enhanced dye luminescence via plasmonic interactions. • Total of 11 publications including 2 Physical Review Letters, as of 01.04.2011 total of 461 citations. |
| 1998 - 2002 |
University of Southampton, United Kingdom MSc in Physics with Photonics 1st Class honours Final year project: Optical switching using photorefractive materials. |
| 1996 - 1998 |
Colyton Grammar School A levels: Physics (A); Mathematics (A); Geography (B); General Studies (B). |
| 1991 - 1996 |
Axe Valley Comprehensive School G.C.S.Es: 9 including Double Science (A*,A*), Geography (A*), Mathematics (A) and Technology (A). |
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Key Skills |
• Experienced in the set up and use of advanced optics based experiments including ultra-fast pump-probe laser techniques, microscopy, time-gated imaging and spectroscopic techniques. • Experience at the automation of experimental procedures and the handling of the large resultant data sets. • Working on projects in partnership with researchers from the fields of chemistry, biology, engineering and medicine has allowed me to gain a broad base of knowledge and the ability to flexibly adapt to new challenging research. • Experienced in the initialisation of new projects and the solving of problems during project evolution whilst helping in the development and learning of PhD students. • Presenting work at national and international conferences as well as the writing of scientific papers has given me extensive experience at oral and written presentations. • Knowledge of a variety of image analysis techniques for feature extraction protocols in addition to the ability to relate the resultant data back to the raw images to provide useful information, patent pending on rapid scar tissue diagnosis. • Experienced in the characterisation of nano-particles; including the use of TEM, SEM and zeta-potential as well as assessing fluorescence-, lifetime-, absorption- and non-linear optical properties. • Knowledge of macro based programming (Matlab, Igor Pro), hardware control programming (Labview) and webpage design along with other commonly used software packages. |
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Interests |
I enjoy trekking and outdoor activities along with photography and travel. I speak Japanese at an intermediate level. I have also enjoyed volunteer work teaching physics to school children and English to Japanese children. |