Profile
Peter Gawne
My CV
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Education:
Sherwood Primary School, Preston.
Archbishop Temple High School, Preston. 2004 – 2009.
Runshaw College, Leyland. 2009 – 2011.
University of Hull, Hull. 2011 – 2015.
King’s College London, London. 2015 – 2020. -
Qualifications:
GCSEs: Maths, English, English Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Spanish, Music, RE, Graphics.
A-Levels: Maths (B), Chemistry (C) and Biology (C).
Masters in Chemistry (MChem).
Masters of Research in Medical Imaging Sciences (MRes).
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Work History:
I was had a paper round when I was 15 – 16. Then worked in a garden centre when I was 17, up until University. Since then I worked in research labs both at the University of Hull and now at King’s College London.
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Current Job:
Postdoctoral Research Associate. (Basically just someone working in a lab doing science!)
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About Me:
Northerner living in London. Lover of film, TV, books and food!
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Read more
I am originally from the north-west of England, now living and working in London. I spend most of my free time watching TV and films, playing games (board and video) and reading books. My other hobbies include running and cycling. I also love cooking food at home and trying new recipes.
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Radioactivity refers to the release of energy from unstable atoms. Atoms are made up of electrons, neutrons and protons. A radioactive atom has too many neutrons or protons, and so is heavy and ‘uncomfortable’. To overcome this, the radioactive atom sheds its excess weight, by releasing the excess sub-atomic particles and releasing energy in the process. It’s analogous to a wet (and grumpy) dog, dripping with water. It will shake its fur to get rid of the water spraying it everywhere to make itself happy again. A way this is really useful and interesting is that you can take images of the energy released from these atoms and create pictures.
In my work, I use special cameras to image inside of the body, to help develop and test new medicines for treating diseases. I take certain radioisotopes and incorporate them into new drugs and make them radioactive, and so are visible with medical imaging equipment. If I inject these radioactive drugs into a living subject and then take a scan of inside their bodies, I can see the drug making its way around the body.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up, not too early. Drink a coffee, eat some breakfast. Cycle to work, then go into my lab and put on lab coat, gloves and glasses. Then I spend the day mixing lots of chemicals together!
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7am: Wake up, go for a run during which I will listen to some kind of podcast
8am: Shower, then breakfast, pack my lunch.
9am: Cycle to work. I work in a department in a Hospital.
9:30am: Arrive at work, read emails, plan my day.
10am: Go into the lab, put on my labcoat, gloves and lab goggles. Then it’s experiment time!
12:30pm: Lunch!
1pm: More experiments! When I am using radioactivity I will use a special with lots of metal blocks which provides protection from the radiation!
5-7pm: Leave work and go home, and relax!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I will design and make a camera-based game designed to explaining and engage people about the work my collegues and I do using imaging to look inside living things.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, Friendly & Open-minded
What did you want to be after you left school?
A medical doctor
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Probably
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Not sure I can choose!
What's your favourite food?
It has to be pizza.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
A nice house somewhere; the ability to teleport and unlimited wishes...?
Tell us a joke.
I told someone in my lab that they drew their eyebrows on too high. They looked surprised.
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