Profile
Philip Drake
My CV
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Education:
Wilsden Primary School
Stoney Lee Middle School
Beckfoot Upper School
The University of York (Chemistry Degree)
The University of Bath (PhD)
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Qualifications:
GCSEs – 5 at grade C or above (Maths B, English C, Art C, Double Science CC)
A-Levels – Chemistry (B), Physics (C), Art (D)
BSc Chemistry (loved it!)
PhD Chemistry (loved it!)
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Work History:
Packing Shampoo bottles (summer job making money)
DuPont Howsen (summer placement during my degree)
Demonstrator, University of Bath
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
QinetiQ
Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan
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Current Job:
Chemistry Lecturer at the University of Bradford
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About Me:
I am a research scientist and a lecturer in chemistry. As a chemist I enjoy burning things, exploding things, making colour changes and wondering why things react like they do!
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As a person I love being in nature and exploring the world. I am fascinated by most things from space, stars and planets to living systems, DNA and proteins. I believe that scientists have a responsibility to lead the way in caring for our planet so I am a keen advocate of Reduce Reuse Recycle!
The Aire Valley viewed from Ilkley Moor
I enjoy painting in my spare time. Currently I am going through a Hockney phase, this is a view of the Aire Valley from Ilkley Moor. I also enjoy pottering in the garden. This year I am trying to grow Wasabi!
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My current research is in cancer therapy. I make tiny magnets using nanotechnology then study how these heat-up in magnetic fields. The hope is that we can use these to kill cancer cells in the body.
This is a lab I work in and a picture of one of my recent experiments!
A chemistry teaching laboratory
An induction heating coil wrapped around a sample of magnetic nanoparticles
The home made electronics for the induction heater
I have a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Chemical Sensors. I have worked as a scientist for many years and been involved in many different research projects. I have worked for the Ministry of Defence developing stealth technology (invisible planes) and lightweight materials for space applications (mirrors). I have worked in Taiwan developing medical devices to diagnose and detect illness. I have used lasers and magnetic fields to find and identify pathogens and bacteria and I am currently using nanomaterials and magnetic fields to develop new cancer treatments. The School of Chemistry and Biosciences at the University of Bradford is also involved with the search for life on Mars! I have recently incorporated this into my lectures that I give to my students.
Me giving a talk to a school
I love to talk about science and spend a lot of time visiting schools and discussing the work I do. This is a picture of some filming being done for the TV programme ‘Food Unwrapped’. I helped them do some chemistry experiments on sweetcorn and potatoes!
Filming some experiments for a TV programme
Me being filmed for some outreach event
I also give talks at the National Science and Media Museum and the Bradford Science Festival….so look out for me during these events!
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My Typical Day:
I get up and enjoy a nice breakfast then cycle to the train station. I arrive in Bradford and walk up to my office, check my emails and have a coffee. After writing a few messages and putting the world in order I head off to the lecture theatre to take a class. I teach my students about the joys of chemistry then head to the lab. I look at my experiments and choose which one to put under the electron microscope. After lunch I might read some interesting science stuff from around the world and then prepare my class for tomorow.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I love talking about sciences and doing STEM events. I would use the money to do more outreach activities and to create a demonstration of how induction heating works!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, Curious and Inventive
What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea! An astronaut when I was 10 yers old!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes...at school and out of school!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I have too many! from Queen to the Manics, Wagner to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
What's your favourite food?
Cheese
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More money for exciting experiments!....and more Cheese!.....and Happiness for all
Tell us a joke.
Two fish were in a tank.....one looks to the other and says "Can you drive this thing?"
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