Our Project:
We aim to find microscopic life in the stratosphere - by building a device that could detect life remotely, it needs to withstand a rocket or balloon launch and landing.
Oliver de Peyer:
Oliver is a lab researcher working for the MRC in London. By day he programmes lab robots and then by night he makes mini lab robots to look for exotic life forms on Astrobiology missions from his secret NESTA-funded lair, specifically selected as an example cross-sectoral project by his funders. Apart from facetiousness the above is all true! He shares his lair with his wife and daughter and enjoys cycling, the Natural History Museum, and cooking.
Paul Shepherd:
After completing a degree in Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield, Paul worked for eight years with consulting engineers Buro Happold, developing mathematical software solutions to complex engineering problems. He worked alongside some of the world’s leading architects and was lucky enough to work on the design of the new London Olympic Stadium, if only for one afternoon. Paul is now a Research Fellow at the University of Bath, where he combines research into new computational methods for building design with a passion for promoting the public understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Melissa Grant:
Mel is now a lecturer at the University of Birmingham, in the School of Dentistry, having worked her way through several post doctoral positions in biochemistry/biosciences. She is the author of many scientific publications and is passionate about both art and science.
And just for fun - here's Ol pressing the launch button!
