Blog posts

Dr Thulasi Mylvaganam, Lecturer in Control and Multi-Agent Systems, Department of Aeronautics

“Being Norwegian, I have a great love for the outdoors and I will search for any excuse to be on a mountain! I like to spend my time hiking, running, rock climbing and traveling… and I absolutely love snow – it’s magical!”  

I first came to Imperial to complete my undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) back in 2006. I’ve always had a special interest in mathematics, so once I got my first introduction to control engineering in my second year, I was smitten. I completed my PhD in nonlinear control with Professor Alessandro Astolfi in EEE, and I am now a lecturer in the Department of Aeronautics.

My job involves doing and supervising research on various topics in control engineering. We follow an abstract approach: we describe a system (any system!) with a mathematical model and develop systematic methods to design feedback to make the system behave in a desired manner. The abstract approach makes control engineering very powerful, which is why it is everywhere! (more…)

Dr Adam Davis, Teaching Laboratory Manager, Department of Chemistry

“I was supported by the Learning and Development Centre in becoming a Chartered Scientist (CSci) – my proudest moment at Imperial so far.”

I began my career at the University of Birmingham in 2011, where I studied for a degree in Chemistry with Pharmacology. Shortly afterwards, I completed a MRes in Environmental Nanoscience, investigating the potential impact of manufactured nanomaterials on the environment and a PhD in synthetic and analytical chemistry, devising new nanosensor materials to make pH measurements in micro-environments. (more…)

Joshua Rasera, Research Assistant, Department of Earth Science and Engineering

“I love being surrounded by friendly, bright and talented researchers, and thankful that working at Imperial allows me to live my dream of being a part of the space sector.”

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work in the space sector. As I was nearing the end of school, I decided to go into mechanical engineering with the goal of leveraging this education to a space career.

I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada, with a specialisation in heat transfer and metallurgy for automotive applications (i.e, not space). Following this, I worked as a process engineer at a hearing aid manufacturing company, Unitron Global, where I developed manufacturing methods and standards for custom hearing aids (again, not space). (more…)

Hans Chan, Undergraduate, BSc Chemistry

“Imperial is more than just an academic institution – there is a culture of facilitating innovation and helping students to implement and execute great ideas, which you might not find in a pure research environment.”

Since starting my Chemistry degree at Imperial, I have been involved in a variety of things – from being a part of the Robotics and Drone society, to getting involved in tech entrepreneurship competitions hosted by the College.

The College has incredible resources, which enable both students and staff to carry out ground-breaking work in both natural sciences and engineering. At Imperial, there is a celebratory feel in the air whenever something new is created, and this is an environment I enjoy being part of. Imperial is more than just an academic institution – there is a culture of facilitating innovation and helping students to implement and execute great ideas, which you might not find in a pure research environment. (more…)

Dr Julianne Viola, Research Associate, Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship

“My research focuses on understanding Imperial students’ sense of belonging, and how that influences their contributions to and participation in social and political life inside and outside of the College.”

My experience as an educator and mentor for secondary school students in the United States inspired me to pursue research that empowers young people.

I realised that my true passion is to conduct and disseminate the research that influences policy and social attitudes. I am most interested in how young people develop and express their own opinions and effect social change, and I completed my doctorate at the University of Oxford earlier this year, before joining Imperial in April. (more…)

Gareth Oliver, Remote IT Support Engineer, Information and Communication Technologies

“I remember how brilliant it was when high speed internet arrived in the UK – we could suddenly download movies while making a cup of tea instead of having to wait for hours!”

I was born and raised in Wales, with Welsh being my first language. After studying Maths at the University of Wales Aberystwyth, I briefly worked in retail and then started my career in IT.

Working for Cable & Wireless (which became NTL and then Virgin Media) at the start of the broadband rollout was really exciting. My role involved analysing faults and responding to customers. I remember how brilliant it was when high speed internet arrived in the UK – we could suddenly download movies while making a cup of tea instead of having to wait for hours! (more…)

David Gordon, Mobile Supervisor, Security Services

“From providing security advice, to stopping bike thieves and giving CPR to save someone’s life on campus – I love the work I do.”

Before joining Imperial, I worked in the Home Office for 13 years in a variety of roles, the last being working on the Cutter Fleet – this involved boarding vessels out at sea and looking for drugs, firearms and other prohibited items.

I joined Imperial in 2015 as a Senior Security Officer. My current role as a Mobile Supervisor focuses on overseeing security operations at all Imperial’s campuses, and I share responsibility for 114 members of staff. I am fortunate that I get to work across all campuses, and enjoy meeting and engaging with all our stakeholders. (more…)

Kitan Oyeleke, Undergraduate, Department of Chemical Engineering

“I am lucky to have lecturers who are leaders in their fields, friends who are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and access to a wealth of resources.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I’m the type of person that likes to be involved in activities beyond studying, and the range of clubs and societies that Imperial offered were very attractive to me. Since starting at the College, I have joined the Netball club, African Caribbean Society (ACS) and the Engineering Change Society.

I’m really aware of the opportunities I have as an Imperial student. I think it’s quite easy to take things for granted when you’re dealing with the general stress of university, but I am lucky to have lecturers who are leaders in their fields, friends who are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and access to a wealth of resources. I spend half of my year back home in Nigeria and the other half in the UK, and even on the other side of the world in Lagos, being an Imperial student has opened so many doors. (more…)

Christopher Bamikole, Laboratory Manager and Section Safety Coordinator, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction

“My role is centred on helping people, from senior academics who need resources and space for their groups to conduct experiments, to ensuring the safety of junior researchers.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I’ve worked at Imperial for over five years now, and in that time my role has changed significantly from a junior support role to a managerial one. My role is centred on helping people, from senior academics who need the resources and space for their groups to carry out experiments, to ensuring the safety of junior researchers. (more…)

Oluseyi Oduntan, Health & Safety Advisor (Construction), Estates Division

“I’m currently carrying out site inspections at the student accommodation in North Acton, as well as Scale Space at the White City Campus.”

Celebrating our community for Black History Month

I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I studied industrial chemistry at the University of Ilorin. I wanted to further my career in health and safety, so moved to the UK a few years later and began working for Coca-Cola Enterprise, and then for the NHS – I spent 11 years at both organisations. (more…)