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Nicole Barber

    • About Me:

      Hi, I’m Nicole. I live in Bath where I am carrying out my research. I love to read fantasy books, grow crops on my balcony and explore the world!

    • Read more

      I moved to Bath and started my research in September 2024. Before this I was living with my parents in London where I worked as an analytical scientist. I’ve always had a big interest in science!

      I love to travel and hope to visit as many countries as possible. So far I have visited 13 different countries across Europe, Asia and America. My favourite place I have visited so far is South Korea, I love the culture and food!

      I also love animals and have discovered a city farm in Bath where you can feed the pygmy goats. I go there very often.

      In my spare time from researching I like to relax by reading a book, typically a fantasy book to escape from every day life.

    • My pronouns are:

      She/Her

    • My Work:

      In my work I am researching methods to create nano (very small!) platinum structures. These are used in fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, to make reactions happen faster. This is important research because it allows us to create electricity without burning fossil fuels and can reduce the impact of climate change.

    • Read more

      I am making my platinum structures using electrochemistry methods (using electricity to make chemical reactions happen). The platinum grows inside a lipid (organic, very viscous liquid) template which makes it have a diamond like structure. This structure is very high surface area which is great reactions, as more surface area means more reactions can happen! This is what I am aiming for, currently I am trying to find the best shape for the platinum to make the most reactions happen.

      After I have found the best shape for the platinum I will then test it in a ‘fuel cell’ set up. This will test how well it can catalyse (accelerate) the rate of the reactions for hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up and have breakfast, normally porridge. On some mornings I go for a 5 km jog along a canal path before starting work. I get into work at around 9 am where I then start doing experiments in the lab. I have lunch with friends at the university and if the weather is nice sit outside. In the afternoon I will either finish my experiments or take a look at the results I collected. I then go home between 5 – 6 pm and make dinner.

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to Twickenham Academy for secondary school, now called Twickenham School where I did my GCSE’s. I then went to Strodes College in Egham where I did my A levels.

    • Qualifications:

      I have 10 GCSEs:

      Maths, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics – A*

      Geography, Art, Religious Education – A

      French – B

      I also have 3 A-Levels:

      Maths, Chemistry, Geography – A

      I then did an integrated masters degree in Chemistry at the University of Bristol:

      Chemistry (MSci)

    • Work History:

      My first job was a retail assistant at the Stoop in Twickenham where the Harlequins rugby team plays. I worked here from when I was 16-18, it was a part time job that involved selling the merchandise from the shops to the rugby fans. It was a fun job as I am a an of rugby and got to watch some of the match when I was on my break.

      After I graduated I worked in London as an analytical scientist for a company that makes biodegradable plastic materials. These plastics were used in things like food packaging and personal care products like wet wipes. My job involved testing the materials and ensuring they reached the standard of biodegradation that was expected. As a part of this job I got to travel to China to work with people from labs there where they were also testing these materials. The aim of this was to collaborate and share experience I had from testing the materials. I worked here from 2022-2024.

    • Current Job:

      I currently work as a PhD researcher as part of the AAPS CDT. I started working here in September 2024.

    • Employer:

      University of Bath, AAPS CDT

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        I wanted to be a vet but I don't like the sight of blood so decided not to do this.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was a Hermione at school and never in trouble.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I think I would like to be a travel agent or someone that gets to travel for work and give advice to other people on where to go on holiday.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        At the moment my favourite singer is Sabrina Carpenter

        What's your favourite food?

        Any kind of noodle soup

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        I wish to be successful in my career, I wish I could win the lottery, I wish to go on holiday to New Zealand

        Tell us a joke.

        I told a chemistry joke...... but there was no reaction!

        How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Cheerful, optimistic and determined

Questions answered by Nicole

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