QM Alumni e-Newsletter Issue 17, December 2008
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QUEEN MARY NEWS
Queen Mary wins major new Doctoral Training Centre (DTC)
Queen Mary, University of London has won funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the UK funding body for science and engineering, for two new centres that will generate the scientists needed for Britain's future.
Professors Mark Sandler, Mark Plumbley and Pat Healey from the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science have been awarded a grant which will fund PhD students working in digital music, digital video and related technologies.
In addition, Professor Ton Peijs and Dr Natalie Stingelin from the School of Engineering and Materials Science have been awarded funds to run a second centre in collaboration with Imperial College, which will fund PhD students working in plastic electronics and novel materials for digital devices.
Queen Mary’s Vice-Principal for Science and Engineering, Professor Ursula Martin, said: "These two DTCs come at the end of a fantastic run of success for the sector in winning awards: our current grant portfolio totals more than £70m, up three-fold on 2005."
Mark Sandler, Director of Queen Mary’s new DTC in Digital Music and Media said: "We want to transform the way technology is used in the creative industries by educating a new breed of technology PhDs who truly understand and can participate in the creative process. Our PhDs will get training in software tools for creativity, in the legal implications of creating and owning music and movies, and in team working, as well as doing world-leading research in their chosen field." Read more [opens in new window]
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education visits BUPT
Representatives of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) visited Beijing Univeristy of Posts and Telecommunications on 18 November. The group, which included Peter Williams, Chief Executive of the QAA and Dr William Lee Mitchell, First Secretary of the British Embassy in Beijing, made the trip to find out about BUPT/Queen Mary’s ground-breaking joint degree programme, and to learn from its success.
During the visit, Peter Williams commented that the joint programme is widely regarded as excellent, especially by the Ministry of Education, and that his organisation recognised that.
The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
In August this year, the Department of Electronic Engineering and the Department of Computer Science merged to form the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science bringing together more than 60 staff and 2,500 students based both in the UK and 1,700 students based in Beijing. Professor Edmund Robinson, inaugural Head of the School, commented: “The core intellectual areas of the two subjects have shifted over the years, so there is hardly any difference between them anymore. Virtually everyone agrees that the future is delivery of digital services through a vast array of networked devices, including phones and televisions as well as traditional computers.”
“Most of the School’s programmes are accredited by professional bodies and give students training not only in the basic science and how to use it, but also in key transferable skills required in industry. This includes team working, the ability to work with non-technical people to understand their problems and that special logical algorithmic approach to problem solving that is called computational reasoning.”
Queen Mary introduces ‘Pink Law’
A new specialist Legal Advice Centre for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community was launched during National Pro Bono Week. The Centre is the first one of its kind in higher education. Mr Justice Fulford, a leading High Court and International Criminal Court judge who is committed to human rights, and the country’s first openly gay judge, attended the launch on Friday 14 November.
The Centre is staffed by students from the Department of Law under the supervision of three top City Law firm volunteer lawyers and offers free and impartial legal advice on issues affecting the LGBT community, such as employment discrimination, civil partnerships and co-habitation every last Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8:30pm.
Queen Mary’s Legal Advice Centre Manager and co-founder Julie Pinborough (English and History, 1998; Law 2006) said: “This is an exciting and innovative project that will provide much needed legal assistance to the LGBT community. Moreover, the project demonstrates the Law Department’s commitment to equality and diversity within pro bono and the services it offers the local community.”
Hope for women at risk of developing breast cancer
Scientists have discovered the hormone drug Tamoxifen could reduce the chance of women developing breast cancer by up to two-thirds. The drug is already used to treat the disease but researchers have found those with a family history could also use it as a preventative measure. This new study, led by Professor Jack Cuzick (Mathematics, 1971) of the Wolfson Institute on behalf of Cancer Research UK, is based on previous evidence suggesting women with more non-fatty tissue in their breasts are more prone to the disease. He said: “Women with dense breasts are typically at four to five times the risk of developing breast cancer than women without dense breasts. Women who lost 10 per cent or more in breast density - 40 per cent of the women getting Tamoxifen - had a 63 per cent, almost a two-thirds, reduction in all breast cancer.” Read more [opens in new window]
Preventing the spread of cancer
Barts and The London researchers have made a further breakthrough that may lead to the prevention of breast cancer spreading around the body. They have discovered an enzyme that is required in order for breast cancer to spread. If the enzyme is blocked then the disease cannot go any further. Professor Marco Falasca is leading the research on the enzyme called PLCg1 in breast cancer. “Our work not only identifies a molecule that plays a crucial part in the spread of cancer; it also shows how this process might be halted. We have discovered this using a model system: the next big challenge is to show that this also happens in patients,” he said.
Amazônia
People's Palace Projects, an arts organisation based at Queen Mary, has co-produced a spectacular Brazilian-themed Christmas show in association with the Young Vic, opening this month at their theatre in Waterloo.
Amazônia is an exciting departure from traditional Yuletide fare and promises to offer a vibrant, sensory feast, inspired by the stories and culture of the Amazon rainforest.
The show co-written and directed by Professor of Drama and Performance, Paul Heritage and devised by Brazilian and British artists, will run until 24 January at the Young Vic.
The show, Amazônia is the culmination of a 12-month programme - under the same title - of arts projects in the Amazon region and in Waterloo created together by People’s Palace Projects and the Young Vic. The story of the wider project can be found at
www.amazonia-london.com.
To book tickets ring: 020 7922 2923 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm) or visit:
www.youngvic.org/book-tickets
STAFF NEWS
Professor Jane Wills
Queen Mary’s Department of Geography has been named ‘Best University Academic Department of 2008’ for its ground-breaking research into the plight of low paid migrant workers in London, and championing the living wage campaign to ensure they receive better pay and conditions.
The award, from Community Alliance London Citizens, was presented to Jane Wills, Professor of Human Geography and a team of academics and students at the London Citizens’ Annual General Meeting at Amnesty International’s headquarters on Thursday 4 December.
Professor Wills commented on the award: “We are proud to receive recognition for the work we do with London Citizens. There is no better place to study human geography than the East End of London, and being part of London Citizens means we can teach our students and do our research through active engagement in the city around us. Read more [opens in new window]
Professor Wills will deliver her inaugural lecture on ‘The Living wage' on 26 February 2009.
Professor Mike Curtis
Mike Curtis, Professor of Microbiology and Director of the Institute of Cell and Molecular Science at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons. This is the highest award the organisation can bestow upon an individual.
Professor Curtis has an international profile in oral and dental research, having made major advances in the field of oral microbiology and the understanding of the microbial pathogenesis of periodontal disease. He is committed to the development and promotion of UK Dental Research in all aspects. Professor Curtis’ major field of research is oral microbiology.
2008 NHS Innovator Award
A team led by Professor Theodosios Alexander (publishes as Theodosios Korakianitis) from the School of Engineering and Materials Science, and Professor Martin T. Rothman of Barts and The London NHS Trust have won the 2008 NHS Innovator Award, in the Medical Devices and Equipment category for Percutaneous Implantable Cardiac Support.
Their innovation is a mechanical circulatory support device small enough to be implanted via a mini thoracotomy (an intercostal incision 10cm long which does not require a sternotomy. The system also has a component that can be replaced percutaneously, negating further redo surgery should the device fail or wear out.
Drapers’ Prize winners
The 2008 Drapers’ prizes for developments in learning and teaching were awarded to Dr Warren Boutcher, Ms Stella Ekebuise and Ms Jenny Gault from the School of English and Drama and Educational and Staff Development in recognition of their Model for a Departmental Action Plan to integrate the College’s VLE with the Administration and Delivery of Undergraduate Programmes.
ALUMNI NEWS
Alia Bano (English, 2003)
Alia Bano is one of the two playwrights picked to headline the 2009 Young Writer’s Festival. Her play, Shades, which explores tolerance inside and outside of the Muslim community will be staged at the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square London between 28 January and 21 February.
After graduating from Queen Mary, Alia went on to do a PGCE at the Institute of Education and taught ‘A’ level and GCSE English in the London Borough of Haringey. Alongside her teaching career, Alia attended theatre workshops and developed a passion for stage writing. She wrote short stories and poems and had readings at Theatre Royal, Stratford and the Royal Court Theatre, before embarking upon stage writing.
Oleg Batyuk (CCLS, 1992)
Oleg has been interviewed in the online KYIV POST about the impact of the credit crunch upon legal business in the Ukraine. Oleg commented: “I think that law firms will develop new practice areas. In an economic downturn, litigations, arbitration, and bankruptcy become more important than they are in stable economic times. In a crisis like this, contracts are broken or performed improperly. Borrowers default and shareholders demand to be cashed out. Some companies even have to go through bankruptcy procedures.” http://www.kyivpost.com/business/bus_focus/30887
Colette Bowe (BSc (Econ), 1969; PhD, 1978)
Queen Mary's Chair of Council Dr Colette Bowe has been confirmed as the next chairman of Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, succeeding Lord David Currie of Marylebone (PhD, 1978). Dr Bowe will take-up her new post in Spring 2009.
John Cotes (q Barts, 1948)
John Cotes received the Educational Award (2008) of the European Respiratory Society in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to education in respiratory medicine at a ceremony held in Berlin in October. John, who is a Rockefeller Fellow, was previously a scientist with the Medical Research Council, Reader at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and is currently an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Medicine and Health at the University of Durham.
Mat Darveniza (PhD Electrical Engineering, 1959)
Mat Darveniza, AO FTSE, Emeritus Professor in the School of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering at the University of Queensland, has been elected to the Engineers Hall of Fame by the Institution of Engineers Australia. Mat has worked in the electricity supply and manufacturing industries and has been a Visiting Professor at various overseas universities.
His research interests include lightning protection, high voltage and insulation engineering, electrical overstress protection of electrical and electronic equipment, and engineering education for which he has published over 250 scientific and engineering papers.
Mat was made a Fellow of IEEE in 1979 for his contribution to the engineering analysis of lighting effects on electric power transmission systems and in 1998 was elected a Life Fellow. On Australia Day 2003, Emeritus Professor Darveniza was appointed an Officer of the General Division of the Order of Australia for services to electrical engineering.
Priya Lakhani (Law and Economics, 2003)
Priya has recently given up a successful career in law to launch her own range of Indian cooking sauces, Masala Masala. Priya spotted a gap in the market for her invention after struggling to make fresh authentic non-anglicised Indian food like her mother’s. Her recipes include Shahi, Karahi and Daal. At a recent taste-testing, Masala Masala was given a trusted seal of approval by top chef Gary Rhodes. The sauces are currently only available in Harvey Nichols food halls.
Stephen Pitt (q BDS, 1999)
Stephen has been named Best Young Dentist in the East of the UK. His award was presented on Friday 12 December at the Dentistry Awards ceremony in Leicester.
Launched by Dentistry Magazine in 2006, the Dentistry Awards were created to recognise outstanding individuals, teams and practices. Earlier this year, Stephen was also awarded Best new Company in the Colchester Business Awards for his Dental Studio in Bergholt Road.
Stephen is Outreach Tutor for Southend Health and Dental Care, a joint initiative between Barts and The London NHS Trust, South East Essex Primary Care Trust (SEE PCT), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and the University of Essex.
John Ross (Astrophysics, 1971, PhD 1974)
Former Students’ Union President, John Ross, is one of the writers of the feature film A Bunch of Amateurs, which was the 2008 Royal Film Performance attended by the Queen at the Odeon, Leicester Square on 17 November. John was one of the guests introduced to the Queen.
The film, which stars Burt Reynolds, Imelda Staunton, Derek Jacobi and Samantha Bond, is on general release from 19 December. The film was produced by David Parfitt, the Oscar-winning producer of Shakespeare in Love. Private Eye editor Ian Hislop is another of the writers.
John did his BSc and PhD in Astrophysics at Queen Mary College and was SU President for the 1974-75 academic year. After graduation he worked on science TV programmes including Horizon and QED, but later moved into general documentaries and also started writing TV comedy including the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather. His 'day job' is Senior TV Producer at the COI where he is responsible for government TV advertising campaigns.
"A Bunch of Amateurs took nine years to get to the screen", says John. "I'm not a very prolific writer so watch out for another one in 2017 or thereabouts!"
Professor Dayananda Samarawickrama (q BDS, The London, 1985)
Professor of Conservative Dentistry, Dayananda Samarawickrama of the Institute of Dentistry has emerged triumphant in the recent Dental Defence Union (DDU) Educational Awards 2008 beating some of the best practitioners in dental education to the coveted title of Teacher of the Year. The Award is a prestigious marker of esteem for teachers within Dentistry and is heavily contested each year. Professor Samarawickrama has been a dedicated, highly respected and popular teacher at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry for over 25 years where he has contributed to many courses in the School: undergraduate, postgraduate, dental care professional and continuing education. Read more (opens in new window).
Dr Linda Spedding (LLB, 1972; LLM, 1974; PhD, Laws 1984)
Having worked with international law firms, Linda set up her own practice and remains a consultant to law firms and institutions. She practices law in three jurisdictions; as a Solicitor in England & Wales, an Advocate in India and an Attorney in USA. Linda is also a specialist International Environmental Lawyer, lecturer and writer. She has authored many articles for professional journals and several books and law guides for the professional and business audience.
Throughout her career, she has assisted Women in Law, the international multi-cultural charity as part of her life-work balance for which she is Director. Women in Law allows female lawyers to assist and inform fellow women as well as support female colleagues about legal knowledge. Linda is also one of the representatives of Visva Adhyatnik Sansthan a charity that provides relief to local people who were directly affected by the carnage of the Mumbai bombing in India. To know more about Linda’s work visit www.womeninlaw.com or www.lindaspedding.co.uk [opens in new window].
Dr Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu (Avionics, 1991)
Ashitey, has been awarded the prestigious 2008 NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal. The citation read “for his exceptional technical contributions to the Mars Exploration Rovers mission where he provided comprehensive engineering support pre- and post-launch, including resolutions of rover anomalies.”
The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal is awarded for
significant engineering contributions towards the achievement of the NASA mission. This award may be given for individual efforts or applications of engineering principles or methods that have resulted in a contribution of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly enhanced understanding of this field.
Seen is the photograph is Edward J Weiler, Associate Administrator, Science Mission
Directorate, NASA (r) and Dr Charles Elachi, JPL Director (l).
Ashitey Tebi-Ollennu featured in QUAD Issue 13
GRADUATION WINTER 2008
In December more than 1200 graduates received their degrees during three ceremonies organised by Queen Mary's Events Office. More than 40 per cent of students achieved either a distinction or merit at Master’s level highlighting the ever increasing academic quality and competitiveness of Queen Mary’s graduates. Graduates can still pick-up their alumni cards from the Alumni Office at the Mile End campus.
Rory Bremner honoured
Rory Bremner, multi-award winning political satirist was made an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary in recognition of his contribution to potential commentary.
Rory Bremner was presented his Fellowship by Peter Hennessy, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary. Professor Hennessy said: “the award winning satirist is no stranger to Queen Mary, having delivered the 2005 Bagehot Lecture on The Art of Political Impersonation to a packed audience in the College's Great Hall. He is also in frequent contact with Peter on issues relating to political, social and educational developments in the UK.
Queen Mary’s Acting Principal, Professor Philip Ogden commented: “Rory Bremner is one of the sharpest political commentators in the country, with a real commitment to British politics, public affairs and scholarship. Queen Mary wanted to mark his achievements with this award.”
STUDENT NEWS
Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE)
Graduates of 2008 are reminded that the deadline for returning your postal DLHE survey forms is 27 March 2009. It is important that you complete and return your survey to HESA. The results from this survey will show the employability status of Queen Mary graduates which in turn will add value to your degree.
QMessenger
QM Students’ Union has recently launched a new writing venture for students. QMessenger, a regularly produced newspaper brings together all the latest fixtures and results from the sports teams, clubs, societies and campus news. QMessenger is produced fortnightly - offering budding reporters even more writing opportunities to hone their skills. Download a free copy at http://qmsu.org/files/qmessenger_issue4.pdf
CUB the official magazine of the Queen Mary Students’ Union, can also be downloaded at http://qmsu.org/files/minisites/809/cub_issue_512.pdf
Hester McTurk (English)
In June 2009, after completing her degree at Queen Mary, Hester is planning to join the University of London Air Squadron (ULAS) on a trip to South America to help build a dormitory for orphans. ULAS, an organisation run by the Royal Air Force, raises money for charity every year. Hester will be working alongside the UK arm of Project Peru, which relieves poverty and distress among the children of Peru. Hester has to raise enough money to pay for part of the building materials and equipment needed for the dormitory at the children’s orphanage near Araquippa, about 30 miles from the capital Lima, where a previous group of ULAS students funded and built a play area and dormitory in 2005. Read more [opens in new window].
Vikki Rogers ( School of International Arbitrations' Centre for Commercial Law Studies)
Pace Law School, New York has named Vikki Rogers a PhD Student in the School of International Arbitrations, as Director of its Institute of International Commercial Law. Vikki has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration and international sales law. Her responsibilities include expanding the reach of the Institute, a unique centre for research, teaching, and professional education about the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and international arbitration. Read more [opens in new window].
Pace is recognised in the US for its excellence in several areas, including the quality and breadth of its clinical, legal writing and research, and environmental law programs. One of its most famous alumni is Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Shona Howes (Russian)
After spending a month working with deprived youngsters in Africa, Shona Howes has collected much-needed equipment to furnish a children’s home in Senegal. With the help of her granddad, Shona beat the credit crunch by appealing to people in Norwich to donate old furniture and other items of value they no longer used. She received TVs, mountain bikes, desks and chairs, skateboards and other equipment to fill a 20ft container. Read more [opens in new window]
Shahriar Islam (Medicine)
A fourth year student from Barts and The London School of Medicine has won the 2008 UK Student Research Prize, in a competition organised by the Royal Society of Medicine in conjunction with the British Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Shahriar Islam beat strong competition from rival candidates with his research presentation: ‘Cell lineage tracing in the human liver using a novel technique: Mitochondrial DNA mutations.’ Shariar carried out his research in the Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine at the School’s Institute of Cell and Molecular Science under the supervision of Professor Malcolm Alison, with most of the work being accomplished during his intercalated BSc in Pathology.
Shahriar picked up the award for the 2008 Best Oral Presentation at the Royal Society of Medicine on 7 November. His findings on human liver stem cells have been submitted to the journal Hepatology for publication.
Chandni Patel (Genetics)
Medical Genetics student, Chandni Patel, is one of the four students who have been awarded £30,000 bursaries by HSBC following a national competition to identify and support high potential individuals starting out in student life alongside King's College, Imperial College and Birmingham University. A panel including NUS representatives, former tennis pro Tim Henman and leading academics selected the winners from over 3,000 entries. The Awards were presented at HSBC’s headquarters in Canary Wharf, London.
The winners will each receive £10,000 every year for three years to go towards their living and studying costs. HSBC will keep in touch with the students over these three years to encourage and ensure that they are achieving their goals.
Chandni said: “When I get my degree I would like to work on a Genetics of Inflammation and Immunity project. Two diseases, namely malaria and bronchiolitis, are major childhood illnesses which lead to death in most young children around the world. Developing a vaccine or medication could help us save these children from suffering. It is my dream to be a doctor (neurosurgeon), so I would like to gain graduate entry into medicine and make the most of my skills by diagnosing and treating patients who are ill. I hope to assist all the researchers who are working hard to find cures for life-taking diseases. This bursary will also help me pay for my work experience in Ghana next summer where I will be working in hospitals and shadowing doctors.”
ALUMNI NOTICES
Where did you go after qualifying from Barts and The London?
We are looking to compile a database on the specialisms of our medical and dental alumni. Please let us know whether you pursued a specific field of medicine or dentistry after you graduated. This information will be used to guide students who may be thinking of going into a similar branch of medicine or dentistry.
Email your details at batlaa@qmul.ac.uk
Did you graduate in 1969 with a degree in Mathematics from Queen Mary College?
Stuart Harland and Jenny Walsh (née Smith) are hoping to organise a reunion in 2009 to celebrate 40 years since graduating from the College. If you are interested in attending this reunion, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@qmul.ac.uk for more details.
Dental Club seeks presidential nomination
BATLAA members are invited to nominate the 2011 President of the Dental Club Annual Clinical Meeting. Former presidents are eligible for re-election. Nomination forms which must be signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder, are available on our website and can also be requested by email at batlaa@qmul.ac.uk. The closing date for returning nomination forms is Friday 23 January 2009. Click here to download a Nomination Form.
QUAD: Issue 17
QUAD 17 will be reaching you soon. It features interviews with alumnae Bushra Nasir (Microbiology, 1974), England's first Muslim female head teacher of a secondary school; Martin Uden (Law, 1976), HM Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and Westfielder Jane Roberts (History and History of Art, 1971), Curator of the Print Room and Librarian of the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. Please ensure that we have your up-to-date address. To change your address, please email alumni@qmul.ac.uk or use our online Change of details form.
Web email Directory
Almost 3,900 members have now joined our password-protected email directory. Please email Stephanie Mannion if you would like to gain access or to have your name added to the list. Do remember to let us know when you change your email address.
Recent Graduates
If you haven’t already done so, please remember to collect your Alumni ID Card which you may have purchased while booking for your graduation ceremony. Outstanding cards can be collected from the Alumni Relations Office in Room CB100, on the first floor of the Queens’ Building on the Mile End campus - please bring two passport-sized photos with you. Alternatively, you can send two passport-sized photos, including a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the Alumni Relations Office, QMUL, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS. Please ensure that your photos are clearly marked with your name. Alternatively you can email your photos to Stephanie Mannion at alumni@qmul.ac.uk
Your Alumni ID Card entitles you to a Queen Mary Alumni Lifelong email Address. The Lifelong email Address is beneficial when writing your CV or applying for jobs as it indicates that you are part of the Queen Mary, University of London community. For more information about the Queen Mary Alumni ID Card and other benefits please click here.
EVENTS REVIEWS
Hong Kong Alumni Reunion, 21 November 2008
Over 60 alumni joined Professor Edmund Robinson, Head of the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, and Nigel Relph, Director of Corporate Affairs for a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Wan Chai.
We are currently looking to strengthen the organising committee for the Queen Mary Hong Kong Alumni Chapter to support President Professor Kei Bui Chan ( Electronic Engineering, 1968; PhD, 1971) and Correspondent Peter Ho (Computer Science with Business, 1993). The Hong Kong Alumni Chapter will then be able to organise regular events including meeting local students interested in coming to London to take their degree at Queen Mary.
To join the group and/or help please complete our joining form at http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/alumninetwork/international/index.html#quest
You can view photographs of the reception on the Hong Kong page at http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/alumninetwork/international/hongkong/index.html
BATLAA Dinner and Dance 2008
BATLAA Patron, Sir Michael Palliser and President, Professor Brian Colvin (q The London, 1969), welcomed alumni, their guests, staff and students of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry to the 2008 Dinner and Dance on 21 November 2008. Held at The Draper’s Hall, London, the evening was a great opportunity for alumni and their guests to celebrate milestone years since qualifying. Alumni who qualified in 1958, 1968, 1978 and 1983 from The London, and 1968 and 1988 from Barts were among the 150 attendees.
School of International Arbitration Alumni Reunion, 5 December 2008
Queen Mary's School of International Arbitration was launched in 1985 and was the first academic institution dedicated to the study of international arbitration. Since then more than 2,500 students from 80 countries have attended courses.
At the reunion, Stavros Brekoulakis, now a lecturer in international dispute resolution at the School, gave the first address of the day, sharing his memories of class of 2002. "We were taught by Professor Julian Lew QC,Professor Loukas Mistelis and the late Professor John Adams," he recalled - "brilliant academics, who successfully transmitted their knowledge and passion for arbitration and made the subject approachable and fun".
Brekoulaskis added that the School's "unique strength" lies in its ability "to attract the brightest people from around the world." The event reflected this by attracting 140 alumni from 35 countries including the school’s first students: Nassib Ziadé, now deputy secretary general at ICSID, and Jack Coe, a Professor at Pepperdine University in California.
Alumni Events
Friday 6 – Saturday 7 March 2009
London Hospital Dental Club Annual Clinical Meeting
This year’s programme, which is themed around periodontics, will be hosted by Dr Wendy Turner (q BDS, The London, 1992), President of The London Hospital Dental Club.
The subscription dinner will be held at Wapping Food. Tickets are priced at £60 per head.
Booking forms for the Annual Clinical Meeting have been mailed out with the Dental Club Newsletter.
Saturday 6 June 2009, all day
The College is hosting an event to celebrate the successes of its alumni. We are expecting that many of you will be interested in organising class, year, clubs and societies' reunions as well as special interest reunions such as the Queen Mary Players’. We are happy to help you with putting your groups together. Please let us know the names of those you would like to meet that day, including former lectures even if you have kept in touch with them, so that we can invite them on your behalf. This day will also incorporate our Annual Spring Lunch dedicated to our Westfield alumni.
There will be a pre- and post- event website where your comments, images and lists of alumni intending to attend will be published. Please email any photos from the past that you would like to share, including captions at alumni@qmul.ac.uk These will be uploaded on a webpage dedicated to this day.
More information about this event will sent out in the next issue of the QM Alumni e-News in February and on our home page at http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/index.html
Forthcoming Lectures
Wednesday 14 January 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Natural born computers - when biology meets computer science, Peter McOwan, Professor of Computer Science
Biological brains have impresive information processing strategies to allow survival in the natural world. In this lecture we explore how a mathematical understanding of the visual processing undertaken by insects and humans allows us to better understand these biological systems and develop new computer technologies.
Venue: Clinical Lecture Theatre, Francis Bancroft Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Tuesday 20 Janauary 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Trade marks in Europe: Bursting Bubbles?, Spyros Maniatis, Professor of Intellectual Property Law and Director of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies
Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Monday 26 January 2009, 5.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Conquering the Silent Killer: Developing Novel Therapies for Ovarian Cancer, Iain McNeish, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology.
Ovarian cancer has been labelled ‘The Silent Killer’ as it has few specific symptoms. 70 per cent of women present with advanced disease and their prognosis has improved little in the past 20 years. Recent huge advances in the understanding of cancer biology will usher in a new era of novel treatments for the disease. In his inaugural lecture, Iain McNeish will explore the pitfalls and pleasures in attempting to combine a career in laboratory science and clinical medicine and will try to answer the perennial question “What is translational research?”
Venue: Perrin Lecture Theatre,Blizard Building, Whitechapel
Event contact: smd-inaugurals@qmul.ac.uk
Tuesday 27 January 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
From development studies to theories of imperialism’, Ray Kiely, Professor of International Politics and Head of the Department of Politics
This lecture will provide both a personal account of how development studies and Ray Kiely went their separate ways, and of how the continued study of ‘development’ is central to understanding the reality of imperialism in the twenty-first century.
Venue: Arts lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Wednesday 28 January 2009, 6.30pm
Renaissance Witnesed Seminar
Books as objects of desire: origins and consequences of the invention of printing, Professor Michael Clanchy, Institute of Historical Research
Respondent: Professor Alexandra Walsham, University of Exeter,
Chair: Professor Julia Boffey, Head of the School of English an Drama, Queen Mary, University of London
Venue: Clinical Lecture Theatre, Francis Bancroft Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Thursday 29 January 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
From String Theory to M Theory, William Spence, Professor of Theoretical Physics
Venue: Physics Lecture Theatre, GO Jones Building (Formerly the Physics Building), Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Wednesday 4 February 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Masks, Montage and the Avant-Garde, Elza Adamowicz, Professor of French
‘The mask is chaos become flesh’ (Georges Bataille). Masks proliferate in twentieth-century avant-garde art as sites of aesthetic and political subversion. The lecture will discuss their multiple functions – as fabrication, fantasy, satire or celebration, projecting the multiplicity of self and/as other – in the works of twentieth-century European artists, from the Gasmasks of German Dadaist Otto Dix (1915) to the Self-hybridisations of French postmodernist Orlan (2000).
Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Tuesday 10 February 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Profitability, boom or bust in the US Economy, Simon Mohun, Professor of Political Economy
Self-interest in the pursuit of private profit is the fundamental driver of capitalism. This lecture will assess the development of the US economy since the mid-60s from the perspective of profitability. Understanding the evolution of profitability involves consideration of the relations between real wage growth, productivity growth and the growth of capital intensity. The lecture will conclude with a discussion of the relevance of these relations to the present turmoil.
Venue: Clinical Lecture Theatre, Francis Bancroft Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Thursday 12 February 2009, 6.30pm
Mozambique: Historical Trajectories and Development, The High Commissioner of Mozambique, António Gumende.
António Gumende has been High Commissioner for Mozambique to the United Kingdom since 2002, prior to this, he worked as Executive Editor of the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) in Maputo (1997-2002) as well as Executive President of MediaCoop - Jornalistas Associados SARL in Mozambique (1997-2002). He currently holds the position of non-executive Chairman of MediaCoop Jornalistas Associados, SARL.
Venue: Skeel Lecture Theatre, People's Palace, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Tuesday 24 February 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
Planetary Systems in the Galaxy: Architecture, Formation and Evolution, Richard Nelson, Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics
Venue: Maths Lecture Theatre, Maths Building, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Wednesday 25 February 2009, 6.30pm
Mile End Group Lecture
A comparison of London and New York public transport, Tony Travers, London School of Economics
Venue: Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC2
Event contact: meg@qmul.ac.uk
Sponsored by the Corporation of London
Thursday 26 February 2009, 6.30pm
Inaugural Lecture
The Living Wage, Jane Wills, Professor of Human Geography
This lecture will use the question of the living wage as a window on to the soul of contemporary geo-political economy. The demand for a living wage raises questions about our moral economy, the sustainability of our social order, the politics of our institutions and the nature of contemporary political action.
Venue: Skeel Lecture Theatre, People's Palace, Mile End
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
Register to receive the Events Leaflet by email events@qmul.ac.uk
Thursday 26 March, 7.30pm
College Music Society’s Easter Concert
The College Music Society’s Easter Concert will feature the 2009 Anniversary composers: Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn, with special attention given to their English works and the close ties they developed with this country. The dramatic way they influenced native English composers will also be explored, including compositions by such people. Well known popular works are combined with lesser known rarities, promising an evening of rich melodies in a wonderful ambient acoustic.
Entry is free and no advance tickets are required.
Venue: The Octagon, Queens’ Building, Mile End campus
Event contact: events@qmul.ac.uk
The Hamsters of Nim
Arrghh! The Hamsters are out of control...
The age of computers outwitting humans started with a game called Nim. At the 1939 World Exhibition, the Nimatron, a Nim playing robot won 90 000 games out of the 100 000 it played. In 1951, a second computer called Nimrod was exhibited at the Festival of Britain and the Berlin Trade Fair. It was so popular that people ignored the free beer (in Berlin!!!...though the beer was English beer, I suppose). The beer was at the other end of the same room but people instead watched the "electronic brain" beat its human competitors. In part the excitement was caused because on the first day Nimrod had beaten Ludwig Erhard, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, three times in a row. The age of computers outwitting humans had started.
The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science have put together its own cs4fn version of Nim: hamster Nim. Can you beat the computer and collect the last hamster? You can watch the computer's thought processes as it beats you!
Try it at http://www.cs4fn.org/binary/nim/nim.php
Peter McOwan and Paul Curzon, the brains behind cs4fn from the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science will be presenting their "Magic of Computer Science" at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in July. For more of their magic see http://www.cs4fn.org/mathemagic/