CRANN Postgraduate shortlisted for IOP Award

Arlene O’Neill, post-graduate student with CRANN PI, Prof Jonathan Coleman, was recently shortlisted for the Institute of Physics (IOP) Very Early Career Women Physicist Award. The award is given to a woman physicist who has made a substantial contribution to their subject and outreach activities, promoting and encouraging others to work in the Sciences. Arlene made it to the top four and attended the ceremony in London on the 4th of May. She was the only Irish person to reach this stage.

Arlene’s interest in nanoscience peaked during her undergraduate degree in Applied Physics at DCU, and she decided to focus her postgraduate level education on novel nanomaterials in TCD. She is currently in her third year of her Post Graduate Degree under Prof. Coleman; who was recently named among the top 100 materials scientists of the past decade.

His research is based around understanding 2-dimensional layered materials to give atomically thin “nanosheets”. These nanomaterials have chemical and electronic properties that have the potential to enable new electronic and energy storage technologies. Arlene worked with Prof Coleman who collaborated with an international team on the publication of a paper in the prestigious journal Science on a new method of splitting these materials in February 2011.

Along with her research, Arlene is significantly involved in outreach activities both with CRANN and the School of Physics. She has visited secondary schools to run classes on nanoscience, worked on the production and promotion of CRANN’s DVD “Nano in my Life” and also acted as a judge for the national debating competition for secondary students,” Debating Science Issues.” “Nano in My Life”, is aimed at introducing transition year level students to nanoscience and its applications in everyday life.

Arlene O’Neill, was selected on the 17th of May as one of eight PhD students who greeted Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to TCD. The Queen was met in the Long Room by a range of talent from different fields; from the Sciences, to the Arts, to Research, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Arlene was one of the 120 persons selected to receive Her Majesty and represent the College.

As Arlene was introduced to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, she handed her a copy of CRANN’s “Nano in my Life” DVD, explaining her research and the purpose of the educational DVD. The Queen graciously accepted the gift and genuinely seemed interested in the wonders of nanoscience.

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