Graduate Intake 2020 (part 2)

Here's the second half of the 2020 graduate intake introductions. There are a lot of us now, aren't there?

 

Name: Alex Marsh
University & Course: University of Birmingham, MEng Nuclear Engineering.
Department you are working in: Technology
Where are you based? Materials Technology Group (MTG)
Why UKAEA? Wanting to help make fusion a commercially viable energy source is the key one! I also had a good experience of the work environment as a contractor
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? The end of lockdown, so I can spend more time in the lab and see people in person! But in the short term, I’ll still be part of interesting, novel research, and develop some extremely niche skills.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing/DMing D&D; cycling around Abingdon and Oxford; reading theology, crime fiction, and fantasy.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Tuscany, Italy.
What’s your favourite book? Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell – a weird & wonderful book about feuding magical scholars in Regency-era Britain.
Who inspires you? My Sixth Form Physics teacher inspired me to study engineering. On a different level, St Augustine of Hippo, St Edith Stein, and St Dominic.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I once entered a UKAEA Zoom meeting with the Vatican flag as my virtual background.

Name: Dean McGarrigle
University & Course: MEng Mechanical Engineering @ Ulster University, Jordanstown (outside Belfast).
Department you are working in: RACE
Where are you based? Oxford.
Why UKAEA? Looked to be very employee oriented with the chance to work on amazing new projects and technologies.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Getting to know more about the people I work with and hopefully make a few friends along the way.
What do you like to do in your spare time? TV/films/gaming and any nerdy stuff, but also into hiking, running and exercise.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Augsburg in Germany.
What’s your favourite book? Philadelphia, Here I Come! by Brian Friel (actually a play but I still enjoy reading it).
Who inspires you? My parents, for putting up with me but still encouraging me to succeed.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I once got to the quarter finals of a university Mario Kart tournament. I still haven't forgiven that red shell.

 

Name: Alistair McShee
University & Course: Royal Holloway Physics with Particle Physics
Department you are working in: Neutral Beams
Where are you based? Reading
Why UKAEA? After an industrial placement here during university I knew this was the job I wanted to do
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Knowing that in some small way I am helping make our fusion future a reality
What do you like to do in your spare time? Photography and repairing consumer electronics
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Tucson, Arizona
What’s your favourite book? The Racketeer by John Grisham
Who inspires you? Everyone who helped me pursue physics
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have raced around the old Top Gear track at Dunsfold  

 

Name: Jonathan Pearl
University & Course: Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield
Department you are working in: Central Engineering
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? It’s simply a great place to be an engineer
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Retirement
What do you like to do in your spare time? Usually one of the following: reclining on a sofa, rock climbing, gaming, reading
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? I’m not good at picking favourites but my most recent holiday was to Portugal which was really nice
What’s your favourite book? Last chance to see by Douglas Adams
Who inspires you? Luke Lewin
Give a fun fact about yourself: A locomotive was once dropped on my foot, luckily I was wearing steal cap boots  

 

Name: Faiz Rahman
University & Course: University of Bristol
Department you are working in: University of Bristol – Mechanical Engineering
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? The work they are doing is closely related to my own personal interests, and from my time here as an intern, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to everything that’s to come!
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Learning as much as I can. While I do have specific roles that I am already looking forward to, I am open to seeing any other opportunities that are likely to pop up.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Pretty much a lot of climbing or parkour!
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Norway. The fjords are amazing!
What’s your favourite book? I don’t really read haha
Who inspires you? A cliched answer, but my father. Working up from pretty much nothing to being well off enough to support a family of 5.
Give a fun fact about yourself: In addition to my own two hands, I have 3 other robot hands in my room 

 

Name: Hermione Salter
University & Course: University of Surrey, MPhys Physics
Department you are working in: Tokamak Science, Electron Kinetics Group
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? Came on a school trip to Culham when I was 16 and just thought plasma looked really pretty (and everyone I spoke to was super enthusiastic), decided to do a physics degree because of it, and now here I am... (with an excellent cliche answer ready for all interviews!). I just get really excited whenever I get to learn more about fusion, can't wait for it to actually be less than 30 years away!
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? I really want to have a photo taken stood on/by JET... that's the main aim! Also I can't wait to learn enough that I can actually keep up when everyone just talks in never ending acronyms!
What do you like to do in your spare time? Anything and everything I can. Grew some great lockdown tomatoes (and other assorted vegetables) and have an ever-growing collection of houseplants. I love crafting, baking, hiking, swimming, reading, board games and being the weakest member of my gospel choir (I have zero coordination for stepping and clicking/clapping which is basically the main skill needed to be in a choir...). I'm super keen to try new sports/activities, but will undoubtedly be awful at them... can't wait to find out!
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? I volunteer at the IOW steam railway and it will always be my favourite place, because it is beautiful, and also because we have cider festivals several times a year... (and the trains are obviously pretty cool)
What’s your favourite book? Usually just whichever book I read most recently, very hard to find an irredeemably bad book! 'Remember Me' by Lesley Pearse has a solid female lead though, I like that. And 'Children of Time' by Adrian Tchaikovsky is the most insane book I have ever read. Got the whole way through without being able to decide if it was the best or worst thing I have ever read!
Who inspires you? Final year grad James O'Callaghan, for always doing what I want to be doing, two years ahead of me. (and because he told me not to put him down under any circumstances this time last year)
Give a fun fact about yourself: Started my first year of uni on crutches because I fell off a kerb whilst completely sober and broke my foot. I'm still trying to live down the reputation that I am a clumsy person... 

 

Name: Jenny Scowcroft
University & Course: University of Warwick MEng Electronic Engineering
Department you are working in: MAST-U
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? I always wanted to work in renewables, and fusion is definitely the coolest type of renewable energy.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Being able to see my work go towards the development of MAST-U
What do you like to do in your spare time? Powerlifting, playing Ultimate Frisbee, playing bass guitar.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Hawaii
What’s your favourite book? The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets 

 

 

Name: Henry Smith
University & Course: Warwick, MChem (shoutout to David Fox)
Department you are working in: H3AT - Tritium science group
Where are you based? The picturesque and somewhat dead village of Goring on Thames
Why UKAEA? Clean energy is the future! The entire world is spiralling
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? The people - being part of a diverse network of smart, hard workers who can inspire me.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Long walks, theatre, and games with pals
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Peru
What’s your favourite book? Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Who inspires you? The person reading this 😉
Give a fun fact about yourself: I've rowed the length of the Thames, stopping midway to collect my GCSEs 

 

 

Name: Jamie Smith
University & Course: University of Southampton, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Department you are working in: Heating & Fuelling
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? The opportunity to work on something relatively unique that my have a critical role in the future of energy production.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Spending some time learning how to actually engineer alongside people with similar experience to me (and having a few laughs along the way).
What do you like to do in your spare time? Games, films, and a bit of baking. Mostly just nerdy stuff.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? I went to CERN a few years ago which was pretty hype
What’s your favourite book? Bodega – Edward Forsyth.
Who inspires you? Bob Ross – Wish I could be that super-chill all the time
Give a fun fact about yourself: I accidentally memorised the entirety of Shrek and once did a small recital for charity 

 

Name: Kaouthar Stambouli ( but please call me Kouki)
University & Course: MSc Electronic and electrical Engineer at The University of Portsmouth.
Department you are working in: RACE.
Where are you based? Abingdon.
Why UKAEA? Why not?
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Develop my technical skills, build a strong network, try and work with different departments.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Play video games with my friends, play tennis.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Tunisia, Djerba.
What’s your favourite book? Harry potter
Who inspires you? Everyone that does what they love.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have never had a bad hair day. 

 

Name: Callum Steventon
University and Course: Chemical Engineering with Energy at the University of Sheffield
Department: Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology (H3AT)
Why UKAEA?: To contribute to fusion power being a reality!
What are you most looking forward to on the graduate scheme?: To contribute to something meaningful, learn more about fusion and different science and engineering fields.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing Ice Hockey, tennis, running, cooking and reading.
What is your favourite place you have visited? If I have to choose one place, Vienna.
Who inspires you?: My family
Give a fun fact about yourself? I learnt to ice skate before I learnt to read

 

Name: Beth Thomas
University & Course: University of Surrey, Physics MPhys
Department you are working in: Tokamak Science
Where are you based?: Oxford 
Why UKAEA?: I've been interested in nuclear fusion since I was a kid when I heard about how beneficial it would be to the planet, and loved my time at UKAEA on a previous placement 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme?: Learning more about the diagnostics I'm working on 
What do you like to do in your spare time?: Reading, videogames and baking
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited?: Berlin or NASA
What’s your favourite book?: "Room" by Emma Donoghue
Who inspires you?: I got very lucky by having great physics teachers growing up, and they each inspired me to get into physics
Give a fun fact about yourself: I bled out of my eyes once, and also I've apparently been eating scones wrong my entire life

 

Name: Priscilla Ting
University & Course: University of Southampton, MEng Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace
Department you are working in: Central Engineering
Why UKAEA? I get to contribute in changing/saving the Earth through nuclear fusion, plus it's kinda cool working in the nuclear industry.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Absorbing and learning as much as I can!  Also meeting people with the same passion to change/save the world.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to binge on Netflix and have recently found my new love in kickboxing. I do like crafts but am not an Art person.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Night market in Taiwan. The street food in Taiwan is just so good.
Who inspires you? My parents. They are my no.1 inspiration.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I've been to the Amazon rainforest and had a near death experience where an anaconda approached my boat when I was fishing for piranhas. Survived and successfully caught 5 piranhas. 

 

Name: Kwanele “Kwan” Tuakli
University & Course: University of Bristol, Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
Department you are working in: Central Engineering
Where are you based? Currently, Swindon
Why UKAEA? Even before I decided to become an engineer, I always wanted to use my life to make a difference, to leave the world a better place than it would be otherwise. Some say that Fusion is a pipe dream. I’d rather work towards making a beautiful dream a reality, than waste the one life I’ve got fattening a bank account. On top of that the culture at UKAEA is truly inspiring. Why wouldn’t I want to work here?
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? I’m looking forward to using the grad scheme time to learn as much as possible and to figure out what kind of engineer I want to be. The grad scheme sets aside time for personal development, and that is a truly valuable opportunity.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Binge TV shows, play guitar, play computer games, play board games, bake bread, cook in general, read, draw, learn martial arts (I’ve dallied in quite a few such as BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Krav Maga, Wrestling-based MMA, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Arnis), my biggest hobby is collecting skills so I’m always interested in learning something new.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? That’s a difficult one. I really loved going to the Redwoods in California. It was a truly awe inspiring and humbling experience. But, the lakes in the region around Algonquin National Park in Ontario are amazing too. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been to enough places to have picked a favourite yet.
What’s your favourite book? Oof. That’s like asking a parent which kid is their favourite. You love each one for different reasons.
Who inspires you? My maternal grandmother.
Give a fun fact about yourself: In 2011, following the completion of a year in which I spent many weekends learning wilderness skills, I undertook an experience (arranged by the instructors) that I suppose would be equivalent to an exam. I spent 5 days surviving in an area of woodland on the side of a mountain in the French Pyrenees at approx. 1000m elevation at the end of October taking nothing with me but the clothes on my back, a knife I had hand forged, and some cordage I had made from natural materials. 

 

Name: Myles Verdon
University & Course:  University of Birmingham, MEng Computer Systems Engineering
Department you are working in: RACE Cybernetics
Why UKAEA? I wanted to do something positive, and fusion is a great mix of technologies that I’m interested in. UKAEA seemed like a nice place to realise that
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? The opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. Being allocated time to learn is great, too
What do you like to do in your spare time? Too much - I’ve been playing guitar for most of my life (looking for a band!), music production, I enjoy cycling, I’m a novice woodworker - helping set up a makerspace in Oxford, I go to the gym, etc.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? The classic gap yah travel location of Thailand – the northern parts were pretty and it was cheap!
What’s your favourite book? Any and all of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
Who inspires you? People who have unrelenting motivation
Give a fun fact about yourself: I can make pretty convincing dolphin/predator noises and wiggle my hair on its own 

 

Name: Abigail or Abby Woods
University & Course: Tilburg University (the Netherlands) Global Law
Department you are working in: Procurement
Where are you based? Swindon
Why UKAEA? Because I was attracted to the idea of contributing to a clean and sustainable energy for future generations and the plant
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Meeting new people and learning about procurement
What do you like to do in your spare time? Going out and about, especially walking in the countryside; and eating out!
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Barcelona
What’s your favourite book? Matilda
Who inspires you? Malala Yousafzai for here advocacy for access to education for girls
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have two ancient gold fish… 16 years old and going strong 

 

Graduate Intake 2020 (part 1)

This September UKAEA welcomed its biggest graduate intake across a wider range of roles than ever before.  As their induction has taken place virtually, this is an intake like no other. And since the later assessment centres went ahead online, some of the new starters have never set foot on the Culham site!

This hasn’t affected their enthusiasm, as they’ve already got stuck into graduate training, the environment forum, learning lunches and even graduate recruitment fairs. While we’re not yet able to welcome the new cohort in-person, we have some introductions to go by in the meantime.

Name: Amy Bleasdale
University & Course: University of York, MPhys Physics with Astrophysics 
Department you are working in: Tokamak Science 
Where are you based? Abingdon 
Why UKAEA? I found a passion for fusion energy in my 3rd year at university, I then went on a university organised visit to the site and it had a huge impact on me. I decided then that I wanted to work for UKAEA when I graduated. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Learning and getting involved in projects that I know will have a real positive impact. 
What do you like to do in your spare time? I am quite crafty so I like drawing and crochet currently and occasionally baking. 
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? New York 
What’s your favourite book? Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz 
Who inspires you? Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Give a fun fact about yourself:  When I was an air cadet,  I flew a powered glider for a little while. 

 

Name: Nick Brewer 
University & Course: University of Exeter. Electrical Engineering
Department you are working in: MAST and STEP
Where are you based? Cowley, Oxford
Why UKAEA? Immensely satisfying to work on a project that could be the energy of the future. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Going on site for the first time! 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Attempting to cook house meals and play memes on the trombone
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? River Exe estuary cycle to Dawlish beach on a sunny day. Appreciated it a lot more during the main lockdown
What’s your favourite book? Ready Player One
Who inspires you? Faiz Rahman and his sourdough making capabilities
Give a fun fact about yourself: Completed the UK 3 peaks challenge by public transport (13 trains, 5 buses plus some actual walking)   

 

 

Name: Sunchi Chen
University & Course: University of Birmingham, BSc Nuclear Science and Materials, MSc Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactor
Department you are working in:  Engineering Realisation Group
Where are you based? Jericho, Oxford
Why UKAEA? Everyone here is pulling in the same direction, is committed to the same goals and there is a great network of diverse talents. It's great knowing I can contribute to climate change solutions and to the country.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Taking responsibility for my own work, collaborating with people from diverse disciplines and learning from them, meeting everyone in person once the pandemic permits!
What do you like to do in your spare time? Equality, inclusion, outreach and representation are all very important to me, especially that which concerns inclusion and representation of black women. I spend a guilty amount of time on of social media, it's important for much more than entertainment. Like most, I love music, movies and art. 
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Amsterdam (so far!)
What’s your favourite book? At the moment, Natives by Akala
Who inspires you? My Mum
Give a fun fact about yourself: I was the vice president for the nuclear society at my university 

 

Name: Thomas Clayton
University & Course: University of Manchester, MEng Computer Science 
Department you are working in: CODAS&IT
Where are you based? Abingdon 
Why UKAEA? It combines my interests in fusion energy and programming, with the ability to work for the betterment of humanity. Plus I get to work at the hottest place in the solar system!  
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Being able to continue my education and develop my skills, while working with a great community of people.  
What do you like to do in your spare time? Reading (both books and blogs), computer games (both playing and watching), and cycling occasionally.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Canada - to visit family and enjoy the wonderful landscapes. 
What’s your favourite book? Of the ones I've read this year, definitely The Fifth Risk - nominally about a certain President, but actually about the many amazing people who work in the US government.  
Who inspires you? People who give themselves to public service, with often little to no thanks (hence my favourite book).  
Give a fun fact about yourself: My interest in programming was sparked by a game I stumbled upon 12 years ago - I'm not sure where I'd be now if I hadn't found it. 

 

Name: John Crockett
University & Course: University of Nottingham – Mechanical Engineering 
Department you are working in: Central Engineering 
Why UKAEA? I remember my A-Level teachers saying it would never be viable in our lifespan, so when I saw the work that UKAEA was doing it stole my interest… Also who doesn’t want to make stars for a living? 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Getting to learn different parts of the UKAEA and eventually being able to meet the other grads 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Gym, gaming and a few pints on the weekend
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Budapest – great tourist destinations in the day and also a great nightlife  
Who inspires you? Dwayne Johnson – managed to beat mental illnesses and become the person we all know today. 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have the initials JC and was born on Christmas day 

 

Name: Seb Dickson
University & Course: University of Cambridge, Mechanical Engineering 
Department you are working in: RACE
Where are you based? Oxford 
Why UKAEA? Feels immoral to work on something that isn’t at least tangentially related to the energy/climate crisis, and this is a cool thing that is. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Meeting people…? 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Ride my bike, play the piano
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Isle of Islay in Scotland. Pretty, fresh seafood, and when I went for a swim and a seal popped up next to me. 
What’s your favourite book? Any of the Thomas the tank engine Railway Series, read them so much the covers fell off. 
Who inspires you? Brunel did a lot before he drove himself to an early death 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I jointly hold the world record for the most number of people playing the same piano at the same time (89)  

 

Name: Yannik Dieudonne
University & Course: University of Birmingham, MSc Physics 
Department you are working in: Engineering Realisation Group (Technology Department)
Where are you based? Abingdon 
Why UKAEA? By my final year I'd settled on wanting to work in sustainable energy, preferably fusion so UKAEA being one of the leading players and offering a well-regarded graduate scheme seemed like a perfect organisation to introduce me to the field.  
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Having the chance to engage in personal and professional development that is decoupled from my regular work in the organisation 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Any type of sport or outdoor activity (I am happy to give anything a shot and won't need much convincing). I particularly enjoy Muay Thai, dance and hiking (+surfing and snowboarding when I get the chance to). When I'm not doing sports, I love to cook and read.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Probably Amsterdam or Scotland. Amsterdam because it was one of my first experiences traveling alone and I met loads of people I had incredible experiences with. Scotland because I love the rugged nature (and people), as well as being a bit of a single malt scotch nerd. 
What’s your favourite book? "The subtle art of not giving a f*ck" Its profound but very approachable.  
Who inspires you? Elon Musk. He may be a terrible public speaker, but he's definitely got some good ideas. 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I was born and raised in southern Germany in the same town, Ulm, that Einstein was born in. Incidentally, we are also proud owners of the world's largest clock tower and grain silo.

 

Name: Lucy Harris
University & Course: Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering at the University of Sheffield
Department you are working in: RACE – Cybernetics
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? Viable fusion? sign me up
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? I'm super looking forward to continue learning, and meeting some amazing people throughout fusion research.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Visit beautiful places in nature through hiking and camping, baking, house plants!
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Shark bay in Western Australia - milky way, dolphins, humpback whales singing, and beautiful sunsets
What’s your favourite book? Favourite trilogy of books has to be His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Who inspires you? Everyone who is continuously trying to improve themselves including myself.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I enjoy swimming outdoors throughout the year

 

Name: Michael Hawthorne
University & Course: Oxford Brookes University – BSc Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management 
Department you are working in: Campus Development
Where are you based? Abingdon  
Why UKAEA? I’m local to the area and have known about the site for a long time – including a stint of Sunday morning football for a couple of years! Excited to join an organisation that is contributing to positive future development, and eager to play a part in creating the spaces to do so. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Continuing my professional development while engaging with fellow young professionals.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a keen sportsman; cricket is my main activity, but I’ll turn my hand to anything if it seems fun! Outside of sport, I enjoy writing and attending pub quizzes, as well as boxsets on Netflix and movie marathons.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Recently went on a cruise to South America and Antarctica – having dinner while watching penguins playing on an iceberg was quite the experience! 
What’s your favourite book? Either ‘Inferno’ by Dante, or The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski – slightly different styles and content, but both excellent! 
Who inspires you? Muhammad Ali; rose to the top of his field, then lost his position due to upholding his beliefs. Had the personal resilience to make it back to the top again, transcending the sport while being a pillar of philanthropy and a champion of humanitarian causes. 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I can identify the flag of every country in the world! 

 

Name: Sam Herschmann
University & Course: University of Bristol – Mechanical Engineering 
Department you are working in: RACE
Where are you based? Oxford 
Why UKAEA? There’s a wide range of interesting projects across many fields. Also Fusion is exciting 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Learning lots, trying new things and working on projects for ITER! 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Films, Music, Hiking, Cooking, Ale
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Argyll, Scotland 
Who inspires you? Dick Feynman, Donald Fagan, Trish Keenan, Barry Chuckle, Faiz Rahman, Harambe, etc 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I’ve never broken a bone before 

 

Name: Luke Humphrey
University & Course: The University of Hull, MPhys Physics & Astrophysics 
Department you are working in: Advanced Computing 
Why UKAEA? Fusion energy research combines my academic experience simulating nuclear fusion in stars with my personal interest in not going extinct. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Meeting new friends and getting out of my comfort zone (ew) by trying new things. 
What do you like to do in your spare time? I regularly run and play tabletop roleplaying games and put more hours than I care to admit into video games. I'm pretty house-proud, and when doing the cooking/cleaning I enjoy putting on podcasts, audiobooks, or lo-fi-beats-to-study/relax-to. Other than that, I love a glass of whisky and a board game and/or movie night. In the rare event I do leave the house, I like to travel to a new place and explore (especially if there's a good museum or zoo!).
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Amsterdam for great food, great people, and plenty to see/do & The North Yorkshire Moors for the climate, meandering hikes, and relaxing in nature.  
What’s your favourite book(s)? Apocalypse World (D. Vincent Baker), Blueprint (Nicholas A. Christakis), Cosmos (Carl Sagan), Dune (Frank Herbert). 
Who inspires you? Spongebob Squarepants, and (moreso with each passing year) Squidward Tentacles. 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have a published article in the European Journal of Physics about folding shrinky dinks with a heat lamp and a black sharpie. 

 

Name: Toby James
University & Course: Manchester, Physics MPhys
Department you are working in: Advanced Scientific Computing
Where are you based? Oxford
Why UKAEA? I wanted to work somewhere exciting and ethical, with real potential to seriously help fix a lot of the 21st century's problems.
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Maybe one day being allowed on site.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Climb, play poker, and identify wild mushrooms.
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Anywhere mountainous with rocks, trees, and running water.
What’s your favourite book? The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Who inspires you? My cats, who have somehow managed to achieve a life of effortless happiness.
Give a fun fact about yourself: I make a mean fondant potato.

 

Name: Shreyas Joshi
University & Course: Royal Holloway, MSc. Information Security  
Department you are working in: CODAS&IT
Where are you based?: Reading 
Why UKAEA? I found UKAEA’s work very interesting and wanted to contribute to it in any way possible
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Gaining hands-on experience, making big contributions to projects, learning more about fusion 
What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to play guitar (my favourite way to unwind) and exercise
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Switzerland for the views, New Delhi for the food 
What’s your favourite book? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Who inspires you? My parents 
Give a fun fact about yourself: When I travel, I spend more time visiting local restaurants and less time visiting the main tourist attractions 

 

Name: Maddy Kearney
University & Course: Open University, Engineering BEng 
Department you are working in: RACE
Where are you based? Didcot 
Why UKAEA? The latest technologies and developments in engineering and science. An environment where personal development is encouraged. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Using the 20% personal development time. 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Climbing, Hiking & Skiing
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? Jasper, Alberta 
What’s your favourite book? Marching Powder 
Give a fun fact about yourself: Qualified ski instructor. Not so useful in Oxfordshire. 

 

Name: Varun Kumar
University & Course: MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems - University of Bath (2020)
Department you are working in: RACE cybernetics as a Graduate Mechatronics Engineer
Where are you based? Didcot parkway
Why UKAEA? My first point of interest when joining UKAEA was from watching a video on a teleoperator manipulating the mascot. It gave me the drive to get into RACE as well and get an opportunity to work closely with MASCOT in the future. 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? To learn on current tech in nuclear robotics and simultaneously contribute to the project I'm under and make new friends (at least virtually). Looking at the grad scheme as more of a transition from university life to a professional career push.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to cook, try out different cuisines, cycling and just pack my bag and go on weekend trips
What’s your favorite place you’ve visited? The Marina Beach back in Chennai in my home country 
What is your favourite food and why? Dum Biryani - Popular Indian subcontinent dish served with basmati rice and meat usually chicken or lamb 
Who inspires you? APJ Abdul Kalam 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I have a name for everything in my house 🙂   

 

Name: Luke Lewin
University & Course: The University of Sheffield, Mechanical Engineering 
Department you are working in: H3AT
Where are you based? Oxford 
Why UKAEA? Someone told me privilege days exist, fusion is pretty cool too I guess 
What are you most looking forward to on the Graduate Scheme? Getting on site for the first time 
What do you like to do in your spare time? Climbing, Hiking, Building things
What’s your favourite place you’ve visited? The Lake District 
What’s your favourite book? Eastern Grit by Chris Craggs 
Who inspires you? Jonathan Pearl 
Give a fun fact about yourself: I built a climbing wall at my house