Introducing the 2022 Grads! (Part 2)

 Here is part two of the Grad Introductions for 2022!

Name: Abdullah Ansari
University & Course:

Abdullah Ansari

University of Warwick - MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Department: FTF Procurement team
Based: FTF, Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Most looking forward to: Lots of learning, development and building professional relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to advance my professional network which will benefit me in my professional career. Further, looking to develop my professional skillset to become a versatile professional to have the most impact in my work and have lots of fun too along the way too!!

Spare time: Spend time with friends to go out for fun outdoor activities such as cycling, as well as social activities such as meals, movies and walks. I like to stay fit and active, so I take a keen interest in most sports (both watching and participating) and going to the gym.
Dream holiday: Dubai, UAE. Just so modern, the lifestyle, shopping, hospitality, food, everything was fabulous.
Inspiration: My mother. The passion, hard work, dedication, determination, and constantly moving forwards despite the hurdles and challenges that may present themselves, is everything she has ever taught me.
One wish: Go on a world tour right now - I absolutely love travelling!
Favourite food: Plenty of lamb curry & Biryani.

Darren Roberts

Name: Darren Roberts
University & Course: Coventry University (BEng) & Brunel University London (MSc) – Mechanical Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE, Mechanical Group
Where are you based? Culham, living in Oxford
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme: Being around loads of interesting people and getting involved in the quest for fusion power
What do you like to do in your spare time? Cycling, hiking, playing guitar/ukulele/piano and rebuilding classic motorbikes
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Japan (Kyoto and Okinawa) because there might be something to learn from their fascinating culture
Who inspires you? Guy Martin (who I unexpectedly met on site a couple weeks ago)
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Remove evil/cruelty from existence
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Bear Grylls

Charlie (Chaz) Acres

Name: Charlie Acres
University & Course: University of Manchester, Aerospace Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE
Where are you based? Oxford, hopefully. Radley temporarily
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Working with some of the most intelligent minds in the country, and finding out how much tritium one could keep in their pocket.
What do you like to do in your spare time? All types of engineering hobbies, movie buff, and ice hockey.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Spent a month “working” for a cousin in Canada, water skiing and lake days came with the payment. However, I would love to go to any Asian country in the near future!!
Who inspires you? Any Backyard engineer – especially the YouTube inclined ones. There’s no better way to learn than to just try! (just don’t blow up)
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? I’d wish it was Robin Williams and not Will Smith
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? A working license of CATIA

Steve Etches

Name: Steve Etches
University & Course: MSc Data Science at the University of Bath
Department you're working in: Advanced Computing
Where are you based? Culham
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Getting to learn about various aspects of the work that is done in UKAEA.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Outdoor activities, hiking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, swimming in the sea and surf
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled quite a bit and whilst I love exploring new places, my favourite holiday is camping in West Cornwall where I can hiking along the coastal footpath with my partner and daughter, or go swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters of Sennen and Porthcurno.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? I wouldn’t want to be away from my family so they’d have to come too.

Name: Matt Field

Matt Field

University & Course: Physics, University of Exeter
Department you're working in: Research Software Engineering, CODAS & IT
Where are you based? Culham (K1), living in Oxford
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Meeting new people, and working on new and interesting challenges
What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing tennis or squash, cooking, and playing board games
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Continue my trip around Europe which I started this summer (would love to see every European capital!)
Who inspires you? Alan Turing
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? The ability to time travel
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? A fully stocked cocktail bar (or if that's pushing it, at least a few Singapore Slings - top tier cocktail!)

Josh Blake

Name: Josh Blake

University & Course: University of Nottingham - MEng Aerospace Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE
Where are you based?: Reading
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? I'm looking forwarding to getting to know the team at UKAEA and developing software and robotics that will be used in reactors (and other places) for years to come.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I play a fair amount of lacrosse and like to go to the gym. I also have my pilot's license, so love to go flying when I can (which isn't very often at the moment unfortunately).
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? I'd love to explore some Scandanavian countries at some point. I've never been on holiday to somewhere cold, but I'd love to experience it at some point and go to see the Northern Lights!
Who inspires you? Alan Turing
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? A selfish one, but I would love to go to space at some point.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Honestly, I could survive a very long time on just pasta alone - as proven by my four years of uni.




Name: Charlie Keenan

Charlie Keenan

University & Course: Aerospace Engineering BSc – University, Safety & Human factors in aviation MSc – Cranfield University
Department you are working in: RACE
Where are you based? Culham
What are you looking forward to on the grad scheme? Learning enough to earn a lot quickly so I can retire before I’m 80 years old.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy a range of martial arts and archery. Just so you don’t think I have violent tendencies I also fly light aircrafts and love pub quizzes.
Dream holiday? My favourite past holiday was travelling the east coast of Australia, especially the great barrier reef. I am currently planning to tour Japan so I can see the culture at first hand and not just on the television.
Who inspires you? Captain Chesley Sullenberger - a man who really knows how stay calm in a stressful situation
If you could have one wish granted what would it be? A permanent unlimited supply of wishes
Favourite thing/food/person you bring with you on a desert island? A satellite phone or a raft would do.

Ross MacDonald

Name: Ross MacDonald
University & Course: Product Design Engineering Meng @ Loughborough University
Department you're working in: Engineering Realisation Group / Fusion Technology
Where are you based? Culham, living in Reading
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Getting to work with the latest technologies to engineer futuristic systems.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I generally spend my spare time keeping fit alongside hobbies of photography, skating and DJing (all of which I’m very amateur at!) I also enjoy a good night out and the festival scene.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Travelling China – I find the cultural differences across the world fascinating, and if I’m able to go to China in future then hopefully that means the geopolitical situation has calmed down!
Who inspires you? Nikola Tesla
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Major progress in the development of carbon capture and storage – this can’t happen soon enough!
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Solar-powered speakers, can’t go without the tunes.

Omar El-Zobaidi

Name: Omar El-Zobaidi
University & Course: Robotics Engineering, Queen Mary University of London
Department you're working in: RACE - Cybernetics
Where are you based? Oxford
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Meeting my fellow graduates. Working on interesting and fulfilling projects both on RACE and decommissioning to make dangerous tasks safer for all.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Table-Top RPGs (need to put more free time into this), video games, drinking coffee and traveling.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? South-East Asia and a road trip of North America.
Who inspires you? My parents.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? That the space race never ended. Plus, I wish I had legible handwriting.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? As long as there's wifi I am good anywhere.

Introducing the 2022 Grads! (Part 1)

The Grad Scheme has yet again taken in a record number of new graduates. Spanning a wide range of departments, backgrounds, and interests, it's really great to see so many lovely people joining us to make fusion happen. As the Culham and Yorkshire sites continue to grow and with the STEP project having been sited recently, it's a really exciting time to join UKAEA and we're sure there will be plenty of fantastic projects and adventures the grads will get to experience.

As per usual, we've asked the new cohort to introduce themselves. Please do give this first lot a read and let's give the new intake a very warm welcome to UKAEA!

Emir Pinto

Name: Emir Pinto
University & Course:  University of Birmingham – Physics with Technology of Nuclear Reactors
Department you're working in: H3AT
Where are you based? Culham
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme:  Working on Decommissioning JET
What do you like to do in your spare time? Tennis
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Past holiday to Seattle, went to visit the Boeing factory
Who inspires you? Rafa Nadal
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Working fusion reactors
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Tiramisu

Tom Boden

Name: Tom Boden
University & Course: Spacecraft Systems Engineering at the University of Leicester
Department you're working in: RACE

Where are you based? Drayton
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme: Going to international seminars.
What do you like to do in your spare time? The Pub™, gaming, debating, nature walks and birdwatching, cleaning.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Big trip all over South East Asia. Start in Vietnam, work my around, end in Japan.
Who inspires you? Diogenes, a fascinating man.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Trade the kid for Harambe, the world’s been on a downward spiral and that was the nexus point.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a dessert island? A spoon. I ain’t gonna eat all that pud with my hands.

Davidson Sabu

Name: Davidson Sabu
University & Course: University of Oxford, MEng Materials Science
Department you're working in: Manufacturing Technology and Equipment Qualification (MTEQ), in Fusion Technology
Where are you based? Sheffield/Rotherham
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Meeting a lot of intelligent people and working towards the common goal of fusion energy commercialisation
What do you like to do in your spare time? Badminton is my main sporting hobby, though you'll find me playing most sports, ranging from Ultimate frisbee to rowing. I enjoy reading philosophy and watching YouTube when I'm feeling lazy.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Travelling to every county and beach in the UK and experiencing the local culture and attractions in each area, because there is so much of the UK I haven't seen.
Who inspires you? My family
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? To find a significant breakthrough in science which would leave a legacy for generations ahead 

Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Plenty of Lamb biryani

JC

Name: Jacob Connors (But pretty much everyone just calls me ‘Jc’)
University & Course: BE(Hons) Chem Eng at University of Queensland in Australia
Department you're working in: Central Engineering (CED), but currently working in STEP
Where are you based? Reading
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme: Getting to know about and (hopefully) getting involved in the fusion industry!
What do you like to do in your spare time? Pre-covid used to enjoy climbing and running – during covid moved towards video and board games. Also a huge book nerd. Currently tryna get back into baking so I can make snacks to bring into work.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Right now I’m keen to explore Europe or the Americas – see random things I’ve never experienced before!
Who inspires you? I’ve had so many amazing mentors and project leaders throughout engineering who just seem to know everything about their work, and I hope to one day get to even half that that level of confidence and experience as an engineer!
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? I want to be able to teleport so bad. Could go anywhere without limits and wouldn’t get stuck every time there’s a train delay :(
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Crêpes. Convinced I could survive a couple of years on the island just living off Crêpes. (Desert island? More like ‘Dessert’ Island *laugh track*)

Sophie Gribben

Name: Sophie Gribben
University & Course: Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow)
Department you're working in: Electrical Engineering, Electrical Services
Where are you based? Culham, living in Didcot
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Making a community of fellow grads and finding out what's going on across site
What do you like to do in your spare time? Draw, knit, cycle, play dnd, and most commonly sit on the couch with my cat watching tele!
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? I'd like to go to Japan, for the food and also to have a go on the bullet train/shinkansen.
Who inspires you? My nan, she's a powerhouse of a woman
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? High speed rail in all of the UK, free to use (hey, it's a wish so I can dream big) 

Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Bread, the one with the olives in it, and some butter

Emil Kaijanen

Name: Emil Kaijanen

University & Course: University of Southampton, Mechanical Engineering
Department you're working in: Central Engineering Department
Where are you based? Oxford
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? All the learning and development opportunities, both technical and general.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to brew coffee and bake stuff that I can eat while watching TV shows and movies.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? A recent road trip around Iceland because the scenery and environment were amazing.
Who inspires you? James Hoffmann
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? That everyone would be happy.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Sparkling water

Mohamad Ali Abdallah

Name: Mohamad Ali Abdallah

University & Course: University College London - MEng Chemical Engineering International Programme

Department you're working in: H3AT

Where are you based? Oxford

What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Meeting new people, learning more about fusion, working across different departments

What do you like to do in your spare time? Working out, playing basketball, traveling, watching shows on Netflix and F1.

Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Definitely Puerto Rico! I went there last summer and I would definitely go back there soon!

Who inspires you? My friends, they’re a cool bunch from all over the world.

If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? I would wish for infinite wishes

Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? A burrito from Cabo Bobs.

Ocean Wong

Name: Ocean Wong
University & Course: University of Birmingham: BSc Nuclear Science and Materials, University of Birmingham: PTNR, Sheffield Hallam University: PhD Physics
Department you're working in: Power Plant Technology, Fusion Technology Business Unit
Where are you based? Culham
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Team building days, having a community of like-minded people, and also having some time to finish the unfinished projects during my PhD!
The past couple of years hasn't been easy without access to the site, it would be nice to be in a group of scientist & engineers again and interact with people face-to-face!
What do you like to do in your spare time? Parkour, calisthenics, breakdancing, some circus skills, and (sorry for fitting the stereotype so well😅️) climbing! Or for something less athletically demanding, I like to explore new places, either by bike or on foot. I also love fellrunning and caving, but I haven't joined any clubs for doing that down here yet.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? A trip to Antarctica in the future, hopefully before the permafrost melts!
Who inspires you? Future me :)
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Apart from making fusion a reality at the snap of my fingers (which is probably what everyone else also answered), I wish everyone (but especially politicians and school-aged children) are taught about how (mis)information spreads, what role does social media play in it, as well as how everyone is susceptible (yes, even me and you) to it. And I hope one day we will stop framing this in an Anglo-centric manner, and people will finally realize the true scale of the problem.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? A fully-charged satellite phone, preferably with built-in GPS. It would double as a very ergonomic bludgeoning tool once I've finished using it to call for help then call up my friends to debate about the linguistics of internet slang or which voting system is the best. The Lithium battery may also work as a spontaneous, unreliable fire starter if you're lazy and have a sharp stick. If that's not an option, I'll request a sturdy pull-up bar. I love hanging around and doing muscle-ups.

Wei Leong

Name: Wei Leong

University & Course: University of Bath, Mechanical Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE DEMO
Where are you based? Didcot
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Getting involved with different projects and breaking stuff broaden my skillset.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Sleep, play games, play badminton/football and cook.
Dream holiday? Would like to visit Asian countries and eat lots of food.
Who inspires you? All three of my brothers.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Be greedy and ask for more wishes. Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Bring a rock and name it Will.

Matt Lobb

Name: Matt Lobb
University & Course: MEng Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE
Where are you based? Oxford
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? Gaining Knowledge relating to fusion from outside of my discipline and meeting lots of new people
What do you like to do in your spare time? Gaming, baking, going to the gym and watching F1 and Football.
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Peru, specifically Machu Picchu looks like a beautiful place to visit and so different to home. (Also from playing the Civilisation series 😃)
Who inspires you? My friends and family especially my parents.
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? Unlimited Wishes…obviously…but if that’s not allowed then I’d wish I could teleport, so many places to see not enough time to do it.
Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Pizza, with all the variety, could never get bored.

Artem Shargorodskii

Name: Artem Shargorodskii

University & Course: University of Bath, Integrated Design Engineering
Department you're working in: RACE
Where are you based? Abingdon, reallocating to Oxford soon (hopefully)
What are you looking forward to on the Grad Scheme? 5-day Skern trip, getting a chance to operate MASCOT
What do you like to do in your spare time? Sleep (as you can see)
Dream holiday, past or future, and why? Trip to Edinburgh with my friends this summer. Climbed a volcano, toasted marshmallows on the beach, tried haggis and took a picture of every other building in the city.
Who inspires you? Elon Musk, if you ignore his recent tweets though (applicable at any point of time)
If you could have one wish granted, what would it be? End of War 

Favourite thing/food/person you’d bring with you to a desert island? Chinese (food)