Thomas

I attended secondary school in Truro, Cornwall, at Penair Academy. Here, I developed my passion for science and problem solving throughout undertaking my GCSEs. I went on to complete A-Levels at the esteemed Truro and Penwith College in Chemistry, Biology, Physical Education and AS-Physics, for which I achieved AABB respectively. I then gained a place at the Russell Group University of Bristol to read Geology and Environmental Geoscience. During my undergraduate study I developed a keen interest in climate change and energy, which lead me to alter the direction of my academic studies towards that of engineering. This is when I read an MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering, also at UOB. This period really challenged me as an academic and pushed me to develop an understanding for concepts I had not studied before. After undertaking a ski season in Japan I then went on to gain employment as a Smart (and via promotion - Senior) Analyst at the emerging renewable energy company, So Energy. This chapter gave me the introspection I needed to realise that I was not done with academia, and I decided to pursue my studies further by gaining a place as a PhD student at the top 5 world university Imperial College London. My research covers how nuclear fusion will contribute to disrupting fossil fuels as an emerging, carbon-free technology, driving my passion for climate change research. I am part of the Grantham Institute PhD cohort, a centre of excellence that contributes and leads on research towards effective action on climate change and the environment, and am a member of the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet Doctoral Training Program Community Garden Challenge Team.

Tutoring Experience

1-1 Paid sessions: 500+ hours, in a combination of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography. 2 in-school engineering placements with The Brilliant Club education charity on the Scholar’s Program, totalling 28 hours. 42 hours of Graduate Teaching Assistant work for the Departments of Earth Sciences and Mechanical Engineering.

Tutoring Approach

I enjoy face to face sessions with students, first getting an insight to their interests so that I can use analogies in our sessions with what they enjoy doing. For instance, a studnet who likes go karting, and using Newton's Laws of Motion in a physics session.