Inspiration from visually impaired scientists

Stuart Hann – Chocolatier

We chat to Stuart Hann, the Blind Chocolatier, about how he creates his stunning chocolates, how he became a chocolatier, what inspires him and what advice he’d give to young people with a vision impairment interested in a career in the food industry. You can find out more about Stuart’s Lake District and online store at: www.theblindchocolatier.co.uk or follow The Blind Chocolatier on Instagram @theblindchocolatier.

Dr Mona Minkara – Biochemist

Dr Mona Minkara is a Professor of Bioengineering, working in research and teaching with a focus on studying the air water interface in the lungs. Find out more about this fascinating career and how Mona has tackled prejudices relating to her own vision impairment.

Dr Amy Bower – Oceanographer

Dr Amy Bowers is an oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Find out what being an oceanographer entails and how having a vision impairment hasn’t held Dr Amy Bowers back from pursuing her dream career.

Tiri Hughes – Medical Student at Oxford University

Tiri Hughes is a third year medical student at Oxford University. Tiri speaks to the VICTA Science Fair about how important it is, as a student with a vision impairment, to be your own self-advocate. She talks about her own educational path into medicine and how accessible she is finding her university studies.

Dr Daniel Rhind, Reader in Psychology at the University of Loughborough

Dr Daniel Rhind describes this fascinating and varied role around research, teaching and consulting within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at the University of Loughborough.

Professor Nic Bonne, Astronomer

Professor Nic Bonne is a visually impaired astronomer from Portsmouth University working in public engagement and outreach.

Along with Portsmouth University he runs ‘Tactile Universe’ which talks about astronomy to people with visual impairments using sound and tactile models. Professor Nic Bonne talks about his exciting role and how he pursued a career following his passion for astronomy, which may at first appear to be a very visual science.

Find out more about Tactile Universe here:
www.victa.org.uk/science-universe

Look UK talk to Aure Aflalo and Daniel Haja

As part of their ‘Look into’ series, the charity talked to visually impaired scientists Aure and Daniel to find out more about their studies and fascinating careers.

Aure Aflalo is a Natural Sciences graduate and Masters student at the University of Cambridge. Daniel Haja is a Master of Theoretical Physics and has a PHD in Philosophy with an interest in how people interact with computers.

Watch the recording of their live stream chat on their YouTube channel above to find out more about the fields that they are involved in and the paths they have taken.

STEM career chats

Dr Susan Leadbetter – Senior Scientist in Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality for the MET Office

Dr Susan Leadbetter is a Senior Scientist in Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality for the MET Office. Find out more about Dr Leadbetter’s experiences within the STEM industry, more about her role and misconceptions surrounding it.

The Met Office have some exciting weather activities to try at home, find out more about them on our Science Investigations page >

Sabaht Bashir – Industry and Schools Engagement Lead for the National Robotarium

The National Robotarium is based in Edinburgh and is ‘leading the UK effort to realise its industrial potential in this ever-changing robotics revolution, by producing a new generation of highly skilled researchers’. Sabaht has also had previous experience in the VI world, having previous involvement at the National Blind School in Edinburgh. Listen as she outlines what it takes to get involved in the exciting field of robotics engineering and AI and the various pathways available.

Find out more about the National Robotarium here: www.edinburgh-robotics.org

Ruth MacLaren BSc QTLS FHEA – Biomedical Scientist and science teacher

Ruth MacLaren BSc QTLS FHEA is a part of the Microbiology Society and delivers exciting science themed workshops through the Community Interest Company ‘Sciencedipity’.

In this chat, Ruth explains all things microbiology and how you can enter this intriguing field of science and excel as a microbiologist.

Find out more about Ruth and Sciencedipity here: sciencedipity.co.uk/about-us

Nordine Ghachi, Games Designer

Nordine Ghachi tells us what inspired him to become a games designer and to co-found DOWiNO, a company that focuses on creating video games, in flight applications and educational videos with a strong social purpose. He tells us more about the game ‘A Blind Legend’ which was designed with people with vision impairments in mind. If you dream of a future in coding, find out what advice Nordine has for you!

Find out more about DOWiNO: www.dowino.com/en

Find out more about the game ‘A Blind Legend’: www.ablindlegend.com/en/about-us

Dr Nicola Hardman, Medical Microbiologist

Dr Nicola Hardman describes how her inquisitiveness for solving medical puzzles led her to the specialism of becoming a medical microbiologist. Her field focusses on many aspects of infections, from giving advice to other doctors, to looking at infection control. Dr Nicola Hardman explains what an average day could look like in this varied career, what she loves about her job and gives advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine and its specialisms.

Dr Florentina Sava – Clinical Scientist in Genomics

Dr Florentina Sava talks to VICTA about her role as a Clinical Scientist in Genomics, analysing the genomics of patients with different conditions.

If Dr Florentina Sava’s Q&A has left you curious about Genomics, have a read of the following opportunities from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Mohsin Mazhari, Doctor in Adult Histopathology

Dr Mohsin Mazhari joins us to talk to the VICTA Science Fair about his specialism in Histopathology, a branch of medicine that involves diagnosis and treatment management of patients. Learn more about what an average week in the specialism could involve and find out what advice Dr Mohsin Mazhari has for any students with an interest in the STEM subjects.

Dr Camilla Nord, Neuroscientist, University of Cambridge

Find out more about a career in neuroscience! Dr Camilla Nord is a Cognitive Neuroscientist, which means working with people. She tells us more about this fascinating field and her specialty in mental health, investigating changes in your brain when you’re experiencing mental health difficulties. Find out what it is that Dr Camilla Nord loves about a specialism that keeps her always learning and investigating.

Dr Funmi Oyesanya, Haematologist

Dr Funmi Oyesanya is a Haematology doctor currently working at Barts Hospital with patients with haematological cancers. She talks us through the many aspects of this specialism from working with patients, to looking at cells and carrying out procedures. Discover what led Dr Funmi Oyesanya to her specialism which combines her love of science with her love of people and wanting to help.