User:Rlp robinson

=Rebecca Robinson=

Rebecca LP Robinson (born 1983 in Lancaster) is a trainee clinical engineer]]. She is due to complete her PhD in understanding the electrophysiology using a new bespoke functional brain imaging device at The University of Manchester this summer. As a keen supporter and promoter of science, engineering and technology she has been involved in many outreach activities, including The Big Bang Fair held in Manchester (March 2010). Rebecca won the prestigious WISE (Women in Science, Engineering and Construction) Excellence Award in November 2009, which was presented by HRH The Princess Royal at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.

Education
After completing her A Levels in Maths, Physics and English from Lancaster Girls Grammar School, she went to study Medical Electronics and Instrumentation at The University of Liverpool. During her time at Liverpool she completed a 'Year in Industry' at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where she discovered her passion for engineering in medicine. In 2006, she began a PhD at The University of Manchester researching the electrophysiology of human tissues and a new method of brain imaging. The research uses electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with 32 electrodes on the scalp to create images of the brain whilst the volunteer is responding to auditory/visual stimulus.

Championing Science and Engineering
Rebecca has always been keen to promote engineering to children and adults alike. She has been an influential co-ordinator for WiSET (Women in Science, Engineering and Technology) at The University of Manchester since 2006. WiSET is a pioneering academic and social networking organisation that aims to encourage young scientists and engineers to develop their careers within their chosen discipline. She would arrange university based events with internal and external speakers including Prof Brian Cox and Dame Nancy Rothwell as inspirational people to to come and share their experiences and offer advice. In this role Rebecca has provided a series of networking opportunities to encourage interdisciplinary understanding as well as skill based workshops and industrial visits.

Rebecca has worked with the Widening Participation team at The University of Manchester for the past 4 years. The aim of this work is to encourage children into SET (science, engineering and technology) subjects. She has co-ordinated activities such as  Engineering in Medicine, Girls in Aerospace, Physics Tricks plus many more. The aim of these events is to raise awareness of, and aspiration to, higher education amongst individuals from underrepresented groups, the university aims to encourage applications from the most gifted and talented individuals regardless of geography, school, socio-economic status or ethnic grouping. These are events that allow the children to explore their own engineering abilities using ‘a hands’ on approach. Girls in Aerospace is aimed at school girls aged 13-15; working in teams they are asked to design and build a hovercraft using household materials, such as insulation board and leaf blowers. Once the hovercraft is fully functional a ‘driver’ races against another team to win the hovercraft challenge. During the event the girls learn about engineering concepts such as aerodynamics, pressure and lift; all of which are combined to produce a working hovercraft. The event has been very successful in encouraging girls into SET subjects for Further/Higher Education.

Rebecca was awarded the WISE Excellence Award in November 2009 for her excellent academic work as well as her for her enthusiasm and commitment to encouraging girls into science and engineering. The award was presented by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London. The WISE campaign collaborates with industry and education to encourage UK girls of school age to value and pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in school or college, and to move on into related careers. Through its initiatives the WISE campaign has helped to double the percentage of female engineering graduates from 7 per cent in 1984 to 15 per cent today.