Profile
Nicola Potts
My CV
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Education:
Manor High School, Liverpool ¦ King George V College, Southport. ¦ University of Leeds, Leeds. ¦ The Open University, Milton Keynes ¦
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Qualifications:
11 GCSE’s ¦ 4 A-Levels ¦ BSc Geological Sciences ¦ MSc Geochemistry
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Work History:
I had a lot of jobs while at University mostly telesales. I also worked as a snowboard instructor and research assistant (looking for life on Mars – didn’t find it)
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Current Job:
Research Student (PhD)
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Read more
The American space agency (NASA) brought back rocks from the Moon from their trip there in the 1960’s. Since the 1970’s we haven’t been back to the Moon so we have to use the samples to find out lots of things like how our Moon formed, does it have water, where should we land if we go back. We can also try and find out how life exists on the Earth (and no where else in the solar system) by looking at these Moon rocks!
I use a really fancy instrument that measures these rocks to tell us if the Moon has water (inside, not on the surface!).
I also do experiments which involve making rocks to make my Moon rock measurements more accurate.
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My Typical Day:
I don’t have a ‘typical’ day
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Read more
When I running experiments my typical day will involve making tiny little capsules using a lathe (old school workshop instrument, it’s pretty cool) and arc welder, putting a powdered sample in my capsule and putting it in an instrument which heats the whole thing up to > 1300 degree C (that’s really hot) under really high pressure!
When I am looking at the results of my experiments my typical day will involve staring at a computer screen directing a probe to attack my samples and give me data 😀
When I’m not running experiments or looking at the results my typical day will involve lots of drinking tea, checking/answering emails, looking at data, making graphs, going for lunch with friends, writing up my results, reading papers, drinking more tea, reading online comics, drinking more tea, and more writing.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Bring the Moon to the classroom!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Energetic, Enthusiastic, Caring
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes! I think my French teacher still has nightmares about me :/
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Jawbreaker
What's your favourite food?
Mash
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish I was more tidy, got up earlier and didn’t get distracted so easily!
Tell us a joke.
What’s brown and sticky … a stick.
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