Exeter student shortlisted for national award

Natalie will join the other finalists at the Women in Physics Group event at the Institute of Physics in London on 27 May, when she will have the opportunity to present her research on biomedical physics before the winner is announced.

Natalie’s research involves cutting-edge techniques using laser light interacting with nano-metallic particles to both image and selectively kill cells. Nano-shells have received a lot of attention in recent years, and have been hailed by some as a possible cancer miracle cure. Natalie’s research focuses on trying to understand exactly how they affect cells at the molecular level. She also uses metallic platforms inspired by butterfly wings in order to make measurements of minute quantities of chemicals that can interact with living cells. These provide a unique means of performing highly sensitive measurements of wet biological samples.

Natalie Garrett, who is a PhD student in the University of Exeter's School of Physics, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a great honour and I can’t wait to present my research at the Institute of Physics.  This award ceremony is a fantastic opportunity for me to spread the word about how exciting Biomedical Physics is. I’m very grateful to have my science outreach work and academic research acknowledged at such a prestigious event.”

Jennifer Dyer, Diversity Programme Leader at the Institute of Physics, said, "All of the shortlisted candidates have already achieved a great deal at such an early stage in their careers and should feel incredibly proud. We are sure that they will all go on to do great things and, we hope, inspire others to take up other rewarding challenges in physics."