Profile
Andrew Parrott
My CV
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Education:
The University of Nottingham
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Qualifications:
The University of Nottingham, Masters of Science in Green Chemistry and Process Engineering
This introduced me to the concepts of sustainable (cleaner) chemistry, this has shaped what I have chosen to do since then. Also covered topics in Chemical Engineering which has helped me work with industry on later projects. Also my first taste of research which is very exiting as you are often the first person to explore a certain area of chemistry, and nobody really knows for sure what the outcome will be!The University of Nottingham, PhD in Green Chemistry
I explored the use of new solvents which are much more environmentally friendly than those often used. A lot of the work involved pushing liquids and gases around at high pressure in metal pipework – so I often felt like a (not very good) plumber. I also worked on how do you find the best conditions (the best recipe) for making a particular chemical. I worked out how you could get the computer to do the experiments for you. Essentially I worked out how to be lazy! Working with large amounts of data on the computer has taught me a lot of skills that have been especially useful in the jobs I have done after my PhD. -
Work History:
Woodford Consult, Leeds, UK – Technical Assistant (summer intern during undergraduate degree):
I worked as assistant to team of geotechnical and environmental specialists working on redevelopment of brown-field sites. This involved collection of gas and soil samples from various sites around Leeds. I also did some simple number crunching of data coming in from various other tests done by the team. This gave me a real insight into the legacy of industry doing things in the wrong way, as it contaminates the land and water for many years afterwards! I also learnt the power of getting the computer to do your repetitive tasks for you (it does not get bored or make mistakes).The University of Nottingham – Research Associate
This was immediately after my PhD. I did analysis of high pressure mixtures of gases, which at the time was important for the UK government’s decisions around carbon capture and storage. The project needed a large number of experimental points, so working out how to make the computer run your experiments for you was essential for the work. I really enjoyed the challenge of getting the computer to work out when to stop the experiment (they are quite stupid most of the time).Scion (New Zealand Forest Research) – Scientist/Lab Manager
This was a very varied job but the main focus was making use of New Zealand natural resources in sustainable and economic way. One big project way making biodegradable alternatives to polystyrene for packaging.University of Strathclyde – Research Associate
I was part of a project researching how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used for industrial process monitoring. In NMR you place your sample in a strong magnet, and measure its response to radio pulses. But these magnets are expensive, I worked on attempting the same experiments using much smaller magnets by finding other ways to increase the signal strength.
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About Me:
I am a research scientist based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. I’m interested in Green Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, computer aided experiments, data analysis, and board games.
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I’m from the East Midlands of England, I have worked and lived in the England, New Zealand, and Scotland. I now live in Glasgow with my girlfriend and one (mostly friendly) cat.
As well as science I’m interested in the great outdoors, and enjoy hiking in Scotland (when allowed). I also really enjoy board games, and lockdown has meant that I have increased my collection to over 35 games. I drink far too much coffee!
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My specialist areas are Green Chemistry and Process Analysis – which is how to make chemicals in a more environmentally friendly way, and how to measure and control what you are making. I have been working in this area for around 10 years on a wide range of topics from how to make chemicals out of waste wood to using lasers to measure hydrogen gas.
I currently work for the Centre for Process Analytics and Control Technology (CPACT, https://www.cpact.com/) which is a group of universities and industries working together to solve monitoring and control challenges in the “real world”. I work with a small group of around 10 scientists and engineers at Strathclyde, but we often work with many people at other universities and businesses. My job is very varied (which I like a lot) as I am involved in lab work to collect data, analysing data (not all from our lab), organising new experiments and projects, testing and developing software, writing reports, and presenting work to industry at meetings or webinars. I also help out students with their research projects.
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My Typical Day:
I arrive in the lab at around 9 am. First I check if everything I need for the day is turned on. I then plan out which samples and which instruments are going to be used. I then spend the rest of the day taking measurements or looking at the data collected from these measurements.
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I spend about half of my time working in a lab, and about half the time in front of my PC working through data or reports (and coffee).
On days that I go to the lab I get up in time to have the all important morning coffee before setting off to the lab. I usually arrive at the lab around 9 am. The first thing I do is check that all the instruments I need are turned on and ready to use – some take several hours to be ready, some only seconds. In our group we have optical (light), acoustic (sound), and magnetic based measurement instruments. Our instruments are mainly types that could also be applied in “real-world” settings such as a factory or out in the field.
E.g. the picture below shows a mini near infrared analyser. Everything fits into a small box about the size of a matchbox. This is ideal where portable measurements might be needed such as in a field or a warehouse. The sample is placed directly on top of the sensor and can be measured through the glass bottom of the sample jar – no sample prep needed!
When not in the lab I’m looking at the data from our lab and others, and trying to work out if the signals we measure can be used to predict something useful, e.g. how much drug is present in a particular batch of tablets. Often the data we get is “messy” because the samples contain many ingredients as well as the chemical we want to measure. So to understand it we use complex data analysis techniques (chemometrics), some of which have been developed by CPACT members in the past. I also dabble in making and testing software, so that others can use the data analysis techniques developed by our group. E.g. some code and data I have been working on recently:
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
analyses messy data
What did you want to be after you left school?
still unsure (I've not left yet)
Were you ever in trouble at school?
yes
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Comet is Coming
What's your favourite food?
Curry
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
end lockdown, get a permanent job, more board games
Tell us a joke.
What did the thermometer say to the measuring cylinder? “You may be graduated, but I have several degrees.”
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