PChem Teaching Lab

LEVEL 4 LABORATORY STAFF

Colin Flowers
Position: Laboratory Manager

Office: 27:3035

Extension: 23327

E-Mail: cmf3@soton.ac.uk
Biography

Colin Flowers gained an MEng in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering from the University College of Swansea (University of Wales) in 1992. During his degree he was placed with Elf Oil in Milford Haven; where he worked on the site implementation of the 1989 Noise at Work Regulations and carried out the preliminary design of a new Land (a.k.a. Sludge) Farm.

He went on to obtain an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio); his research being on the analysis of Quasi-Elastic Light Scattering (QELS) data utilizing Maximum Likelihood Parameter Estimation (MLPE) and other statistical techniques. He worked in the Chemical Engineering Department at CWRU for two years as a Teaching Assistant, and was later employed as the Technician for the Department's Measurements Laboratory.

He joined the School of Chemistry at the University of Southampton in 1996; as the Technician for the Physical Chemistry Teaching Laboratory and was promoted to Lab Manager in 2002. He has been the recipient Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Awards in 2009 & 2011, an Excellence in Teaching Award in 2013 (Feedback Provision) and a Vice-Chancellor's Award (Mentoring) in 2017.

In his spare time Colin successfully fails to learn to play the guitar and unsuccessfully avoids wasting time and money on (electronic) gadgets. [2018]

Contact Colin Flowers

Thomas Ogden
Position: Senior Technician

Office: 27:3037

Extension: 24117

E-Mail: T.J.Ogden@soton.ac.uk
Biography

Thomas gained a MA in Natural Sciences, (2004-2007) at Christ’s College, Cambridge, specialising in Plant and Microbial Sciences. From university he worked for PwC in Public Sector Audit until 2009.

Since 2010, he has worked as a lab technician in a variety of roles:

      • Research Technician at the University of Warwick in the field of biohydrometallurgy

      • Media Preparation Technician (growth media not TV!), again at the University of Warwick

      • School Science Technician

He also spent over a year volunteering with the National Trust as a nature reserve warden.

He took on the role as the full-time technician for the Level 4 Teaching Lab in the summer of 2018.

He enjoys gardening and long distance walking; his favourite walks include the Southern Upland way (212 miles) and the Ridgeway 40 (40 miles in a day). [2018]

Lizeth Avendaño
Position: Technician

Office: 27:3037

Extension: 24117

E-Mail: L.Avendano-Cecena@soton.ac.uk
Biography

Lizeth obtained a BSc in Oceanography in 2003 and posteriorly a MSc in Coastal Oceanography in 2007. Both degrees were obtained from the University of Baja California, in Mexico. In between her studies she worked as a secondary school teacher in the areas of Maths and Chemistry, and continued to do that until she decided to start a PhD in the UK.

Lizeth graduated with a PhD in Ocean and Earth Sciences from the University of Southampton in the summer of 2015, with a thesis in the area of Chemical Oceanography. She then started to work as a part time technician in the Chemistry Department in September of the same year.

She has two daughters (born 2005 and 2017) and no longer has time to spend her afternoons trying to learn French. [2018]

FORMER LEVEL 4 LAB STAFF

Mr John Fosbraey (Senior Technician 2002-18)

John is proud to be a man of Kent. He was born in the severe winter of 1947 and he believes it made him frost hardy. He was educated at Sheerness Technical School and passed HNC Chemistry at Medway and Maidstone Polytech (Kent). November 1964 saw him join the pharmaceutical firm of Abbott Laboratories (Queenborough, Kent) where five happy years were spent before joining Shell Research at Sittingbourne. Twenty four years were spent there before moving to Shell in Amsterdam working on Brake Fluid research.

After three years working in Amsterdam John retired from Shell for family reasons and returned to England. He joined the School of Chemistry in 2002 as the technician for the Level 4 Teaching laboratory.

He married long suffering wife Lynda in 1975 and they have two children, Vicky and Glenn.

Socially John appeared on televisions gardening programme "Grass Roots" for ten years and is probably Spurs' most loyal supporter. Kent cricket also has a place in his heart.

After 16 very happy years in the Chemistry Teaching Lab, John decided it was time to retire so he could spend more time with his granddaughter. [2018]

Miss Sophie Turner (Technician 2017)

Sophie joined the department as a technician, providing six months maternity leave cover, in 2017. She loved working in the L4 lab, especially with the Flash Photolysis experiment.

Following the completion of her contract she has begun studying to get her chemistry degree (in Plymouth) with a view to working at a University in practical chemistry, ideally with loads of cool hi-tech instruments and machinery.

Outside of work her interests include chemistry, technology and travel. [2017]

Ms Emily Kearl (Technician 2015-16)

Emily graduated with a BSc (hons) in Environmental Science from Plymouth University in 2015 and started working in the lab in September of the same year.

Her academic interests are centred around ecotoxicology, pollution, and remediation, while her hobbies include surfing, caving, rock climbing, and closing play areas.

After moving back to Hampshire she could usually be found Lycra-clad and speeding around the New Forest on her road bike, walking her dog, or serving Italian delights at Pizza Express.

Emily left in 2016 to read for a PhD at the Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College in Thurso. [2016]

Mrs Charlotte Stuart (nee Maspero) (Technician 2014-15)

Charlotte started a BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) Open University degree in 2012. She had been working in a part time (admin) position for the University of Southampton since 2011 but finally found an opening in the Chemistry Level 4 lab in March 2014, so that she could get some practical experience and put her love of science to good use.

Charlotte is a self-declared science geek and when she is not working or studying she can be found reading some sort of nerdy science book. She is also a keen photographer in what spare time she has.

Charlotte left in 2015 to take up a position as Biology Technician at Richard Taunton's 6th Form College. [2015]

Mr. Charles Harrison (Technician 2012-14)

Charles arrived in Southampton in 2007 to study a BSc in Chemistry. Having completed his BSc he then commenced an MA in education focusing on innovations in teaching chemistry. He started working in the mornings in the lab in 2012, whilst also working in the department in the afternoon in various roles for David Read, including teaching on the science foundation year and maintaining various aspects of learning technology.

In his spare time Charles enjoys kayaking, church bell ringing and sleeping.

He left the lab in 2014 to take up a full-time position in the department. [2014]

Mr. Michael Corbett (Technician 2009-12)

Michael joined the Chemistry Department in 2009, working part-time in both the Level 4 and Level 5 Teaching Laboratories. Outside of that, he could be found working as a Chef at Trago Lounge and vigorously supporting Southampton Football Club.

He left in 2012 to pursue studies in the environmental field. [2012]

Miss Hayley Essex (Technician 2008-09)

Hayley gained an MSc in Oceanography from the University of Southampton in 2008. Following her degree she worked as a part-time technician in both the Level 4 and Level 5 Chemistry Teaching Laboratories.

In 2009 she took up a full-time post as the Palaeoecology Technician in the University of Southampton's Geography and Environment Department. [2010]

Home Page

Mr John Fosbraey (Senior Technician 2002-18) John is proud to be a man of Kent. He was born in the severe winter of 1947 and he believes it made him frost hardy. He was educated at Sheerness Technical School and passed HNC Chemistry at Medway and Maidstone Polytech (Kent). November 1964 saw him join the pharmaceutical firm of Abbott Laboratories (Queenborough, Kent) where five happy years were spent before joining Shell Research at Sittingbourne. Twenty four years were spent there before moving to Shell in Amsterdam working on Brake Fluid research. After three years working in Amsterdam John retired from Shell for family reasons and returned to England. He joined the School of Chemistry in 2002 as the technician for the Level 4 Teaching laboratory. He married long suffering wife Lynda in 1975 and they have two children, Vicky and Glenn. Socially John appeared on televisions gardening programme "Grass Roots" for ten years and is probably Spurs' most loyal supporter. Kent cricket also has a place in his heart. After 16 very happy years in the Chemistry Teaching Lab, John decided it was time to retire so he could spend more time with his granddaughter. [2018]
Miss Sophie Turner (Technician 2017) Sophie joined the department as a technician, providing six months maternity leave cover, in 2017. She loved working in the L4 lab, especially with the Flash Photolysis experiment. Following the completion of her contract she has begun studying to get her chemistry degree (in Plymouth) with a view to working at a University in practical chemistry, ideally with loads of cool hi-tech instruments and machinery. Outside of work her interests include chemistry, technology and travel. [2017]

Ms Emily Kearl (Technician 2015-16) Emily graduated with a BSc (hons) in Environmental Science from Plymouth University in 2015 and started working in the lab in September of the same year. Her academic interests are centred around ecotoxicology, pollution, and remediation, while her hobbies include surfing, caving, rock climbing, and closing play areas. After moving back to Hampshire she could usually be found Lycra-clad and speeding around the New Forest on her road bike, walking her dog, or serving Italian delights at Pizza Express. Emily left in 2016 to read for a PhD at the Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College in Thurso. [2016]

Mrs Charlotte Stuart (nee Maspero) (Technician 2014-15) Charlotte started a BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) Open University degree in 2012. She had been working in a part time (admin) position for the University of Southampton since 2011 but finally found an opening in the Chemistry Level 4 lab in March 2014, so that she could get some practical experience and put her love of science to good use. Charlotte is a self-declared science geek and when she is not working or studying she can be found reading some sort of nerdy science book. She is also a keen photographer in what spare time she has. Charlotte left in 2015 to take up a position as Biology Technician at Richard Taunton's 6th Form College. [2015]

Mr. Charles Harrison (Technician 2012-14) Charles arrived in Southampton in 2007 to study a BSc in Chemistry. Having completed his BSc he then commenced an MA in education focusing on innovations in teaching chemistry. He started working in the mornings in the lab in 2012, whilst also working in the department in the afternoon in various roles for David Read, including teaching on the science foundation year and maintaining various aspects of learning technology. In his spare time Charles enjoys kayaking, church bell ringing and sleeping. He left the lab in 2014 to take up a full-time position in the department. [2014]

Mr. Michael Corbett (Technician 2009-12) Michael joined the Chemistry Department in 2009, working part-time in both the Level 4 and Level 5 Teaching Laboratories. Outside of that, he could be found working as a Chef at Trago Lounge and vigorously supporting Southampton Football Club. He left in 2012 to pursue studies in the environmental field. [2012]

Miss Hayley Essex (Technician 2008-09) Hayley gained an MSc in Oceanography from the University of Southampton in 2008. Following her degree she worked as a part-time technician in both the Level 4 and Level 5 Chemistry Teaching Laboratories. In 2009 she took up a full-time post as the Palaeoecology Technician in the University of Southampton's Geography and Environment Department. [2010]