Collaboration is key to scientific excellence
With beamlines continuing to be added each year and many published scientific papers under its belt, Diamond is really growing in terms of dedicated staff and cutting edge science. One of the latest appointments is Dr Martin Walsh as the Life Sciences Coordinator; a new role which, along with the Physical Sciences Coordinator, Prof. Andy Dent, aims to support and facilitate Diamond’s scientific research as well as ensuring that Diamond is maximising the best scientific collaboration opportunities.
The Science Coordinators will work together to assist the information flow between beamlines and promote interaction and overlap between the different techniques available to researchers, both in the physical and life sciences.
“There are many physical science techniques at synchrotrons that can benefit the life sciences,” explains Martin (shown left in photo). “Protein crystallography is usually singled out since synchrotron radiation has had such an impact in this field and is now an essential tool for crystallographers, which is reflected in the scope and number of crystallography beamlines currently available at Diamond. But excitingly there is much more available to biologists at Diamond, with a strong set of spectroscopy beamlines coming online such as the circular dichroism beamline and the soon to be available EXAFS and infrared beamlines, which will augment the structural information researchers can currently obtain from crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering.
“By working closely with Andy and the Principal Beamline Scientists (PBS), our aims are to encourage integration and collaboration across the scientific disciplines to harness the full potential of Diamond and the role it will play in ensuring the UK remains at the cutting edge in research worldwide.”
These new positions have evolved from the former Experimental Coordinator role, held by Andy, whose main responsibilities were assisting with the smooth design and construction process for the Phase II beamlines, building on the knowledge gained from the first phase; and being instrumental in working with the Technical Division to agree the machine’s operation and shutdown periods.
“As Diamond continued to grow and more beamlines were planned,” explains Andy, “it became apparent that there was a need to have two Science Coordinators, each with their own area of expertise, to keep an eye on the bigger picture.” Andy has a background in X-ray Spectroscopy from previous positions at Daresbury and was originally PBS for I18 at Diamond. His research interest in Time Resolved Catalysis has involved science at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), and occasionally other SR facilities. From Experimental Coordinator, Andy took on the Physical Sciences role; and Martin was the ideal candidate for the Life Sciences Coordinator thanks to his extensive experience gained from work at other synchrotron facilities and his background in protein crystallography.
After a couple of years at the Merck Research Laboratories in Rome I took up a position at the ESRF, Grenoble, where I was responsible for the Research Council funded BM14 project. BM14 has provided a valuable teaching ground for UK groups as well as allowing us to develop a highly automated beamline in collaboration with colleagues from the EMBL and the ESRF for the European MX community.”
Martin Walsh, Diamond Life Science Coordinator
Martin goes on to explain what drew him to Diamond and the role of Life Sciences Coordinator. He says, “I was attracted to this position because I was excited by the opportunities that Diamond and the Harwell campus offer to advance my own scientific interests and to forge new links with other scientific research happening site-wide; there is such a unique set of top scientific research facilities at Harwell and it is thrilling to be a part of that. As Life Sciences Coordinator I intend to establish new links and partnerships with complementary facilities throughout the UK, as well as strengthen existing relationships and collaborations. For example, one of my first tasks with Andy will be to develop, with the scientific staff and Directors at Diamond, strong physical and life science research programmes that would benefit from being integrated into the upcoming Research Complex on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.”
Martin concludes, “All in all, the chance to work at a cutting edge facility which produces world-class science was a rare opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up. I am delighted to be taking on a new role at Diamond and become one of the many members of staff who help it to remain competitive in delivering world-class science.”