27 Aug 2015
In 2015, Catherine Smith, was awarded a Rideal Travel Bursary. Below, she describes how her attendance at the 13th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance Microscopy, which was held between 2 - 6 August 2015, gave her new analysis techniques to try on her research and insight into potential areas she could pursue after her PhD.
‘I recently attended the 13th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance Microscopy, which was held in Munich, Germany from 2-6 August 2015. I was accepted to give an oral presentation in the Young Investigator competition, which selects abstracts from early careers researchers to present their work in a plenary session.
‘My presentation was entitled ‘Studying the Molecular Behaviour of Ionic Liquid Colloidal Suspensions Using Rheometry and NMR’, which has been the focus of my research during my PhD. I have been able to expand the understanding of how the ionic liquids interact with the nanoparticles in these complex systems. My presentation had a very good reception and I gained a lot of positive feedback on my presentation skills.
‘The conference provided a wide range of talks, from new techniques in the area to varied applications of magnetic resonance. Some of these have given me new analyses to try on my research as well as allowing me an insight into potential research areas I would like to go into after my PhD. I was able to talk to many of the presenters and had the opportunity to network with some of the research leaders in my field.
‘As I had never visited Germany before, the conference gave me the chance to try Bavarian food and explore the area in and around Munich. The conference also held its dinner in the Parliament for the State of Bavaria, which gave a beautiful view of Munich, as well as a talk that provided me with some of the history of the area.
‘I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr Melanie Britton, for her encouragement and support to attend such a fantastic conference. I would also like to thank the conference organisers for allowing me to present my work in the prestigious Young Investigators session.
‘A special thanks goes to SCI and the RSC for awarding me a Rideal Travel Bursary which allowed me to attend the conference.’
Catherine Smith
PhD Student, University of Birmingham
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