Meet the colourful graduates of 2008

New Imperial purple gowns on show for the first time at the Postgraduate Awards Ceremonies - <em>News</em>

Friday 16 May 2008
By Naomi Weston

At the 2008 Postgraduate Awards Ceremonies, held on Wednesday this week, students graduating this year for the first time could choose to either receive an Imperial College London degree or a University of London degree. The College gained independence from the University of London last year. About a third of students opted for the new purple Imperial gowns. We met the graduates to find out more.

Raf Tay – Chemistry PhD

Raf Tay

"I finished my chemistry PhD last year after completing my masters in nanomaterials here. I am currently a post doctoral researcher at the University Paris-Sud 11 and would like to go on to become a lecturer and eventually a professor. I have enjoyed my time here at Imperial and think the location of the College is great.

"I decided to opt for a University of London gown as I started my PhD before the switch over."

John Jones and William Panduro Vazquez – PhD High Energy Physics

John Jones (left) and William Panduro Vazquez

John – "The academic staff in the department were great, in particular Dr Costas Foudas who taught me. He really inspired us and made the subject interesting, you could tell he really enjoyed teaching.

"I am currently a post doctoral research fellow at Princeton University in the States.

"I opted for the new purple Imperial gown as it seemed like a natural progression – the colour is great!"

William – "Today was great especially having the opportunity to graduate with a rock legend! [Brian May graduated alongside the 1,600 postgraduates on Wednesday]

"I would like to find a job in the IT consultancy sector.

"The staff in my department really inspired me to achieve what I have. In particular, my supervisor Professor Paul Dauncey was a real inspiration to me and demonstrated how you should teach science.

"Today I’m wearing a University of London gown as I was originally a University of London graduate when I finished my undergrad studies."

Ana Delgado – PhD Biology

Ana Delgado

"I did my MSc here and loved it so I decided to stay on. I have been researching evolutionary ecology and plan to become a teacher of biology at secondary school level.

"I have met a wide variety of people here and the academic staff are also great.

"I chose the Imperial gown and definitely prefer the purple!"

Raynal Kally – MSc Environmental Technology

"It has been hard work studying here for the past year but the subject matter has been really varied. I have been looking at water, air and land pollution and I hope to get a job in this area.

Raynal Kally

"I am really happy to be here today and it is a great opportunity for me to meet old friends and network.

"I am in the University of London gown today but I do like the new ones."

Muriel Schneider – PhD Microbiology

"I first came to Imperial on an exchange year from France and I really enjoyed it here so I decided to come here for my PhD. I love the multicultural aspect of the College - there were ten different nationalities on my course alone.

Muriel Schneider

"The professors are all really easy to talk to and happy to help you.

"I am currently working at Harvard Medical School as a researcher into immunology.

"I really love the new purple gowns, they are definitely more flashy."