On Monday 28 September, Dr William Bowles (S,2010-17) spoke to pupils from across the senior school about his work using electron microscopes to map the structure of proteins. 

Will explained the challenges of imaging proteins smaller than the wavelength of visible light, showing how his research and that of colleagues at the Rosalind Franklin Institute brings together biology, chemistry and physics. His current work explores alternative scanning strategies to understand the physical processes that cause vitreous ice to deform during imaging. 

By linking his research to the GCSE and A level syllabuses, Will made a complex subject accessible to the assembled pupils in a packed lecture theatre. Pupil questions afterwards ranged from the potential medical applications of his research to whether studying Latin had helped him in his scientific career. 

We are grateful to Dr Bowles for taking the time to share his work and answer pupils' questions. If you have a specialism you would like to share, or could support pupils through careers advice or work experience, please get in touch at od@dcsf.org.uk. 

Will is pictured here with his former science teachers Mr Burke and Mr Smith.