Dr Tracey Dickens - Director

Welcome to Space School UK. I am the head of the school and have been now for the past five years. I am currently the Outreach Officer for the University and Leicester Physics and Astronomy Department, which includes the Space Research Centre and the Interdisciplinary Science Centre. I have a PhD in Astronomy, more specifically binary stars, and a Masters Degree with Honours in Physics with Astrophysics. I am a qualified advanced open water scuba diver, a private pilot for Leicester Aero Club and a trampolinist. I hope you find your stay at Space School UK to be a very rewarding experience and we all look forward to seeing you in the summer.

Sheila Kanani - Senior Mentor

Hello everyone! This will be my 5th year mentoring at Space School. I've been to space schools across the globe, starting with our Leicester one, then Space Camp in the USA and a space school in Russia. All have been extremely cool; from Airkix to flying mock shuttles to visiting Star City, not to mention all the amazing friends I've made over the years. I'm just finishing my PhD in Planetary Science (Saturn), before that I did a Masters in Physics with Astrophysics at Manchester University and I've done summer placements at telescopes and laboratories in the UK and Australia; none of which would have happened if I hadn't been to Space School! My favourite things are "Space Camp" the movie, coke floats and doing physics and space related stand-up comedy in pubs in London.

David Thomas - Senior Mentor

Hi, I'm David, and 2011 will be my sixth year mentoring at SSUK. Space science has always been one of my interests, and it was because of this that I first came to SSUK as a student in 2000. I had such a great time that I returned for the following two years and, in 2003, was chosen to represent the UK at International Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. My first degree is in languages, but I'm currently studying towards a Physical Sciences BSc with the Open University. My fields of interest are planetary science, astrobiology, human spaceflight and robotics.

Dr Ian Whittaker - Senior Mentor

My name is Ian Whittaker and I have spent my career in space physics, achieving a degree in physics focussed on space plasma interactions, then completing a PhD looking at the connection between the Venusian atmosphere and the Sun. I also took a brief research position in an MRI cancer research role where my abilities were transferable. I now work in the Mathematics department at St Andrews looking at high resolution images of the Sun in UV. My interests include guitars and martial arts, as well as teaching a wide variety of subjects.

Anthony Brewer - Senior Mentor

I joined the Space School team in 2006 as a mentor because space and astronomy fascinates me and becuase I enjoy working with young people. I am currently conducting a PhD with the Semiconductor Physics group at the University of Cambridge after graduating from the University of Leicester in 2008 with MPhys. What I really love about Space School is that we do fantastic activities that you wouldn't normally do, such as scuba diving, free falling in a wind tunnel, and cool hands on stuff. You also come together with like minded people and some of the best friends you will ever meet will be at Space School UK.

Jenny Pounds - Senior Mentor

I recently completed a BSc in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Leicester, and have spent the last six months travelling the world. I am set to start a PGCE course in Newcastle this September, after which I hope to become a maths teacher. I was lucky enough to join the space school team in 2008 and love being a mentor. It's great working with young people who are interested in space, and being involved in the various acitivites througout the week. I look forward to meeting you all, and to this being the best year yet!

Colin Simpson - Senior Mentor

Kia Ora and welcome to Space School UK. I was a student back in 2003 and found it to be a really inspirational experience. It helped spark my interest in and love for astronomy, which continues to this day. I graduated with a Master of Astrophysics from the University of St Andrews in 2009. I'm now studying towards a PhD in Enviromental Science at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. This will be my fifth year as a mentor and I'm looking forward to another exciting and action packed week. I hope you find this to be as inspirational an experience as it was for me when I was a student.

Nishad Karim - Senior Mentor

I am the greenest mentor on the team, mentoring last year for the first time. It's been a real privilege to be part of Space School; it's definitely one the the best experiences that I've ever been exposed to. For me Space School is a crazy mixture of funky science and amazing company that makes for an unforgettable week. I'm a little bit of an enthusiast when it comes to Physics, for which I'm currently undertaking a PhD in 'econstructing 16th centruy tombs using space technology'; basically I'm using space instrumentation for earthbound applications.