by drlouisechughes » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:37 pm
I am really enjoying this thread and learning about what everyone is doing. I am going to look at the project links now!
What is your day job?
I am a biological electron microscopist. I run a bioimaging facility at a university, train users, teach students, maintain equipment (I don't think i have ever used tool as much as after I started this job, and that is from someone who used to take her car engine apart with her stepfather), lecture on microscopy, give public talks, science outreach and do a variety of microscopy consultancy work as well as conduct and publish my own research. Love my job.
What is your passion project?
I have so many passions that it is difficult to pin them down! I really enjoy science outreach and I spend a fair amount of time doing artwork from electron microscopy images. My first kickstarter involved producing a calendar from my images. I am teaching myself 3D modelling. I have a current kickstarter where I have combined both of these into producing a range of microscopy based 3D printed jewellery that is based around human chromosomes. I am building my own 3D printer and am about to embark on an ambitious 3D printed science art project for a science festival later on this year. I try to blog and post on my websites when I can and am usually found on Google+ and Twitter. I like to quilt and paint (pet portraits mostly) in my free time, but I keep these type of things fairly private.
I would like to earn more for what I do, hence the kickstarters. I have a company interested in launching my jewellery properly after the kickstarter ends, so it may happen. In the mean time I am just enjoying doing anything that captures my interest!