Dr Michelle Dickinson, a recently appointed Research Assistant in the Interface Analysis Centre (IAC), has been named Young Surface Analyst of the Year 2006 by the UK Surface Analysis Forum (UKSAF). She received the title during the Forum’s July 2006 meeting, hosted by Dow Corning in Midleton, Ireland.

In front of an audience of peers, Dr Dickinson gave an oral presentation and fielded questions in defence of her PhD study ‘A cryo-SIMS study of the arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata’. This was followed by further questioning by the judging panel during a formal poster session. The work was supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and has implications for the clean-up of land contaminated by arsenic and other heavy metals.

In a closely fought competition, Dr Dickinson came out ahead of other entrants from UK and Irish universities and industry. In winning the title, she upheld the reputation of the IAC, as the previous tournament winner was another IAC researcher, Dr Tom Scott.

UKSAF meets twice yearly to discuss the latest research and issues of interest to the surface science community and to exchange views on current trends. The biannual competition was inaugurated in 2002 to encourage young researchers in surface analysis from both academia and industry and is open to all those in the surface analysis community under 30 years of age.