Dr Katherine Curran hosts school student for research in the Lab

In August 2015, Dr. Katherine Curran of UCL ISH hosted a school student, Aliyah Aslam in a placement organised by the Nuffield Foundation.  

Aliyah worked with Katherine in the Heritage Science Laboratory for 4 weeks, analysing plastic packaging materials used in heritage conservation for storage and display.  Aliyah analysed the materials using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify the material type and then used solidphase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) to analyse volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the materials.  Katherine enjoyed working with Aliyah, who was very enthusiastic and hard-working.  Her research has produced interesting results and we hope that she enjoyed her time with us!   

Image: Aliyah working on VOC analysis in the Heritage Science Lab at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage