Profile
Gabriel Pérez
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About Me:
I am a Mexican living in Sheffield with my wife. I work as a materials researcher and enjoy doing so! I also enjoy football, video games, philosophy, and playing the guitar at my local church.
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I was born and raised in Mexico and came to the UK to become a scientist. During this adventure I met and married my lovely wife Sonia.
I have always been very curious and fascinated by science – all sorts of science! Part of my love for it is the satisfaction of understanding how things work. However, at some point in my life, I realised that whilst science is a great at telling us how to do things, it can’t tell us why we should (or should not) do them. That is when I became very interested in philosophy and religion and now I use my faith and science to do my best at living a good life.
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Have you ever wondered how atoms and molecules arrange with each other to form things? Well, me too! That is why I became a crystallographer. My job is to answer that question for different materials. The coolest thing about this is that I get to use x-ray and neutron beams at work. At the moment I am investigating new battery materials to help us develop more powerful batteries with charges that last longer (I’m fed up of getting that ‘15% remaining’ battery alert on my mobile phone!).
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My Typical Day:
One of the great things about the work that I do is that there is no typical day! However, I try to stick to a routine when possible which is essential for good mental health.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d buy the materials needed to do the 5 coolest chemistry and physics experiments and give a demonstration at the school in the poorest area in South Yorkshire.
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Education:
Universidad de las Americas Puebla (Mexico)
Appalachian State University (USA)
University of Sheffield (UK)
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Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering
Masters degree in Energy Science and Renewable Energy
PhD in Chemical Engineering
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Work History:
My first job was in the construction industry as an apprentice engineer, nothing to do with what I do now! Then I taught some Civil Engineering modules to undergraduates at a couple of Universities in Mexico. I loved it, but my employers said that without a PhD I could only be part-time. Well, that was enough motivation to get me to do one! So I came to Sheffield to get my PhD where I continued teaching to and supervising undergraduate and masters degree students part-time. After I finished my PhD I got my current job.
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Current Job:
I am a researcher at the UK’s neutron source where I develop new methodologies for the study of new cathode materials for lithium batteries.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Professional question asker
What did you want to be after you left school?
Civil engineer
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, more times than what I can remember!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Band: Scorpions, Singer: Michael Jackson
What's your favourite food?
Enchiladas, but Pizza comes close
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To stay healthy, to become wealthy, and to use all of my remaining time in this life to be outrageously generous.
Tell us a joke.
A neutron walks into a bar and asks "how much for a beer?" The bartender says, "for you? no charge
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