FSEM Early Career Researcher Symposium 2025
"Out of the Box and Into the Future"
2025 FSEM ECR Symposium - 24th September
Welcoming All Early Career Researchers in Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Medicine!
This is a one-day event designed to ignite bold thinking, spark creativity, and inspire the next generation of trailblazing scientists. Aimed at ECRs ready to break boundaries, it invites participants to reimagine the future of science, research, and their role in shaping a better world. Through interdisciplinary exchange, thought-provoking discussions, and visionary ideas, the symposium celebrates curiosity, ambition, and the courage to think differently.
RegistrationLink opens in a new window
Registration is free. Register here by 16th September 2025.Link opens in a new window
Location: MS.02, Zeeman Building
What to Expect
Programme
Warm-up Quiz - £100 prize for winner！
The warm-up quiz is now live! Get ready for the big day by testing your knowledge across the 10 FSEM disciplines at Warwick! There are posters up in each department for that department's warm-up quiz. Use the unique QR codes to access each quiz, answer the questions to gain points and complete as many quizzes as you can to increase your chance to win! Register to present or attend the symposium and be there on the day to be eligible for the prize. Remember, the more points you obtain, the better your chances of winning!
Flash talks by ECRs - £150 prize for Best Oral presentation
A rapid-fire showcase of bold ideas and cutting-edge research from early career researchers across FSEM. These short talks highlight the power of interdisciplinary thinking and fresh perspectives. If you are interesting in giving a flash talk, please see the Call for Abstracts.
Idea Exchange Lounge - £150 prize for Best Poster presentation
More than a poster session—it’s a space for dialogue and exploration. Featuring research posters from ECRs and engagement stands from Warwick Innovation, RIS, IAS, RTP, and more, this is where ideas connect and collaborations begin. If you are interested in presenting a poster, please see the Call for Abstracts.
Careers Panel
This panel brings together inspiring people working in academia, industry, policy, and beyond. Learn from their journeys, ask your questions, and envision your own path forward.
Speakers
Tom Scott
Interim Deputy Head at the Office for Quantum,
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
"What Will the Future Look Like with Quantum Technologies – and How Can Policy Deliver It?"
Prof Chris P Barnes
Turing Fellow, Alan Turing Institute
UCL Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in BioDesign Engineering
"Using AI to Engineer Biological Systems"
Dr Ian Hancox
Director of Research Technology and Technical Strategy, University of Warwick
Dr Branwen Hide
EU Research Funding Specialist, Imperial College London
Dr Simon Lawson
R&D consultant, Gemmological Institute of America
Dr Suzanna Wood
Business Development Manager, Warwick Innovations, University of Warwick
Dr Phil Jemmett
WIE Faculty Public Engagement Lead for SEM, University of Warwick
Prof Rachel Edwards
WIE Faculty Public Engagement Lead for SEM, University of Warwick
Dr Robert Hollingworth
Research Impact Manager, University of Warwick
Amarjit Gill
Research Technology Platforms (RTPs) administrative officer, University of Warwick
Dr Arijit Patra
Senior Principal Scientist, UCB Biopharma UK
Honorary Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor), University of Glasgow
Dr Ben Breeze
Manager of the Spectroscopy RTP, University of Warwick
Dr Francesco Maria Colacino
Head of Operations & Commercialisation, Warwick Innovations, University of Warwick
Call for Abstracts
We are pleased to invite abstract submissions for the FSEM Early Career Researcher Symposium 2025, taking place at the University of Warwick. This is an excellent opportunity for early career researchers to share their work, gain feedback, and engage with peers across disciplines.
We welcome submissions for both oral and poster presentations. Abstracts should be no more than 200 words and should clearly outline the background, aims, methods, and key findings of your research.
This is a valuable platform to present your research in a supportive environment, build your academic profile, and connect with others in the field.
Submit your research title and abstract directly within the registration formLink opens in a new window. The submission deadline for all abstracts is Friday 22nd August, 20:00 BST.
Please see the guidelines below on oral and poster presentations.
🏅 Presentation and Poster Awards 🏅
We are pleased to offer awards for the Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Presentation, each carrying a £150 prize generously sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific. Runner-up presenters in both categories will receive a certificate of recognition. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges based on the clarity, originality, and impact of the research presented.
We look forward to receiving your submissions. For any queries, please email the conference committee at FSEMECRSymposium@livewarwickac.onmicrosoft.com.
Important Dates
Final date for talk abstract submission:
Friday 22nd August, 20:00
EXTENDED DEADLINE: Wednesday 3rd September, 20:00
Closed
Notification of Talk Acceptance by:
Friday 5th September
Tuesday 9th September
Late poster abstract submission: Friday 12th September
Registration deadline: Tuesday 16th September, 23:59
Submission of electronic copy of presentation or poster: Friday 19th September, Noon.
Conference: Wednesday 24th September
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Virtual Sponsors
Organising Committee
Dr Gloria Zhao (Chair)
Research Fellow in Physics
Reimagining diamonds—from luxury to leading-edge technology—making them everyone’s friend through science and innovation.
Dr Thomas Chamberlain
Research Fellow in Sodium-ion Battery Materials, WMG
Combining materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering to integrate next-generation sensors into battery cells to enable real-time monitoring of battery health and performance.
Dr Luke Duncan
Research fellow in Psychology
Exploring language perception and processing alongside novel approaches to welfare monitoring in captive great apes.
Dr Galo Paez Fajardo
Assistant Professor in Operando X-Ray Characterisation, WMG
Understanding and mitigating degradation for critical and emerging battery technologies integrating fundamentals and device analytics to advance and/or unlock energy technologies.
Dr Carlo Ferri
Research Fellow in Automation Systems, WMG
Advancing the state of the art in automation technologies with predictive analytics for data-driven insights.
Dr Viktoriia Gross
Research Fellow in Engineering
Developing a whole-cell model to optimise recombinant membrane protein production in bacterial cell factories.
Dr John James
Research Fellow in Warwick Medical School
Studying how the cells in your body stick together - Towards retaining tissue integrity in chronic health conditions by targeting the actin cytoskeleton.
Dr Mahyar Koshkouei
Research Fellow in Battery Testing and Characterisation, WMG
Helping make batteries safer, longer-lasting, and more reliable—advancing the technologies that power phones, vehicles, and the grid through testing and modelling.
Dr Kunal Manna
Research Fellow, WMG
Pioneering smarter recycling—combining data analytics and polymer science to transform plastic waste into high-value materials at the Centre for Polymers and Composites.
Dr Mohamed Mohamed
Research Fellow in Energy Storage Control, WMG
Driving the future of electrification, advancing battery modelling and AI-driven research to power electric vehicles, renewable grids, and next-generation all-electric aircraft.
Dr Puritut (Oat) Nakhanivej
Research Fellow in Forensic Analysis of Batteries, WMG
Investigating early signatures of failures of battery cells by advanced characterisation and comprehensive electrochemical analyses.
Dr Jose Osorio-Tejada
Assistant Professor in Engineering
Transforming manufacturing and chemical production—using life cycle science to assess environmental, economic, and social impacts for a more sustainable future.
Dr Ravi Prakash Singh
Research Fellow, Warwick Mathematics Institute (WMI) and WMG
Engaged in an interdisciplinary collaboration between WMG and the Mathematics Institute, focusing on metal forming and sustainable manufacturing through computational modelling, multiscale simulation, and digital integration for Industry 4.0.
Dr Victoria Sodré
Research Fellow in Enzymology/Biotechnology
Harnessing the power of microbes and enzymes to turn plant waste into valuable products—from sweet-smelling aromas to pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, and agrochemicals.
Dr Anjana Wijesekara
Research Fellow, Physics
Focusing on fabrication and characterisation of diamond-based quantum technology devices using advanced micro and nanofabrication techniques.
Dr Evelien Zwanenburg
Research Fellow, WMG
Using X-ray Computed Tomography to uncover secrets inside objects, from batteries to biscuits.