Profile
Rodrigo Bammann
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About Me:
I am living now in East Sussex. I have lived in several countries, including Brazil, Germany, Canada and now England. I am a geek metalhead through and through. I love Nature, cycling, camping, cooking, board games and music.
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I was born in Brazil and lived on a farm there. I always liked Science, especially mixing all of them together to have a more general idea of what’s happening. I got my Biology University degree in Brazil, then I lived for a bit in Germany. After that, I moved to England, where I continued my research career at the University of Warwick and then the University of Leicester. I moved to Canada for a job in research and then back to England.
I play the electric bass and have been in several bands. I like board games and RPG, and going outdoors. Especially camping, cycling, and swimming.
I also enjoy cooking a lot, especially having experienced so many different types of food from around the world.
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My pronouns are:
He/him.
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My Work:
I’m a Project Manager in a UK company that makes high-end microscopes for medical researchers.
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The company I work with makes microscopes that are very complex. These microscopes have manipulators that direct electrodes in precise movements (think micrometres), they have bright LED lights and quite often they work with lasers for making images.
Researchers use these types of microscopes to see and understand live cells better (animal or plant!). They also use them to understand how the electrical activities of the cells work.
I manage projects that will create new products. Because of this, I need to understand the research, how researchers work, and what they are working on, as well as understand the physics and engineering involved in producing these new products.
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My Typical Day:
My days are never the same. I work from 9 to 6 most days, but Fridays I work only half a day. I don’t have to work in the office most of the time, and sometimes I have to travel to places to interact with customers. I always spend time with my family in the evenings, and we always have dinner together.
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My typical day starts with a good breakfast. This will fuel my brain for the morning. I do a school run (often on the bike), and then I go to work. It can be in the office or at home, my job is quite flexible. One day at work is not the same as the other. But in general, I have meetings, discussing the needs of the projects and the problems people are having, and helping them as much as I can. If needed, I run tests of the products in the office lab. After lunch, I continue talking to people from all the different departments in the company so we can create great products. I also read scientific papers or any news on the fields our customers work in.
In the evening, after work, I help prepare dinner. Then I relax either with games or books, with my family and friends.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would buy more equipment from the BackYard Brains company. They make products for brain research aimed at the general public and STEM public engagement. They simplify how neuroscience works, with products that show very well and in a smart way how neurons work.
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Education:
Primary and Secondary schools in Brazil.
Biological Sciences in Brazil at University. This is what’s called an “undergraduate degree”.
Master of Sciences in System Biology at the University of Warwick. This is a continuation of the education system, which happens after the first level at a University.
Philosophy Degree in Sciences, with a focus on Cell Physiology and Pharmacology (Neurosciences), at the University of Leicester. This is the highest level of education you can get at a University.
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training at Barr Beacon School. I have been trained as a secondary school teacher in Science and Physics subjects.
Projects in Control Environment (PRINCE2), a course that trains people to be Project Managers.
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Qualifications:
Master of Sciences (MSc).
Philosophy Degree in Sciences (PhD).
PRINCE2 Project Manager.
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Work History:
Bike repair technician trainee.
Bar and restaurant waiter.
Foreign Language teacher.
IT Helpdesk phone caller.
Nando’s cook and floor waiter.
Post-graduate researcher in Canada.
Secondary school teacher.
Applications Scientist at Scientifica Ltd.
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Employer:
Scientifica Ltd.
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be either a doctor or an inventor. I am both now.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yeah, a few times.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would be a shark researcher. Well, I actually was for a while.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rush is my favourite band, but I also have many others I enjoy listening.
What's your favourite food?
All of them!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More money, less work, and better health.
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