Michelle Dickinson
| Michelle Dickinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978 |
| Other names | Nanogirl |
| Residence | New Zealand |
| Citizenship | New Zealand/UK |
| Fields | nanotechnology, science education |
| Institutions | University of Auckland |
| Alma mater | Biomedical Engineering and Ceramic and Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University |
| Thesis | Surface variations affecting human dental enamel studied using nanomechanical and chemical analysis (2005) |
| Notable awards | Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Blake Medal |
|
Website www | |
Michelle Emma Dickinson MNZM (born 1978), also known as Nanogirl, is a nanotechnologist and science educator based in New Zealand.
Early life
Dickinson's mother is Hong Kong Chinese and her father was an electrical engineer in the Royal Air Force; as a result the family moved several times during her childhood[1] and Dickinson grew up between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.[2] She developed a love of science and technology at a young age, learning soldering and computer coding by the time she was eight years old.[3]
Education
Dickinson completed a Masters' in Engineering at the University of Manchester and a PhD in Biomedical Materials Engineering at Rutgers University.[4][2]
Professional life
Dickinson set up and runs New Zealand's sole nanomechanical testing lab, which conducts research into breaking extremely small materials such as cells.[2]
As of 2016, Dickinson is a senior lecturer in Chemical and Material Engineering at Auckland University, and an associate investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.[5]
Nanogirl
Dickinson has said that she used to be painfully shy and afraid of public speaking. On the advice of a speaking coach, she invented the alter-ego "Nanogirl" as a way to overcome her nerves.[6] Initially Dickinson used the name "Nanogirl" to write a science blog, then as it became more popular she started a YouTube channel and began to speak at schools and events.[6] She has regular speaking slots on radio and television and is invited to events such as TED conferences.[4]
Charity work
Dickinson co-founded the charity OMG Tech in 2014 with Vaughan Rowsell and Rab Heath to provide children of all ages and backgrounds access to learning opportunities about technology.[7] Sessions involve hands-on learning of 3D-printing, coding, robotics and science.[8] The charity also supports teachers in low-decile schools to gain confidence in using technology in their teaching.[2]
Clothes design
In 2015, Dickinson collaborated with the New Zealand clothing company Icebreaker, a technical designer and a printer to produce a line of dresses featuring science and technology-related designs.[9]
Awards and recognition
- Prime Minister's Science Communication Award, 2014[10]
- New Zealand Association of Scientists' Science Communicators Award, 2014[11]
- Sir Peter Blake Leadership, 2015[2]
- Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to science, 2015 Birthday Honours[12][4]
- Royal Society of New Zealand's Callaghan Medal, 2015[13]
- New Zealand Women of Influence Award for Innovation and Science, 2016[14]
References
- ↑ "Twelve Questions: Dr Michelle Dickinson aka 'Nanogirl'". The New Zealand Herald. 17 March 2015. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". Sir Peter Blake Trust. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "'Nanogirl' Michelle Dickinson wins Blake Leader Award". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Michelle Dickinson". Inspiring Women. Ministry for Women. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ↑ "Dr Michelle Dickinson". MacDiarmid Institute. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- 1 2 "'Nano Girl' to take on TEDx". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Who Are We". OMGTech!. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
- ↑ "2015 Callaghan Medal: Nanogirl recognised for exciting young people about science". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Dresses for Science and Tech loving women!". Sciblogs. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Previous winners". The Prime Minister's Science Prizes. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ↑ "New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards 2014" (PDF). New Zealand Association of Scientists. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2015". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "2015 Callaghan Medal: Nanogirl recognised for exciting young people about science". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Women of Influence winners". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-10-13.