Suzie Imber

Many people outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy became aware of Suzie when she won the BBC 2 series Astronauts, Do You Have What It Takes? In 2017. Since then she has used this achievement to underpin exemplary outreach work, taking her passion for space science to children in schools across the country. She is a fantastic ambassador for both STEM education and the University of Leicester.

Her research is fundamental to the BepiColombo mission to Mercury, and she received the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award 2021 for achievements in the field of planetary science. But Suzie is not just a respected scientist and accomplished educator, she also contributes to the effective running of the University through her role as Pro-Chancellor for Students.

As a visible role model across the University and way beyond, Suzie inspires the next generation of scientists, and it is surely no coincidence that applications to Physics degrees have been particularly strong under her leadership since she became Head of Admissions for Physics and Astronomy. She works incredibly hard to provide a rich student experience for undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as enthusiastically promoting the department on Open Days.