Michelle Dickinson

Michelle Dickinson
Born 1978
Other names Nanogirl
Residence New Zealand
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.medickinson.com

Michelle Emma Dickinson MNZM (born 1978), also known as Nanogirl, is a New Zealand science educator and nanotechnologist.

Early life

Dickinson's mother is Hong Kong Chinese and her father was an electrical engineer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force; as a result the family moved several times during her childhood[1] and Dickinson grew up in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States.[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][5]

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.[6]

As of 2015, 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] She has regular speaking slots on radio and television and is invited to events such as TED conferences.[10]

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.[11] Sessions involve hands-on learning of 3D-printing, coding, robotics and science.[12] The charity also supports teachers in low-decile schools to gain confidence in using technology in their teaching.[13]

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.[14]

Awards and recognition

References

  1. ↑ "Twelve Questions: Dr Michelle Dickinson aka 'Nanogirl'". The New Zealand Herald. 17 March 2015. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". www.sirpeterblaketrust.org. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "'Nanogirl' Michelle Dickinson wins Blake Leader Award". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson | Ministry for Women". women.govt.nz. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  5. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". www.sirpeterblaketrust.org. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  6. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". www.sirpeterblaketrust.org. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Dr Michelle Dickinson". MacDiarmid Institute. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "'Nano Girl' to take on TEDx". Stuff. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "'Nano Girl' to take on TEDx". Stuff. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson | Ministry for Women". women.govt.nz. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "Who Are We". OMGTech!. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  12. ↑ "2015 Callaghan Medal: Nanogirl recognised for exciting young people about science". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  13. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". www.sirpeterblaketrust.org. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "Dresses for Science and Tech loving women!". Sciblogs. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Previous winners | The Prime Minister's Science Prizes". www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards 2014" (PDF). New Zealand Association of Scientists. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson MNZM". www.sirpeterblaketrust.org. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2015". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Michelle Dickinson | Ministry for Women". women.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  20. ↑ "2015 Callaghan Medal: Nanogirl recognised for exciting young people about science". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2015.

External links

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