Nathan Adams

Experience

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  University of Sheffield

  Jun 2008 - Sept 2008

  Research Assistant

  Under the supervision of Dr. B Chen, I worked in cell culture, testing lead compounds against prion diseases. Also developed a metabolic stability assay and a database for the group to submit compounds and relevant biological data.

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  Griffith University

  Nov 2008 - Jul 2009

  Research Assistant

  Research Assistant for the Coster group. Working on synthesis of novel potent cancer therapeutics. Developing strategies for biological stability determination, and data analysis. Taught first year Biology course.

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  University of Sheffield

  Sept 2009 - Jan 2021

  Post doctoral research associate for Prof. C Neil Hunter in the department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. My work entails characterising the enzyme Magnesium chelatase (EC 6.6.1.1), the first committed step in Chlorophyll biosynthesis. This enzyme consists of 3 required subunits in an unknown stoichometry. The mechanism for magnesium ion insertion is also unknown. I use detailed enzymology, coupled with a variety of biophysical techniques (single molecule spectroscopy, circular dichrosim, analytical ultracentrifugation, FRET etc) to characterise the multiple steps of complex formation. Using site directed mutants we are identifying residues and motifs required for protein-protein and protein-substrate interaction. Show less

  • Research Associate

    Oct 2012 - Jan 2021

  • Lecturer

    Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Postgraduate Student

    Sept 2009 - Oct 2012
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  Freelance

  Jul 2011 - now

  Science Presenter and Content Producer

  I've worked as a freelance science communicator, presenter, content producer and trainer for organisations such as the BBC, Sky, The Royal Society of Chemistry, The Biochemical Society, Cheltenham Science Festival and SmashFestUK. I write science shows, develop and produce large scale demonstrations, produce hands on activies and facilitate training researchers and new comers to science communication in story telling and presentation skills.

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  BBC

  Jul 2013 - Aug 2013

  For the episode on Marie Curie, I was asked to develop and present four demonstrations which helped to explain what elements are and also to introduce the mysterious rays from radioactive material. I produced a flaming rainbow to show how different metal elements, when heated emit different coloured light, a simple demonstration showing that zinc metal is far more reactive than gold when in acid, and a hydrogen oxygen gas explosion. To demonstrate the principles of radioactivity I recreated Becquerel's fogging of photographic film by uranium by painting pictures of the presenters in radioactive paint and exposing x-ray film to the painting, producing an image of their faces. Show less I am a team member of the BBC Science Buskers working in association with either the Learning or Science departments. We develop and present demonstrations as a team, producing highly interactive and entertaining science demonstrations. From smashing myself with a mallet to setting off rockets and pouring icebergs, I travel around the country presenting demonstrations of physics, chemistry and logic to live audiences. I have presented at many events for TV shows, including Bang Goes the Theory and The One Show. This year I presented at the Cheltenham science festival, CBBC Live in Leeds and the BBC at the Edinburgh Festival. Recently I spent one day stage managing the BBC Science Zone at the Cheltenham Science Festival, working with top BBC TV and radio presenter, ensuring their demonstrations and talks were well organised and in the case of some, safe. I have been documenting and risk assessing our demonstrations for the BBC Edinburgh festival. Show less I overhauled the Science Buskers demonstrations for this event, including designing new demos and risk assessing all demonstrations. We wrote and delivered a high octane 45 minute presentation to VIPs at the last minute on the request of BBC publicity. I recruited volunteer scientists to assist with make and takes and demonstrations, and led the training of these volunteers. I trained the stage manager in explosives preparation. When the zone manager (Fran Scott) was on stage, I oversaw H&S for the entire zone. Show less

  • Lead Science Busker: BBC at the Edinburgh Festival

    Aug 2013 - Aug 2013

  • Contributor: Absolute Genius with Dick and Dom

    Aug 2013 - Aug 2013

  • Science Busker / Stage Manager

    Mar 2012 - Aug 2013

  • Consultant/Contributor: How to be Epic at Everything

    Jul 2013 - Jul 2013

  • Lead Science Busker / Assistant Zone Manager: CBBC Live in Leeds

    Jul 2013 - Jul 2013
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  Royal Society of Chemistry

  Oct 2013 - Nov 2013

  Science Presenter: Throwing Spanners at Nanbots

  As part of Chemistry week 2013, I developed a full length show - Throwing Spanners at Nanobots - to be taken out to primary and secondary schools. Throwing Spanners is all about the interface between the biological and chemical sciences. Based upon my own research and full of both interactive demos with the audience and explosive demonstrations, it's an action packed show, and I do believe the kids liked it. The Royal Society of Chemistry funded the development and delivery of the show.

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  BBC

  Dec 2013 - Dec 2013

  Consultant: Bang Goes the Theory!

  For an episode on energy and natural gas, I was asked to design and work up a demonstration that would show the difference in volume between a gas, liquid and solid. As the episode in question is dealing with the transport of natural gas, I used a component of natural gas, butane. In a recreation of a classic demonstration, I filled a balloon with butane gas, liquified and then solidified the gas, before setting it on fire to prove that the gas was highly flammable. During the course of the day I worked with the presenter and producer to ensure scientific accuracy and relevance to the episode, and trained the presenter in the demonstration. I worked with the researchers to ensure all script details pertinent to the demonstration were fact checked and accurate. And I got to wear high vis and a hard hat! Show less

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  BBC

  Mar 2014 - Mar 2014

  I designed four food based science demonstrations which were filmed with myself, two children and the presenter. Did associated risk assessments and H+S. Presented two 10 minute science shows (written by Fran Scott) looking at the technology behind thermal imaging and high speed cameras. Involved working with animals live on stage, setting fire to myself, smashing bottles, and holding a dynamic audience's attention. Presented 18 shows over 4 days.

  • Contributor: Marrying Mum and Dad

    Mar 2014 - Mar 2014

  • Presenter: The BBC Zone at the Big Bang Fair

    Mar 2014 - Mar 2014
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  BBC

  May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Presented as part of the the demonstration team for 4 days at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the BBC Science Zone. This year was particularly great with an awesome team and some new demonstrations. Plus we didn't set the tent on fire - first time for everything.I liaised with producers and researchers pre-event with regards to designing new demonstrations, writing the risk assessments and ordering supplies. During the event I was responsible for ensuring a happy team, and occasionally managing the main tent when the stage management team were off making explosions elsewhere. Show less

  • Presenter: Hacker's Coding Maze

    Aug 2014 - Aug 2014

  • Presenter: BBC Learning KS2 coding film

    Jul 2014 - Jul 2014

  • Science Presenter: BBC Zone at Cheltenham Science Festival

    May 2014 - Jun 2014

  • Presenter: Hacker's Coding Maze

    May 2014 - May 2014
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  History West Midlands

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2014

  Contributor

  Designed, developed and presented 2 minute insert into documentary looking at Joseph Priestly's discovery of oxygen gas.

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  The Royal Institution

  Feb 2019 - Nov 2019

  Presenter

  One of the team of presenters for the Royal Institution. I have presented both for their headline show 'The Best Experiment of all Time... Ever!', and for their science in schools programme, where live and dramatic science is bought into schools and communities.

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  NanoTemper Technologies

  Feb 2021 - now

  As the leader of the Chemical Biology Team, I oversee the evaluation of innovative chemistry, biochemistry, assays, and data analysis techniques, with a focus on molecular interactions.Key Achievements of the Team so far:Launched Dianthus uHTS: Spearheaded the assay development and testing so that we could launch the fastest biophysical instrument on the market.Expanded Fluorescent Labelling Range: Introduced a new and comprehensive range of fluorescent labelling options.Advocated for Open File Formats: Championed and tested new open file formats to facilitate seamless integration into external analysis pipelines, promoting FAIR data principles.Integrated Analysis Pipelines: Developed and implemented analysis pipelines and dashboards for high-throughput screening (HTS) molecular interactions experiments.Secured Grants and Collaborations: Maintained ongoing grants and collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions worldwide to develop novel applications using our assay technologies. Show less Working across the NanoTemper portfolio of technologies to develop new methods for biophysics analysis. Including: - Developing methods looking at protein-protein and protein-peptide interactions using spectral shift and microscale thermophoresis (MST). - Exploring stability of viral vectors, and mRNA containing Lipid Nanoparticles and polyplexesProduct Owner for Automation, integrating high throughput robotics with the Dianthus instrument and the Spectra Shift technology. Lead collaborations with partners across industry and academia. Show less

  • Team Lead, Chemical Biology

    Apr 2022 - now

  • Senior Scientist

    Feb 2021 - Apr 2022