I am an internationally recognised expert in my field. I use variation in the fine detailed chemical composition of natural substances such as soil, to work out where it has come from. For example I worked on a case involving the murder of a young woman in Suffolk. Her body was found in a field, and the man accused of her murder had grains of soil in his car. The detailed chemistry of the soil from the car and that found on the body were compared with that found locally. I have used this approach in cases of kidnap and serious insurance fraud. Manmade materials also carry a chemical signature, rather like a fingerprint, and I use this approach to study the origin of nuclear materials for homeland security applications.In order to carry out this research I have developed new analytical technologies. I have taken learning from laboratory lasers and have developed, with colleagues at Viridian, new sampling systems for nuclear decommissioning.I am a Women in Innovation Award Winner and I love a challenge!