Nicholas Ross Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

An industrially-sponsored multi-disciplinary project to improve biofuel production from algae.• I implemented a model, validated by experiments, to understand the fundamental limitations on algal productivity and to predict avenues for improvement.• Using the model I have been able to identify avenues for step-change improvements in net productivity.• I also completed a study for our sponsors to investigate whether algal biofuels could ever be commerciallyfeasible by assessing… Show more An industrially-sponsored multi-disciplinary project to improve biofuel production from algae.• I implemented a model, validated by experiments, to understand the fundamental limitations on algal productivity and to predict avenues for improvement.• Using the model I have been able to identify avenues for step-change improvements in net productivity.• I also completed a study for our sponsors to investigate whether algal biofuels could ever be commerciallyfeasible by assessing the potential limit of algal productivity.• The study was crucial to their internal strategic review into the future of algal biofuels.• I was invited to give a seminar to our sponsor’s research division on the technical challenges tonarrowing the gap between current and potential yields.• I have regular interaction with our industrial sponsor which includes giving quarterly presentations,submitting written reports on a biannual basis as well as management of project milestones. Show less

• Fundamental research into the role which intrinsic noise plays in genetic regulation in bacteria.• I developed a hybrid stochastic/deterministic dynamic model to predict the behaviour of a highly non-linear and stochastic genetic regulatory system, and engineered a recombinant strain of E.coli with fluorescent proteinsto observe gene expression in single cells.

I prepared competitive bids for tenders for mechanical engineering contracts, including water purification plants,wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and hydroelectric power stations.

DiagnovIS was a start-up founded to exploit an image processing algorithm that I developed for my MSc for the diagnosis of malaria from thin blood smears. My role included• Pitching the plan to business angels and VCs• Specifying a low-cost hardware platform to implement the algorithm in a developing world context.• Investigating the feasibility of the technique for the diagnosis of other infectious diseases.• Drafting and submitting a patent for the invention under the PCT… Show more DiagnovIS was a start-up founded to exploit an image processing algorithm that I developed for my MSc for the diagnosis of malaria from thin blood smears. My role included• Pitching the plan to business angels and VCs• Specifying a low-cost hardware platform to implement the algorithm in a developing world context.• Investigating the feasibility of the technique for the diagnosis of other infectious diseases.• Drafting and submitting a patent for the invention under the PCT process as far as the nationalphase.The company raised in excess of £30,000 in grant funding and prizes, but ultimately failed to secure thefunding required to develop a high specification device for a low cost market. Show less

Phd, Control Engineering, Systems Biology

Activities and Societies: St John's College SBR (graduate) committee 2004-05, captain St John's College SBR football team 2004-05.

Msc(Eng), Image Classification, Information Engineering, Algorithm Development

Thesis title: “Automated image processing applied to the diagnosis and classification of malaria on thin blood smears”. Research published.

Bsc(Eng), Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering, 88

Graduated Summa Cum Laude (placed 2nd in a class of 75). Scholarships and awards: University Council Scholarships 1999, 2001, 2002..