Cardiff Researcher Selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Dr Matthew Smith has been selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in June 2016.

The annual meeting, which was first held in 1951, gives the opportunity for young researchers (under the age of 35) to exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences with Nobel Laureates. This year over 30 Nobel prize winners will be attending the event along with over 400 hundred young scientists. To obtain a place at the meeting candidates have endured a rigorous selection process.

Firstly, Matt's application was assessed by the Royal Society, who then nominated him to the Lindau council. Applicants are then assessed on their academic ability, motivation, letters of recommendation and extra-curricular activities.

The meeting is held each year on the island of Lindau on the shore of Lake Constance and the focus of the meeting alternates annually between physiology & medicine, physics and chemistry.  This year's event relates to Physics research and will be held on 26th June.

Dr Matthew Smith said: "The opportunity the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting provides to listen to the experiences and research of such distinguished researchers is unparalleled. I'm excited to have the chance to debate current issues and topics with both Nobel laureates and fellow young researchers from across the globe."

Professor Stephen Eales, Head of the Astronomy Group said: "Matt's technical skills were responsible for the success of several of the recent surveys carried out with the Herschel Space Observatory. He also used the observatory to study the interstellar dust in the nearby Andromeda galaxy, finding the first evidence for the variation in the properties of dust within an individual galaxy, and to make a seminal study of the dust in elliptical and S0 galaxies, a study which will be used by astronomers for many years to come. Matt richly deserves this honour."

Professor Matt Griffin Head of School, commented: "We are delighted that one of our postdoctoral researchers has been selected to take part in this unique and prestigious meeting. It will give Matt a great opportunity to experience and discuss scientific ideas, and we know that in participating he will reflect great credit on the School."