The Orbyts Leadership Team
Management Team
Dr William Dunn
Orbyts Co-Director
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coordinate the Orbyts programme since 2017. Orbyts was also run by the fantastic Dr Jon Holdship and Lucinda Offer during 2018, while I was based in the US, and was founded in 2015 by Dr Laura McKemmish, Dr Clara Sousa-Silva, Prof. J. Tennyson and many others. During my time running Orbyts, I've been lucky to see hundreds of passionate and inspiring young people discover new things about the Universe and to see the programme flourish and grow to a national scale. I currently hold an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, within which I work as an astrophysicist X-raying other planets (see the Orbyts project on Jupiter's aurora for more on this, or some of my research here: 1, 2, 3 ). Before my ERF, I held a fellowship at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the US, and a European Space Agency NPI fellowship at ESAC (Spain) and at UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UK), where I undertook my PhD and held a PDRA role. Prior to my PhD, I launched programmes for Amazon and spent 6 years working on shop floors for Arcadia Group, All Saints and Megacity, while doing my degree at UCL. At various points in life I've been a semi-professional dancer, a semi-professional MtG player, a school governor and, in between, I've tried to see as much of the world as life would let me.
Dr Abbie Bray
Orbyts Co-Director
I am Dr Abbie Bray, a lecturer in Quantum Technologies at UCL and a co-director for the EPSRC CDT in Quantum Communications and Quantum Computation. My research background is Attosecond Physics with a particular focus on theoretical approaches to diverse atomic geometries and plasmonic enhancements in a laser field. My day to day mostly involves teaching, managing over 60 PhD students and EDI/strategy for quantum technology efforts in the UK.
As a queer working-class woman in science, I have always felt like the outsider and have faced many challenges within my career due to my protective characteristics. In particular, my socio-economic background feels very unique in my sector of academia. This is why my work in running and championing Orbyts is so important to me.
Dr Jasmine Kaur Sandhu
Orbyts Co-Director
I am a Research Associate at the University of Leicester, focusing on the Earth’s radiation belts and the Space Weather hazards they pose to international space infrastructure. I have worked directly with Space Weather stakeholders (e.g. the Met Office) on the £20 million UKRI SWIMMR programme, and previous career experience also includes research positions at Northumbria University and Mullard Space Science Laboratory (University College London).
​
Alongside my research I am passionate about making our research community equitable and diverse, welcoming scientists from all backgrounds and demographics and being an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. I am immensely proud of the contributions of Orbyts towards this goal.
Dr Michaela Mooney
Orbyts Co-Director & University of Leicester Hub Lead
I am a physics researcher at the University of Leicester with expertise in Earth’s magnetosphere and the aurora. Before joining the University of Leicester, I completed my PhD at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL and worked with the Space Weather Team at the UK Met Office, where I evaluated auroral forecasting models against real-world observations. My research continues to engage with next-generation missions, including the ESA SMILE mission, which will deliver unprecedented global imaging of the aurora and magnetopause.
​
Since 2018, I have contributed to the national growth and development of Orbyts including delivering Orbyts projects with schools - read more about our research carried out by Orbyts students at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College or in our paper here! I also established and lead the Leicester Hub where I coordinate a team of enthusiastic PhD students and early-career researchers to deliver high-quality Orbyts projects in schools to empower the next generation of young scientists. For me, Orbyts is a way to give back to the scientific community by shaping a more inclusive future for STEM to ensure that the next generation of scientists feel more welcome in science and face fewer barriers.
Dr Vicky Mason
National Coordinator
I am a physicist and STEM engagement leader, and I currently serve as National Coordinator for Orbyts, leading a UK-wide research-with-schools programme that connects PhD researchers with secondary schools to deliver authentic, inclusive STEM experiences. I am passionate about ensuring young people experience science as something they can do, not just learn about.
I co-lead the Project-Based Learning Cluster for EngineeringUK’s Gender Pathways into Engineering and Technology initiative, helping to shape national best practice in inclusive STEM engagement. Engaging underrepresented groups in STEM is central to my work, and I am particularly motivated by creating programmes that build confidence, belonging and science identity.
Alongside this, I am Director and STEM Lead at Discovery Planet CIC, an award-winning community science organisation based in Thanet. I am incredibly proud that Discovery Planet has been recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (2025) and the Royal Society of Chemistry Diversity and Inclusion Award (2024), celebrating our community-driven approach to widening participation in science.
Previously, I was a Senior Lecturer in Physics and Director of Studies at the University of Kent. Across all my roles, I focus on designing, delivering and evaluating high-quality, research-informed initiatives that make STEM more accessible, inclusive and impactful for everyone
Dr Christian Lao
Head of Best Practices and Research Themes
I am the Head of Best Practice and Research Themes for Orbyts, leading the training programme to ensure our researchers (fellows) have confidence in delivering their projects and fulfilling their responsibilities as relatable role models. My background is in heliophysics, with a focus on the Earth's magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind, having recently completed my PhD at UCL in August 2025.
I have been involved with Orbyts since 2021 in various roles as a Fellow, Hub Lead, and now as part of our learning and development team. My main responsibilities are training our fellows in creating the most engaging projects possible from their own academic work and supporting the evaluation work that reports our impact and secures future funding for Orbyts.
Dr Mark Fuller
Head of Evaluation and Impact
Mark studied Astrophysics at the University of Leicester eventually going on to gain a PhD in computational modelling, however it was working on outreach projects engaging young people in science that gave him the biggest joy. He is proud to be able to continue sharing his efforts through the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCL and the Ogden Trust by supporting fellow academics sharing their passion and enthusiasm with the next generations.
Dr Shannon Killey
Head of Funding and Strategic Development
I am a recent PhD graduate from Northumbria University. My PhD focused on studying the behaviour of energetic electrons in the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts using a range of machine learning techniques on NASA mission data. I’m from a small island called the Isle of Man, where we have some of the most beautiful dark skies, perfect for stargazing. Looking out at the vast universe and the awe from observing stars, planets and galaxies led me on my journey to study space. I first travelled to Nottingham Trent University to study an undergraduate degree in Physics with Astrophysics, before travelling abroad to study Astrophysics at the University of Bonn for 18 months in Germany. I then completed a masters degree in Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield before starting my PhD in Newcastle. During a 3-month research visit at the University of Otago in New Zealand, I was able to stargaze in a different hemisphere - looking out at different constellations and connecting me to what originally inspired me to study space. I love doing outreach activities and have been part of the Orbyts programme for the last 4 years, promoting STEM engagement as the North-East Hub lead since 2022. I also love to read, do all sorts of crafts, and visit my family on the Isle of Man. If you can’t find me doing one of these, I’ll likely be sitting trackside watching the racing.
Wakami Soh
Social Media Lead
I am a recent Astrophysics graduate, completing my Masters and my Bachelors at UCL. Now, I'm working at UCL's Department of Physics and Astronomy as a Public Engagement associate staff with the majority of my work at the university's Observatory in Mill Hill. My day to day involves a fair bit of admin work, giving tours at the Observatory, and running the Observatory's instagram (@uclobservatory). My favourite bit is getting the opportunity to use the telescopes and conduct some lunar or planetary observations when the weather is clear! I wear many different hats but the common theme is that I love getting people excited and interested in Space!
​
My love for space stems from my mum's childhood dream of becoming an astronaut (before she realised how much maths it required), as well as the fact that I'm from one of the most light-polluted countries in the world! Being unable to see the stars truly makes you cherish it that much more. Physics was also one of my favourite subjects in school so astrophysics seemed like the perfect combination! Outside of science and outreach, you can find me bouldering, doom-scrolling on the internet, or missing my senior dog who's back home in Singapore.
Hub Leads
Alex Thompson
Orbyts STAR Lead
I am a PhD student within the Exoplanet group in UCL’s Physics and Astronomy department. My research focuses on how stellar activity can impact exoplanet observations and the different ways in which we can correct for it. When I am not modelling or validating new correction techniques, I spend the majority of my time focusing on observations of the most active exoplanet host stars. My particular emphasis is on those on the target list for the UCL-led Ariel mission which is scheduled to launch in 2029 and will look at over 1000 exoplanets (which means lots of potential stellar contamination!).
​
I am the lead researcher for the pilot Orbyts STAR (STudents Advancing Research) project which aims to extend Orbyts projects to hospital schools with the pilot project running this year (2024) in collaboration with the Great Ormond Street Hospital school. This is a cause that resonates with me particularly strongly as I suffer from Crohn’s Disease and have spent a lot of time in and out of hospital particularly during my secondary school years. I always try to be an ambassador for the Crohn’s and IBD community wherever possible. Largely in part due to my illness I have taken a longer, more unconventional pathway into academia and initially worked as a tattoo artist for several years before finding my place here. When I’m not breaking my own code and telling other people about stars, you’ll always find me out on a mountain somewhere; mostly trad and sport climbing.
Marc Amil
LiDo Hub Lead
I am Marc, a LiDo PhD student specializing in the application of generative AI methods to design DNA. My research focuses on using techniques similar to those used by ChatGPT, but instead of generating text, I create DNA sequences. This technology has diverse applications, including creating new therapies and medicine.
​
I completed my undergraduate and Master's degrees at Imperial College London. Throughout my academic journey, from A-levels to university, I have actively participated in several competitions. During my A-levels, I was the Managing Director of NumeroAR in the Young Enterprise Programme, where I led a 20-member team to develop an augmented reality-enhanced math revision guide, creating an immersive learning experience. Our team won the AT&T Innovation Award and secured 2nd place overall. At University, I participated in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, where we developed a biofungicide to combat stem rust, a wheat disease, and raised £80,000 in fundraising. Our efforts placed us among the top 10 university teams globally.
Nikhita Vas
Mathematics and Cosmology Hub Lead
I'm Nikhita, a second year PhD student at UCL in the Mathematics department where I work in the field of general relativity and gravity. My research focuses on the mathematics of curved spacetimes around black holes. I really enjoyed running an Orbyts project during my first year and am excited to be a hub lead as well as running another project this year!
Alvarro Gonzalez Grajalez
Medical Physics Hub Lead
I am Alvaro, a Colombian physicist and biomedical engineer. After a couple of years working in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industry in Bogota, I moved to London to do a master's in Biomaterials and tissue engineering at UCL where I started my research on bone and cartilage regeneration at UCL and the Royal National Orthopaedics Hospital. Currently, I am a second-year PhD student in the Advanced X-ray Imaging group at UCL under the supervision of Professor Marco Endrizzi, where I’m using multi-contrast imaging techniques to observe the microstructure of the bone and cartilage and understand the repopulation of cells into tissue-engineered scaffolds.
​
Back in Colombia, I had the opportunity to engage for the first time in programs for teaching math and science in schools, helping me realised how much I enjoyed making science accessible and fun for everyone. In Orbyts, I’m in charge of the Medical Physics Hub and I am leading a project on soft and hard tissue imaging where students are researching the ability of X-rays to produce 3D and non-destructive images of biological tissues. One of the most amazing parts of my project is that is being conducted by students with a Latin American background, so that I can also support their learning process of English as a second language.
Jake Hanlon
Mullard Space Science Laboratory Hub Lead
I am a PhD researcher at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), UCL, studying comets and exocomets. My research focuses on analysing images of comets to investigate how their dust tails interact with the Solar Wind. My understanding of Solar System comets has allowed me to extend my research to exocomets (comets in other star systems) where I am searching for dust tail transits.
My journey into cometary science began with an undergraduates degree in astrophysics at Aberystwyth University where my thesis focused on dark matter and gravitational lensing. I then studied astrophysics again at Cardiff University where my interests migrated towards planetary science and I wrote a master’s thesis on the survivability of meteorite impacts. My combined interests in astrophysics and planetary science makes comets and exocomets the perfect PhD topic.
Ralph Jason Costales
LCN and Quantum Hub Lead
Hi! I'm Ralph Jason (RJ for short), a second year PhD student at University College London. I got my Bachelors in theoretical physics at University College Dublin in Ireland, and I received my Masters from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada. My current research is on quantum information and quantum gravity. Outside of physics, I love either a good show, a good book or a good game.
Emily Grant
North-East Hub Lead
I’m Emily, a PhD student at Northumbria University. I graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2021 with a master’s degree in physics and took a few years out to work in industry as a Data Analyst. My PhD project involves using observational data from the Van Allen Probe mission to build a statistical model for whistler-mode wave-particle interactions in the inner magnetosphere. Outside of study and work, I enjoy travelling, going to concerts and seeing friends and family.
Dr. Marina Lafarga Magro
University of Warwick Co-Hub Lead
I am a researcher at the University of Warwick, where I use telescope observations to study exoplanets and their host stars. I am interested in improving exoplanet detection and characterisation methods by exploring the effects of stellar variability on our observations. I also try to learn about the origin and evolution of exoplanets by characterising their atmospheres and measuring their stellar obliquities. Recently, I have also been working on vetting and validating transiting planet candidates from space missions such as TESS using machine learning approaches. Before moving to the UK, I studied physics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and completed a PhD at the Institut de Ciències de l'Espai. I am always looking for new ways to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion in science. During my career, I have been lucky to be involved in several education and outreach initiatives focused on engaging historically underrepresented groups in science. I am one of the Orbyts Co-Hub Leads at Warwick, and currently also run an Orbyts project on characterising exoplanet transits.
Yoshi Eschen
University of Warwick Co-Hub Lead
I am a PhD student at the University of Warwick and one of the Orbyts Co-Hub Leads at Warwick. I am currently also running two Orbyts projects on analysing transits with TESS and CHEOPS data. After finishing my undergraduate in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, I spent some time in Boston identifying new planet candidates in TESS data. Last year, I completed my Master’s working on TESS and PLATO and recently started by PhD in which I am using ground-based and space-based telescopes to detect and characterise exoplanets around compositionally diverse stars.
Karen-Anne Devoil
Communications Officer
Karen-Anne is a former marketing executive with many years of professional experience. Her first degree was in Earth Science and Geology at the University of Reading, later going on to study Astronomy at UCL and then Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Birkbeck the University of London, she is now focussed on marketing and outreach in this domain. Her current posts include Marketing and Outreach Officer at the Centre for Planetary Sciences UCL/Birkbeck, The Royal Astronomical Society Committee for Diversity (CDAG), UK Planetary Forum committee and UCL Your Universe Festival organising committee. She is also a Fellow of The Royal Astronomical Society and a ‘Space Inspirations’ STEM Ambassador and regularly takes part in a range of outreach and engagement initiatives working with partner organisations and local groups. Karen-Anne is also an advocate for preserving dark skies and green spaces helping to promote these issues with public engagement events for the Colne Valley Country Park and Iver Environment Centre.
Prof Jonathan Tennyson
Co-Founder
I am Massey Professor of Physics in the UCL's Department of Physics and Astronomy, and a Fellow of the Royal Society. I am co-founder and Chair of Blue Skies Space Ltd which aims to provide rapidly-delivered, cost-effective space science facilities with the Twinkle exoplanet characterisation mission as its first major project. My research involves using quantum mechanics to solve problems with real world significance including studies of processes involved in climate change (precisely how much light does one molecule of carbon dioxide absorb?), providing data to model technological plasma such as those used in etching silicon chips used in computers, phones, etc. and, of course, astrophysics. I was Head of Department until 2011 and I stepped down to run the European Research Council (ERC) funded ExoMol project (www.exomol.com).ExoMol aims to provide the necessary laboratory data to allow us characterise exoplanets. With my former PhD student Clara Sousa-Silva, I launched the ORBYTS project in 2015 for which the original projects were strongly focused about supporting ExoMol and the original tutors were all members of my research group.