Meet the Team

Academic leader of the S4 project
Dr Will Bryan

Academic leader of the S4 project
Professor Mary Gagen

AAT Finance Administrator
Michela Finnis

Outreach Liason Coordinator
Sue Griffiths

Outreach Scientist

Alicia Petersen

Alicia, a Swansea native, is a keen lover of animals and all things nature, and a passionate film fan. When not reeling off animal facts, or chatting about film, Alicia is passionate about dancing and a keen vegan baker.

Academic leader of the S4 project

Dr Will Bryan

Will is an experimental physicist and S4’s academic lead on physical science. Will is originally from Essex, coming to Wales in 2007 after completing a physics degree and PhD at University College London. His research involves using very short pulses of laser light to make electrons for imaging microscopic motion, and finding new uses for lasers such as evaporating bits of trees to measure the chemical composition of wood. When not lasering things, Will lectures in physics, is co-lead of S4, and contributes to Oriel Science. Away from work, he enjoys cycling, painting and DIY, although not simultaneously.

Academic leader of the S4 project

Professor Mary Gagen

As S4’s geography and natural science lead, Mary is a Professor of Physical Geography and researches climate change. Mary works in ancient forests around the world to find out what they can tell us about how our climate has changed in the past, and how it might change in the future. She is also passionate about science education and the communication of environmental science. Mary loves being outside hiking, swimming, surfing or pottering about looking at new rocks and trees!

AAT Finance Administrator

Michela Finnis

As S4’s Finance Administrator, and a keen ultra-marathon runner, Michela is used to tough jobs! Michela oversees all finance operations for the project. If she isn’t hanging out with her daughter, two cats and Scotsman, you can find her running a very long way around the South Wales coast, reading, watching reruns of Star Trek or lost in a True Crime podcast. Michela is fluent in Italian, and as an AAT Level 3 qualified and licensed bookkeeper has her own business working with small independent local businesses.

Outreach Scientist

Rachel Tudor

Rachel completed her PGDip in Cardiff University in 2017 before spending 18 months working in clinical research. She is excited to be joining the S4 team and renew her passion for making chemistry exciting and enjoyable for everyone. Outside of work, Rachel is a keen dinghy sailor.

S4 Project Manager

Heidi Rehwald

Heidi is S4’s Project Manager and has worked for Swansea University for the past 5 years. She will oversee this collaborative four year outreach project, ensuring its successful delivery. In her spare time she is a keen gardener and cook who also loves to travel.

Creative Designer

Paige Jennings

Paige graduated from Bath Spa University in 2016 with a degree in graphic design and then spent 6 months travelling around South East Asia, Australia & New Zealand. She now works with both S4 and Oriel Science as a creative designer and manages S4’s online platforms and social media channels. In her spare time, you will most likely find Paige climbing or exploring the Welsh coastlines.

Lead Outreach Scientist

Dr Kristi Praki

Physicist Dr Kristi Praki is S4’s Lead Outreach Scientist and guides the design and delivery of our educational workshop programme. Kristi has also been heavily involved in the education programme of Oriel Science. Kristi loves to draw and can often be found trying to explain scientific ideas to people by doodling! She is S4’s expert on using creative flair to make complex scientific concepts more understandable. Kristi is a keen hiker and spends weekends on coastal walks or climbing some of Wales’ many mountains.

Admin Assistant

Lauren Walters

Originally from Worcestershire, S4’s Admin Assistant Lauren has lived in and around Swansea for the last 10 years. She holds a BA and MA in English and did her MA dissertation on the works of Angela Carter. A Disney fanatic, she has been to Disneyland Paris six times and her favourite Disney Princess is The Little Mermaid. She enjoys knitting and crafting, going to the gym, tap dancing, heavy metal music, and her cat and two rabbits!

Outreach Liason Coordinator

Sue Griffiths

Born and bred in Swansea, Sue joined the S4 team in March 2019 as our Outreach Liaison Coordinator. Sue has a background in the Leisure Industry and was a keen athlete throughout her younger days. She enjoys travelling with her family and socialising with friends and is currently studying British Sign Language, looking to commence Level 3 in January 2020.

Outreach Bioscientist

Alex Southern

Alex started work with S4 as a Workshop Delivery Assistant and his passion for science outreach was ignited! He now works as S4’s resident Outreach Bioscientist. Alex graduated with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Management from Nottingham Trent University in 2017. When he isn’t looking down a microscope, he can usually be found clutching a bucket of popcorn at the cinema or cycling around Wales’ stunning coastline.

Outreach Policy Officer

Dr Gwen Wilson

Gwen has worked for S4 in various roles since 2013 but since late 2019 has been carrying out research and evaluation work for the project as the Outreach Policy Officer. She is half French and grew up in Germany although has happily lived in Swansea since 2004! She holds a PhD in Human Geography and in her spare time Gwen is learning Japanese, attempting Japanese cooking, and loves to travel when she gets the opportunity.