IMSE Masters Scholarship Interview with Dominic Crestani

We speak to Dominic Crestani the recipient of the 2021 Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering Masters Scholarship.

Dominic Crestani is the recipient of the 2021 Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering Masters Scholarship. This scholarship was created to reduce barriers to studying on this course for an academically excellent student and to increase equality, diversity, and inclusion.  

Originally from Bath in England, Dominic had a gap year working in the Netherlands then did a Bachelor’s in applied physics there. His main concern when wanting to pursue a career in research was the cost to do a Master’s degree. With the help of the IMSE scholarship, Dominic has been able to carry on with his studies on the Molecular Engineering MRes (Master of Research) programme. He enjoys the multidisciplinary nature of the course and the diverse cohort.  

Read the full interview here:  

"Everyone can learn from each other and one of the good things about the IMSE course is that it's not just learning from the academics it's also learning from other students as well." Dominic Crestani MRes Student

Why did you choose to study at Imperial?  

Imperial, in particular, is a really good research Institute. It’s a STEM University and so the facilities and opportunities focus on science.  

What was your background before you came to Imperial?  

I’m from Bath in England. When choosing my Bachelor’s, I just wanted to go abroad. I was looking at sunny places, but sunny places are expensive! I found that the Netherlands was the best choice for me as it is all taught in English and has good universities. I also found that if you work a certain number of hours, you can get funding towards your studies. So, I took a gap year and worked for 13 months until I applied for a Bachelor’s in applied maths. Then I realised that applied maths isn’t very “applied”. I thought it would be more like physics, but I realised that it's not, so I changed to applied physics and that was much more my interest.  

What were you worried about before you applied / arrived?? 

The only concern was money. The tuition loan doesn’t cover living costs and so my main concern was how am I going to be able to afford it? 

What’s your favourite part of the IMSE course?  

It’s the variety. IMSE in itself is so multi-disciplinary.  The fact that not one student on the course knows everything is a real benefit to how the course runs. So, what I mean is, there is a section on quantum physics which I know about because I studied physics but, then there will be a course on polymerization or something which I don't have any knowledge in because I did not study chemistry. Everyone can learn from each other and one of the good things about the IMSE course is that it's not just learning from the academics it's also learning from other students as well. 

Are you working on any projects at the moment that you find particularly interesting? What are you working on and why is it important? Is it something you would want to pursue further in your career? 

The project I'm doing now is bio-3D-printing for cancer organoids. At the moment there is a one-size-fits all approach to cancer treatment, and you don't really know how treat will affect the patient until it’s too late. So, if you 3D print a cancer organoid then you can see how that person’s tumour is going to be affected by treatment. This can prevent bad reactions to the cancer treatments.  

"I would not have been able to do my Master’s without the scholarship. It means that I can continue to study and move forwards with my career goals." Dominic Crestani MRes Student

Do you have any ideas at the moment about what you may want to do after you finish your degree?  

I want to do research. Ideally, I would like to more research either as part of a PhD, or in industry. 

In the future I would like to go into something with additive manufacturing like 3D printing. I find it really interesting. I enjoy the overlap that I have with physics as well.  

 How has the IMSE scholarship helped you with your studies?  

The bottom line is I would not have been able to do my Master’s without the scholarship. It means that I can continue to study and move forwards with my career goals. 

Find out more about the IMSE MRes Scholarships and how to apply. The closing date for applications is 31st March.  

The taught modules are followed by a 6-month long research project in collaboration with industry, including an industrial research placement.

The Molecular Engineering MRes programme is intrinsically cross-disciplinary, providing students with the skills to work in research across the science/engineering boundary, in academia or industry. The taught component starts with an introduction to molecular science and engineering (designing at the molecular level to create better materials, systems and processes). Students then learn about the design, modelling, synthesis, characterisation and manufacturing of molecules and materials, including aspects of machine learning, process modelling, and business. The taught modules are followed by a 6-month long research project in collaboration with industry, including an industrial research placement. Students on the course come from a wide range of backgrounds: chemists and chemical engineers, materials scientists, physicists, bioengineers – even some with first degrees in mechanical or electrical engineering.  This Masters course is delivered by the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering (IMSE), and hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering.