The (Night) Sky Is The Limit For Derby Graduate
13 January 2012
Vanessa Amaral-Rogers, who has been working with the BBC on a live event in Nottingham
It will be an extra special week for me, as not only will I be running the Stargazing Live event, but I will also graduate from the University of Derby.
”A student with a passion for the natural world has her sights set on the night sky - and the stars of TV - as she is working on an event for the new BBC One series of Stargazing Live, which features TV physicist Professor Brian Cox.
Vanessa Amaral-Rogers, 29, will graduate from the University of Derby with a Masters degree (MSc) in Conservation Biology on January 19, the same week the BBC One series airs and the associated Star Gazing event she has been part of takes place in Nottingham's Wollaton Park.
Vanessa, who is from Oakwood, Derby, has been working for the BBC on the free Astronomy Society event which takes place on Tuesday January 17 from 6 - 9pm. Here, people will be able to look at the stars through special telescopes, visit the inflatable planetarium and hear fascinating talks about the night sky from astronomers and physicists.
This is the second BBC associated event that Vanessa has worked on, after being an Event Coordinator for BBC One's Live 'n' Deadly held at Derbyshire's Conkers attraction in October. Clips from the event, which featured popular TV wildlife presenters Steve Backshall and Naomi Wilkinson, were aired on the following week's show.
Vanessa said: "After the success of the Live 'n' Deadly event, where thousands of families enjoyed a host of adventure outdoor wildlife activities, I was able to secure this role on Stargazing Live.
"I'm really excited about the evening and hope that people are so inspired to learn more about astronomy by Brian Cox after seeing the TV show that they come along on January 17. It will be an extra special week for me, as not only will I be running the Stargazing Live event, but I will also graduate from the University of Derby."
Before completing her Masters degree and securing this role, Vanessa also studied an undergraduate degree in Zoology at Derby.
Dr Karim Vahed, Programme Leader for the MSc Conservation Biology degree said: "We are all incredibly proud of Vanessa's success so far. Her passion for conservation and the natural world was always clear, and it is fantastic that she is inspiring this enthusiasm in many children through the events she has organised. We wish her every success in her future career."
For more information on the event visit www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo/activity/bbc-stargazing-live-04/occurrence/54919
For more information on the Masters degree in Conservation Biology, or BSc (Hons) Zoology visit www.derby.ac.uk/ehs
