Dr Jamie Sparkes
Biography and previous work
Jamie spent several years in Edinburgh, where he first studied for a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Graduating in 2010, he trained as a teacher in secondary mathematics, receiving a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Leeds. He taught mathematics for several years in Leeds, Sheffield and Edinburgh, and is currently reading for a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
Current research
His current research focuses on the use of finite element modelling to assist in the prediction and confirmation of the rheological properties of native silk solutions.
Personal interests
Outwith the world of silk, he is a keen climber and mountaineer, who occasionally dabbles in cycling, swimming and even fell running if the weather is sufficiently bad. More sedentary pursuits include learning languages (Spanish and Italian) and playing the piano.
Presentations
- Oral Presentation: Push or pull: How does silk flow?, presented at the 2016 European COMSOL conference in Munich.
- Poster presentation: Push or pull: How does silk flow?, presented at the 2016 European COMSOL conference in Munich.
- Poster presentation: Simulating the flow of native silk dopes, presented at the 2016 Macro group Young Researchers' Meeting in Liverpool.
- Oral presentation: How does silk flow, presented at the 2016 Research in Progress Meeting in Sheffield.
- Poster presentation: Simulating the flow of native silk dope in silk glands, presented at the 2015 European COMSOL conference in Grenoble.
Publications
The rheological properties of native sericin 2018
Acta Biomaterialia
Analysis of the pressure requirements for silk spinning reveals a pultrusion dominated process 2017
Nature Communications volume 8, Article number: 594
Progress and Trends in Artificial Silk Spinning: A Systematic Review 2017
ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering.