🔁 RT @TwitterMoments: According to a study conducted by researchers at @imperialcollege, COVID-19 antibody levels in the British population declined rapidly between June and September. https://t.co/wcnFV5wAfu

Join panellists including @madina_wane and @shaineNeuro 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 as they discuss navigating the Black STEM experience as part of #BlackHistoryMonth.

🕐 Wednesday 28 October, 13.00 - 14.00, online 💻

Register here 👇 https://t.co/eGtg4itOoW

Good morning! 👋🏾 I’m Ijeoma and I’m a 2nd year PhD student in the group of Professor Molly Stevens, @ImpMaterials. I'm taking over this account today in honour of #BlackHistoryMonthUK and sharing a range of content that is important to me. https://t.co/zc4pjXomiv

But first, time to start the day right! 20 mins yoga in the morning sets me up for the day. 🧘🏾‍♀️ Our modern existence (and a PhD) is a constant avalanche of information 📱💻 so I find this time to slow down, breathe and calm my mind really important for my mental wellbeing 🧠 https://t.co/AoCovl2weW

My research is focused in organic bioelectronics. I’m working on developing organic field-effect transistor biosensors to achieve rapid, sensitive diagnostic platforms 🧬 Often, I can be found suited up in clean rooms using microfabrication techniques to make devices. https://t.co/psZrYFTVeU

One of the advantages of using organic semiconductors over inorganic semiconductors such as silicon is the ability to tailor the materials to provide certain physical or chemical functionalities ✅ Regularly I’m in the synth lab, working on reactions to adapt these materials 🧪 https://t.co/SAjDlSxY2i

To learn more about conjugated polymers and how they are utilised in devices, cell and tissue scaffolds for sensing and stimulation, read our new review! @StuartGHiggins, Alessandra Lo Fiego, @IjeomaPatrick5, @adcreamy and Molly Stevens👇🏾
https://t.co/RqrfQmaUWE

#BlackHistoryMonthUK has always been an important time of reflection for me. While it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the culture of my people and our contribution to this country, it's also inextricably tied to personal struggles concerning identity and self-worth. [THREAD] https://t.co/PZo5021X9H

@imperialcollege Unpacking these conflicting emotions can be a lifelong process, many of us grew up with a lot of internalised prejudice. Personally I disliked my afro hair, my bigger facial features, becoming “too dark” when on holiday, and I sometimes even disliked my own name.

@imperialcollege In school I used to dread the moment every year when a new teacher would take the register and the inevitable laughs when they would emphasise their struggle with it and I sometimes longed for a simple English name to blend in like everyone else.

@imperialcollege My family originate from South-East Nigeria, Igbo-land. Ijeoma in Igbo literally means “a good journey in life” but is used colloquially to wish wellbeing when parting, like saying “farewell”. I now love my name, its meaning and I’m grateful to my parents for it. https://t.co/pg0JuEFuwU

@imperialcollege Does anybody else as an adult proudly embrace something that they were embarrassed/uncomfortable about at school? If so, care to share?

The anti-police brutality protests in Nigeria. [THREAD]

It’s impossible for me to be given this platform today and not amplify the struggle that my Motherland is going through. Out of all my tweets today, please pay extra special attention to these ones. https://t.co/Ysugf6jYST

@imperialcollege Over the last weeks, in an unprecedented mass movement, thousands of Nigerians all over the country have taken to the streets protesting against police brutality by a notorious unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

@imperialcollege SARS, a unit under the Nigerian police force, was created in 1992 to fight crimes such as armed robbery and kidnappings.

@imperialcollege However, since its inception SARS has been accused of multiple abuses of power concerning unlawful arrests, harassment, kidnapping, murder, sexual assault and extortion, primarily targeting young Nigerians.
https://t.co/qN7oKKagP6

@imperialcollege However, the protests are NOT just about police brutality. They've grown to include better governance, institutional reform, more economic equality, better infrastructure and an end to corruption. They want a reason to hope and to dream. They want a new Nigeria.

Depressingly and ironically, the anti-police brutality protests were met with police brutality, with reports of officers deploying tear gas, illegally detaining, assaulting and shooting at protesters. But brave Nigerians were not deterred and still took to the streets. [THREAD]

@imperialcollege In response to the protests, President Buhari announced that SARS would be 'dissolved' on 11 October. However, in line with previous 'reforms', the officers from this unit have simply been redeployed to other units.
https://t.co/8utFtQKqKV

@imperialcollege Obviously, this is zero relief for the young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality, to know that the officers responsible for these crimes are given other jobs in the police instead of being properly investigated and prosecuted. The protests continued… https://t.co/dttT0T1DF1