Steve, class of 1984 (1977 joiner), reflects here on his career and the contributions of some inspiring teachers throughout his education.

"This is me, in 1991, on the day I received the draft prints of my PhD thesis ready for my viva examination. But I wouldn't have achieved this without some inspirational women who I recently celebrated on LinkedIn to mark International Women's Day 2025. 

Firstly Sylvia Collicott, my class teacher at Oakthorpe Infants school, who fired an interest in fossils, dinosaurs, archaeology, science and nature and ensured I had a thirst for learning new facts. 

During my secondary school years at Latymer, I was very fortunate to be taught by both Michelle Gabisi and Wendy Hilton, who were my Chemistry teachers during the O and A Level years. Both Michelle and Wendy knew how to engage and challenge students to do their best - combined with a twinkle in their eyes and a bit of steel when required! It was the passion for Chemistry that they instilled that led me first into Materials Science, and then on to Forensic Science. 

I have a Latymer School Careers Evening (and an enthusiastic metallurgist manning the desk) to thank for the revelation that my favourite subject (Chemistry) could be applied to analysing and improving the materials that make up the world around us.

Left: 1 Wyatt in 1977. Right: a mixture of U6 Wyatt and U6 Lamb in 1984.

After leaving Latymer I studied for a degree in Materials Science at the University of Bath, extending my time in that wonderful city with a PhD and postdoctoral research into evaluating the potential of ceramic matrix composites for use in jet engines. 

I then continued research into composite materials for aircraft applications when I joined the Defence Research Agency at Farnborough in 1993. There, I worked on various projects including 'stealth' materials, 'smart' materials and hollow carbon fibre manufacture for 10 years, ultimately becoming a Principal Scientist in the Low Observable Materials group. 

In 2003 I took an opportunity to use my materials science in another way. A job was advertised in the Fingerprint Development Group at the Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB), giving me the chance to pick up on another subject that had always fascinated me in childhood – Forensic Science. Instead of the material being something we were trying to make stronger or more functional, as a Forensic Scientist a material is something that can be transferred, or is a substrate that forensic evidence is deposited on and/or interacts with. I went from trying to make things (e.g. aircraft) disappear, to trying to make other things (e.g. fingerprints) appear, often by using the same principles applied in reverse.

I spent 15 very enjoyable years researching fingerprint development at PSDB and its later incarnations, contributing to several new methods that were validated for use by for police forces. I was part of the team responsible for the publication of the world-recognised Home Office Fingermark Visualisation Manual in 2014 and awarded the Henry Medal by the Fingerprint Society later that year for contribution to the advancement of fingerprints in the field of forensic investigation. During my time at the Home Office I managed the Chemistry Functional Home and had a brief spell as Acting Chief Technical Officer before the Sandridge laboratory was merged into the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory in 2018. 

Steve (right) receiving the Henry Medal from the Fingerprint Society with a Home Office colleague, 2013.

At this point I faced a choice – relocate or career change? I had already been delivering guest lectures on fingerprint development and imaging at London South Bank University (LSBU) and when a full-time post in Forensic Science became available, I was fortunate to be given the chance to pass on my knowledge to a new generation. 

For the past six years I have worked as a Senior Lecturer at LSBU and have found teaching as a 'pracademic', combining practitioner knowledge with an academic career, highly rewarding. I am deeply impressed by how our students manage to balance the need to work to finance themselves with academic assignments and often other caring commitments too. 

I now have a much better understanding of what Michelle Gabisi and Wendy Hilton were aiming to inspire in us all those years ago, and it is always such special day when we watch our students graduate in front of their friends and family."

Steve speaking at the 2023 Careers Fair at Latymer..

Note from Latymer Links:
After teaching at Latymer between 1978 and 1981, Michelle Gabisi moved away to Nigeria, then returned to her home country Bermuda in 1982. There she continued teaching before becoming principal of the Berkeley Institute. She eventually became a Senator in 2017 and retired in 2022 as vice-president of the Senate. Michelle sadly passed away in August 2023, aged 70, survived by her second husband, Reverend Dr Simmons, and several stepchildren.