Profile

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Luke Fecitt

    • About Me:

      I live just outside Durham city centre. I’m a ceramic technologist and fitness enthusiast. I love going to the gym, running, hiking and climbing, and also love good food!

    • My pronouns are:

      He/him

    • How I use Science in my work:

      I use science in my work by applying chemistry and physics to develop and test ceramic materials. Concepts taught at school such as chemical reactions, particle size, heat transfer, and changes of state are essential when mixing raw materials and firing ceramics in kilns to achieve specific properties like strength and durability.

    • My Work:

      I work with ceramic materials, testing and improving them so they are strong, reliable, strong and fit for real-world use.

    • Read more

      In my role as a Ceramic Technologist, I work on ceramic components used in electrical resistors. I use chemistry to prepare and mix ceramic powders, and physics to understand how heat and electricity move through materials.

      After pressing and firing the ceramics in kilns (large ovens) at very high temperatures, I carry out electrical and mechanical testing to measure properties such as resistance and strength. This helps ensure the components work safely and reliably in electrical devices, linking directly to school topics like electricity, circuits, energy transfer, and materials science.

    • My Typical Day:

      I arrive at work in the morning and start by checking for any previous trials or test results. I spend time in the lab preparing and testing materials. I have lunch then in the afternoon I record any further results and prepare materials for the next tests. I finish work and go home in the late afternoon.

    • Read more

      I start my day by checking any previous trials and test results that have progressed overnight. I’ll then do my daily checks on the kilns (check temperatures are correct). I’ll then speak with other members of the team to see if we have any issues with the kilns or powders. I’ll then either prepare some samples for testing or carry out testing and record the results. Then after lunch I’ll carry on with samples or results and prepare trials to be processed overnight.

      I also lead the training department so I will usually spend some time writing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and assessing operators to make sure they are doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      If I won the £500 prize money, I would use it to support STEM outreach for students. I would buy simple hands-on experiment kits and materials to demonstrate how ceramics are used in electrical components like resistors. I would also use some of the funding to create easy-to-understand demonstrations and resources that help students see how science they learn in school is used in real STEM jobs

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to Cramlington Learning Village and completed my GCSEs and A-Levels. I took A-Level Chemistry, Biology and Geography.

      Then after school I went to Newcastle University to do my degree in Medicinal Chemistry, graduating in 2022.

    • Qualifications:

      GCSEs

      • English Literature
      • English Language
      • Maths
      • Chemistry
      • Biology
      • Physics
      • Geography
      • Business Studies
      • Computer Science

       

      A-Levels

      • Chemistry
      • Biology
      • Geography

       

      Bachelor’s Degree

      • Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

    • Work History:

      Worked at McDonald’s for just less than 5 years from 2019-2023. This was during my A-Levels and my degree. Then after my degree I wasn’t 100% sure on what I wanted to do so I stayed at McDonald’s for another year and progressed in the company to a shift manager.

       

      Then in 2023 I took at job at my current company (HVR International) as a production operator. This job involved making the ceramic resistors and building them into large assemblies.

      I then got promoted to my current role at the end of 2024.

    • Current Job:

      In my current job, I work as a Ceramic Technologist focusing on ceramic materials used in electrical resistors. I am responsible for preparing ceramic powders, processing them into components, and firing them in kilns at very high temperatures. I then carry out electrical and physical testing to check properties such as resistance, stability, and durability, making sure the components meet strict quality and safety standards for use in electrical and electronic equipment.

       

      I also lead the training department so I spend time writing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to make sure all the operators are doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

    • Employer:

      The company I work for (HVR International) designs and manufactures specialist ceramic components used in electrical and electronic equipment. These ceramics are made to work in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and high electrical loads, and are used in industries like power generation, transport, and manufacturing. The company combines science and engineering to make reliable products that are used all over the world.

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        Pharmaceutical Scientist

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        No

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Personal Trainer

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        The Snuts

        What's your favourite food?

        Pizza

Questions answered by Luke

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