Gary Parker

I am a Senior Technician in the Department of Engineering. I manage the Thermo Fluids Laboratory and the associated teaching labs and facilities within the Future Energy Research Group in the Department of Engineering.

The “Thermo lab” is one of the largest labs in Durham University. The Thermo lab houses large Wind Tunnels, capable of accommodating 40% scale vehicles testing; Turbo Machinery Testing facilities; The Durham Cascade; and a Blowdown and Rotating test facility with an underfloor Hardened Test Cell. Additionally, the main lab houses a large 18 GHz Anechoic Chamber and has heavy lifting facilities and infrastructure to support varied research activities.

I undertake the department's outreach activities and support a number of student-based extra curriculum activities such as the Solar Car team which I enjoy.

I joined the Department of Engineering in 1995 working initially for the New and Renewable Energy Group working on permanent magnet wind turbine generators. I have also worked as Departmental Superintendent in the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham.

Previously I worked in one of two UK wide technical repair centres for the nationalised mining industry (NCB) as a Non-Destructive Test (NDT) Technician. In addition to general NDT examination of equipment I specifically inspected/signed off safety-critical components including lifting equipment, flameproof enclosures and pressure vessels in a quality assured environment.

As a nationalised industry the NCB had excellent training facilities and I completed a formal indentured 5-year apprenticeship. I've also trained as an occupational health/ medical centre attendant and as a quality (TQM) Management Instructor.