My first PhD student, Dr James Niblock, become the first researcher to successfully complete the joint Royal Academy of Engineering/ERA Foundation's prestigious Research Student Development Fellowship. The scheme, which started in 2005, aims to add value to the research oriented education of PhD and EngD students working in electronic technology. The first objective of the scheme - developing the individual - involves addressing specific skills training that has been identified in a personal development plan. I asked Dr Niblock to apply for this scheme and mentored him in the development of the development plan and in its subsequent implementation. The fact that James became the first researcher to complete the scheme was a great success for us both personally but also for our research group and of course the School itself.