Imperial lecturer is voted number 1

A senior lecturer who describes her subject - mathematics - as "beautifully precise" has been named lecturer of the year in the sciences.

Lynda White of Imperial College London won the title at the same time as one of her pupils, Gabriel Keeble-Gagnere, was named maths student of the year.

The two were chosen by the judges of the Science, Engineering and Technology Student of the Year Awards.

Dr White recalls her friends at the age of 12 being enthralled by novels while she felt the same way about maths textbooks. The 60-year-old, who has taught statistics at Imperial since 1971, said: "Maths is a beautifully precise subject - you either see that or you don't. I love teaching it, and I love the contact with students."

Dr White, who graduated from Oxford University and studied for a PhD at Imperial, succeeds in instilling confidence in struggling students.

The mathematician, who specialises in a branch of statistics called experimental design, said: "I meet quite a few students who have personal problems for whatever reason. I enjoy helping them manage their work."

One of her undergraduates who was close to leaving in his first year has just completed his second year with a first.

Dr White beat 45 other lecturers in science and engineering faculties from Britain and Ireland to win the accolade of best lecturer.