Silvano Cauchi-Savona has decided that after more than 10 years, it is now time to move on from QMUL. Silvano joined the Department of Materials in 1994 as the youngest of that years undergraduate intake. Having attained a first class BEng degree in Biomaterials he then went on to complete a Masters degree in Materials Science with a project supervised by Paul Hogg. Having completed that with distinction he then went on to complete the hat trick of degrees with his PhD in advanced composites. Since graduating for the 3rd time, Silvano has worked in a variety of roles as a post doctoral research fellow, helping out with IT support and most recently as the experimental officer supporting mechanical testing. Silvano is now leaving the Department to join up with his girlfriend Chulee (who he met whilst she completed her PhD in the composites group) in Thailand. At a short ceremony, on Friday 26th Feb 2005, Paul Hogg on behalf of the Department presented Silvano with a longevity award and we all wish him the best for the future.