IBMS sponsors STEM for Britain Awards at House of Commons

On Monday 13th March, IBMS President Ian Sturdgess joined Stephen Metcalfe MP of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee and Dr Stephen Benn MP on stage to present the awards given to the best posters in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Exhibition. 

STEM for Britain is tasked with raising the profile of Britain's early-stage researchers by engaging Members of both houses of Houses of Parliament with current science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research. Despite the lack of a scientific background, many MPs visit the event throughout the day to support the event and learn about current STEM investigations and analysis. 

Poster competition

The IBMS sponsor the poster competition for the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Exhibition that showcases the work and communication skills of over 200 early career researchers. Offering support and recognition to early-career researchers through our sponsorship of the Awards enabled President Ian Sturdgess and IBMS Council Member David Wells the opportunity to meet the poster creators and talk to them about the research. 

The winners

Despite a near Oscars style mishap, where the winner was originally presented with the silver award, the ceremony was a huge success and was attended by a full room of presenters and MPs. 

Congratulations to:

Gold - Lauren McNeill

Lauren (pictured above) is a PhD researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her poster showed her research into developing a cost-effective device that detects new designer drugs which are notoriously difficult to detect. 

"It was a complete surprise to even be invited to present my research at STEM for Britain. It is an honour to win the Gold award for the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, but also the Westminster award for the best early career researcher. I am absolutely delighted and I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected, especially with so many amazing researchers at the STEM for Britain event. I had the most amazing day, that I will never forget".

Silver - Riya George

Riya is a PhD researcher at University of Leicester's School of Medicine. Her poster concentrated on her research into re-thinking relationships in healthcare, how to better teach and evaluate diversity education in healthcare institutions. 

"My PhD gathered the valued perspectives of mental-health patients, NHS health professionals and medical educators around how to better teach and evaluate diversity education in healthcare institutions. It was a privilege to participate in this competition and meet and learn from aspiring early-career researchers and an absolute honour to win the Silver Award. Thank you for this inspiring and encouraging event!"

Bronze - Natalie Vaughan

Natalie is a PhD student at the University of Bath. Her poster showcased her work on how cells divide and what the implications are for cancer and ageing. 

"My project investigates the role of protein degradation in cell division, and how we can use this knowledge as a potential biomarker or therapeutic for the treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer. I have always had an interest in science policy and communication, so I was very excited about the opportunity to present my research at Parliament as part of STEM for Britain; winning the Bronze Award was a lovely surprise on top of this."  

Presenting the awards, the IBMS President said:

"Entries for this year's event were of a very high standard and testament to the amazing talent and research we are seeing today in biomedical science in the UK. When they go on to become leaders in their field, I can say that I saw them first.

As well as winning the prizes for best scientific poster each award winner received a year's free IBMS membership. We look forward to welcoming Lauren, Natalie and Riya to the IBMS and following their careers and future successes closely."