STEM for BRITAIN was established by Dr Eric Wharton in 1997. Following his untimely death in 2007, the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society, The Nutrition Society and the Council for work to continue this poster competition in the House of Commons to progress UK research and development.
The 2021 poster presentations took place virtual on 8 March, with the 10 biological and biomedical presentations taking place in the morning. The official awards ceremony was held in person at Portcullis House, Westminster, and was well attended by the society sponsors, council members and winners of the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Special medals.
In congratulating all of the STEM for Britain finalists, Steven Metcalf MP, Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee said “the high standard of entries indicate the breadth of talent in British science and this past year has shown the importance of all of our scientific communities working together as well as working with government”.
The 2021 winners of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Category were as follows:
• The BRONZE award was given to Siân Morgan, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, for her research entitled: ENHANCED DRUG DELIVERY METHODS TO COMBAT CORNEAL BLINDNESS
• Paula Martin, CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, took home the SILVER Award for her research into Personalising Therapy in Ovarian Cancer: An integrative approach using artificial intelligence.
• The GOLD Award was given to Nikita Patel, Translational Medicine & Therapeutics, The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University London for her research into: TACKLING TRAUMA ONE ORGAN AT A TIME USING A REVERSE TRANSLATIONAL APPROACH
This was the third year the Nutrition Society had the pleasure of awarding its own prize. The Nutrition Society’s President, Professor Julie Lovegrove presented the award to Amber Bozward, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham
For her research entitled: TRANSLATING DISCOVERY SCIENCE INTO A NEW THERAPY TO CURE AUTOIMMUNE LIVER DISEASES
In her address to the event Professor Julie Lovegrove said “On behalf of the Nutrition Society’s Trustees and members it is a privilege for the Society to be participating in this event for a fourth consecutive year. We are very grateful to Stephen Metcalfe for the invitation today, and to Leigh and his team for the tireless efforts in putting this event together, especially under the challenging circumstances this year.
The Nutrition Society is one of the largest nutritional sciences learned societies in the world, and indeed one of the oldest, having been formed in 1941 we currently celebrating our 80th anniversary. With our headquarters here in London, but with members now stretching across 85 countries, I am proud to say our members and their science personifies the concept of science knows no borders.
STEM for Britain is a unique project, one where we are, in a single event, able to bring together the future of science in this country. Based on the Nutrition Society’s perspective of its involvement for the past 4 years that future looks very bright. The early career researchers who presented earlier this year, notwithstanding the challenges of presenting their research online, are excellent ambassadors for that future. Congratulations to everyone here today in continuing to aspire, and reach, exceptionally high standards in scientific research.
We all must remain vigilant to ensure events such as this, and access by the public to these excellent facilities in Parliament, where we, as scientists, can mix and interact freely with Parliamentarians, continue without barriers or restrictions once the current pandemic is over.
We in The Nutrition Society therefore look forward to the return in March 2022 of this event to The House.
Congratulations again on an excellent event. Long may STEM for Britain continue.”
To follow the event:
Search #STEM4BRIT on Twitter to view the proceedings and visit the website to view more photos and poster presentations from the event.