University of Hertfordshire researchers take their science to Parliament
Two researchers from the University of Hertfordshire are attending Parliament to present their science to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges as part of SET for Britain on Monday 17th March.
Dr Nick Kassouf, 37, from Wembley in London, and Tony Dawkins, 22, from Loughton in Essex, were shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament and present their research. Both will present posters about their research areas and be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.
Nick and Tony’s research has been entered into the Biological and Biomedical Sciences session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony. Judged by leading academics, the gold medalist receives £3,000, while silver and bronze receive £2,000 and £1,000 respectively.
Dr Kassouf, a senior research fellow from the University of Hertfordshire’s Department of Pharmacy, will present his poster on investigating a novel potential treatment for chemical warfare agent (nerve gas) poisoning.
On presenting his science in Parliament, Dr Nick Kassouf said: “It’s an honour to be presenting my research at parliament at a national scientific event that brings together scientists from various disciplines from across the country.
“Competing among my peers for the prestigious prizes will be a challenge I look forward to immensely.
“It will also be a fantastic opportunity to meet and discuss my research with academic/research experts in the field, and to share the exciting possibility of my research potentially becoming a recognised and universally used treatment for exposure to chemical warfare agents.”
Tony Dawkins, an MSc student from the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Life and Medical Sciences, will present his poster on his research about the trends in cardiovascular and related physiological systems in response to ultra-endurance exercise training and competition.
On presenting his science in Parliament, Tony Dawkins said: “This event provides a great platform to showcase the results of my research conducted over the last 18 months. It is an honour to present my findings at such a prestigious venue.”
Andrew Miller MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.
“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”
John Pierce, Chief Bioscientist at BP, sponsors of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences award, said: “BP remains a committed supporter of SET for Britain. Each year we look forward to seeing examples of outstanding science and engineering from our next generation of scientists in the UK.
"As a biologist, I think it’s great that BP is sponsoring the Biological and Biomedical Sciences award again. In the energy sector, and other industries, biology is playing an increasingly important role.
"The future of science, engineering and technology in the UK is both challenging and exciting. As a major UK recruiter and investor in research and development, we believe it is essential to nurture the best technical talent.”
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee runs the event in collaboration with the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, the Institute of Physics, The Physiological Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Biology and the Society of Chemical Industry, with financial support from BP, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Essar, INEOS, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Germains Seed Technology, Boeing, the Bank of England and the Institute of Biomedical Science.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Julie Cooper, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 284095, Email: j.cooper5@herts.ac.uk
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,650 staff and a turnover of almost £233 million. With a student community of over 27,200 including more than 2,800 students from eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 175,000 alumni. It is also one of the top 100 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 100 under 50 rankings 2012. For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk
About SET for Britain
SET for Britain is a poster competition in the House of Commons - involving approximately 210 early stage or early career researchers - judged by professional and academic experts. All presenters are entered into either the engineering, the biological and biomedical sciences, the physical sciences (chemistry), the physical sciences (physics) session, or the mathematics session, depending on the researcher’s specialism.
Each session will result in the reward of Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates. Bronze winners will receive a £1,000 prize; Silver, £2,000; and Gold, £3,000. There will also be an overall winner from the four sessions who will receive the Westminster Wharton Medal.
SET 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 Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, The Royal Society of Chemistry, The Physiological Society and the Society of Chemical Industry, is working to further his legacy.
The event is made possible this year by the prize sponsors, who are BP, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Essar, INEOS, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Germains Seed Technology, Boeing, the Bank of England and the Institute of Biomedical Science.
The competition is open to early stage or early career researchers, which includes university research students, postgraduates, research assistants, postdocs, research fellows, newly-appointed lecturers, part-time and mature students, returners, those people embarking on a second career, and their equivalent in national, public sector and industrial laboratories, and appropriate final year undergraduate and MSc students, all of whom are engaged in scientific, engineering, technological or medical research.
