Faculty celebrates ‘breathtaking’ research
Staff from across the Faculty of Biological Sciences came together to celebrate world leading science.
The ‘Faculty Research Celebration’ event, which took place on Monday 16th September at the University of Leeds, was an opportunity to share research successes, hear about exciting discoveries and connect with the invaluable people across different teams who support the faculty’s mission to deliver bold and impactful research.
Speaking at the event, Professor Andrew Macdonald, Pro Dean for Research and Innovation said
Today is about sharing and celebrating the world class science that takes place in the faculty every day.
The event started with lunch, networking and interactive stalls in the LC Miall Social Space (Faculty of Biological Sciences) where professional and academic staff had the chance to learn about viruses and ribosomes which act as cellular factories in our bodies.
Attendees could also meet Thelma & Louise – Giant Prickly Leaf Stick Insects from the Duncan Lab – who expertly mimic thorny leaves to avoid predators – a fascinating example of nature's camouflage.
Also from the School of Biology were a colony of honeybees which are being investigated to see how tiny amounts of pesticides can impact these essential pollinators. Slightly trickier to handle, they were kept safe and sound in their observation hive.
A bee observation hive
9 short presentations from academics and researchers across all three schools followed lunch including talks from the winner of the Mike McPherson Innovator award Dr James Warren who’s developing a type of hydrogel that can be used to help patients recover from a variety of health conditions, Dr Vas Ponnambalam, who covered his lab’s research into new molecules and mechanisms for building blood vessels and Dr Ruth Wade who spoke about an ongoing regenerative agriculture trial.
Attendees also heard from Maddie Gilbert, a PhD researcher who was integral to a recent study about seeing into Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, a group of scientists including international collaborators, technicians and early career researchers, used a cutting edge imaging technique called cryo-electron tomography coupled with fluorescence microscopy, to explore deep inside an Alzheimer’s disease donor brain to better understand how the disease progresses.
Seeing Alzheimer’s disease for the first time in a human brain was breathtaking, and also quite emotional.
The event culminated in a drinks reception and the opportunity for networking.
Professor Karen Birch, Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences added:
Events like today show just how broad our research is and how it’s a real team effort.
