Two of our researchers have won prizes in the prestigious SET for Britain poster competition this week. Dr Valeska Ting and Nick Morant presented their research to dozens of politicians and a panel of expert judges in the House of Commons.
Dr Valeska Ting, Prize Research Fellow in Smart Nanomaterials from our Department of Chemical Engineering struck gold for the excellence of her engineering research into hydrogen storage materials walking away with a £3,000 prize. Her research was judged, initially, against 59 other shortlisted researchers’ work and came out on top.
Nick, a scientist in our Department of Biology & Biochemistry presented his research on DNA detection and won silver for the excellence of his Biology research, walking away with a £2,000 prize. His research, describes novel DNA polymerase for use in DNA detection – a technique used during the recent horsemeat scandal.
As the gold medal winner in the Engineering Section, Valeska was entered into the Westminster Medal – a competition between the four gold medal scientists based on the scientists’ ability to communicate their research – for which she also came out on top, making her the overall winner of SET for Britain 2013.
Valeska said: “The medal was such a surprise! I was just happy that I was able to successfully convey why I think this research is so exciting.”
Nick Morant wins silver at SET
On her prize money she said: “I am definitely going to buy some cake for my colleagues who encouraged me to take part in the SET for Britain competition! After that, I’d really like to put some of it towards attending an international conference to present this very recent work.”
Commenting on his success, Nick said: “I feel very privileged to come second in the year that SET for Britain has seen a record number of applications.”
Jonathan Ashmore, President of The Physiological Society said: “The standard, as always, was very high and just being selected to present marked a significant achievement and excellent work, so well done all, especially Valeska and Nick and the other winners.