Natalie’s poster, titled “How cells divide: implications for ageing and cancer” was judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

Her work was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

Natalie, a final year PhD student in Dr Julien Licchesi’s lab in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, said: “I feel very privileged to have been selected to participate in the STEM for Britain competition alongside many other talented early career researchers, so it is an honour to win the Bronze award for the Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

“A particular highlight for me was presenting my work to Mark Garnier, the MP for the Wyre Forest where I grew up. It really is a great opportunity to present your research to a non-specialised audience, and I highly recommend taking part!”

Stephen Metcalfe 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 STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Natalie receives £1,000 as the Bronze Award winner.

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee runs the event in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society and the Council for Mathematical Sciences, with financial support from the Clay Mathematics Institute, Research Councils UK, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Society of Chemical Industry, Institute of Biomedical Science and the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research.