A PhD student from Paisley is attending the Houses of Parliament to present her biomedical research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges.
Kendal McCulloch, 22 is a student at the University of the West of Scotland, researches epigenetics, the effect of the environment on your genes, and the role this plays in the development of osteoarthritis, a crippling joint disease.
Her poster on the research will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind as part of SET for Britain on Monday 7th March.
Kendal was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament. She said: “I am extremely honoured and excited that my research has been selected to be presented at this year’s SET for Britain event.
“Osteoarthritis is a crippling disorder which affects millions. I want to highlight the importance of research into such a debilitating disease. I also want to showcase the strength of research carried out at University of the West of Scotland.”
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 SET for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”
Kendal’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.