BIVDA enjoyed an excellent day in Parliament as dozens of university researchers exhibited posters encompassing their innovative research projects. BIVDA has long supported the annual competition with our CEO Doris-Ann Williams chairing the organising committee.

Indeed, the organising team’s hard work paid off as esteemed politicians, such as Shadow Science, Research and Digital Minister Chi Onwurah MP and Chair of the APPG for Life Sciences Daniel Zeichner MP, turned up in great numbers to listen eagerly to the students’ presentations.

Prizes were broken down by the various STEM fields with the results predicated upon the students’ ability to explain their complex work succinctly and accurately. Hosts Viscount Stansgate and Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, acknowledged the immense talent in the room and noted that entry into the competition should be considered a superb achievement in itself.

The grand prize – the Westminster Medal – which recognises the best poster from across the prizewinning selection was awarded to Adele Parry from the University of Leeds for her work titled “A Better Lateral Flow Test? The Design of Novel Liquid Crystal Droplet Biosensors”. I am sure members will be delighted by the winning entry – perhaps we have a future diagnostics star in our midst!

The event was a timely reminder that not only does the future of UK science look incredibly bright, but Parliamentarians remain keenly invested in the success and promotion of STEM education throughout our nation.