MRC at Scottish Science Advisory Council event in Parliament
Three PhD students from the MRC Human Genetics Unit took part in a 'Celebration of Science' event held in the Scottish Parliament in June. Emily Pritchard, Nicki Wyatt and Natalie Reynolds, spoke about their research projects with guests and demonstrated the 'make your own virus' and 'DNA bracelet' activities usually more familiar with young science festival visitors.
Communications Manager Hazel Lambert and PhD student Emily Pritchard with virus building materials at the Scottish Parliament
The event was organised by the Scottish Science Advisory Council and attended by Members of the Scottish Parliament, research scientists and representatives from the biotechnology industry.
Hazel Lambert, MRC's Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, said: ''I'm grateful to the HGU PhD students who gave up an evening to talk to MSPs about their work. Science and research make a vital contribution to the Scottish economy, and by sharing their enthusiasm and expertise the students have helped MSPs to learn more about how scientists work and are educated.''
Scotland is the most successful of the home nations in securing MRC funding; it received £64.7million, or 11.5 per cent, of 08/09 investment but is home to only 8.5 per cent of the UK population. If you'd like to know more about the science MRC invests in Scotland please download the MRC Funding in Scotland PDF.