Nottingham Vet School scientist presents her research to Parliament

Miss Helen Higgins, a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at The University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science School, hailing from Tollerton, is attending Parliament next week to present her science to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of SET for Britain on Monday 12 March.

Helen, who is from Tollerton in Nottinghamshire, was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to attend the event at Westminster. Her poster on research about Britain’s farm vets’ clinical beliefs will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

Helen said, “I feel very proud to be able to represent both the Wellcome Trust and The University of Nottingham Vet School at this major scientific event. This is a unique opportunity for me to explain the importance of my research to leading politicians. I will make the most of every moment.”

Andrew Miller 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 scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Helen’s research has been entered into the Biomedical Science 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.

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee run the event in collaboration with The Royal Academy of Engineering, The Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, The Royal Society of Chemistry, the Physiological Society, the Wellcome Trust and the Society of Chemical Industry, with financial support from BP, Airbus/EADS, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, AgChem Access, Oxford Instruments, IBMS and GE Hitachi.