Suffrage Science Life Sciences 2016

Awards Ceremony 2016

Registration from 18:30 19:00 - 19:15 Welcome and Introduction Petra Hajkova, group leader, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre Kat Arney, science writer and broadcaster 19:15 - 19:45 “Inspiration in science” First panel discussion Panellists: Helen Pankhurst, women’s activist, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Irene Tracey, Nuffield Professor of Anaesthetic Science, University of Oxford Jennifer Rohn, cell biologist, University College London, science writer 19:45 - 20:15 Awards hand-over ceremony 20:15 - 21:15 Food, drink and mingle in foyer 21:15 - 21:45 “Challenge to change” Second panel discussion 22:00 Guests depart

Throughout the evening, two students from Central St Martin’s MA Art & Science will ‘draw’ the event taking inspiration from the debates, conversations and ideas. Marta Pinilla Martinez has a background in biology and fine arts and will be drawing what is happening in the room; Eleanor Armstrong trained as a chemist and is looking to create a cabinet of small objects inspired by the evening.

The Suffrage Science scheme was founded five years ago by the Medical Research Council’s Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London. The scheme is sponsored by L'OrealUNESCO For Women in Science scheme and The Royal Society.

Please note that photos will be taken during the event. For further information please contact: susan.watts@csc.mrc.ac.uk or deborah.oakley@csc.mrc.ac.uk

Award winners 2016 Dr Lori Passmore, MRC-LMB, Cambridge studies how the proteins inside our cells can group together to form clumps, or complexes. Passmore explores the roles that these complexes play in controlling the expression of genes, and how faulty gene expression can contribute to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Dr Michelle James, Stanford University, America develops novel molecules to improve the way we diagnose, treat, and understand brain diseases. These molecules are designed to trace the inflammatory and degenerative components of Alzheimer’s disease using PET scans. Dr. James has developed and patented five such molecules, three of which are currently being tested in humans.

Dr Airlie McCoy, University of Cambridge explores the structure of proteins.

McCoy is known for her role in developing the computer software PHASER, which helps to determine the structure of large proteins. She also organises and teaches at summer schools and conferences.

Professor Catherina Becker, University of Edinburgh studies nerve cells and particularly focuses on zebra fish, which can regrow parts of their central nervous system. Becker uses the fish to explore motor neurone disease and look for molecules that could be targeted by new drugs.

Dr Déborah Bourc'his, Institut Curie, Paris is interested in how the DNA inside sperm and egg cells can be modified in a process called epigenetics. These changes can immediately affect the embryo and also affect the adult later in life, and ultimately the next generation.

Professor Marja Jäätelä, Danish Cancer Society Research Centre wants to understand how some cancer cells can survive anti-cancer treatments. Jäätelä’s group was among the first to identify molecular chains of command, called pathways, that help these cells to survive. Her ultimate goal is to find new ways to kill these treatment-resistant cells.

Dr Pippa Goldschmidt, University of Edinburgh is a visiting fellow at the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies Unit at the University of Edinburgh. A freelance writer with a PhD in astronomy, Goldschmidt's book ‘The Need for Better Regulation of Outer Space’ was nominated for the Frank O’Connor Short Story Award. She also coedited an anthology of short stories to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Professor Corinne Houart, King’s College London explores how the front of brain, or forebrain, is ‘built’ during development and before birth. Houart aims to understand the role that particular molecules play in sending information, or signals, across the developing brain. She also studies proteins that may be involved in the degeneration of nerve cells that control our movements.

Professor Kia Nobre, University of Oxford is interested in how our brains give rise to our thoughts and feelings. Nobre studies the behaviours and brain activity of volunteers to better understand how activity inside our brains can shape our perception of the world around us and the memories we form. She’s also interested in how this activity can be disrupted in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr Uraina Clark, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York studies the effects of HIV and stress on the brain. She aims to identify the ways in which HIV can lead to psychological impairments, and how chronic stress during childhood can have lifelong effects on brain structure and function.

Dr Sally John, Biogen, Boston aims to apply our understanding of genetics and analytical methods to support the discovery and development of novel drugs. She also aims to better understand how people with different genes may respond to medicines in different ways.

Each awardee was nominated by an award holder from the 2015 Suffrage Science relay: Professor Shannon Au, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, studies the ways in which proteins are modified inside our cells Dr Sarah Bohndiek, University of Cambridge, develops new imaging techniques to explore the role of oxygen in cancer Professor Jane Endicott, Newcastle University, explores how proteins interact with each other, and investigates whether blocking these interactions could help to treat cancer Professor Lynda Erskine, University of Aberdeen, aims to better understand how our eye sight develops, specifically how the nerve cells in our eyes can reach from the retina into the brain Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, University of Cambridge, explores how the DNA of sperm and egg cells can be modified in a process called epigenetics Dr Anja Groth, University of Copenhagen, studies how the cells in our bodies can make copies of their DNA, and how they do this without making many mistakes Dr Jennifer Rohn, University College London, studies the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, and is also a science writer, broadcaster and Chair of the Science is Vital campaign Professor Kate Storey, University of Dundee, explores how each nerve cell in a developing embryo knows which of the many possible types of nerve cell it will become Professor Irene Tracey, University of Oxford, uses neuroimaging to better understand the experience and perception of chronic pain Dr Xiaomeng Xu, Idaho State University, combines health, social and neuropsychology research to explore the factors that influence our cardiovascular health and personal relationships Professor Eleftheria Zeggini, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, focuses on how our genes can determine traits such as metabolism, and hunts for genes that may cause osteoarthritis