Here's Mana's own write-up of her visit and the background behind it:
On the 31st of October 2016 I presented my project at the Houses of Parliament as part of celebrating Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, sponsored by Engineering UK and the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, chaired by Stephen Metcalfe, MP. I also got to explain my project to our local MP, Mr Clive Efford.
My interest in personalised medicine began at a summer school at University College London in July 2015. By the end of the seminar, I was convinced this new concept was like the fairy godmother I had read about in fairy tales as a child; it appeared to solve all issues within healthcare. I decided to make this the focus of my Extended Project Qualification in Y12. While conducting my research, however, I soon realised the many complexities within the field. My research question was, 'Is personalised medicine the way forward?'
I chose the title specifically because it would allow me to look at all aspects of personalised medicine; before looking at the future of personalised medicine I had to evaluate its past and present. For my project I interviewed professionals at the top of this field, from research scientists at Oxford and UCL to directors of public health at Genomics England. I was fortunate enough to receive very warm responses and have continued to keep in contact with them.
This summer I was awarded a place on a Nuffield Research Project at UCL, working with a senior research associate in Molecular Neuroscience. My four week placement involved finding genes associated with hemifacial spasms, a so far un-researched disorder. As a result of presenting my research from both projects at The Big Bang Competition, I won South East Young Scientist of the Year and will now compete in the national final for overall Young Scientist of the Year in March 2017.My project was judged professionals and I also presented my work to a moderator. I enjoy speaking about my project and one of the judges came back and told me they thought I had a very important project and enjoyed my enthusiasm and humour before asking me more questions about my chosen project. I also won a Photek Prize for my research at the same time.
It was such an experience and privilege to visit the Houses of Parliament and take in the magnificent surroundings and soak up the atmosphere, meeting various MPs. It was also fascinating to be able to speak to industry representatives about the practicalities of making the practice of personalised medicine the norm in patient treatment.
I have concluded that personalised medicine is the way forward, but there is a long way to go, and a lot of money required, if it is to become common practice in the UK.
Below: Mana meets local Eltham MP, Clive Efford
On the 31st of October 2016 I presented my project at the Houses of Parliament as part of celebrating Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, sponsored by Engineering UK and the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, chaired by Stephen Metcalfe, MP. I also got to explain my project to our local MP, Mr Clive Efford.
My interest in personalised medicine began at a summer school at University College London in July 2015. By the end of the seminar, I was convinced this new concept was like the fairy godmother I had read about in fairy tales as a child; it appeared to solve all issues within healthcare. I decided to make this the focus of my Extended Project Qualification in Y12. While conducting my research, however, I soon realised the many complexities within the field. My research question was, 'Is personalised medicine the way forward?'
I chose the title specifically because it would allow me to look at all aspects of personalised medicine; before looking at the future of personalised medicine I had to evaluate its past and present. For my project I interviewed professionals at the top of this field, from research scientists at Oxford and UCL to directors of public health at Genomics England. I was fortunate enough to receive very warm responses and have continued to keep in contact with them.
This summer I was awarded a place on a Nuffield Research Project at UCL, working with a senior research associate in Molecular Neuroscience. My four week placement involved finding genes associated with hemifacial spasms, a so far un-researched disorder. As a result of presenting my research from both projects at The Big Bang Competition, I won South East Young Scientist of the Year and will now compete in the national final for overall Young Scientist of the Year in March 2017.My project was judged professionals and I also presented my work to a moderator. I enjoy speaking about my project and one of the judges came back and told me they thought I had a very important project and enjoyed my enthusiasm and humour before asking me more questions about my chosen project. I also won a Photek Prize for my research at the same time.
It was such an experience and privilege to visit the Houses of Parliament and take in the magnificent surroundings and soak up the atmosphere, meeting various MPs. It was also fascinating to be able to speak to industry representatives about the practicalities of making the practice of personalised medicine the norm in patient treatment.
I have concluded that personalised medicine is the way forward, but there is a long way to go, and a lot of money required, if it is to become common practice in the UK.
Below: Mana meets local Eltham MP, Clive Efford