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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
RESEARCH PROJECTS IN BIOLOGY AND PHYSICS
Each summer, the Biology Department send two students to
MRI to work with Professor Heagerty’s Cardiovascular
Research Group. The students are selected after submitting a
research summary and subsequent interview earlier in the
year. The best student receives a Nuffield Bursary. During the
summer of 2012, Gina Belk and Ayoni Medagoda were
selected. They spent six weeks with the team, investigating
the effect that PVAT (fat tissues) has on small coronary arteries
from young rats and the influence of Type 1 Diabetes. This
was a continuation of last year’s project, which enabled a
comparison to be made between the age of the rats and the
progression of Type 1 Diabetes. During their time with the
group, they developed their practical skills, gained a greater
understanding of how to conduct scientific research, how to
handle data and how to write a scientific report. They have
entered for the Gold Crest Awards.
The Physics Department similarly select two students to visit
Manchester University Materials Science Department, where
they are also involved in a research project. Alice Carr and
Zoe Harris were selected.
This Summer I spent 4 weeks at Manchester University
working on a project in the Materials Science Department.
Working alongside Dr Tim Burnett, I gained invaluable
experience using optical and scanning electron microscopes.
Using these apparatus I provided the data and micrographs; at
optical and electron scales, for a mobile application, enabling
the microstructure of around 40 materials to be presented.
The application, with help from David Withers, is now
functional.
I also began a new task to devise an educational game
whereby the player can experience the effort needed to make
large transportation products and the costs to be
‘environmentally friendly’. I am continuing to work to refine
this game for public use.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and relished the
opportunity to use instruments at the forefront of technology
that not many people would come across in their lifetime.
Alice Carr (L7)
J. Gilbert
50 Activities and Awards