Exeter scientist takes her research to Parliament

Hannah Bolt, 25, a PhD student at Durham University, hailing from Exeter, is attending Parliament to present her chemistry research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of SET for Britain on Monday 7 March.

Hannah’s poster on the development of new treatments for cutaneous Leishmaniasis will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

Hannah was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

On presenting her research in Parliament, she said, “I entered SET for Britain as it is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness about my research, which focuses on the development of new treatments for the neglected tropical disease Leishmaniasis.”

Stephen Metcalfe 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 engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Hannah’s research has been entered into the Chemistry 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 runs the event in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society and the Council for Mathematical Sciences, with financial support from Essar, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Bank of England and the Society of Chemical Industry.