Exeter scientist takes his research to Parliament

Dr Adolfo De Sanctis, 30, a Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, is attending Parliament to present his physics research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of STEM for BRITAIN on Wednesday 13th March.

Adolfo’s poster on research about boosting the efficiency of solar panels using two-dimensional materials will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

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

On presenting his research in Parliament, he said, “I feel honored to have been shortlisted for this unique competition and I am looking forward to discussing my research with MPs. As scientists, we shape the future we will live in and I believe that engaging with policy makers is a crucial step towards this goal.”

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 STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Adolfo’s research has been entered into the physics session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony.

Judged by leading academics, the gold medalist receives £2,000, while silver and bronze receive £1,250 and £750 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 the Mathematical Sciences, with financial support from the Clay Mathematics Institute, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Society of Chemical Industry, the Nutrition Society, Institute of Biomedical Science, the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research and the Comino Foundation.