On Monday 28th May, Loughborough University’s Research School of Health and Life Sciences held its second and now annual post-graduate research student conference.
As last year, the event allowed the breadth of the University’s healthcare-related research to be showcased, bringing together students from Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Loughborough Design School, Information Science, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.
Certificates and cash prizes were awarded to winners of the Best Poster Defence, Best Poster, Overall Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation which was won by Qasim Rafiq, CDT Regenerative Medicine student.
Qasim Rafiq discussing his research poster with Dr Richard Ferguson
Over 50 PhD researchers were joined by a further 40 delegates in the Sir Denis Rooke Building, where they exhibited their research posters and were able to share their work with their contemporaries.
This year saw the addition of a keynote speaker. Prof Mark Lewis, Professor of Musculoskeletal Biology, presented on his research and his time spent in research inspiring the audience to consider their careers beyond just the content of their theses.
Nine of the students, selected by an academic panel after reviewing the poster entries, were also invited to do short presentations on their work in plenary sessions held during the day. These sessions were excellently chaired by Dr Sue Hignett, Dr Richard Ferguson and Prof. Russell Harris who also discussed their experiences in research work and gave advice to the audience of early career researchers.
The 54 posters on display were judged by academics and staff from the research school. Those authors present were expected to talk about their research with three different judges and respond to questioning; consequently all students had the opportunity to discuss their research on the day.
Certificates and cash prizes were awarded at the end of the event to:
Best Poster Defence
Winner: Neil Martin (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences)
Highly Commended: Nathalie Robinson (Chemical Engineering) & Mark McCall (Wolfson School)
Best Poster (Delegate Choice)
Winner: Nicola Clarke (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences)
Overall Best Poster
Winner: Abby Paterson (Design School)
Highly Commended: Natalie Brown (Chemistry) & Samuel Kilsby (Chemistry)
Best Oral Presentation
Winner: Qasim Rafiq (Chemical Engineering)
Highly Commended: Neil Martin (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) & Liam Heaney (Chemistry)
Prof. Mark Lewis, who provided the keynote talk and participated in the poster judging, said: “Loughborough University has, in recent times, developed significant strengths in Health and Life Sciences across the range of its expertise and knowledge. This annual conference is an outstanding opportunity to explore and appreciate our research capacity and excellence in this area. This extends to the organisation of the day, which was as professional as any conference I have attended. I would extend my thanks for the invitation to be involved and also my congratulations to the organising group for their excellent work.”
Prof. Mark Lewis delivering the keynote at the Conference
Myra Nimmo, Head of SSEHS and Professor of Exercise Physiology, who attended had the following to say about the event: “This conference grows stronger each year reflecting the progress the research school is making. Loughborough is producing doctoral students who have the multidisciplinary skills required to face the challenges of the future.”
Neil Martin, a third year SSEHS PhD Student who was awarded two certificates said: "The RSHLS conference this year was a great experience as I had the opportunity to give an oral and poster presentation to an audience of individuals from different backgrounds, but whom had common interests. It provided a non-intimidating environment which made speaking to people and networking more comfortable than usual, which overall made for a really enjoyable day."
Professor David Williams, Director of the Research School of Health and Life Sciences, was pleased with the way in which the conference has grown: "A great event, bigger and better than last year bringing together a highly energised community from across the university. Thanks go to the students taking part, the speakers, the judges and the organising committee that delivered such an excellent event."
Alex Lyness who has helped organise and establish this conference over the past two years is now in his final year studying drug delivery systems. It is anticipated that other students from the community will step in and lead next year’s event.
Prof. David Williams presenting Abby Paterson with first place in the Poster Competition
