The symposium began with a welcome from Professors Ian Mills and Claire Edwards before a programme of presentations from third and fourth-year students, first-year DPhil students and students from the MSc Integrated Immunology programme. Throughout the day, attendees heard about a diverse range of research projects, highlighting the breadth of work being undertaken across NDS.
A highlight of the morning programme was the plenary talk by Dr Mehreen Datoo of the Jenner Institute,‘Trying to outsmart Malaria’, which offered insight into the ongoing challenges and opportunities in tackling one of the world's most significant infectious diseases.
The symposium also included the presentation of the Val Macaulay Community Advocate of the Year Award, presented by Dr Andrew Macaulay, recognising Mr Martin Gillies for his outstanding contribution to the department’s wider aims around its culture and staff wellbeing.
The afternoon concluded with an update on student survey results, delivered by Emily Hotine, providing students with an opportunity to hear how feedback is helping to inform and enhance the student experience within NDS.
The event closed with the presentation of symposium prizes. Congratulations to the following graduate students for winning best presentation and poster awards:
Best MSc presentation: Chukwuemeka Obuekwe
Best MSc poster: Keerthana Suresh Kumar
1st place first year presentation: Syntyche Jonah
2nd place first year presentation: Danielle Whipp
3rd place first year presentation: Seva Gill
1st place second year poster: Patrick Jull
2nd place second year poster: Audrey Au Yong
Best third and fourth year presentation - Joel Ward
The annual NDS Student Symposium continues to provide a valuable platform for students to develop their presentation skills, share ideas and celebrate the outstanding research taking place across the department.
(Top row left to right) Joel Ward, Chukwuemeka Obuekwe, Danielle Whipp (bottom row left to right) Syntyche Jonah, Keerthana Suresh Kumar, Audrey Au Yong.