'Meet the Researcher' Showcase for Senior Pupils

On 15 March 2010, more than 60 senior pupils and some teachers from schools in Glasgow and the West of Scotland attended the first Medical Research Scotland "Meet the Researcher Showcase". The event provided nine of our current grantholders with an opportunity to engage directly with young people, explaining their research and talking about their own career paths, all with the aim of encouraging the next generation of clinical and biomedical researchers.

The first part of the half-day event was attended by our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, who also met and talked to the grantholders about their work - as well as to some of the visiting pupils.

Dr Gareth Miles of St Andrews University, talking to some of the pupils about his work on motorneurone disease (MND).

Dr Shauna Culshaw of Glasgow Dental School, discussing her research with the Patron, watched by (from the left) Dr John Butcher (Postdoctoral researcher), Professor David Harrison (Chairman) and Mr Bruce Mann (Member).

Some of the posters were augmented by table displays which further illustrated the work involved. The grantholder posters were selected to demonstrate the breadth of the research we fund, including work on: dental disease, diagnostics in cardiovascular disease, cancer pain relief, the development of novel cancer treatments (by Dr Dufes, Dr Ishizaki and Dr Wheate) inflammatory conditions, obesity and neuromuscular disorders.

As well as being able to talk informally to the grantholders, the pupils also heard short talks from some current and former Members of Medical Research Scotland, about their personal career paths and their current research work.

The Showcase not only helped to raise awareness of Medical Research Scotland itself, but also demonstrated its commitment to supporting young scientists and also encouraging the next generation of researchers.

Reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

On 14 July 2009, around 70 current and former grantholders, invited guests, Members and others associated with Medical Research Scotland, attended a Reception in the splendid surroundings of the Evening Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the company of our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

After brief introductory speeches, Her Royal Highness met the guests, speaking in particular to the current and former grantholders, learning more about the research they have carried out with our support and the crucial part it played in their career development.

HRH The Princess Royal talking about the future of Medical Research Scotland, with (then Chairman) Professor Moira Brown and current Chairman, Professor David Harrison.

Reception Guests in the Evening Drawing Room, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Showing throughout proceedings was a short dvd which featured the Chairman and three former grantholders. It outlined the work of Medical Research Scotland over the past 50 years, highlighting the difference its funding has made to the careers of young researchers in Scotland. [View the video online in a new window (~4.5 min duration, Flash format, 28MB)].