Science students in their element

A STUDENT who dreams of working in the medical profession has conducted her first scientific research.
Lucy Bridson, who studies Biology, Chemistry and Psychology at Warrington’s Priestley College, worked for a month in the radiology department at the Walton Centre as part of a Nuffield Placement.
Her live project saw her conduct research into the use of an agent used in MRI scans that some people fear could be toxic, causing patients serious side effects.
Once completed, the study will be sent to the Royal Society of Medicine who are researching the use of the agent.
Lucy said: “It was amazing to be working alongside people who are so passionate about medicine.
“The work I did will actually feed into their research, which will be carried out on a larger cohort of patients. I was so lucky to get a placement that suited my interests perfectly.”
The Walton Centre is the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services.
Lucy, who worked alongside the neurology specialists, also studies the Pre Med and Graduate at Priestley College. Both enrichment activities are geared towards giving students the skills to secure places at the UK’s top universities and jobs in their chosen professions.
Michael Rawlinson, who studies Chemistry, Maths and Computer Science at Priestley, completed his Nuffield Placement in the laboratories at Unilever.
His work was confidential, but again was part of live research being carried out by the company.
He said: “We were analysing detergents you would find in your home to try and find out if a certain component could be found in them.
“It was great to meet people with PhDs and Masters to see how they worked.”