The Queen’s Anniversary Prize has been awarded to Aberystwyth University for its pioneering research into combating diseases caused by parasitic flatworms such as Schistomiasis and Fasciolosis. This prestigious prize celebrates excellence and innovation, awarded every two years it recognises outstanding work that benefits the wider world. Members of BCHC past and present are at the…
Functional Genomics Workshop in Brazil
During the last two weeks of September, BCHC member Prof Gabriel Rinaldi ran a workshop with colleagues in Brazil. The international online course aimed at presenting different functional genomic methodologies in parasites and their vectors, including interference RNA, CRISPR CAS knock-in and knock-out. The course focused on single-cell sequencing from the preparation to data analysis.…
DLS Festival of Research 2023
On Friday 15th September, the Department of Life Sciences (DLS) at Aberystwyth University held the first DLS Festival of Research. The event was a great success, providing an opportunity to share and celebrate the research taking place across the department. Several BCHC members took part, giving talks and presenting posters throughout the day. Talks included…
Sir Brian May visits Aberystwyth University
Last week, Sir Brian May visited Aberystwyth University. He presented a talk titled ‘The Insights of the Gatcombe Farm Project: Finally a working farm TB eradication strategy?’, he discussed the findings of the Bovine tuberculosis control project that has been ongoing on for several years at Gatcombe Farm in South Devon. The talk described the…
BCHC strengthens collaborations with Kingston University
On 31st July and 1st August, we welcomed Prof. Tony Walker from Kingston University to Aberystwyth. Tony gave a great seminar talk entitled ‘When parasitology meets cell biology: Mechanistic insights into the functional biology of schistosomes and the importance of host-parasite interplay’. While at Aberystwyth University Tony also met with several BCHC members to discuss…
Viva Success!
On 23rd June, Adam Burgess successfully defended his thesis: ‘The Fumarases of Schistosoma mansoni: A Novel Drug Target?’ He was examined by Professor Murray Selkirk from Imperial college London and Dr Russ Morphew from Aberystwyth University. Congratulations Dr Burgess!
Future collaborations with University of Perpignan
In April, BCHC member Dr Gabriel Rinaldi attended a meeting with collaborators at the University of Perpignan. At the university, they work on areas of Ecology and Neglected Tropical Diseases with a particular focus on different species of Schistosomes, including hybrids. The meeting was hosted by Prof Christoph Grunau, his team and Dr Ronaldo De…
BCHC Members Involved in OneZoo CDT Projects
The OneZoo CDT PhD projects for 2023-24 are now open for applications. Several of our BCHC members are involved with the projects. Dr Russ Morphew is supervising Novel environmental biomarkers for liver fluke control, with co-supervisors including Prof. Peter Brophy and Dr Rhys Jones. Dr Russ Morphew is also involved with other OneZoo CDT projects…
BCHC celebrates Viva success!
On 14th March, Pom Wititkornkul successfully defended her thesis: ‘Horsing around with Anoplocephala perfoliata: A Polyomic Investigation of the Host–Parasite Interface’ She was examined by Professor Cinzia Cantacessi from the University of Cambridge and Dr Iain Chalmers from Aberystwyth University. The viva was chaired by Professor Peter Brophy. Congratulations Dr Wititkornkul!
British Science Week at Aberystwyth University
This March members of the BCHC took part in British Science week hosted by Aberystwyth University. An annual UK wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and Maths, this year’s theme was Connections. Over the 3-day event pupils from local primary and secondary schools visited the Penglais campus for the opportunity to engage with a wide…