BCHC News – Page 3 – Barrett Centre for Helminth Control

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…

University of Glasgow – Advanced Research Centre Workshop 2023

On 1st and 2nd March, 2023, one of our BCHC members Dr Gabriel Rinaldi attended a workshop at the Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, entitled “Challenges, opportunities, and new technologies for functional validation of parasitic nematode genes”. Several topics dealing with the application of cutting-edge technologies on the study of parasitic nematodes, agents…

BCHC members attend the Life Sciences Research Network Wales Congress

In February, members of the BCHC travelled to Cardiff to attend the Life Sciences Research Network Wales (LSRNW) Congress 2023 held in St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. This network is led by Cardiff University and unites HEIs from across Wales with the aim of developing new precision therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet medical and…

BCHC strengthens collaborations with University of Cambridge

This month we welcomed Klara Stark a PhD student from the Department of Veterinary, University of Cambridge. Her PhD focuses on the question ‘How does the Schistosoma mansoni egg alter the intestinal microbial makeup of its host?’ with an overall aim of new antibiotic discovery. While at Aberystwyth University she tested the antibacterial effect of Schistosoma mansoni egg excretory-secretory products using a…

Dundee Drug Discovery Unit visit

In January, members of the BCHC travelled to Dundee University and met with the team at the Drug Discovery Unit for a one-day symposium. With the aim of driving the development of new anthelmintic treatments and future collaborations, the in person meeting allowed for open discussions between chemists and data-analysts from Dundee and Cardiff Universities…

Aberystwyth Welcomes OneZoo CDT

Members of BCHC here at Aberystwyth University are proud to be a part of the OneZoo CDT. This OneZoo CDT provides a transdisciplinary approach that aims to empower the next generation of scientists to understand and control zoonotic threats around the world. Research scientists from Aberystwyth University, Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the London…

BCHC welcomes a new member

In August 2022, the BCHC welcomed a new member – Dr Gabriel Rinaldi. Dr Rinaldi joins us from The Wellcome Sanger Institute. He was awarded the highly esteemed Future Leaders Fellowship by the UK Research and Innovation body. Over the next 4 years, his research will be based on improving our understanding of blood fluke…

BCHC Students Graduate

Last month, after long delays due to COVID-19 restrictions BCHC were pleased to welcome back several PhD and MRes students to celebrate their graduations. PhD graduates supervised by Prof Karl Hoffmann: Dr Ben Hulme: The focus of his research project was “Schistosoma mansoni α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (SmNAGAL) regulates coordinated parasite movement and egg production” Dr Alessandra Crusco:…

BCHC members presented at British Society for Parasitology 60th Anniversary spring meeting

The University of York hosted the British Society for Parasitology spring meeting this March. This year we were able to meet in person and remotely to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the event. Keynote speakers included Amy Buck (University of Edinburgh) and Susan Wyllie (University of Dundee). Several BCHC members were involved in presentations and…

BCHC News (page 3)