About this day
Discover the future…
Five experts will guide students through the most exciting research and future prospects in biology, reinforcing key concepts and providing a taste of life as a scientist. From epigenetics to surgery, microbes to Everest and beyond, this is a day of true inspiration, complemented by a special session on examination success.
Programme & speakers
Identically different; why you can change your genes Tim Spector, King's College London
How can identical twins, with identical DNA, often turn out to be different? How are your genes influenced by your life experiences? Studies of twins tell us a lot about genetics. Professor Tim Spector will explain how his research into twins and the hidden influences on our genes (the field of epigenetics) are forcing us to rethink almost everything we thought we knew about our genes and heritability.
About Tim Spector
Tim Spector is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Director of the TwinsUK Registry, a data collection on over 11,000 twins. His research has demonstrated the genetic basis of a wide range of common diseases previously thought to be mainly due to ageing and environment.
Everest Lab: The Science of High Altitude Survival Greg Foot, Science presenter and communicator
What happens to your body when you push it somewhere it’s not built to go – to the top of the world? With summit kit, interactive experiments & stunning videos from his trek, join TV Science Presenter Greg Foot to find out.
About Greg Foot
Greg Foot is a Science Journalist on BBC Radio 4 (’The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread?’), a successful Podcaster (’Surprisingly Brilliant’) & YouTuber (‘BBC Earth’, ‘Let’s Go Live’ etc) & live show presenter around the world.
Catching the living, naming the dead: DNA in forensic science Mark Jobling, University of Leicester
The DNA sequence of your genome is unique. If you commit a crime, or become a victim of violence or disaster, DNA analysis will play a major role in identifying you. Mark will explain the science behind the CSI fantasies.
About Mark Jobling
Mark Jobling’s research is in the area of human genetic diversity and the forces that pattern it, from mutation processes to cultural factors in human populations.
Making faces: a meeting of embryology, developmental biology, birth anomalies and plastic surgery Felicity Mehendale, University of Edinburgh
As early embryos we looked virtually identical to monkeys, mice and even fish. So how do our unique human faces form? Felicity will explain how birth anomalies that affect the face give us insights into this process.
About Felicity Mehendale
Felicity is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Cleft Surgeon and leads the Global Cleft Lip and Palate Research Programme at The University of Edinburgh. She is president of the International Confederation of Cleft Lip and Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies and the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Exploring the wonders of the deep Helen Scales, Marine biologist, writer and broadcaster
Helen will unveil the wonders of the deep, offer a glimpse into the life of a marine biologist and explain why there has never been a more important time for us to protect the blue parts of our planet.
About Helen Scales
Helen is a marine biologist, writer and broadcaster whose work combines a diver’s devotion to exploring the oceans, a conservationist’s angst about the planet, and a storyteller’s obsession with words.