School of Chemistry PhD student takes her research to Parliament

Natasha Boulton, a chemistry PhD student in the Pulham Group at the University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry, is attending Parliament to present her chemistry research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee’s STEM for BRITAIN on Tuesday 17th March.

Natasha Boulton PhD student and Prof Euan Brechin, Head of Graduate School

Natasha’s poster on research about developing safer, more environmentally friendly nitration alternatives will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

Natasha was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

On presenting her research in Parliament, Natasha said,

I hope to represent young women who may not realise that pursuing a PhD within STEM is an option for them, and to champion the importance of continuing to provide funding both for scientific research and for outreach and access programs for people from all backgrounds.

Commenting on Natasha’s fantastic achievement in being selected a STEM For Britain Finalist, Head of the Graduate School Professor Euan Brechin commented;

This is a fantastic achievement for Natasha, we are very proud of her. She has shown terrific leadership during her time on the postgraduate committee, standing out as a brilliant role model for all younger scientists.

Head of School, Professor Jason Love said;

Congratulations to Natasha on being selected as a STEM for Britain Finalist. It highlights both the strength and depth of Natasha’s research and the impact that our talented PhD students demonstrate here at the School. We are very proud of Natasha representing us at Parliament.

Sam Carling MP, Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee APPG, said:

This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers. These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.

Natasha’s research has been entered into the chemistry session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony.

Judged by leading academics, each winner will receive a cash prize with a medal for the gold recipient.

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee runs the event in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society, The Nutrition Society and the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, with sponsorship from Clay Mathematics Institute, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Elsevier, AWE, the Society of Chemical Industry, Institute of Biomedical Science, the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, the Biochemical Society and the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

For more information:
Visit the STEM for Britain website

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