Kathryn Blair is involved in outreach work on stem cell science.
A Gates scholar has written a factsheet for the European Commission designed to help public understanding of research into embryonic stem cells.
Kathryn Blair [2007] is studying for a PhD in Biochemistry. The lab where she is doing her PhD is a member of the EC Framework 7-funded research project that focuses on stem cell biology, EuroSyStem. It is also by extension a part of the FP7 Communication Project EuroStemCell which aims to promote science education to the general public.
As members of the project, the lab has to produce a number of outreach materials each year and was contacted about producing an illustrated factsheet introducing the subject of ES cells to an interested, non-specialiast audience. Because of her interest in public engagement, Kathryn was put forward to write it.
EuroStemCell brings together more than 90 European laboratories to engage with the public about stem cell science.
The factsheet, “Embryonic stem cells: where do they come from and what can they do?”, is a one-page website and is featured on the main EuroStemCell’s page.
Kathryn’s research on stem cells looks at the conservation of stem cell mechanisms among different species and aims to help in the discovery of new and better ways of treating human disease.
Picture credit: Renjith Krishnan and www.freedigitalphotos.net
