Biologists win 2015 Science Communication Awards

Two London biologists have been named as winners of the Royal Society of Biology's Science Communication Awards 2015. This annual competition, open to bioscience researchers from UK universities and institutes, was awarded in two categories with cash prizes.

The Established Researcher Prize (£1,500) was awarded to research associate Dr Joana Moscoso, of Imperial College London. Co-founder of the Native Scientist, a scheme inspired by her Portuguese background, Joana has brought together immigrant pupils and international scientists in an effort to reach what are often the poorest-achieving children.

Judge Dr Steve Cross, Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow said, "Joana only just made it into the Experienced Researcher category, yet we were so impressed by her work that she beat a pool of much more senior scientists. She's clearly a great leader and is solving problems that she spotted, and taking science to an under-served audience."

The New Researcher Prize (£750) was awarded to Italian neuroscience PhD student, Anita Montagna, from Kings College London, whose primary research focus involves investigating the neuroplasticity of young children born prematurely.

The judges were greatly impressed by her design of an inflatable model MRI scanner, intended to prepare young children with a ‘mock’ of the real experience, to ensure a positive experience for the participant and a clear scan for the researchers.

Dr Steve Cross said, "We were all incredibly impressed with Anita's work, and especially the ways she has come up with new ideas whilst making sure that she gets the right support to deliver to the public to a high standard."

The Awards, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust and Wiley were presented at the RSB’s Annual Award ceremony on October 15^th.