Nuffield Curriculum Centre

News

Success for 10 bursary students at the 2008 Young Scientists and Engineers Fair!
Thu, 3 April 2008

The Nuffield Foundation.

Congratulations to the 10 Nuffield Science bursary students who have won a prize at the 2008 Young Scientists and Engineers Fair organised by The BA.

See below for further details about the winning projects.

The Best CREST Science Project at Gold Level - First Prize

Matthew Burnett with Professor Patrick Dowling, Chair of Council, the BAMatthew Burnett from Stamford School.
Project provider: Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital
Project title: "‘A Microscope Study of Brain Endothelial Cell and Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Immune Function’".
This project investigated (at the microscopic and molecular level) the interaction between lymphocytes and brain endothelium which forms the blood-brain barrier. It is important to understand the protein mechanism involved in leukocyte migration because this migration can lead to autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (in the CNS). It can also cause dysfunction of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) which is involved in the blinding disease age-related macular degeneration and recently it has been associated with a defect in the innate immune system.

The Best CREST Science Project at Gold Level - Runner Up

David Vickers and Lindsey Flannagan from Carmel College (St Helens) with Professor Patrick Dowling, Chair of Council, the BADavid Vickers from Calday Grange Grammar School and Lindsey Flanagan from Carmel College (St Helens)
Project provider: Divison of Orthoptics, The University of Liverpool
Project title: "Measures of Binocular Vision".
In Orthoptics there are three main tests to measure divergence and convergence of the human eye: Synoptophore, Risley-prism and the Prism Bar. Each test thus should be interchangeable for clinical use. Our project concluded that the Prism Bar gives different values to the Synoptophore and Risley-prism. As a result of our findings only the Prism Bar will be used medically from now on.

RCUK Laboratory Experience Prize

Sharon Glass with Professor Alan Thorpe, CEO of NERC Sharon Glass from Park Main High School, Erskine
Project provider: Ciba Speciality Chemicals (UK) Ltd
Project title: "Dispersibility and Particle Size Analysis of Organic Pigments"
The dispersion of organic pigments into aqueous mediums is an important aspect in a number of processes within the colourant industry. The aim of the project looked at ways of improving the dispersion of an organic yellow pigment via the treatment of the pigment surface with suitable surfactant additives and different drying methods. The samples were then tested by a ‘drop in the water’ test to determine which optimum levels of treatment improved dispersibility.

Nuffield Foundation Stockholm International Youth Science

Cherish Bird with Sharmila Banerjee, National Coordinator of the Nuffield Science Bursary scheme Cherish Bird from Joseph Leckie CTC
Project Provider: The Orchard Vetinary Centre, Oldham
Project title: "Torbugesic vs. Vetergesic”
This project compared Vetergesic and Torbugesic in two analgesic regimes for cats, to find out the best post-operative analgesia. A blind test was carried out on 17 cats undergoing surgery. Behaviour changes were recorded in a table and a pain score assigned. Results suggest that Vetergesic provided lower pain scores and Torbugesic provided faster onset of analgesia. Cats with traumatic injuries may benefit more from Torbugesic while Vetergesic may be more beneficial for routine surgery.

The European Union Contest for Young Scientists

Teleri Anne Edwards, Joshua Okhiria and Elizabeth Muller are presented with their prize by Professor Patrick Dowling Teleri Anne Edwards from Howells School, Denbigh
Project provider: Photonics Academy at OpTIC
Project title: " F.L.A.S.H – Five Laser Accentuated Security Holder.”
My project is a Laser activated combination lock using the fact that light can be extinguished using two beams polarizing at right angles to each other. A laser beam passes through a polarizing filter, the ‘key’, which is rotated. The beam is then split into five separate beams using microscope slides as partial beam splitters. Each beam then passes through another polarizing filter, each polarized differently, and are detected by five photodiodes in a light-proof box.


Joshua Okhiria from Bury Grammar School
Project provider: Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester
Project title: “Investigation of CVB3 Targeted Golgi-Resident Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, GBF1, for Myocarditis Research.”
The Coxsackie B₃ Virus (CVB₃) is the most common and fatal cause of Myocarditis – a global but silent killer. A protein called GBF₁ it targeted by the (CVB₃) but very little was known about GBF₁ or how the interaction activates an immune response. My investigation involved learning about the function of GBF₁. Now, with a better understanding of GBF₁ and using a dual theory I have developed, a treatment for not only Myocarditis but also Cancer seems much more possible.

The European Union Contest for Young Scientists and Royal Society International Expedition Prize

Elisabeth Muller from Bedford High School
Project provider: The Open University, Hanslope
Project title: “From Microcosm to Magma Oceans: A Lunar Meteorite Perspect.”
Unlike the Earth, the Moon does not have plate tectonics or erosion so all rocks are preserved. This project investigates the mineralogy of lunar meteorite MIL 05035. This formed over 4 billion years ago giving evidence of planetary accretion and volcanicity on the moon. A thin section was analysed using an electronic microphobe identifying different mineral phases. Results showed an unbrecciated basalt with a gabbroic texture, dominant mineral phases include pyroxenes and plagioclases with interstitial sulphides and iron-titanium oxides. It’s possibly paired with Asuka 881751.

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Prize

Alex White with Danny Arati, Intel Education EMEA Online Programme ManagerAlexander White from The King’s School Chester
Project provider: Department of Chemistry, The University of Liverpool
Project title:“Synthesis and Catalytic Behaviour of Layered Double Hydroxides.”
A novel tungstate intercalated layered double hydroxide, [LiAl₂(OH)6]₂(WO₄).xH₂O, has been synthesised and shown to be an effective catalyst for mild oxidative bromination of phenol red, 2,3-dimethoxytoluene and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dione. These reactions utilise ammonium bromide and hydrogen peroxide as the reagents rather than elemental bromine and are therefore a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional routes. ₁H NMR, IR and UV spectroscopy were used to monitor the reactions and characterise the products.

Royal Society International Expedition Prize

James Stefaniak and Elisabeth Muller with Professor Martin Taylor, Vice President of the Royal Society James Stefaniak from Bablake School, Coventry
Project provider: University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Project title: "‘Measurement of the Ultraviolet Spectral Content of Intense Pulsed Light Sources’".
Intense Pulsed Light Sources (IPL) have a variety of clinical and dermatological applications. A system of 12 passband filters (covering the wavelength range 307-395nm) was constructed, calibrated and used to measure the ultraviolet spectral content and pulse profile of an IPL called the Lumenis One. It was discovered that the highest effective ultraviolet radiation fluence that the skin can be exposed to by the Lumenis One is less than 2% of the maximum permissible exposure.

To read more about Elisabeth Mullor and Alex White's reaction to winning their prize click on the following link to The BA website.

The closing date for applying for a Nuffield Science Bursary is approaching. If you would like to take part in a placement this summer, please contact your local Regional Coordinator.