Science Writing Competition 2022 – joint 3rd Place
by Helen Stoelting, PhD Student, National Heart and Lung Institute
If Dr Seuss wrote my PhD
Author: Bethan Ritchie
Science Writing Competition 2022 – joint 3rd Place
by Teodora Rînciog, MSc Student, Centre for Environmental Policy
Hyenas – misunderstood villains?
Hideous creatures with a demon-like laugh, hyenas definitely meet all the criteria for a classic cartoon villain. I certainly thought so when I was a child, as did all of my childhood friends. None of us even thought twice about this judgement, even into our adulthoods. But, was this fair?
Why do we hate hyenas?
Since the premiere of the exceeding-popular cartoon “The Lion King” in 1994, hyenas were globally established as the silly enemies of the noble lion. Considering the unpleasant appearance of hyenas, the young audience didn’t find this hard to believe.
Science Writing Competition – People’s Choice Award Winner
by Soteroulla Ellina, PhD Student, Department of Brain Sciences
Lab grown heart cells: Keeping the beat up
– Sorry, I am running late at the lab so I will have to raincheck today’s meeting…
This is probably something I have said more times than I wanted… Sometimes in confidence that the other person would understand and sometimes- especially with someone that I haven’t known for long, in a more apologetic way, hoping that they would not judge me. Good for me, this time, my friend belonged in the first category- he has known me for more than 15 years- so we quickly rescheduled.
Science Writing Competition – Joint 2nd Place
by Adwoa Sarfo-Bonsu, MSc student, Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction
The more, the merrier: Cells have social lives too
There are certain processes that occur inside us that can only happen effectively when our cells are in close contact with each other. Our cells are ALWAYS communicating. Sometimes they check in on each other to make sure everyone is alright (tissue homeostasis), other times they might even team up together to fight an infection (immune response), and sometimes cells come together to make a whole new embryo (fertilisation).
To achieve all these things and many more, cells need to be able to constantly send and receive messages and instructions to each other.
Science Writing Competition 2022 – Joint 2nd Place
by Nicola Robson, MSc student, Department of Life Sciences
The Fossil Gallery
My life in this museum may Seem rather dull to you, 100 years stuck on a wall Sounds tiring, it’s true.
But if you knew my story, you Would soon begin to see That epochs pass like seconds When you’re as old as me.
I watch you humans flit about Like ants, from my display, And I confess, I do enjoy To people-watch all day.
And so I’m quite content here, in The Fossil Gallery – yet I often reminisce about My old life in the sea.
My ancestors were lizards Slinking through the sun-kissed sand, ‘Till one day they decided They were not content on land.
Science Writing Competition 2022 – 1st Place
by Thea Mainprize, PhD Student, Department of Life Sciences
The Trial of the Red Gazelle
The thylacine, aurochs and countless more, What is another knocking at Heaven’s door? One more quietly met their maker, The red gazelle (Eudorcas rufina). Bright rufous pelts – such beauty, such grace! But all we know about are skin and face, No genetic studies, no records in the wild, Only two specimens worldwide on file.
Three, there once were, shot 19th century, Allegedly Algerian – though this is speculatory, Upon inspection, an imposter! Begone! One red-fronted gazelle (Eudorcas rufifrons). With the IUCN denouncing its legitimacy1, The red gazelle faded into obscurity, A true species, or all imposters?
Science Writing Competition 2021 – 1st Place
by Anjali Wijnhoven, MSc Student, School of Public Health
The Dangers of Superspreading – A Conversation with a 5-Year Old
There I am, babysitting 5-year old Thomas, when suddenly the ever-dreaded question comes up: “What do you do at work?” I would have expected this from relatives, friends even, but not from this little boy who I am trying to get to sleep. I guess it’s his way to stay up a little longer. Ah well, since this is the most interest anyone has shown in my work for a while, I decide to go for it.
Me: “Remember that virus that everyone has been talking about?
Science Writing Competition 2021 – 2nd Place
by Federica Raguseo, PhD Student, Department of Chemistry
Tears and raindrops make the same sound when they hit the ground
“Tears and raindrops make the same sound when they hit the ground” I once told my grandma when I was no older than seven.
She had smiled and told my entire family I was going to become a poet. But truth being told, I wasn’t trying to be foretelling or poetic. There was no second layer, no hidden meaning, no metaphor in my words. I was simply making an observation.
And so, I became a … scientist.
My fascination with water started early and did not falter through the years.
Science Writing Competition 2021 – 3rd Place
by Alice Brown, PhD Student, Institute of Clinical Sciences
Parasitic Worms: Master Manipulators in Disguise
Science Writing Competition 2021 – People’s Choice Award
by Kanya Alifia, MSc Student, Department of Chemical Engineering
Insect Cell Versus mRNA: Which Vaccine is Better?
The roads of London are alive once again after months of lockdown. Museums, galleries, pubs, and restaurants attract large crowds to enjoy the lifted restrictions. Cautious hugs are exchanged, elbow bumps replaced handshakes, and groups of six expanded into thirty when gathering outdoors. The transition from lockdown period to this joyful normalcy is thanks to the successful vaccination program in the United Kingdom. By 9 June 2021, 77% of adult population has been given the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and 54% are already fully vaccinated [1].