We’re celebrating the success of Cambridge Stem Cell Institute members who were recognised at the Cambridge Awards for Research Impact and Engagement ceremony earlier this week.
Dr Kirsty Ferguson, Research Associate in the Philpott Group, was awarded runner-up in the 'Early Career Researcher' category for work to embed engagement in her childhood cancer research.
Following a presentation in verse to introduce her project to the assembled guests at the awards ceremony on Monday 3 February, Kirsty was also named 'Audience’s Choice' after a public vote.
Engaging with patients and healthcare professionals
Kirsty’s project - You, Me and Us - used poetry as a tool to connect people with diverse lived and professional experiences of neuroblastoma with research in her lab group.
She received support from our public engagement seed fund and worked with Reverend Phil Sharkey, a Cambridge University Hospitals chaplain, and charities Neuroblastoma UK and Solving Kids’ Cancer UK to run online creative writing workshops.
Together, the participants have published an anthology of writing to share more widely with the neuroblastoma community.
Rewarding research engagement and impact
The Cambridge Awards for Research Impact and Engagement, formerly the Vice-Chancellor's Awards, are held annually to recognise exceptional achievement, innovation, and creativity in developing research engagement and impact plans with significant economic, social, and cultural potential.
The Cambridge Reproduction team, led by Christina Rozeik and Affiliate PI Professor Kathy Niakan, were also runners-up. They were recognised in the 'Collaboration' category for their work on the governance of stem cell-based embryo models.
Also recognised with nominations were Knowledge Exchange Manager Dr Alice Sorrell for work establishing our Technology and Innovation Forum, and Group Leader Professor Matthias Zilbauer for his group’s engagement efforts with paediatric gastroenterology patient families.
Award winners across the University
You can read more in the University news article and learn about all winners and runners up on the University public engagement pages.