Centre for Research in Biosciences: Enhancing Links Between Research and Teaching Prof. Olena Doran Director, Centre for Research in Biosciences 21 June 2016

Centre for Research in Biosciences (CRIB) 124 members Strategic areas of research: Biomedical Bio-sensing Agri-food, plants and environment Over 1.5m external RKE income for UWE in 2015 Outstanding REF2014 outcomes: 79% 3*/4* for UoA3 63% 3*/4* for UoA6 93% for impact Over 100 links with universities, research organisation, industry and other stakeholders across the UK, Europe, China and other parts of the world

Strong association with the Department of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences (BBAS) Students’ experience, teaching and learning are central to CRIB strategy Strong support from the Faculty and the Department

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Informing Teaching and Learning in a range of subjects using various mechanisms and approaches BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE FORENSIC SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

WS1 Outstanding Learning WS 2 Ready and Able Graduates Research-based CPDs and MSc CRIB events are open for PhD, MSc and BSc students WS1 Outstanding Learning + WS 2 Ready and Able Graduates Externally and internally funded PhDs International exchange schemes 2. This includes not only supervision of students projects at all the levels and financial contribution to the students projects costs from our grants but also (i)Running an external bursaries and summers scholarships schemes funded by Wellcome Trust, and various scientific societies. (ii) Co-organising international summer schools such as, for example an EU-supported school on biosensing in prostate cancer. 3. We have a well established research-based CPD on Odour Judgement Training for commercial companies (including Colgate and Palmolive) and led the development of a CPD in Genetics for Healthcare Professionals 4. Aniko Varady has also led the development of MSC in Genomic Medicine from Health Education England in collaboration with other Faculty Research Centres, University of Bristol and NHS Trust. The application has successfully passed the first stage. 5. We also anticipate to make as strong contribution to the research-related modules in Integrated Master degree which is currently under discussion. 7. This year the Department of Biological Biomedical and Analytical Sciences invested in time of 2 CRIB seminars coordinators to enhance students involvement in CRIB seminars. We plan to issue certificates of attendance to students from the new academic year. The seminars will be formally included in a list of options for building students portfolio for some modules. 5. We have been very successful in winning external bursaries and scholarships for students to gain research experience during the summer holiday. The funding bodies include Wellcome Trust, Society for General Microbiology, British Society for Plan Pathology and other funders. Supervising undergraduate and postgraduate projects and financial contribution to lab-based projects External bursaries and summer scholarships Publications and conference presentations with students

Summer Vacation Bursaries 16 undergraduate students were awarded the vacation bursaries in 2015 Opportunities to gain practical experience in CRIB research laboratories Generating data for scientific papers Presenting outcomes as national and international conferences Enhancing CV

UK Environmental Mutagen Society Annual Conference 2015 Oral and poster presentations by students Opportunities to meet experts in the field and developing personal scientific networks Meeting representatives from Industry including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Covance and Unilever

Undergraduate Internships Two first year BSc (Hons) Forensic Science students were awarded internship positions Zoe Deakin investigated DNA contamination in the Vacuum Metal Deposition Steven Alderton, developed fingermarks using a fluorescent cyanoacrylate polymer

Opening CRIB Events and Networks to Students Presenting at CRIB Annual Conferences Engaging with NHS and industrial partners via scientific projects Learning about the latest scientific achievements via students-oriented Departmental brochure “Science Matter” and CRIB brochure “Research with Impact” Opening CRIB Seminar Series to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Credits towards “UWE Bristol Future Award” Collaborating with Gatsby Charitable Foundation on a new pilot scheme aimed at encouraging students to gain professional scientific status

Examples of CRIB International Links Europe China One of the UWE and faculty strategic priorities. Critical for demonstrating impact of our research, for generating income and is on the top of the Government agenda. An increasing number of UK and international schemes require international collaborators. Links and collaborations with over 20 UK and international health, environmental/food and instrumentation companies, including such global names as Pfizer, Colgate, Philips, AstraZeneka, GlasoSmith and other. Malaysia US Developing links USA India Australia and New Zealand

International opportunities EU Marie Curie International Staff Exchange Scheme UK/China Partnership on Novel Technologies NERC Radioactivity and the Terrestrial Environment programme EU COST Action Under development: “UK-China PhD placements” “Royal Society International Exchange Scheme

Incorporating research activities in induction week for international students

Involving Students in Science Communication and Public Engagement Events BBSRC Great British Biosciences Festival in London (attracted 43,000 people) Festival of Nature Cheltenham Science Festival BBSRC “Evolving Communities” Public Engagement grant

Examples of External Recognition Undergraduate student Marian Manso, presented her work at prestigious International Physiological Society meeting in Cardiff PhD student Kelly Westmacott has been invited to join the committee of Analytical Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry for early career researchers PhD student Josie Phillips won a British Ecological Society Travel Grant to present at the 10th International Conference on Application of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies in Tokyo and the Royal Geographical Society PhD Students Award. PhD student’s Julian Donald delivered an oral presentation at the International Congress for Conservation Biology which will take place in Montpellier, France, 2015. PhD student Louis Dwomoh has been awarded a Sponsored Places at FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum and FEBS EMBO 2015 Conference.

Research-Informed CPDs Recently Developed: CPD in Genetics for Nurses Research-based Odour Judgment CPD Opportunities: Explore opportunities for research-based CPDs in novel technologies for healthcare, environmental and other applications Developing one day “satellite” CPD courses at international conferences Including CPD training/opportunities in international knowledge exchange and staff exchange grants

Future Plans To continue working with the Department and Faculty on attracting externally funded vacation bursaries and increasing the number of internally-supported bursaries and internships To develop an effective mechanism for supporting talented undergraduate students to present at international conferences To expand the use of CRIB international links for undergraduate students placements To develop new research-based MSc courses To explore possibilities for a wider range of research-based CPDs To attract funding for further development of international exchange schemes Steve Visscher, BBSRC Deputy Chief Executive; Tim Willis, the Had of International Relations, BBSRC This is a joint initiative between the British Council in China, on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the China Scholarship Council on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of education, via the Newton Fund.