Physics of Life PDRA Recipient Event

10 October, 2024 

Organised by Karis Baker and Mark Leake

​

Overview

In 2023, the Physics of Life network ran a PoL PDRA scheme funded by UKRI and Wellcome with an aim to help bolster careers of the the next generation of scientists for working in the interdisciplinary field of Physics of Life. As part of this call, we were delighted to support 18 recipients and their projects. 

We are holding an event hosted by Wellcome to allow recipients to network and meet with funders, co-recipients and established researchers working in the area of Physics of Life. This event will also allow recipients to think about next career steps. 

Programme

This event will run from 9.30-5pm on Thursday 10 October and will provide an intensive and stimulating scientific programme with plenty of networking breaks to allow recipients, funders and speakers to meet and interact. 

The event will take place within the rooms Hodgkin 1 and 2 at the Wellcome Trust, Gibbs building. Upon arrival, please make your way to the main reception to sign in and be directed to the event room. 
Value
Thursday 10 October
9.00-9.30
​Registration with Tea and Coffee 
9,30
Professor Mark Leake (University of York) 
​Welcome 
9.45-10.15
Who's in the room and Ice Breaker
10.15-11.00
Flash talks (2 slides, 4 mins per presentation): 
Dr Yair Augusto Gutierrez Fosado, University of Edinburgh 'Learning protein function from sequence'
Dr Veronica Biga, The University of Manchester, 'Oscillatory transitions during neural development'
Dr Rebecca Chandler-Bostock, University of Leeds 'The regulatory roles of the Human Rhinovirus Genome During Early Stages of Infection'
Dr Oleg Dobrokhotov, KCL, 'Label-Free Analysis of Tension-Dependent Interactions in the Ensembles of Biomolecules'
Dr Elliot Chan, University of Bristol, 'Multiscale simulation with Machine-Learned potentials for better G-quadruplex ligand design'
Dr Jan Cammann, Loughborough University 'Coupling metabolic responses and phytoplankton motility in turbulent environments'
Dr Ashley Hancock, University of Leeds, 'Temperature locking in-membrane electrophoresis to study protein-protein interactions'
​Dr Zahra Khomarbaghi, University of Manchester 'Unravelling the effect of elevated wobble interactions in bacterial translation efficiency'
11.00 -11.30
Networking Refreshments​
11.30-11.50
Flash talks (2 slides, 4 mins per presentation): 
Dr Shalini Menon, University of Nottingham 'Using Quantum Sensing to Unravel Redox Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease'
Dr Susannah McLaren, University of Cambridge, 'The role of mechanical forces in symbiosis'
Dr Thomas McLean, John Innes Centre, 'How do intrinsically disordered regions control the sliding of DNA clamps along DNA?'
Dr Isabelle Racicot, University of Cambridge, 'Understanding the biological origins of early cancer imaging biomarkers in the oesophagus'
​Dr Annie Sahota, Imperial College London, 'Understanding the role of RNA regulation in learning, memory and disease'
12.00-12.20
Flash talks (2 slides, 4 mins per presentation): ​
 Dr Petr Sherin , Imperial College London, 'Visualisation of glaucoma-induced changes in Schlemm’s canal cells'
Dr William Skinner, University of Exeter, 'Transforming photothermal therapy of solid tumours with an ‘all-in-one’ optical nanoheater and biosensor'
 Dr Aisha Syeda , University of York, 'A twist in the tale: Exploring DNA Topology changes with Multiple Molecular Machines using Optical Tweezers'
Dr Laura Wiggins, University of Sheffield 'Doubling discovery: the powerful fusion of atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations through deep learning'
​12.20-13.20
Networking Lunch
​13.20 - 14.00
Dr Sarah Newman (EPSRC), Dr Megan Rafter (BBSRC), Dr Robert Deller (MRC), Dr Megan Maunder and Dr Sarah Lloyd (Wellcome)
'Demystifying the funding process and opportunities for Physics of Life researchers'
14.00-14.35
Professor Mark Leake (University of York) 
​'What now and where next?' ​​
Value
​Interdisciplinary showcase talks
14.35-14.55
​​Professor Robert Endres, Imperial College London,
'Why physics of life is exciting: research at the frontier'
14.55-15.15
Dr ​Katelyn Spillane, Imperial College London
'A mechanical perspective on adaptive immunity'
15.15-15.30
Networking Refreshments​
​15.30-15.50
​Professor Martin Booth, University of Oxford and Professor Angus Silver, UCL
​'​Optimising light-tissue interaction to enable multiscale imaging of neuronal dynamics deep within the neocortex'
15.50-16.10
Professor ​Yanlan Mao, UCL
'The stresses of getting into shape'
​16.10-16.20
​Questions
16.20 - end
Networking drinks reception​

Venue and accommodation

Wellcome have kindly agreed to host this event on 10 October.
The venue address is: 
Wellcome Trust
Gibbs Building
215 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE

The nearest underground stations are:
  • Euston Square
  • Euston
  • Warren Street 
  • King’s Cross St Pancras
Euston Square has step-free access between the platform and street level from the Westbound platform only.
Find out how to get to us by tube with Transport for London’s journey planner.

The nearest mainline stations are:
  • Euston
  • King’s Cross
  • St Pancras International
There are many hotels within close proximity, we can recommend: 
Premier Inn London King's Cross Hotel
Hub by Premier Inn London King's Cross Hotel
Premier Inn London St Pancras Hotel 

Contact

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Karis Baker, Network Manager at: [email protected].

Registration

Please note, this is a closed event for PoL PDRA recipients. We will be holding ECR events open to all in 2025. 

Funded by:                                                                                                 Managed bY: