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28 Jun 2011 14:01:46
Enthusiastic scientist Barbara Guinn is one of the winners of I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here - a national on-line competition aimed at promoting science.
Barbara, a senior lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, has spent the last two weeks in a cyber world where she has been answering tough theological and scientific questions put to her by curious teenagers.
She was named winner of the Phosphorus Zone on Friday, June 24th – scooping a £500 prize from the Wellcome Trust, who sponsored the event. Barbara plans to spend this promoting the Luton Science Fair that she is organising, to be held in on March 10, 2012 at the University of Bedfordshire’s Campus in Park Square.
For I’m a Scientist Barbara has spent up to three hours a day answering diverse questions from the 13 – 18-year-olds and has done several live chats with students, who got to vote for their favourite scientist.
Barbara said: “I was quite shocked when I heard I had won, but really pleased. Taking part has certainly made me think a lot more about why I’m doing this job and how I communicate with students. As I perform cancer research I had a lot of cancer-related questions, some of which I’ve had to research, so I’ve learnt things too.
“It has really been a fantastic experience and has given me the chance to reflect on my career choices, and how and why I got here.”
Barbara was also on national radio this week (June 27) answering the homework question on Simon Mayo’s Radio 2 Drive Time programme.
“I called in to answer a question about why plants die in a simple way, and they put me on air, which was another nerve-racking but great experience,” added Barbara.
Latest news» 2011» June» I’m a scientist – and a winner!
