Exeter physicist takes research to Parliament

Ryan Edginton, who is studying for a PhD in Physics, has been asked to present a poster on his research into the effects hydration has on the elastic proteins that form the connective tissue in the human body.

His poster will be judged by a panel of academic experts against more than 200 others selected from early career researchers in the SET for Britain competition organised by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.

On presenting his research in Parliament, Ryan said: “As the first member of my family to go to university, I feel a great sense of pride in having had my research chosen to exhibit alongside the best early career researchers from across the UK.

“I’m very excited to be visiting Parliament having only ever seen the facades of our great offices of state, it will be fantastic to see some of the behind-the-scenes workings and to chat with the MPs.

“This will be a great chance to update the MPs on current research and maybe even leave an impression on them, of how important the work of science research is to the future of the country.”

Ryan completed his MPhys undergraduate Masters degree at the University of Exeter in 2013 following a two-year research project investigating the mechanical impact of apoptosis on the dipole potential of the red blood cell membrane.

He is now studying his PhD within the Biomedical Physics Group at Exeter.

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

Ryan’s research has been entered into the Physics session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony.

The event is run in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society and the Council for Mathematical Sciences, with financial support from Essar, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Bank of England and the Society of Chemical Industry.