The John Innes Foundation is a Norwich-based charity dedicated to advancing plant science, horticulture and related subjects. Each year, the John Innes Foundation awards prizes for outstanding achievements by PhD students based at institutes on the Norwich Research Park.
Up to two prizes are awarded in each of the categories - 'Excellence in Scientific Research' and 'Excellence in Science Communication'.
A panel selected Becky Shaw from the Haerty group and Mia Berelson from the Leggett group to receive the two prizes for science communication, noting the large number of outstanding candidates nominated for this year’s award.
Becky is currently in her 4th year of her PhD at the Earlham Institute where she is exploring genetic bottlenecks, with a particular focus on genetic differentiation in European polecat populations in the UK and the associated impact on conservation efforts.
From presenting to Defra’s scientific advisory board or securing a NERC outreach grant to showcasing the Institute’s research at national festivals and becoming the Norwich Pint of Science city coordinator, Becky’s activity has engaged a range of audiences and won her both plaudits and awards.
Wilfried Haerty said: “Huge congratulations go to Becky and Mia, who are both fully deserving of this award and recognition for their efforts to bring the Earlham Institute’s science to life.
“Becky has demonstrated a significant commitment in promoting science through communication activity throughout her PhD, reaching a wide range of audiences. Her list of achievements is as extensive as it is impressive, but this award also recognises her position as an exemplary role model to others.”
Mia is also in the final year of her PhD in which she is applying the Institute’s AirSeq approach for sequencing airborne biological material to the task of surveillance of emergent crop pathogens.
Mia’s science communication activity has included interviews with the BBC and the Naked Scientists podcast, a placement in the comms team at the Royal Institution, volunteering at a range of public engagement events, and a number of posters and talks for academic audiences.
Richard Leggett said: “Mia has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to science communication to all audiences and in all forms. It has been a consistent feature of her three years of PhD life, from the start until now, and has been completely her own initiative.
“She’s clearly enthused by communicating science and the quality and quantity of her communication work is far in excess of that which would normally be expected from a PhD student.”
This year’s prize for Excellence in Scientific Research was jointly awarded to two students based at The Sainsbury Laboratory.
