Jessica Cross, ESPRC Doctoral Prize Fellow working in the Dodding and Woolfson labs at Bristol Biochemistry, was one of two highly commended applicants in the Physical Sciences category in the 2023 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Rising Talents Award.
The key message of this award is to promote, enhance and encourage the contribution of women pursuing research careers in the UK or Ireland whilst highlighting female scientists showcasing role models for younger girls interested in scientific careers.
Grants are awarded to five women across Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Sustainable Development.
Though Jessica was not selected as one of the five 2023 Rising Talent Fellows, her shortlisting achievement is a great accomplishment and offered her the opportunity to showcase her and the Dodding and Woolfson labs research around designing novel peptides to manipulate motor proteins as they move around inside living cells.
As part of planned activities for shortlisted candidates, Jessica visited Number 10 Downing Street on Thursday 20th April 2023, to meet the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: a great opportunity to raise awareness of the important contribution of women in science and to highlight the ongoing need to improve access and broaden participation in STEM for women and girls of all ages.
On Monday 24th April 2023, Jessica attended the Royal Society and House of Commons and had a chance to meet the other shortlisted candidates for the award, a diverse group of inspiring female scientists.
The House of Commons event offered Jessica and fellow candidates a wonderful opportunity to celebrate women in science and to showcase their research to 170 guests, including MPs, academics, and representatives from L'Oréal and UNESCO.
At the event, Jessica was also able to participate in discussions around the barriers for women in STEM and the need for policy change with George Freeman, Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The School of Biochemistry would like to extend our congratulations to the selected 2023 Rising Talent Fellows and, once again, congratulate our colleague Jessica Cross for her accomplishment.