Researchers set to take their research to parliament

Sixteen researchers from around UCL have been shortlisted to present their research to a panel of expert judges and over 100 MPs in this year's SET for Britain competition. Run by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, with support from various institutions, SET for Britain aims to encourage, support and promote early career research scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians from around the UK whilst fostering dialogue between researchers and MPs. Split into five categories - engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics, the competition offers prizes up to £3,000 for the posters which best communicate high level science to a lay audience. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded the Westminster Wharton Medal - established in memory of SET for Britain founder, Dr Eric Wharton. Andrew Miller 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." This year's UCL entrants and their research poster topics include: Christopher Asquith, a PhD student from UCL School of Pharmacy, on using small molecules that target feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) as a model for HIV.