News in brief
1 July 2013
A helping hand for Syrian students
Seven Syrian students from the University of Sheffield have been given a lifeline to complete their studies thank to a generous grant from a kind-hearted, retired member of staff.
The students have been left feeling isolated and deeply concerned about the welfare of their families and the ability to support themselves financially due to the Syrian civil war in which an estimated 93,000 have died.
The former staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous generously donated £600 to each student in order to help them complete their studies. Over the last 10 years the donor has helped many international students from all over the world, from Zimbabwe and Malta to Pakistan and China through times of hardship.
Miles Stevenson, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations said: “At such a turbulent and fragile period, when many students are concerned about the welfare of their families and facing very difficult financial times, it is tremendous to be able to offer support and relief.
"We are truly honoured and delighted by the generosity of the donor and immensely proud that through this donation, we can provide support for our students to enable them to finish their degrees and fulfil their potential.”
For more information or to make a donation visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni
26 June 2013
Inside the laboratory that saves lives
To celebrate 100 years of life saving science, the Medical Research Council Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG) at the University of Sheffield opened its doors to the public last week (Thursday 20 June 2013 )
Researchers from the University's Department of Biomedical Science showcased the ground breaking advances in medical research which have been funded by tax payers through the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Scientists and doctors work closely together to ensure that cutting-edge studies on simple animals such as flies and zebrafish quickly change the way that doctors think about and seek to cure, complex human diseases.
Centre Director Professor, Marysia Placzek, said: "Discoveries made at the centre help us to better understand a broad range of human diseases, from cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases to cancer and brain-wasting diseases.
They even help us to understand complex brain conditions, such as epilepsy and stress."
In a recent study the MRC discovered that over half of people in Yorkshire and the Humber (54 per cent) do not know their taxes help to fund medical research across the UK.
For more information about the MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics visit CDBG
24 June 2013
Sheffield medic represents Great Britain in European Triathlon
University of Sheffield lecturer, Dr Tim Chico from the Department of Cardiovascular Science, has swapped his lab coat for lycra after representing Great Britan in the European Triathlon Championships.
Dr Chico, who is at the forefront of pioneering zebra fish research which will pave the way for ground breaking heart disease treatments, came 18th in his age group after competing in the gruelling competition in Alanya, Turkey earlier this month.
Great Britain dominated the competition which included talented triathletes from Turkey, Ireland, France, Russia, Ireland and the Ukraine and Dr Chico is now set to compete in the next championships in Austria.
Dr Chico, said: "It really was a fantastic experience racing in the GB kit with my name on it. Spectators were shouting 'come on GB!'
"The race in Alanya was flat, fast, and hot, which was difficult to train for in Sheffield. Austria is going to be colder and very hilly, which will hopefully suit me much better”.
Sheila Francis, Head of Cardiovascular Science, said "Everyone in the Department is very proud of Tim and his unique achievement - there can't be too many Consultant Cardiologists who have the opportunity to represent their country in this way".
For more information about the Department of Cardiovascular Science visit Cardiovascular
20 June 2013
Become a Dementia Friend and make a difference
An interactive workshop designed to inspire people to help those in their community affected by dementia will take place at the University of Sheffield next week.
The event is part of the Dementia Creative Arts Exhibition organised by lecturer David Reid from the University's Department of Nursing and Midwifery.
The information session will be held at the Jessop West Exhibition Space on Leavygreave Road in Sheffield between 10am and 11am on Tuesday 25 June.
Dementia Friends is a national initiative run by the Alzheimer's Society and funded by the Government which aims to improve people's understanding of the condition and its effects.
People with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community. The workshop, hosted by Dementia Champions Belinda Naylor and Maria Flude, will give people a better understanding of the small things they can do to make a huge difference to people with the disease.
For more information about the event visit South Yorkshire Dementia Exhibition
To learn more about Dementia Friends visit Friends
19 June 2013
School pupils taught lifesaving skills by medical students
Talented Year 10 pupils from across South Yorkshire were taught lifesaving skills at a unique workshop hosted by medical students from the University of Sheffield.
More than 50 youngsters who take part in the University's Sheffield Outreach and Access to Medicine Scheme (SOAMS) were given the opportunity to learn vital First Aid techniques which could potentially save someone's life.
The practical session was led by specially trained medical students and volunteers from the Acute Care and Trauma Society. Activities included learning basic life support, how to help someone who is unconscious, choking, bleeding, has a fracture or is in shock.
This was the University's very first FAST AID course for SOAMS students, which involved activities usually aimed at first year medical students.
Amy Horton, Outreach Activities Officer and event organiser, said: "Participants enjoyed taking part in the interactive presentations and hands-on activities delivered by our students throughout the day. The support of medical students is invaluable to SOAMS as they are brilliant role models for young people considering a career in medicine."
For more information about SOAMS visit Outreach
18 June 2013
University of Sheffield students battle to become Britain’s greenest drivers
Engineering students from the University of Sheffield will compete in a non-stop driving challenge across the length of Britain in a bid to be crowned the nation’s most economical drivers.
The inaugural three-day competition, which starts on June 18, will go via 46 universities and is being jointly run by Formula Student and Bosch.
Each team will drive a section of the route – while having their eco-driving ability measured by on-board computers - before passing the vehicle on to the next university. The University of Sheffield team will set off from Sheffield at 6:45am on June 20th, and will drive 80 miles to Liverpool.
For the University of Sheffield, students Nathan Ray, 22, a 3rd year BEng Aerospace Engineering student, and Arran Maile, 22, a 4th year MEng Mechanical Engineering student, will be behind the wheel, fighting for the top spot.
Patrick Kniveton, President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – which runs Formula Student – will flag off the event at the Institution’s Westminster headquarters at 11am.
From Westminster, the car will head to the first stop – Queen Mary, University of London in Mile End – before the route heads south along the coast and then west towards Swansea.
It will then zigzag across England and Scotland towards the final destination of Aberdeen University on June 21.
Teams will be driving a Ford Fiesta, powered by a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, which uses Bosch common rail diesel injectors and a high-pressure Bosch fuel pump. Monitoring equipment will analyse the efficiency of each team’s driving, with three awards up for grabs, which cover city, rural and highway driving.
Students taking part are all involved with Formula Student 2013, taking place at Silverstone from 4-7 July. The event challenges universities from across the world to design, build and race a single seat racing car from scratch in one year – before putting it to the test at one of the world’s greatest racetracks.
To find out more visit Sheffield Formula Racing
18 June 2013
Harrowing film highlights one man's battle with fatal disease
An inspirational film depicting one man's battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a rare and incurable illness which leaves sufferers unable to walk, talk and breathe, is to be screened at the University of Sheffield.
'I am Breathing' is the acclaimed documentary which recounts the last few months of Neil Platt's life – a young father who was diagnosed with the cruel disease aged 33.
The film is being released internationally to mark MND Awareness Month.
Neil, who attended the Sheffield Motor Neurone Disease Care and Research Centre in Sheffield as a patient, became paralysed from the neck down within one year of being diagnosed with MND.
Professor Pamela Shaw, Head of Neurology at the University of Sheffield and Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: "Neil Platt was a wonderful, talented and resourceful person. He and his family and friends had to cope with the impact of MND at its most devastating and very shortly after the birth of his son.
"His courage was inspirational to all who knew him and a real motivational force to the research effort for MND within the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)."
The film will be shown at SITraN, a world class centre for MND research, on Monday 24 June 2013 at 5pm.
Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis from annette.taylor@sheffield.ac.uk.
14 June 2013
Patients given the opportunity to shape future medical research
Scientists from the University of Sheffield are introducing new initiatives to ensure patients are given the opportunity to transform pioneering medical research.
Researchers from the University's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health are opening their doors to patient group's on Monday (17 June 2013) giving visitors the chance to meet more than 250 scientists, clinicians, and healthcare charity representatives.
The event aims to advise research staff on how to involve the public, on a practical level, in their work and help patients inform the future direction of research, showcasing how the public's input could influence ground breaking studies.
Event organiser Dr Emily Goodall, from the University's Department of Neuroscience, said: “Patients and their families can play a vital role in research; they offer a unique perspective and experiences of the condition that can influence and improve our research.
The ninth annual Research Meeting will take place on 17-18 June 2013 at the University of Sheffield where visitors will enjoy a showcase of lectures and short oral and poster presentations. The meeting will begin on Monday with a programme of events entitled Knowing me, Knowing you – Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Your Research.