SERC Science Students Natali and Taneesha Reach BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition Finals

SERC is keen to see similar success as in previous years, with three SERC finalist projects selected for BTYSTE. 

One is being undertaken by SERC Level 3 Applied Science students Natali Arnaudova and Taneesha McCaughran.  

Infection with viruses such as COVID-19 may cause damage to your lungs and their cells, which can lead to the development of Pulmonary Fibrosis. In this project, Natali and Taneesha study the effect of hypoxia on the long-term activation of the fibroblasts in the development of Pulmonary Fibrosis, to determine if there are any particular proteins responsible for it. Their findings could help in providing targets for therapeutic treatment which would be particularly useful in the most severe instances of COVID-19. The project involved them using science facilities and equipment at SERC as well as a professional research laboratory at Queens University Belfast to conduct their research.  

On their project being selected to be in the BTYSTE finals, Natali commented, “I believe that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and am very excited to not only be a part of the BTYSTE finals, but to see the other projects as well!” 

On their time researching their project in the research laboratory at Queens University Belfast, Taneesha said, “It was such a good experience to be able to learn new techniques and skills in a real research lab. We got to learn about cell culture, microscopy and staining cells too."

Natali and Taneesha will be joined in the finals by fellow SERC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science students whose projects have also been selected for the BTYSTE Biological & Ecological Category: Jake Stothers - ‘Testing Aspirin Using an IR Spectrometer’; and Cara Colvin - ‘How Cigarette Smoke Causes Scarring of the Lungs’.  

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