SERC Success at BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2023

Four SERC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science students made it to the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) finals this year, participating in the Biological and Ecological category. The projects were: 

• 'Testing Aspirin Using an IR Spectrometer’ - by SERC science student Jake Stothers. 
• ‘Studying the Effect of Hypoxia on the Long-Term Activation of the Fibroblasts in the Development of Pulmonary Fibrosis’ by SERC science students Natali Arnaudova and Taneesha McCaughran.    
• ‘How Cigarette Smoke Causes Scarring of the Lungs’ by SERC science student Cara Colvin.  

The award for ‘Best NI Project’ went to SERC student Cara Colvin, who also won 2nd place in the Senior Individual Biological and Ecological category. Cara comments, “I am so pleased that I won and happy that all my hard work paid off. I am also very proud of the other students that were there with me, they have all done so well. The experience was amazing and I’m so lucky to have had the chance to go and, if possible, I’d love to go again!” 

“My dad is delighted to see me follow in his footsteps – he is a scientist with Randox - and there is a bit of banter between us about who will be the first to have two PHDs. He has one, and I have a bit to go yet, but it is certainly my aspiration. I have applied to do the HNC in Applied Science here at SERC and then hope to go on and do a degree in Biomedical Science.” 

SERC is very proud to have been named ‘Best NI School’ at the BTYSTE 2023, for the overall work done by the SERC Science students across all three projects. Dr Susan Stokesberry, SERC Science lecturer, comments, “The level of competition was very high this year so we didn’t know how we would do, but we were very confident with our projects and the work that went into them, and of course we are delighted with the results.” 

SERC students Natali Arnaudova and Taneesha McCaughran were Highly Commended in the Senior Group Biological and Ecological category for their project.   

These wins are to be added to the list of SERC science student successes the College has seen in previous years of the competition, such as 2022 SERC finalist Harrison Nesbitt, 2021 SERC finalist Sara Hamilton, and 2020 SERC Senior Group Biological and Ecological Category winners / Best NI Project winners Ben Gibson, Jamel Donald and Caoimhe Clugston. 

Visit  www.serc.ac.uk to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.