Thomas Williams, a PDRA in the Rousseau group of the MRC PPU has been awarded the Brian Cox for excellence in public engagement engaged researcher award. This award is awarded to a researcher who has made an outstanding contribution in communicating science performed within the University of Dundee School of Life Sciences.

Tom, who has also received a commendation in the University-wide Stephen Fry public engagement award, has developed a suite of games focused around areas of cell biology, aimed at providing an interactive way for children to explore complicated concepts which are being investigated within the MRC-PPU, including cellular signalling. Tom has taken these into schools, the local community, and, with the help of the units’ public engagement officer Sarah Patrick (who also helped with game development), released them online as free print and play games.

Tom said “While outreach in many ways brings its own reward, I’m delighted to receive this award. Going out and discussing science brings me huge satisfaction and helps fuel my passion for research – I can’t wait for my next session!”