MRC PPU researcher receives Brian Cox Prize for Public Engagement
Miratul Muqit who is a Wellcome Trust Clinician Scientist and Programme Leader in the MRC-PPU has been awarded the 2019 Brian Cox Prize for Excellence in Public Engagement in the “engaged researcher” category. The award was given in recognition of his public engagement project entitled “Misprints” in collaboration with artist Daksha Patel.
The Brian Cox Prize is an annual award of the School of Life Sciences that recognises outstanding communications and improved understanding of the School’s research to a wider audience. The award is named after the Dundee-born Hollywood actor Brian Cox who was Rector of the University for two terms from 2010–2016.
Supported by a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship, Miratul’s research has uncovered fundamental insights into the mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease and in particular the role of two genes PINK1 and Parkin that are mutated in patients.
In collaboration with Daksha Patel, Miratul and his team contributed to an interactive art exhibition entitled ‘Misprints’ held at the Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) in October 2019 during the Dundee Science Festival. The exhibition was inspired by an artist residency undertaken by Daksha in the MRC PPU where she learned about the research being conducted on Parkinson’s disease. The project also comprised a series of Art workshops for a group of people with Parkinson’s held in the Frank Gehry designed Maggie’s Centre in Dundee. The participants greatly enjoyed the workshops.
Miratul said “I am delighted to receive this award which recognises a fantastic collaboration between my lab and Daksha Patel on presenting our research to the public. I am grateful to all the members of my lab who helped with the project and the Parkinson’s patients who contributed to the workshops. I also thank the support provided by the School of Life Sciences and MRC PPU public engagement teams and funding from a ISSF Public Engagement Award.”
Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC PPU added “I congratulate Miratul as well as Daksha Patel for this very well deserved award. This collaboration exploring the interface of art and Parkinson's research was a unique event and enormously inspiring".