Visiting schools, giving lectures to potential students, and running science outreach events – even lockdown didn’t stop PhD student Anthie (Chrysanthi-Maria) Moysidou from sharing her passion for biotechnology. Her work has now been recognised by the annual University awards for Outstanding Student Contribution to Education, being Highly Commended in the Access & Outreach category.
Anthie has been a tremendous asset both to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and to Newnham College. She is a regular contributor to the Science Festival, contributing with presentations and organised activities for children. In 2019, she organised live talks for the 2nd World Microbiome Day: in 2020, despite the challenges, she ran a virtual panel event featuring a microbiome chef from renowned restaurant Nomo, and Dr Giles Yeo, author of Gene Eating, among others.
As well as her outreach in the department, Anthie has visited schools around the UK with our Schools Liaison Officer. In the last year she has delivered taster academic sessions to students of various ages from visiting schools, given a lecture for a Year 12 residential and visited schools to talk about her research and her experiences as a PhD student. She’s known as not only enthusiastic, but also hugely reliable: two qualities vital for public engagement work.
We’re delighted that her ongoing hard work has been recognised with this award.