NEWS & EVENTS

Our Masters by Research students Georgie Jomy & Ben Williams, alongside SWIRL Principle Investigator Dr Aidan Seeley, presented at the Brecon u3a meeting this month, presenting on "The Science of Weed: Understanding the Science of Cannabis & Cannabinoids". 

Aidan presented on the physiology and pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system in humans, followed by, Georgie presented her work on measuring regeneration in Lumbriculus variegatus exposed to cannabinoids and Ben presented on the ecotoxicological effects of cannabinoids in aquatic ecosystems. 

Our Masters by Research student Romessa Mahmood passed her Masters by Research viva for her thesis "Lumbriculus variegatus: Investigating a novel model for substances of abuse" examined by Prof. Steve Tucker, The University of Aberdeen, and Dr Kate Chapman, Swansea University, chaired by Dr Claire Morgan, Swansea University.  

The co-Principle Investigator of SWIRL, Dr Aidan Seeley, presented at the annual Physiology Society conference, Physiology 2023, in Harrogate this month. During the session "Applying the 3Rs to Education: Switching from Rodents to Invertebrates", Dr Seeley presented on our novel approach to student-led, multi-institution drug trials through MIDBIT. 

The session aimed to share good practices in the use of invertebrate and immature vertebrates in biology, physiology and pharmacology practical education. The panel, made up of Dr Seeley, Dr Laura Corns (University of Sheffield, UK) and Dr James Rouse (University of Leeds, UK) explored and discussed how we can create new inspirational educational experiences that involve these species in physiology and the broader biosciences education.   

For further information about our student-led, multi-institution drug trials, see the SWIRL-developed MIDBIT resource here. 

Our Masters student, Julanta Carriere, presented data from her Masters by Research "Investigating the Endocannabinoid System in the novel in vivo invertebrate, Lumbriculus variegatus" as an oral communication at the 19th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology 2023 (WCP2023). WCP2023 is hosted by the British Pharmacological Society and the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) in Glasgow and Julanta presented on "Concentration-dependent response of the novel in vivo research animal Lumbriculus variegatus to cannabidiol" and the abstract can be found here. 

Our Masters student Caitlin Bellamy passed her Masters by Research viva for her thesis "Lumbriculus variegatus: A novel organism for in vivo pharmacology research" examined by Prof. Thomas Wilkinson, Swansea University, and Dr Margaret Cunningham, University of Strathclyde. 

Dr. Aidan Seeley presenting at Merthyr Science Festival 2022. Titled "This is Your Brain on Drugs" where he discussed the neuropharmacology of cocaine, magic mushrooms and heroin.

Our Masters student, and previous Undergraduate dissertation project student, Julanta Carriere won the award the undergraduate poster prize P038 at the pharmacology conference for the British Pharmacology Society (2022).