Mina Skelly
University of Bristol

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.88.12

Physiology 2012 was a wonderful experience. The meeting was a fantastic opportunity to engage with a range of people and discover the amazing research currently being undertaken throughout the country. With such a diverse range of subject areas, one minute I found myself attending a communication on olfaction and fear, and the next a presentation on obesity. Each presentation provided me with easy access to cutting-edge findings that I would otherwise have been unlikely to come across. Being part of an audience with active research scientists and academics, my colleagues and I were able to sit and appreciate the way in which challenging and innovative questions could help to direct research, giving us an insight into the value of these sorts of meetings. It truly made us realise how much further we have to go in our level of thinking – giving us something to aspire to!

The main purpose of our attending Physiology 2012 was to present posters based on the research we had carried out at our respective institutions. There were 15 undergraduates present, from universities across the country. Whilst presenting, we were approached by teams of judges to whom we explained our research. The questions asked by the judges were, at first, simple, but then became rapidly more challenging and really pushed us to think. The wide variety of specialisations and backgrounds of the judges meant the questions arose from many angles. Although nerve-racking, it was valuable to be presented with thought-provoking questions, which made us look at our own research in a new light. It was great for gathering ideas as to what may have affected our findings and ways in which we could improve our experiments, both in terms of design and additional evidence we might need.

Finally, after the presentations, the winners of the poster prizes were announced, and I was thrilled to be amongst them!

In addition to the Main Meeting, there was an entire day dedicated to young physiologists, where many PhD students presented their research in the form of poster presentations and oral communications. These were accessible to us as guest undergraduates, which made it an encouraging day. It also gave us the opportunity to interact with physiologists somewhat closer to our level than many of the speakers and delegates at the Main Meeting. With posters, prizes, nibbles and drinks, this day was a fantastic ice-breaker.

As part of the Rob Clarke Award for undergraduates, we were able to attend the Society Dinner. With wonderful food and wine, it was a special occasion where we could interact on a more personal level, with physiologists from around the world. All were very approachable and it was an excellent chance to make friends and network.

Although Physiology 2012 was not intended perhaps for undergraduates, we certainly got a great deal out of being given this chance to come. Great thanks to the late Rob Clarke, and to those who made it possible for us to attend Physiology 2012.

The Society will host the Rob Clarke Awards again in 2013, with final judging taking place at the IUPS congress in Birmingham.