13 January 2005

Discovery Days 2005

Photo opportunities: today, 1.15pm, Ustinov Room, Bonar Hall, University of Dundee, Dundee today, 4.30pm, Main Hall, Bonar Hall, University of Dundee, Dundee

Professor Sue Black who is currently in Phuket, Thailand helping to identify bodies in the wake of the Tsunami has recorded an audio update of the situation she encountered that will be broadcast later today at the first of the University of Dundee's Discovery Days. As well as the broadcast from Sue, nineteen of the University's newest Professors will deliver short presentations on their research to an audience of the public, staff and students over today and tomorrow at Discovery Days 2005.

Sue, speaking from Phuket, will give an insight to the situation she and other volunteers faced after the devastating impact of the Tsunami and explain how the forensic team has been dealing with the enormous task of identifying the dead. Also speaking today are leading researchers Professor Andrew Morris, an expert on treating diabetes and Professor Callum Brown who will explain how the 1960s became a focus for Europe’s secularism. Professor Eric Abel will talk about his work on designing a Middle Ear Implant for people who suffer from hearing loss. Tomorrow the public will hear from Professor George Macfarlane who studies the bacteria that cause ulcerative colitis.

The 15-minute presentations will take place on the afternoons of 13th and 14th January in the Bonar Hall. Each session which will include four or five professors will be chaired by a Principal or Dean of the University, with the new Chair of Court John Milligan taking the chair for the first session on Friday afternoon. The chair will invite questions from the floor after the presentations.

Chancellor and Nobel Prize winner Sir James Black will sum up at the end of each day.

Principal Sir Alan Langlands who will chair the first session on Thursday said: "I warmly welcome all those who have an interest in what is happening in the world today - and what could be happening tomorrow - to attend the university's second annual Discovery Days programme. The presenting professors have all emerged as leading thinkers in their diverse fields, from architecture to ear implants and the Discovery Days offer a unique opportunity to share the excitement of their research with a wide audience."

International artist David Mach, who is the University's first Visiting Professor of Inspiration and Discovery, will attend Discovery Days where a special exhibition will feature a series of stunning and evocative images from the work of artists and scientists involved in the Wellcome Trust-funded Inspiration and Discovery programme. The Discovery Days Showreel demonstrates the diversity of places and forms from which inspiration and discovery can be drawn - from the perpetual miracle of cell division to potato pathogens, war and pollution.

Parties of pupils from a number of local secondary schools will also attend.

The sessions are free and the public are invited to attend from 1.25pm Thursday and Friday at the Bonar Hall.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk