Birkbeck alumna delivers the Royal Institution’s Christmas lectures 2013
Dr Woollard's lectures explored the process by which simple cells develop into complex organisms
Birkbeck alumna Dr Alison Woollard (BSc Biological Sciences, 1991) has delivered the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures, which were broadcast on BBC 4 on 28, 29 and 30 December 2013. The Christmas Lectures were instigated by the renowned scientist Michael Faraday in 1825 and have run every year since, apart from 1939-42, when they were paused due to the Second World War.
The Life Fantastic
This year’s lecture series was called ‘The Life Fantastic’ and explored the fascinating process by which simple cells are transformed into complex organisms.
Dr Woollard’s three lectures looked at how our cells multiply, evolve, move and ultimately die; how cells mutate and what this means for the evolution of developmental processes and development of treatments for genetic conditions; and whether we will eventually be able to halt cell death, thereby extending human life – and whether we would want to.
Dr Alison Woollard
Dr Woollard studied for a BSC in Biological Sciences at Birkbeck, graduating with first class honours in 1991. She went on to study for a PhD at the University of Oxford, where she now works as a lecturer in genetics in the Biochemistry Department and carries out research on the developmental genetics of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. This work looks at the mechanisms by which cells become different to one another as organisms develop. It was while working as a technician in the clinical pharmacology department at UCL that Dr Woollard realised that she wanted to spend her career in a research laboratory.
She said: “I didn't want to go back to university full time and be away from lab life. I therefore enrolled for a part-time biological sciences degree at Birkbeck College, just around the corner from my lab and my flat. I discovered Birkbeck to be another fine, eccentric but totally suitable (for me) institution, made some life-long friends and emerged with a first class degree four years later, working in the lab during the day and attending lectures and practicals in the evening (no wonder I have a problem with students with no stamina now!). ”
Dr Woollard is only the fifth woman to deliver the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures in their 188 year history. She said that if there were one idea that people take away from this year's lectures it should be: "Everyone has an inner scientist. The world of science is not an exclusive club that most people can't join. And this is important: there are some complex issues to grapple with, thrown up by advances in bioscience. All of society's stakeholders need to be the decision-makers, not just the scientists. Decisions cannot be made in ignorance, though. Everyone needs to step up to the plate and engage with the concepts."
Watch the Christmas Lectures
Dr Woollard’s lectures are now available to view on the Ri Channel.