Biology essay wins top-three place in competition

Lower Sixth-Former Jimmy Lam was one of two runners-up in a biology competition run by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR).

His essay, entitled ‘Is there an alternative to using embryonic stem cells for cell therapy to cure degenerative diseases?’ was judged to be among the top three out of 58 entries from 13 schools, securing him a prize of £50 and the opportunity to visit scientists in their laboratories.

The NIMR Human Biology Essay Competition is held each year, with the aim of fostering an interest in communicating scientific information to a general audience, and to help equip students for university life. It is open to Year 12 students from schools and colleges in North London and South Hertfordshire, as well as those on the NIMR mailing list.

There are two rounds of judging, the first by six members of staff at the Institute, and the second by a panel comprising four members of NIMR staff, two teachers from local schools and a former member of NIMR. Judges read the essays with no knowledge of the author.