Former Poynton High School pupil, Erin Cullen, is taking part in a prestigious Parliamentary research programme, and met recently with Macclesfield's MP, David Rutley, to discuss the work she is undertaking.
Erin joined the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) on a three-month postgraduate fellowship earlier this year. POST is an office of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and acts as Parliament’s in-house source of independent, balanced and accessible analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology.
At their meeting, Erin updated David on her experiences of working at POST, as well the POSTnote (a four-page impartial briefing) she is working on, on the topic of the microbiome and human health. In particular, the briefing focusses on how advances in technology and efficiency could enable scientists to manipulate these micro-organisms, helping to alleviate a range of medical conditions.
Following her studies at Poynton High School, Erin took her undergraduate degree course at the University of York, before earning a postgraduate doctoral position at the University of Cambridge, to study Plant Sciences. From there, she succeeded in her application for a postgraduate fellowship at POST. Erin will return later this year to Cambridge to continue her PhD studies.
Speaking after their meeting, David said, "It was great to meet Erin and to learn more about her impressive achievements. Her commitment to her studies and to scientific research should inspire many more local pupils to aim high and want to follow in her footsteps. I wish Erin every success in her time at POST, and with her future studies."