Dr Nus spoke about her research into cardiovascular disease. The specific focus of her work is on the interaction of diet and the immune system in the formation of plaques in the arteries, which lead ultimately to heart attacks and strokes.

This was a unique opportunity for the pupils to gain an insight into the real world of scientific research, with some cutting-edge research findings being presented in an imaginative and accessible way. 

After listening with great interest to Dr Nus’s presentation, the pupils were then treated to some interactive activities, including crawling through a model artery, meeting some cuddly ‘blood cells’ and applying their mathematical skills to analyse the area of plaque build-up on actual microscope images of arteries.

We are very grateful to Dr Nus and her colleagues for taking the time to come out and deliver such a stimulating session, which has helped to inspire some of the doctors and medical scientists of the future!