LSTM staff and PHD students will be out in force at the annual three-day Bluedot festival in Jodrell Bank Observatory Cheshire this summer (19th - 21st July). The festival will see contributions from across all departments: from Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology to Clinical Sciences and International Public Health.
LSTM’s presence at this year's edition will involve several DotTalks in the Star Pavilion and a static exhibit stand for visitors to engage with researchers. Throughout the weekend, the team will also work with a group of visual artists called the Snake Wallahs, who will parade the fields and arena with a 16-foot spitting snake puppet.
LSTM’s Dr Shevin Jacob and Dr Tom Fletcher will be speaking on Friday 19th July at 3pm with a talk entitled “Infections gone wild —how sepsis and Ebola teach us about the micro and macroscopic dangers of severe infections” and will draw parallels between what happens when an infection spreads in the body during sepsis and what happens when an infection spreads in a community during an outbreak.
Returning for the second time, Professor Mark Taylor will be speaking at 7pm on Saturday 20th with his talk “The Light and Dark Side of the Symbiont”. Professor Taylor will discuss the most widespread symbiont on the Bluedot, Wolbachia, which lives alongside both mosquitoes and parasites, whilst visitors to the static exhibit stand will explore an out of this world tropical wonderland through fun, family-friendly demonstrations and games. The festival goers can talk to our team of experts about the threats posed by climate change, insecticide and drug resistance to tropical diseases control. LSTM’s team this year will include students, entomologists, parasitologists, clinicians and nurses, all ready to inspire the next generation and inform people about the work of the world's first Tropical Medicine institute.
“We are looking forward to returning to the Bluedot for a third time.” Said LSTM’s Public Engagement Manager, Dr Elli Wright: “I am delighted with the whole LSTM effort and the collaboration across all of our research departments. We are excited to inspire the audience about our work and highlight why our work should matter to them. As last year, we are looking forward to engage with the younger members of the audience and hear their questions for our speakers during the DotTalks!”
For more information on the festival, its line-up and ticket sales, click here: https://www.discoverthebluedot.com/lineup/2019