LSTM has started offering free guided tours to small groups on a monthly basis, with a group in this week from Network 55 based in South Liverpool.
The three-hour tour, for up to 15 visitors, takes place on the first Tuesday of every month and has so far included school groups, various clubs and associations. Visitors are given an insight into the work of LSTM including the Centre for Snake Bite Research and Interventions (CSRI), the Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology.
Visitors are able to look through some of LSTM’s archives, learning more about our pioneers such as LSTM's first lecturer and Noble Prize recipient Sir Ronald Ross, Mary Kingsley and LSTM's first female lecturer Dr Alwyn Evans, as well as meeting researchers and scientists working to address some of the biggest problems in global health today.
Demonstrations involving maternal health, mosquitoes, parasites as well as a venom extraction along the way has made for excellent feedback about the tours including on visitor who said: “Absolutely amazing! Had a fab time learning all about the history of LSTM. The archives and the lab were super cool and the venom room was such a privilege.”
LSTM’s Public Engagement Manager, Dr Elli Wright, said: “Traditionally LSTM had multiple tour requests throughout the year, so beginning this programme offers us an opportunity to demonstrate to the public of Merseyside and beyond how we work across the world, often in very difficult circumstances, to fulfil our mission of reducing the burden of sickness and mortality in disease endemic countries.”
Tours are open to a maximum of 15 people and all visitors have to be aged 16 years or older and are fully booked until December 2019. Within the next few weeks there will be a booking form available on LSTM’s website, which will enable groups to book onto a tour up to three months in advance.
If you would like to sign up to receive information about events at LSTM, and other updates, please sign up here.