Bernadine Idowu smiling and shaking hands with Princess Anne
Bernadine Idowu smiling and shaking hands with Princess Anne

UWL Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences meets the Princess Royal at opening of MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building

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The new Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) building on Imperial College’s Hammersmith Hospital campus was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal on Tuesday 23 January.

Dr Bernadine Idowu, Associate Professor at the University of West London, who is part of the MRC’s Community Stakeholder group, looking at diversity in science, was among those invited to meet the Princess as she toured the facility.

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The LMS, which was founded over 60 years ago, is championing a challenge-led ‘team science’ approach, building dynamic collaborations around specific biomedical challenges. It is home to 400 scientists working on research initiatives around topics including genes and the environment, heart and metabolic diseases and sex-based differences in disease.

I felt honoured and privileged to be selected to meet HRH The Princess Royal as part of the Community Stakeholder group,”

Bernadine says.

She was lovely - very knowledgeable and acknowledged the importance of young people understanding the significance of the role they can play in research from an early age.

It is so important to me to that students from all backgrounds are welcome in the MRC-LMS should they wish to pursue a career in medical research. As part of our activities, Level 6 Biomedical Sciences students from UWL will be visiting the facility soon, a great start.”

HRH Princess Anne walking through the LMS facility with staff members

Indeed, the LMS is keen to foster collaboration beyond its walls by actively welcoming local residents, holding public lectures and participating in community events.

Professor Wiebke Arlt, Director of MRC LMS, says:

The building's design fosters an environment highly suited to team science that transcends disciplinary boundaries, bringing together clinical and non-clinical scientists in a shared space designed for collaboration, training, and mentorship.

LMS researchers go out into communities and to schools to share our science and foster relationships that can create impact through education and engagement.”

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