Gold Crest Biology Award 2019

Congratulations to Azkah (S6) who has received a Gold CREST Award for her Biology project.

Azkah completed a summer placement in the Biology Research Labs at the University of West of Scotland. Her practical work looked at using propolis as a natural cure for Leishmaniasis.

Propolis is a resin-like material made by bees from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees.

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan Leishmania parasties which are transmitted by sandflies.

Symptoms include ulcers of the skin, mouth and nose The disease affects some of the poorest people on earth and is associated with malnutrition, population displacement, poor housing, a weak immune system and a lack of financial resources.

An estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases and some 26,000 to 65,000 deaths occur annually.

CREST is the British Science Association’s scheme for STEM project work that inspires young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers.​

We are very grateful to Dr Roderick Williams at the University of the West of Scotland for providing Azkah with this opportunity.