PhD student, Eleanor Browne (Medicine) reports on Centre for Integrative Mammalian Physiology and Pharmacology's final seminar.

On 6 September the Centre for Integrative Mammalian Physiology and Pharmacology (CIMPP) held its final seminar. PhD student, Eleanor Browne (Medicine) reports.

 “The Centre for Integrative Mammalian Physiology and Pharmacology is closing down so we had our final seminar last week.  The CIMPP was a fantastic flagship centre which successfully trained a new generation of in vivo scientists.  Excellent speakers left us full of determination to succeed and progress with our crucial research, and the feeling that though it marked the end of the Centre, it is only the beginning for its members.

Tom Holder, co-founder of the Pro-Test movement that began in 2006 to counter-balance the arguments of animal rights extremists, and catalysed the PR revolution that is occurring in animal research, inspired and encouraged us all join him on the parapet, and speak openly about the vital role of our research in medical advances. Evan Harris, a liberal democrat politician, gave us an amusing introduction to navigating Westminster corridors through the murk of the media, and highlighted the importance of understanding policy making to support scientific progress.

A fantastic cake baked by PhD student, Katherine Banks was much enjoyed by all to celebrate the achievements of CIMPP, and also to wish Professor Julia Buckingham, former Pro Rector (Education and Academic Affairs) and Research Administrator Elaine Snell every success in their new posts. The success of the final seminar (and the cake!) was truly a reflection of the success of CIMPP."