In his first official visit as Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Alan Mak MP, toured the UCL East campus to see first-hand the remarkable research being undertaken.
Mr Mak was taken on a tour of both Marshgate and One Pool Street by Professor Gary Lye, Director of the Manufacturing Futures Lab (UCL Biochemical Engineering), and Helen Fisher, Director of Operations at East.
The delegation discussed the wide-reaching impact of UCL research and the importance of stability in research funding. From the creation of nanofibers to treat cancer and cardiovascular disease to improvements in the sustainability of plastics, Mr Mak recognised universities’ powerful role in maintaining the UK’s global success in research and innovation.
At UCL East the shadow minister learned about UCL Innovation & Enterprise’s impressive record supporting spinouts and start-ups, with more than 540 new student startups and over 70 spinouts initiated at UCL. The group also discussed the huge economic impact that universities make in the local and national economy.
On the tour, the group visited UCL’s Manufacturing Futures Lab, where UCL researchers develop next-generation manufacturing technologies, followed by the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Lab, where Biomedical Engineering student Monkgogi Galeitsiwe (Pako) led a demonstration of ’Spot’ the robot dog.
In the Innovation Lab, Mr Mak spoke with Laboratory Manager, Oliver Collier, about how the rapid-prototyping teaching maker-space enables staff and students to realise their design ideas, with access to 3D printers, laser cutters, materials and power tools.
Dianna Nguyen, Teaching Wet Laboratories Manager, showed the MP UCL East’s state-of-the-art wet laboratories.
Helen Fisher, Director of Operations at UCL East said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Alan to the East campus and to show him some the fascinating, impactful research being undertaken by UCL staff and students.
We demonstrated the incredible potential of UK research and the essential role universities must play in ensuring the UK remains a globally leading place for scientific and technological innovation."
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