Heading to Parliament

James Charles, aged 25, was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants for his Parliament appearance, as part of the SET Britain competition - which aims to encourage, support and promote Britain’s early-career research scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians, who are considered to be an essential part of continuing progress in development of UK research.

James, currently a PhD student at the Royal Veterinary College in London, has been studying the intricacies of human and animal motion, using a computerised simulation of running within the mouse hind limb. His poster explaining the research will be judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

James said: “Discovering exactly how vertebrates, including humans, are able to move over a wide range of land surfaces in a stable and controlled way is extremely important. It has the potential to help develop treatments for neuromuscular injuries or disorders, and aid in the development of more accurate prosthetic limbs.

“This event represents a great opportunity to explain to a wider audience why this research is important, for a society which relies hugely on the mobility of its citizens.”