Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Meeting 2014
In today’s day and age, where the internet so efficiently provides us with all the information available , one might question the relevance of attending or even organising an annual science conference. Furthermore, the dynamic and fast evolving nature of Pharmaceutical sciences, which has ensued new methods being experimented upon, new ideas explored and new innovations discovered with each passing day, aimed at saving people’s lives has posed the question: How imperative then are pharmaceutical science conferences?
The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS), as the biggest academy and also a professional body for the Pharmaceutical Sciences in the United Kingdom, working with related partner organisations such as, JPAG, UK&ICRS, and the RPS brings together one of the biggest annual conferences held in the UK – the PharmSci Conference!
This year, PharmSci 2014 was held for an exciting 3 days at the University of Hertfordshire and showcased some of the best of pharmaceutical science from the UK and around the world. The conference presented various topics from medicinal chemistry to nanomedicines, stem cells and regenerative medicines and to innovative drug delivery methods. Our very own Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Professor Morgan Alexander, Professor Cameron Alexander and Dr. Maria Marlow were present to share their ideas with the world. We were also treated to talks from GSK Emerging Scientist Award winner on 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography as a marker of disease activity in aortic stenosis and vulnerable atherosclerotic plague and from the winners of the APS and RPS science Award lecture 2014.
To attract both undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop their presentation skills and the scientific networks essential for future careers, there were social events and an exhibition for submitted poster and oral presentations for open appraisal and award-giving. Large pharmaceutical companies such as GSK and AZ, many technology suppliers, contract research organisations (CRO) and small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) were given the opportunity to display what they had to offer. Besides that, interesting debate topics such as “Investment in new antibiotics or the supply of fresh water – which will save more lives?” and “The Role of Universities in Open innovation Research: Academic Entrepreneurship or Industrial Exploitation?” invited by the University of Hertfordshire and the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst were both exceedingly interesting to get engaged in.
In keeping with the Academy’s philosophy to promote interaction and collaboration between the multidisciplinary subjects which constitute pharmaceutical sciences, I would certainly recommend keeping an eye out for the next PharmSci Conference or any of the events organised by APS, UKICRS, RPS and the RSC and many more. Be it meeting people with the same passion, discussing matters and ideas to advance your project or to even get a job, these conferences are definitely worth the expenses; you might like me even get sponsored by our School, so I do not see an excuse! In fact, next year’s PharmSci Conference is held in Nottingham at our very own East Midlands Conference Centre from the 7th-9th of September 2015. This is definitely an event not to be missed.
Jonathan Tan
MPharm IV
Posted on Thursday 16th October 2014