Marina Papaiakovou, who is studying for a PhD in Biological Sciences in Veterinary Medicine, has contributed an exhibit to a new permanent gallery – Fixing our Broken Planet - in the Natural History Museum (NHM), London.
The new gallery explores the environmental challenges facing the world and highlights science-based solutions and features over 35 NHM scientists. Marina's display focuses on parasitic worms which are her specialism.
Her research seeks to develop new diagnostic techniques for worm infections and ways to understand their transmission. The diseases carried by parasitic worms cause a heavy burden of chronic illness, malnutrition, and developmental problems, particularly in low and middle income countries.
The display features three groups of parasitic worms, as well as a bottle of medication which may be used as a treatment and as preventative chemotherapy.
Marina said:
"It is incredible to see that over a million people have visited the exhibition to date. My hope is that by seeing the parasites in my research, we can all understand that this is a fixable global health problem—one that affects a quarter of the world's population. It is a chance to connect people with the issue and show them how we can take action to help people and the planet."
Visitors to the exhibition may also listen to Marina discuss her current PhD work via audio.
Marina is a member of the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme.