Dr Abigail Whitehouse to give Big Question Lecture on air pollution
Ever wondered what the impact of air pollution is on growing lungs? Or what you can do to improve your lung health? Dr Abigail Whitehouse will explore these questions and more in her free Big Question lecture, co-created with young people from Centre of the Cell’s Youth Membership Scheme.
In February 2022, Centre of the Cell and the Blizard Institute will welcome local young people to the Big Question Lecture, which will ask: What is the impact of air pollution on growing lungs?
Intending to answer the question is Blizard Institute researcher and NIHR clinical lecturer, Dr Abigail Whitehouse. Her lecture will be followed by a Q&A and refreshments in the Blizard Institute reception.
What you need to know
When: Monday 7 February, 6–7.30pm
Where: Perrin Lecture Theatre, Blizard Institute, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT
Who: For ages 14+. Tickets for the lecture are free of charge, but booking is essential.
Meet the speaker
Dr Abigail Whitehouse
Dr Abigail Whitehouse studied Medicine at the University of Manchester graduating in 2008, working initially in Greater Manchester as a foundation doctor and then moving to London for her paediatrics training in 2010. She then went on to receive her PhD in Paediatrics on the mechanisms behind air pollution’s health effects in children and is currently a researcher and NIHR clinical lecturer at Queen Mary.
Dr Whitehouse is researching ways to reduce wheezing and asthma in young children and continuing her work on air pollution. Additionally, she works with community, charity groups and primary care projects to reduce the impacts or air pollution exposure. This is done through education and knowledge sharing to raise awareness or direct personal and group level interventions to reduce exposure levels.
Read our interview with Dr Whitehouse
What is a Big Question Lecture?
Centre of the Cell’s Big Question Lectures are brought to you by top scientists at Queen Mary, in partnership with Centre of the Cell and co-created with young people from our Youth Membership Scheme. They give audiences from age 14 the chance to hear from leaders in science and healthcare about the cutting-edge biology and innovative front-line medicine going on right here in east London.
The Blizard Institute is home to world leading research into air pollution and its impact on public health
Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine at the Blizard Institute has led the institute in a number of research projects into the effects of air pollution on respiratory conditions such as asthma in African schoolchildren and COVID-19 risk, as well its impact during pregnancy in a ground-breaking study that found pollution particles in the placentas of fifteen Londoners. Professor Grigg’s studies have not only informed the public on the risks of air pollution, but also influenced national policy.
The Big Question Lecture is our opportunity to open the doors of Centre of the Cell and the Blizard Institute to the general public and share our innovation and expertise in this field with east London’s next generation of young scientists.
Register today for free to join us on Monday 7 February.
More information
For enquiries about the lecture please contact Myfanwy-Cerys Williams at m.c.williams@qmul.ac.uk. For any enquiries about Centre of the Cell, contact our Bookings Officer, Mohammed Rofik, on 0207 882 2562. Visitor information about Centre of the Cell can be found at www.centreofthecell.org.