MyAV范

The list of breakthroughs demonstrates how MyAV范 is at the forefront of some of the world鈥檚 most important discoveries and is solving real-world problems.

#MadeAtMyAV范 showcases stories such as how MyAV范 is transforming the treatment and diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer鈥檚; providing free legal advice for communities; changing perceptions of disability; creating greener and more inclusive cities; preserving our heritage and developing robotics that help everyone.

Examples of discoveries which are impacting on people鈥檚 lives every day include:

• Using our immune cells to target and kill cancer听- Researchers at MyAV范 are pioneering groundbreaking CAR T-cell cancer treatments which reprogramme the patient鈥檚 own immune system to recognise and kill cancerous cells.
• First water detected on potentially 鈥榟abitable鈥� planet - In a world first, MyAV范 researchers detected water vapour in the atmosphere of a super-Earth with habitable temperatures.
• HIV remission achieved in patient - MyAV范 researchers led a breakthrough in HIV treatment by helping a man in London reach sustained remission from HIV after ceasing treatment.
• Two people regain sight after pioneering eye therapy - Last year two people, whose sight had deteriorated due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), were able to see the world again, following ground-breaking stem cell based therapy pioneered at MyAV范.
• Legacies of British Slavery - When slavery was abolished in Britain in 1834, the Government compensated slave owners the equivalent of 拢17billion but slaves received nothing. MyAV范 have led the national debate around the long term impact of colonial slavery.
• Restoring Brazil鈥檚 Atlantic Forest - An innovative UK-Brazil research project co-led by a MyAV范 academic was awarded the prestigious 2018 Newton Prize for facilitating indigenous partnerships to restore lost biodiversity to large swathes of Brazil鈥檚 Atlantic Forest.
• MyAV范 researchers set the record for fastest ever data rate 鈥� MyAV范 researchers have achieved a data rate of 120 Terabytes per second in a single fibre that would allow the entire HD Games of Thrones series to be downloaded in just 1 second.

The #MadeAtMyAV范 campaign is part of MyAV范鈥檚 new public engagement series MyAV范 Minds - a programme of lectures, performances, exhibitions, podcasts and stories which showcase the brilliant and curious minds at MyAV范.

Professor Michael Arthur, MyAV范 President & Provost, said: 鈥淢yAV范 is committed to changing the world for the better. We continually pursue academic excellence, break boundaries and make an impact on real world problems.

鈥�#MadeAtMyAV范 celebrates how our discoveries, theories, inventions and solutions, have brought about significant change for the benefit of humanity and touch people鈥檚 lives everyday. We hope as many people as possible will take part by voting and visiting our events.鈥�

All the stories highlighted in #MadeAtMyAV范 were nominated by students, staff, alumni, partners and were shortlisted using criteria co-designed with members of the public. The campaign is now open for members of the public to vote on their favourite discovery, with the winners unveiled at a special TEDX MyAV范 event in March next year.

Members of the public are also invited to meet the minds behind #MadeAtMyAV范 at MyAV范鈥檚 It鈥檚 All Academic Festival on Saturday 5 October, free and open to all from 10am 鈥� 4pm. A podcast series about the discoveries will also be podcast on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.

MyAV范鈥檚 campaign is linked to UUK鈥檚 nationwide campaign which aims to change public perceptions of universities and bring to life the difference they make to people, lives and communities across the UK.

Independent research undertaken by Britain Thinks last year found that the public has little understanding of the benefits of universities beyond undergraduate teaching. The findings show that research is one of the key triggers to change opinion about universities but for many people, it is an abstract concept.

Other #MadeAtMyAV范 discoveries include:

• Cultural visits reduce loneliness and isolation - 鈥楳useums on Prescription鈥� prescribes arts & culture visits and has significant potential to reduce isolation in older age.
• MyAV范-backed students help to alleviate food poverty in Southeast Asia - Four MyAV范 students won the $1million Hult Prize by creating Rice Inc to help farmers adopt more sustainable methods to dry their rice, cutting waste and guaranteeing a higher quality of rice grain.
• The tumour hunters: Precision targeting for prostate cancer 鈥� MyAV范 researchers are doubling cancer detection rates with SmartTarget which helps surgeons to better pinpoint prostate cancer in biopsies while MRI scanning.
• Making the feeling of touch accessible to all - MyAV范 researchers have developed touch technology, combined with 3D printing which could make simple 鈥榖ionic鈥� hands available to anyone in the world.
• Predicting extinction risk from climate change - With around 20,000 species of animals and plants facing extinction in the wild, MyAV范 researchers have played an instrumental role in identifying those species most vulnerable due to climate change and have helped develop new conservation guidelines used the world over.
• Turning used coffee into clean energy - MyAV范 start-up bio-bean, co-founded by MyAV范 graduate Arthur Kay, turns used coffee grounds into clean energy, helping companies reduce their methane gas and CO2 emissions and preventing thousands of tonnes of waste each year.
• Transforming lives and communities with legal aid - The most vulnerable members of our community are often the ones most in need of legal advice, yet struggle to get help. MyAV范鈥檚 unique advice clinic is changing that and transforming lives and communities.
• Using innovative technology to protect older adults鈥� finances - MyAV范 researchers have developed a personal finance platform to better protect older vulnerable people from scams and fraud.
• Examining the future of referendums - MyAV范鈥檚 Constitution Unit is leading a rethink of the role of referendums in our democracy and how such votes should be conducted in future.

Links

• About MyAV范 Minds
• It鈥檚 All Academic Festival
• MyAV范 Grand Challenges
• Our work in MyAV范 East

Media contact

Jake Hawkes

Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 8581

Email: j.hawkes [at] ucl.ac.uk