In The Press
Lydia Faces Her Toughest Science Test
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 11 Mar, 2010
A Bath Sixth Former is hoping to see off her rivals to be named Young Scientist of the Year in a national compeition. Lydia France, from the Royal High School, has made it through to the finals of this year's National Science and Engineering Competion in Manchester. The International Baccalaureate (IB) student is in with the chance of winning £5,000 and a trip to the NASA space centre in Florida. Lydia, who will be presenting her research on biochemistry, which she completed during a summer palcement at Bristol University, said she was excited. The 17 year old, who is in Year 13 said: 'Doing research in this vitally important area has been exhilarating and I'm really looking forward to meeting other students and scientists in Manchester. 'Naturally, I'm nervous about presenting my work to a panel of distinguished scientists, but I'm sure the experience will do me good.' Lydia worked on a project to develop a technique called mutasynthesis, which enables scientists to create pharmaceutically useful substances by manipulating the genes in bacteria. The process means scientists can develop new medicines much more quickly. More than 13,000 visitors are expected to attend the event in Manchester, including some of the country's top scientists, politicians and employers of science graduates. Lydia will have to set up a stand displaying her research and also make a 20 minute presentation to a panel of judges. Once she completes her IB qualifications this summer she is hoping to go on to university and has already received offers to study biology at both Oxford and University College London.
An 
A 