Lydia Mapstone

Organisation

University College London

Biography

Lydia Mapstone is a final year PhD student conducting her studies at UCL with Professor Saul Purton. Her PhD is investigating the potential of Spirulina, a microalga, as a crop for space travel. She has a MSc in Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology from the University of Edinburgh and a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Bristol. As a molecular biologist, Lydia is passionate about creating solutions in the real world for healthcare and the environment using biotechnology. Lydia has pursued this interest throughout her academic career; as a team member winning Best Therapeutic prize at international synthetic biology competition iGEM during her time at Edinburgh University (2017), building a team of likeminded PhD students to participate in entrepreneurship competitions BiotechYES (2018), Imagine If (2019) & Panacea Stars (2019), and finally landing a place in the BioIndustry Association PULSE course (2019) where she met and learnt from key leaders in the UK biotechnology sector. As a keen science communicator, Lydia has presented her PhD research at the Astrobiology and Planetary Exploration (APEX) seminar series (2018) and spoken of food solutions for astronauts to the general public at Citadel Festival through Guerrilla Science (2019). As her PhD research is wrapping up, she is delighted and be part of the 2021 3MT semi-finalist cohort.