A leading academic has been nominated for a top accolade in recognition of her public engagement and knowledge exchange work, one of two nominees from the University of Aberdeen in this year's Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.
Professor Mirela Delibegovic has been nominated as a finalist in the Knowledge Exchange Champion category, while the Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics (iCAIRD) is also in the running for an award.
Professor Delibegovic is a world-leading scientist in diabetes and cardiovascular disease and co-creator and Director of the Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, through which she has organised numerous public engagement events.
Last year she helped lead knowledge exchange events across Scotland to celebrate the centenary of insulin discovery, highlighting the critical role of Scottish scientists including JJR Macleod, while also advising on a Royal Mint project celebrating the centenary which led to the creation of a commemorative coin.
A champion of women in science, Professor Delibegovic has delivered inspirational talks and practical science classes in Scotland and the USA, including ‘Science Club for Girls’. She has also led on work to develop an antibody test against Covid-19, leading to international interest on its potential use in countries where vaccines are scarce.
Meanwhile, the iCAIRD project, of which the University is a partner institution, has been nominated in the Multiparty Collaboration category.
A centre of excellence, iCAIRD brings together 15 academic, industry and healthcare partners throughout Scotland and was established to enable better and earlier diagnosis, more efficient treatment and improved outcomes for patients by applying artificial intelligence and innovative technology in the healthcare system.
The University is a core site within the collaboration, with the Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science and NHS Grampian leading the way in Aberdeen to transform how academia works with industry and the NHS.
The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2022 take place on Thursday, 17 March, from 3 – 4.30pm, online. Register here