A SCIENTIST visited an Ellesmere Port school to deliver a lesson showing how medicines are made and how impactful a career in science can be.

Dr Juliana Maynard, Head of Translational Imaging at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) visited Ellesmere Port CofE College to deliver the interactive lesson.

She spoke to Year 11 pupils about her role at MDC and what it is like to work in medicines discovery, as well as encouraging them to think about the skills required to be a scientist.

The lesson is part of a school engagement programme between MDC and the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) Pledge Partnership.

Through this work, MDC and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP support regional skills development and encourage the next generation to consider a future in science in the North West's thriving life science sector.

Ellesmere Port CofE College is one of several schools that are part of the initial engagement programme.

MDC is also providing a virtual lesson available to all schools across Cheshire and Warrington, meaning that thousands of the region's students will have access to an interactive session on careers in science.

In recent years, the Northern Powerhouse region – encompassing the North West, North East, and Yorkshire – has emerged as a strength for the sector, growing by over 9% since 2012.

The North West region employs over 25,500 people in the life sciences sector and generates 38% of all UK pharmaceutical output.

Nurturing and inspiring the next generation of scientists will ensure that the North West and the UK remain leading forces in drug discovery.

MDC, based at Alderley Park, Cheshire, is reshaping drug discovery for the benefit of patients by transforming great UK science into better treatments through partnership.

It does this by developing and driving the adoption of new technologies and techniques to make medicines R&D more predictive and productive.

Dr Juliana Maynard, Head of Translational Imaging at MDC, said: "It was wonderful to speak to the students at Ellesmere Port about careers in science.

"The students were so enthusiastic and understood the impact they could have, making a difference to patients' lives.

"Sharing and enabling communication across the North West of the innovative work happening here at MDC is imperative. The future success of the UK in life sciences relies on our future talent, and it is very important we show how rewarding it is to work in this sector."

The LEP leads the growth of the Cheshire and Warrington economy through a powerful partnership between the private, public, and voluntary sectors.

It is building connections with organisations in Cheshire and Warrington to help improve the local economy and works closely with partners across the Northern Powerhouse.

Matt Loon, Head of Science at Ellesmere Port CofE College, said: "Thanks to MDC for coming in and helping our students understand how their learning applies to the real world.

"This has given our pupils a clear idea of the career progression opportunities available to them through science."