A Master’s student, studying at the University of Aberdeen, is set to present their work at a prestigious poster competition for early career science researchers held in Westminster.

Josefine Björkqvist has been selected for the STEM for Britain Awards, a prestigious series of poster competitions and exhibitions which are held in the House of Commons during British Science Week.

Josefine undertook an industrial placement year with Move More Aberdeen, an award-winning partnership project funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered in partnership with Sport Aberdeen. The focus of her research during her time with Move More Aberdeen was to evaluate the long-term impact of exercise referral for people living with cancer.

Candidates will present frontier UK research within science, engineering, and mathematics to members of both Houses of Parliament on the 12^th March 2018.

Josefine said:

“Advances in medicine mean that people diagnosed with cancer are living longer, however many experience long-term side-effects of the cancer and treatment. Being active not only reduces the side-effects of treatment but it has also been shown to improve survival for some types of cancer.”

“Move More Aberdeen has demonstrated a significant long-term increase in activity levels, a decrease in fatigue and improvement in quality of life for participants. The programme is a feasible model for integrating physical activity into routine cancer care.”

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:

“This achievement is a true testament to Josefine’s hard work and commitment to improving the lives of people living with, and beyond, cancer and her drive to develop an innovative approach to achieving positive outcomes through physical activity.

“On behalf of Sport Aberdeen I would like to congratulate Josefine and wish her the best of luck at the competition.”

Macmillan Partnership Manager Joanne Adamson said:

“I am delighted that Josefine has been selected to present her work at Westminster.  She has been key to establishing an innovative, person centred physical activity programme for people living with, and beyond cancer in Aberdeen, which has demonstrated great outcomes for people. On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support and our Move More projects across Scotland we wish Josefine every success.”