Emma Yhnell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr
Emma Yhnell
FLSW MRSB
|
|
|---|---|
Dr Emma Yhnell, 2020
|
|
| Citizenship | British |
| Alma mater | Cardiff University (BSc, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Behavioural neuroscience |
| Institutions | Cardiff University |
| Thesis | A phenotypic characterisation of the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington’s disease (2015) |
| Doctoral advisor | Stephen Dunnett Simon Brooks |
Emma Yhnell is a British scientist and a great communicator. She works at Cardiff University in the UK. Dr. Yhnell is known for her research on a brain condition called Huntington's disease. She also loves sharing science with everyone.
She has won awards for explaining science to the public. She is also a STEM ambassador, which means she encourages young people to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Emma Yhnell went to Chosen Hill School when she was younger. Later, she studied at Cardiff University. She earned a top degree in Biochemistry.
After that, she got her PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience. This research looked at how the brain works and how it's affected by Huntington's disease. She also studied Clinical Trials through distance learning.
Her Work and Research
After finishing her PhD, Dr. Yhnell continued her research at Cardiff University. She became a Research Fellow in 2016.
Today, she is a senior researcher, called a Reader, in the School of Biosciences. Her main research focuses on Huntington's disease. This is a rare genetic brain disorder. It can cause problems with thinking, moving, and even feelings.
Dr. Yhnell has explored how "brain training" games might help people with Huntington's disease. She works to take her research from the lab to help real patients. She is also a National Teaching Fellow, which means she's recognized for excellent teaching.
Sharing Science with Everyone
Dr. Yhnell is passionate about sharing science. She has spoken at many big events. These include the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts and the Cheltenham Science Festival.
She also took part in Soapbox Science. This event helps promote women working in science. In 2018, she spoke at Pint of Science, a festival that brings science news to the public.
In 2016, she visited the UK Parliament. She talked about how games could help train the brain. She also worked with a Member of Parliament to help bring science to government leaders. In 2017, she gave a TEDx talk at Cardiff University.
She even helped write a book called How the Brain Works: The Facts Visually Explained. It was published in 2020 by Dorling Kindersley.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Yhnell has received many awards for her work. In 2015, she won a science communication competition. She was recognized for her writing.
In 2017, she received the Young Investigator Award. This award was from the Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair.
In 2018, she won the British Science Association's Charles Darwin Award Lecture. She gave a special lecture at the British Science Festival. She talked about her research on Huntington's disease and how patients help in her studies. The same year, she won the British Neuroscience Association's Public Engagement Award. This award recognized her efforts to share science with the public.
In 2019, she won the Welsh round of the Famelab competition. This is a science communication contest. She then competed in the UK Finals.
