Zoe wins a Sir William Darling Memorial Prize for enhancing the reputation of the University of Edinburgh

Huge congratulations to Zoe Gidden, who has been awarded a Sir William Darling Memorial Prize of £1000. Traditionally, this Prize is awarded to an individual or group of students who have done most to enhance the reputation of the University. Zoe has done this firstly through her role on the University swim team, which has resulted in her winning multiple events:

• Scottish National Masters Champion 2021 25-29 yrs in 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m individual medley. Achieving times that were faster than the Scottish age group record in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
• Scottish National Masters Champion 2022 25-29 yrs in 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m individual medley. Again, achieving times faster than the Scottish age group record in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
• Represented the University of Edinburgh in Scottish Student Sport League Division 1 matches.

In addition to her sporting achievements, Zoe has also enhanced the reputation of the university by delivering several exemplary talks to a variety of different audiences. In September, along with researchers from universities across Scotland, Zoe participated in the “Explorathon 2021 Science in our Lives” event by giving a well-received Pecha Kucha presentation about her research to a lay audience. This presentation style, consisting of 20 slides each lasting 20 seconds, challenges the presenter to carefully consider the content and choice images. Zoe put together a creative and engaging presentation which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/AHFViB7PuNU?t=3962.

Zoe has also represented the ESMB, presenting her work at the Biophysical Society Annual Congress in San Francisco earlier this year.