Untangling scientific networks. Using Dr Peter Bush’s experience investigating the debilitating condition osteoarthritis, this talk highlights some of the challenges of research and the importance of encouraging the future generation of scientists. Alexia Lamorgese recounts her experiences as a summer student in Dr Bush’s laboratory – and how it helped shape her future aspirations for a career in medical research. I graduated from Portsmouth with a degree in Pharmacology, followed by a PhD at the University of Aberdeen, post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh. Since 2008 I have been a lecturer in physiology at the University of Brighton, where I am the programme lead for Biomedical Science. I try to keep an active research laboratory, investigating articular (joint movement) and growth plate cartilage (bone lengthening) in health and disease.

Growing up a multilingual, classics and music-oriented student in Italy, I unexpectedly fell in love with Biomedical Science at the University of Brighton. My passion for research awoke when Santander Universities awarded me a research scholarship. I investigated how improving the viability of articular cartilage might advance osteoarthritis treatment. I am now furthering my findings to answer whether inhibiting certain proteins may prevent osteoarthritis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx