The UK and Ireland Rising Talents Programme is designed to provide flexible and practical financial support, alongside tools and support, for early-career women scientists to pursue their research. Five grants will be awarded to outstanding women postdoctoral scientists in the fields of Physical Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Computing, Life Science and Sustainable Development. Three of the ten women in 2021 shortlist are from Imperial College London.
The fully flexible Fellowships are worth £15,000 each and are tenable at any UK or Irish university or research institute to support a 12-month period of research. The researchers are shortlisted based on their remarkable research and excellent academic records, and on how the Rising Talents grant will enhance their careers.
Dr Paz (Upasana) Tayal is an Academic Clinical Lecturer in the National Heart and Lung Institute and a cardiologist. Her research focuses on heart muscle diseases (cardiomyopathies), using specialist imaging, genetics and clinical studies to understand why people get the condition and how we can improve outcomes for patients.
Dr Tayal will study the differences in the epidemiology, risk factors, and genetics between men and women with a heart muscle condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Her aim is to improve the diagnosis, treatment and survival of all patients with this condition. Speaking about her nomination, she said: “I'm very humbled to be shortlisted amongst such talented scientists. This nomination is particularly special because it is in such a diverse field, beyond medicine. I'm very excited to be given the opportunity to share my science with such a broad audience.”
