A Melbourne scientist won a gold medal at the First International Meeting of Medical Olympics Contest in Thessaloniki for research her laboratory has done in the use of natural compounds, such as olive oil and cinnamon, in treating diabetes and cancer.
Katherine Ververis was chosen to represent her laboratory at the conference where she presented five papers on various research conducted at the Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. The laboratory won a gold medal and three silvers for their work.
The aim of the conference, which was held in Thessaloniki from 23 to 25 September, was to present original papers of social interest in the medical field.
“I was really excited and happy for the lab and wanted to share the news with them,” said the 23-year-old, telling Neos Kosmos how she felt after she found out her laboratory had won the medals.
“Everyone worked really hard on these projects so it’s nice when you’re rewarded for your work.”
Ververis, who is currently completing her PhD, assisted in the research which has found that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory aspects and can help “our cells divide and make new cells”.