For the first time, Malta joined FameLab, an international competition spanning over 20 countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa in the search for the next top science communicator. FameLab offers young researchers and early career scientists an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Twenty-three candidates, who took up the FameLab Malta preliminary challenge, were auditioned at St James Cavalier, Valletta on 6 April. These included Maltese students and researchers from the University of Malta and industry, in particular pharmaceutical companies. 11 finalists were selected: Claude Bajada, Anthony Debono, Sarah Dimech, Owen Falzon, Kristina Farrugia, Estelle Fenech Imbroll, Alexander Hili, Denise Hili, Gabriella Mifsud, Michelle Muscat and Fajnsol Sodegh.

Watch a video about the auditions on 6 April 2013.

Malcolm Love, a media and communications professional from FameLab UK and who has worked with the BBC trained the finalists to maximise their potential delivery in communicating science during a weekend masterclass on 27 and 28 April. They also learnt how to tackle a radio, TV and print media interview, and further refine their own presentations for the final contest.

Local scientist Owen Falzon was named the national winner of the FameLab competition on 17 May at the Manoel Theatre and will represent Malta at the International Final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. Supported by the British Council, FameLab is providing this young biomedical engineer with the skills to share his research with a wider audience.

Did you know that there are novel ways for analysing brain signals in order to enhance the performance of brain-computer interfaces? Biomedical engineer Owen Falzon won the national FameLab final by explaining how this project can improve the lives of disabled people.

Owen is currently working at the Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics at the University of Malta where he lectures and carries out research on the analysis and processing of biomedical signals and images. He has recently completed his PhD studies, where he explored and developed novel ways for analysing brain signals in order to enhance the performance of brain-computer interfaces. He is keen on transmitting his passion for science and how it can transform ideas that were once restricted to science fiction into real technologies that can improve our lives.

Communicating science accessibly and attractively is an ever-growing priority for researchers worldwide. Organised by the British Council Malta in partnership with University of Malta, Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT), and with the support of Actavis, Microsoft Innovation Centre, Vodafone, Teatru Manoel, Malta Chamber of Scientists and St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, FameLab helps young scientists acquire valuable skills to communicate their work to a non-scientific audience. By doing so, researchers not only change the common stereotype of the scientist as “the geek in the white lab coat busy doing strange things”, but also justify public funding for their research.

This was the first time that Malta participated in FameLab. The finalists had chosen a mind-expanding selection of topics to bring under the microscope – from the brain research through molecules that light up when they detect certain chemicals like sugar to more environmentally-friendly conditions that the industry can make use of by using lower quantities of solvents and more efficient catalysts to reduce quantities of waste generated.

The three-minute presentations were judged by a panel of scientists and communication experts according to FameLab’s golden rule – the 3C’s: Content, Clarity and Charisma. The judging panel consisted of Ecologist Dr Sandro Lanfranco, writer Malcolm Galea and lecturer Dr Kenneth Scerri. One of the biggest prizes for all finalists is the opportunity to attend a science communication master class led by the best UK trainers in this area.

The FameLab Malta initiative is in line with the University’s Trust, RIDT, highlighting the value and usefulness of science and research. RIDT actively seeks additional funds to expand the University’s research studies.

The FameLab winners from all participating countries will compete in June at the International Final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. FameLab is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals started in 2005 in partnership with NESTA and has quickly grown into arguably the world’s leading science communication competition. A partnership with the British Council since 2007 has seen the competition go global with more than 5,000 young scientists and engineers participating in over 23 different countries. NASA has license to deliver the competition in the USA.

For more information email famelabmalta@gmail.com or like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FameLabMalta