Congratulations to Dr Ayat Elgammal, University College Cork, SSPC’s Education and Public Engagement champion, who is committed to making pharmaceutical research accessible by promoting knowledge exchange, trust and inclusivity that benefits both society and the scientific community.
SSPC’s EPE initiatives provided an excellent platform that strengthened her ability to communicate complex pharmaceutical science in a clear and accessible way. Translating research into language that resonates with lay audiences improves not only public outreach but also teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This skill is increasingly important as funders and employers place greater emphasis on societal impact and knowledge exchange. Seeing the curiosity, interest, and questions from diverse audiences reinforces the real-world value of her research is very rewarding and motivates her to continue advancing healthcare and science.
EPE activities benefit society, through making pharmaceutical science and healthcare more accessible, building trust by offering communities reliable, evidence-based knowledge in a time when misinformation is widespread. This empowers individuals to make informed decisions about health and treatment while fostering greater trust in science and medicine. Importantly, engagement is not a one-way process: it creates opportunities for dialogue, where researchers can learn from patients, carers, and the wider public. This exchange ensures that research is relevant, inclusive, and responsive to real world needs. Furthermore, outreach with schools and younger audiences helps inspire future generations of scientists, pharmacists, and innovators, contributing to a stronger and more diverse science workforce.
A true champion of public education and engagement Ayat has published in this space, created a short video on paediatric oral formulations that has been widely shared on social media and has represented UCC School of Pharmacy at the H4Y Careers in Healthcare Day.
