Access to Higher Education Health Professions students recently showcased their final research projects at The Bridge Skills Hub, with work focused on raising awareness of infection prevention and control.

More than 20 posters were displayed across the event, drawing engagement from tutors, prospective students, family members, and local visitors who discussed the research directly with learners.

Poster Award Winners

Judged against Higher Education standards, students were assessed on the quality of their research and the clarity of their communication and presentation. 

Awards were then presented to the highest achieving projects, with students receiving certificates and gift cards in recognition of their efforts.

1st Place

Taking first place, Samantha Fisher blended custom digital artwork with rigorous science in her project, “How Did It Escape?”, to track S. pneumoniae transmission, colonisation, and severe clinical outcomes like meningitis. Her project explained antibiotic mechanisms through microbiology diagrams and vascular access illustrations.

2nd Place

Securing second place, Zoe Western brought cellular biology to life by utilising hand-drawn posters and 3D anatomical models to contrast eukaryotic organelles against prokaryotic bacterial survival mechanics. To drive focus toward patient care, her detailed “Safety and Protection” umbrella diagram mapped vital healthcare safeguarding frameworks against physical, emotional, and financial abuse.

3rd Place

Completing the top three, Kaylie Brown targeted public health with her project, “Pathogens & Diseases: How Measles Infects the Human Body,” which investigated measles transmission risks affecting babies before and after birth. With a clear focus on preventative care, her work featured a structured timeline of the routine UK vaccine programme, detailing child immunisation booster schedules.

Student of the Year Award

The Student of the Year Award for Healthcare was presented to Izabela Kus in recognition of her consistent dedication throughout the academic year.

Praised by tutors for her professionalism and commitment to progression, Izabela demonstrated strong attendance, independent learning, and ongoing support for her peers across the course.

Her achievement reflected both academic commitment and the positive contribution she made to the wider learning environment.

Staff Reflections

Reflecting on the event, Health Science Lecturer Aigul Groves commented:

“Through events such as this, Access to HE courses continue to support adult learners in developing the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed for progression into higher education. Seeing their progress has been amazing, and every student has shown real development.”

Feeling Inspired?

Find out more about Health and Social Care courses at North Notts College