FameLab International

Didac Carmona, a biochemist born in Spain and researching in Austria, wins FameLab International 2012, the international competition to find the top new science communicator for the 21st century. The event took place at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival.

During the final, Didac impressed the panel and captivated the audience with his pitch on programmed cell death. His talk included suicidal cells shooting, stabbing and exploding themselves all for the good of the organism.

For his three minutes on the perilous journey of the sperm, Ioannis Karypides of Cyprus was awarded one of two runner-up prizes, the second going to Poland’s Monika Koperska who explained why paper might be the best way to store information. Monika also received the audience vote prize.

For the first time this year there was also a very special prize awarded by panels from around the world who were watching the final online. The Online award was won by the UK’s Andrew Steele who told us how we could impress our cinema date with an explanation of how 3D films work.

View photos from the event here.