Parky Poetry | The RIG Gig!
We met up in the morning
The sun burst from the sky
Jo explained how the day works
Our expectations high
Then time to impress us all
The great dynamic duo
Robin played by Esther
Batman? Clearly Dario.
Esther has our deep respect
She really walks the walk
She discussed 3 pillars
Now that’s real pillar-talk!
She took great pains to explain
About the status quo.
“I’m just a biochemist”
Said humbly, Dario
(In parentheses, I think
We should perhaps admit
That’s an understatement
Yes. Just a tiny bit).
He heads up this department
Impressive? Goodness, yes
Of every life science lab it’s ranked
The UK’s very best.
After that came Peter’s talk
He explained so well
How lysosomes are in effect,
Recycling plant of cells.
We learned a lot. I for one
Had not the slightest clue
That much of PD’s problems come
From ATP13A2 (!)
Then as time was marching on
We listened quite spellbound
To wisdom from Tom Gilbertson
On focused ultrasound
He showed us a few videos
And we could clearly see
The benefits and challenges
Of thalamotomy
Tom then turned to apathy
Some theories he proffered
Many listened quite entranced
Whilst others just weren’t bothered…
Professor Ian Ganley
Then took the post-break slot
Graveyard shift for many,
But for him of course it’s not
Discussing his research it seems
He’s something of a prodigy
Who else could, so well, define
Mitochondrial autophagy…
Jacqui Kerr and Tiffany
Had a special plea
Join in our research they said
To help us with PD
Register your interest
We stand at 982,
A thousand is our aim at least
But for that we need you!
After that some woman gave
A talk of a podcast
No interest in what she said
A chance to snooze at last!
Lunch was a tasty break
Followed by good mingling
I find the few brain cells I have left
All fired up and tingling!
Today’s been about building hope
And conquering our fear.
We all have a request for you.
Can we come back next year?
Gillian Lacey Solymar
Dundee 28th Feb 2025