Posted: 30th January 2025

Professor Blanca Rodriguez and her team have appeared in a new educational film about humane research. 

Produced by the charity Animal Aid, the video showcases the work of scientists undertaking innovative non-animal research in the fields of toxicology and biomedicine.  

The film will be made available to secondary school science teachers to inform students about the progress being made in the field of humane research, with the aim of encouraging students to consider future scientific study. 

Professor Rodriguez and her team are at the forefront of humane research, pioneering the ‘digital twin’ concept in cardiology. This virtual tool integrates patient data using advanced mechanistic and statistical models to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and drug development. Their work also incorporates ‘in silico’ trials, where modelling and simulation technologies play a key role in pharmacological research. 

In the film, Professor Rodriguez, Research Associate Albert Dasí I Martinez and DPhil student Hannah Smith discuss the potential of virtual tools in research, emphasising their role in enhancing safety, efficiency, and accuracy.  

The film also features contributions from Professor Amanda Ellison (Durham University), Professor Mike Coleman (Aston University), and Professor Chris Denning (University of Nottingham).

Watch the film via the Animal Aid website.