I’m Georga Chilton, the new Communications Officer at the AKU Society. I’m excited to be part of the team and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, share a little about my journey into communications, and talk about what I’m looking forward to as I settle into the role.
How I Got Into Science (and Writing About It)
Growing up, I always loved reading and writing so naturally English was my favourite subject, but early into starting High School, I found myself unexpectedly fascinated by Biology and Chemistry.
I wasn’t raised in a family connected to science or healthcare and none of my relatives worked in those fields, so it wasn’t something I was naturally exposed to. However, I was fortunate to have some truly inspiring teachers whose passion for the subject was infectious. Their lessons brought science to life, and I became captivated by the complexity of the human body, the development of disease, and the powerful ways scientific discoveries can improve lives.
I went on to study Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology at A level, which deepened my interest in how the human body and mind work. Choosing a degree course at 17 felt like a huge decision, but I realised that studying science at university would allow me to combine my curiosity with a desire to help people. It felt like a natural and fulfilling path to take.
In 2020, I was thrilled to gain a place at the University of Warwick to study Biomedical Science, my proudest achievement to date. I originally planned to gain lots of lab experience and work for the NHS, but due to the pandemic, many of our practical sessions were cancelled. That unexpected shift gave me space to explore a different passion: science communication. I discovered that I really enjoyed the writing side of my degree, the essays, scientific posters, and presentations were where I thrived. And the course content was fascinating-we covered everything from the immune system and cancer to genetics, metabolism, neuroscience, microbiology, and beyond.
In my third year, I joined the university newspaper The Boar and became a deputy editor for the Science & Tech section. That experience turned out to be the highlight of my time at university. I pitched article ideas, edited and uploaded content, managed social media, helped with design and distribution, and even wrote a few pieces myself. Seeing my words in print or online was a fantastic feeling and it confirmed that I wanted a career where I could combine science and writing.
From Graduate Life to Communications
After university, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, or even where I wanted to live. I moved to Oxfordshire, where there’s a vibrant science scene, and worked for a lab media and reagent supplier. There, I gained valuable experience in events and marketing, organising our presence at over 40 conferences, trade shows, and symposiums across the UK and internationally.
While the role was a great learning opportunity, I found myself missing the more people-focused and health-driven aspects of science. I realised I wanted to pivot toward a role that allowed me to write, communicate scientific ideas, and ultimately make a difference to others.
Why I Joined the AKU Society
I’d been hoping to find a role within a health charity, something that combined writing with making a real difference. I’d recently written a couple of articles for a children’s cancer charity and found it both rewarding and fascinating. I also knew I wanted to continue studying, so a part-time role was ideal.
When I came across the job opening at the AKU Society, it ticked every box-combining writing, health, science, and the opportunity to make a real impact on patients’ lives. The fact that it focused on a rare disease made it even more meaningful, as these often face a lack of resources, funding, and public awareness, making effective communication all the more vital. It felt like the perfect opportunity to both learn and contribute. I’ll also be starting a part-time master’s in clinical Immunology later this year, so the flexibility is a huge plus.
My First Month: Learning and Listening
One of the highlights so far has been visiting the National Alkaptonuria Centre (NAC) in Liverpool and meeting the NAC staff and May patient group. It was incredibly inspiring to hear their stories-how they were diagnosed, what brought them to the NAC, and their personal experiences with treatment. It was also simply a pleasure to meet them all and learn more about their lives and backgrounds.
As someone interested in healthcare systems, I also really enjoyed learning how hospitals operate, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the various tests and departments involved in patient care was fascinating. There’s so much to take in, but I’m genuinely enjoying learning more about AKU and how the Society supports its community.
Looking Ahead
I’m looking forward to connecting with more people in the rare disease community, sharing important updates, and creating content that helps people better understand AKU. I’ll soon be visiting the research labs in Liverpool to learn more about the science behind the condition and its treatment, which I’m excited about.
I’ll also be managing the Society’s social media and communications channels-so if there’s any content you’d like to see, resources you think we should create, or anything you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!