A special invitation to Parliament has been extended to a scientist from Harpenden so she can present her research into antibiotic resistant superbugs.

Georgina Girt, 26, was shortlisted from thousands of applicants to present a poster on her findings, as part of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) for Britain event.

She is a biological chemistry PhD student at the University of Leicester and has made antibiotic compounds which may be effective against superbugs, like MRSA.

A panel of experts and politicians will choose the winner out of around 60 people entered, with prizes of £3,000 for gold, £2,000 for silver, and £1,000 for bronze.

Georgina said her compounds were unique: “I am really excited to have been selected for this year’s STEM for Britain event.

“The rise of drug-resistant bacteria is an extremely pressing issue both nationally and globally, and this is a great opportunity to share my research with a wide audience.”

Resistant bacteria arise when the harmful micro-orgasms are no longer killed by formerly effective medicine, through its overuse - in January this year an American woman died from a bacteria that was resistant to 26 different antibiotics.

This event is the only one of its kind in the country, and is sponsored by Stephen Metcalfe MP, chairman of the parliamentary and scientific committee.

He said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

It will be held on March 13 at the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House in Westminster.