MB-PhD Summer Placements 2022

Jean Ling Tan

Current Programme: University of Manchester MBChB (Y3)

2022-25 PhD Programme: ‘Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Ovarian Cancer’, supervised by Professor Stephen Taylor

Prior to my MB-PhD summer placement, my existing research experience was largely clinical. Having started medical school after the A-Levels, I was keen to get exposure to various types of research to understand what I might like to do in the future. The placement was a valuable opportunity to do so and experience the lab environment. I spent a week in Professor Stephen Taylor’s lab learning techniques such as microscopy and Western blotting. A fellow MBChB student did the placement with me, making the whole experience of being in a lab for the first time since my A-Level Chemistry/Biology days much less daunting.

Ultimately, the placement helped me make the decision to apply to the MB-PhD in Cancer Sciences programme. The placement gave me insight into what wet lab research involved and the day-to-day of lab life. It also helped me decide on a project to apply to – I enjoyed my time with the team so much that I applied for Prof Taylor’s project as my first choice, and I will be starting my MB-PhD with the Taylor lab come October!

My experiences so far have helped cement my aspiration to become a clinical academic. One day I hope to collaborate with researchers on a global scale, such that research truly represents and caters to the global population.

For me, the MB-PhD summer placement was the start of what will now be a long and fruitful working relationship with my supervisor – what will it be for you?

Yuki Zhou

Current Programme: University of St Andrews Medicine (Manchester Pathway, Y3)

2022-25 PhD Programme: ‘Understanding resistance to preventative tamoxifen therapy in women at high risk of breast cancer’, supervised by Dr Andrew Gilmore

Last year, I interned at Dr Xudong Wu’s lab of cancer epigenetics at Tianjin Medical University. This experience expanded my interest in cancer research. Personally, I’ve always wanted to do something to promote women’s health worldwide. Talking to patients and their families during my clinical placements in hospitals, the devastating impacts of breast cancer have inspired me to devote myself to breast cancer research. I also believe that prevention programs are vital in cancer control, especially in underdeveloped regions where medical resources are less readily accessible. This initial thought coincides with Dr Andrew Gilmore’s project that aims to understand why some women are resistant to tamoxifen therapy and find alternative preventative interventions. I also agree that early diagnosis and prevention play a vital role, especially in less developed countries where healthcare resources are not as readily accessible as in the UK.

During my MB-PhD summer placement, I shadowed PhD students and gained insights into their daily routines. Dr Gilmore also talked me through his research project and encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming an academic clinician. The co-supervisors were incredibly supportive and gave me a lot of help as well. Since then, I have known that Manchester is the ideal place to do my PhD.

My placement experience boosted my PhD application. Thanks to this opportunity, I understood the context of my chosen project more clearly and learned what working at Dr Gilmore’s lab will be like. I was completely in love with the welcoming and diverse lab culture and couldn’t wait to become part of this incredibly cooperative team.

Although the medical world is constantly developing, I believe my passion for cancer research will remain for my lifetime. Therefore, I aim to become an academic clinician and improve the health of global communities.

Hadiyat Ogunlayi

2020-23 PhD Programme: ‘Investigating the relationship between a stromal wound healing phenotype and breast density’, supervised by Professor Cliona Kirwan

My research focuses on investigating the relationship between a stromal wound healing phenotype and breast density. Manchester is uniquely placed to investigate the behaviour of live human fibroblasts from breast tissue due the expertise of the breast cancer researchers at the Manchester breast centre. As a Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon, Professor Cliona Kirwan is an ideal lead supervisor to inform and guide research activities within this project. In addition to supervisory guidance, the other researchers within the breast biology laboratory including John Castle who is Professor Kirwan’s Research Associate, provide significant input and advice to help answer my research questions. This Team Science approach facilitates the translational aspects of my work and means that my research can be approached from multiple angles.

By the time I have completed my MB-PhD I will have analysed the samples from up to 60 patients. I would like to go on to publish a paper from my findings before I then return to my medical degree. PhDs are tough and there will be times when your experiments are not going to work, you have to redo the experiment over and over again. You have to be resilient and you have to be patient and also be passionate about the work you’re doing so that you can keep going.

In the future, I would like to work as a clinician and specialise in oncology. For now, however, I want to continue working in cancer research alongside my training and see what research opportunities come her way.

David Withey

2021-24 PhD Programme: ‘Investigation of the pro-tumour microenvironment of CNS (brain and leptomeningeal) metastases in secondary breast cancer’, supervised by Professor Robert Clarke

Last year, I commenced my intercalated PhD in cancer sciences, having previously completed 3 years of my medical degree at the University of Manchester. In medical school, I gained a deep interest in oncology, both as a scientific subject and as a clinical speciality. I decided to apply for the MB-PhD program to not only become an expert in my chosen field, but to use this knowledge to contribute to advancements in oncological research.

My lead supervisor, Professor Robert Clarke is the director of the Manchester Breast Centre and the head of the Breast Biology Group. The aim of my project is to investigate the relationship between the CNS metastases in secondary breast cancer and their microenvironment – particularly how this relationship supports the development of these secondary tumours and how it can be exploited by developing new treatment.

After graduating university, I hope to enter the academic foundation programme with a view to qualify as an academic clinician in medical oncology – allowing me to combine both scientific research and clinical practice.