Graduate student spotlight
Today’s Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Graduate Students will be tomorrow’s distinguished cancer researchers. The Education fund exists to help ensure these students have access to the intensive training, world class faculty, and cutting edge technology that are necessary for them to excel.
ICR Graduate Students are rigorously selected and complete a comprehensive course of study. Students focus on independent research while indulging their intellectual curiosity and talent, under the guidance of some of the world’s most renowned cancer scientists. Students provide the “engine room” for the ICR’s work while galvanizing the faculty to achieve lifesaving results.
Students also come to the ICR because of their passion for cancer research. Some may have lost a parent to cancer and have become determined to help find new treatments. Many have seen friends and relatives dealing with the disease and have developed a genuine hunger to understand more.
Meet a few of these talented young researchers.
Gudrun Bachmann
Gudrun is a PhD student working in Structural Biology at the ICR. Born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland, Gudrun went on to train in Denmark before joining the ICR.
“I work on a project that has to do with the cell cycle and its regulation. I find it particularly interesting because if we know in detail how the cell cycle is regulated we can develop drugs that stop cell division, which could stop the development of cancer.
I was led to focus on research in to cancer because it is one of the major mortality factors in the western world and thus an interesting research topic to me.
I chose to study at the ICR because of its exceptional reputation as a research institute.”
Dalemari Crowther
South African born Dalemari, is a 2nd year PhD student working in the cancer genetics division at the ICR, specializing in leukemia.
“I am currently working on chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and we are especially interested in identifying predisposition genes, as this cancer has a very strong familial component.
Since the very first time that I was confronted with human genetics, it fascinated me and I knew that I wanted to be involved in deciphering the genetics of diseases.
I chose to study at the ICR because of its great reputation and it is one of the few offering studentships to candidates worldwide.
I would love to continue researching genetics and my next step will definitely be a post-doc.”
Maria Holstensson
Swedish born Maria is a 4th year PhD student working in the Radioisotope Physics team at the ICR. The Radioisotope Physics group is active in research for Nuclear Medicine imaging including diagnosis and dosimetry for targeted radionuclide therapy.
“My research topic focuses on optimization of imaging during radionuclide therapy using simulations
Working in Clinical Nuclear Medicine in the Royal Marsden Hospital with children undergoing cancer therapy, I was inspired to undertake a PhD and was lucky enough to be offered this opportunity to help make a significant contribution to cancer research.”
Edward Hughes
Edward is a 3rd year PhD student working in the Cancer Therapeutics, Signal Transduction and Molecular Pharmacology division at the ICR. He grew up in London and trained at Bristol University and Dartmouth College.
“My position involves looking at how other factors in the cell contribute to the sensitivity of cancer cells to our clinical trial HSP90 drugs. It’s interesting to me because of the challenging nature of the work and the chance to work on an exciting project.
Previous work experience in cancer research led me to believe that this is a worthwhile career choice. For me, it is important for my work to have meaning.
I chose to do my PhD at the ICR because the facilities and staff were impressive, the lab publication record was well documented and the project was very interesting.
I'm very open minded about the future but I wouldn't mind staying in cancer research.”
Chris Shepherd
Chris, from Lewis in East Sussex, is a PhD student working in the Molecular Cytogenetics Team at the ICR.
Chris honed his skills in the research departments of Imperial College before moving to the ICR as a scientific officer: “Like many people, I have had family members and friends affected by cancer so I felt it prudent to apply my enthusiasm for scientific research to this cause.
“My project aims to study microRNAs that are dysregulated in Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas affecting children in the UK.
There is an urgent need for therapies which have fewer long-term side effects and which target the specific molecular abnormalities. MicroRNA-based therapeutics have demonstrated efficacy in many cancer cell line models, but few groups have studied microRNAs in rhabdomyosarcoma. My project could potentially have a big impact scientifically and therapeutically,”
