What were you doing before you joined the CSC Programme?

I had gotten my Master of Chemistry degree at Newcastle University and was doing an Erasmus postgraduate internship on biological lab techniques at Greifswald University in Germany.

What inspired you to choose this project?

 I wanted to do this PhD because I loved the idea of combining my experience in chemistry and biology to design and synthesise a drug and then test it, in the hopes of being able to help with cancer research.

Interesting fact about yourself

I love animals and will be volunteering at my local mini zoo!

What were you doing before you joined the CSC Programme?

What inspired you to choose this project?

The prospect of creating an organ-in-chip platform that could enable timely investigation of immune and tumour responses and interactions for pre-clinical or clinical discovery of novel immunotherapies, using tumour biopsies was extremely interesting as its key for advancement of highly promising personalised medicines in the oncology field.

Interesting fact about yourself

When I am not a work you will most likely find me practicing or dancing Salsa. I do up to 12 hrs a week.

What were you doing before you joined the CSC Programme?

BEng in Biomedical Engineering - University of Limerick (2017-2021) - Thesis Title: Detection of Bacteria Growth within Microfluidic Droplets

MRes in Cancer Technology - Imperial College London (2021-2022) - Thesis Title: Development of a Capillary Network-on-Chip to Investigate Circulating Tumour Cell Behaviour during Metastatic Dissemination

What inspired you to choose this project?

My project is looking at the role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in cancer evolution and drug resistance using microfluidics, with a focus on pancreatic cancer. The project employs various systems, such as droplet microfluidic, CRISPR and other fluid handling systems, to explore the interaction between CAFs and PDAC cells

Interesting fact about yourself

I love getting out into the outdoors, whether it's hiking through the hills, pitching a tent, or setting sail on open water.

What inspired you to choose this project?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, largely because of challenges imposed by the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB makes it difficult for systemically administered drugs to reach the tumour site, resulting in poor bioavailabiltiy and off-target effects. I chose this project as I am excited by the prospect of locally delivering drugs to the tumour site using a stimuli-responsive material cargo. This ‘material cargo’, the conductive elastomer, can be implanted into the tumour site and the release of chemotherapeutics into the tumour can be controlled via voltage application. This therefore allows for the temporal and spatial control of drug release, thus increasing the bioavailability of drugs at the tumour site as well as limiting off-target effects.

It is hoped that this treatment approach will represent a novel option for GBM patients and will hopefully improving their quality of life by increasing survival time and reducing treatment burden by limiting off-target effects.

Interesting fact about yourself

I have played in a football game against Usain Bolt

What inspired you to choose this project?

Metastatic breast cancer is currently incurable due to the near inevitable emergence of resistant cancer cells during the course of treatment. As an aspiring oncologist, I am interested in how competitive interactions between cancerous and healthy cells shape tumour growth and resistance. Using advanced cell labelling and tracking techniques as well as cutting-edge microscopy, I aim to catch malignant cells in the act of killing their peaceful neighbours. Hopefully, insights into this process will expose cancer’s set of tricks and reveal potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited to drive complete responses to treatment in more women.

Interesting fact about yourself

My Surname is misspelled in my passport because one of my ancestors messed it up. 

What inspired you to choose this project?

I am developing a microfluidic chip to study how extracellular matrix components affect tumour cell behaviour during metastatic colonisation in the lung. This multidisciplinary project utilises techniques from microfluidic device development and proteomics, which allows me to learn from both engineers and biologists. Identifying specific proteins that contribute to metastatic disease progression will hopefully pave the way for improvements in personalized treatment plans and targeted therapy. 

Interesting fact about yourself

I play the piano and guitar.