Meet our alumni
My name is Almuthana Mohamed, and I am known to most as Almu. I am a Sudanese medical doctor who studied Master of Science in Gastroenterology at Queen Mary University of London and graduated in 2019. When I finished my early medical training, I decided to pursue a career in gastroenterology and hepatology. However, research always appealed to me, and I wanted to expand my knowledge. So, after carefully looking for an academic degree, I came across the MSc Gastroenterology at Queen Mary and decided to enrol.
In September 2018, I arrived in London and started my studies. Obviously, relocating to a new country to study for a higher degree is challenging. But all professors were so thoughtful and helpful. For example, Dr Green (Clinical Teaching fellow) and Professor Kumar made sure we were well settled and provided advice on improving our studies and career. One of my most incredible memories is when we had a ward round at The Royal London Hospital led by Prof. Kumar. Her humbleness and compassion were so inspiring. This master's degree changed my medical perspective and made me a better clinician.
As an international medical graduate, I believe my masters study helped me understand clinical research and sharpen my presentation skills as well as medical knowledge. As a result, I managed to work last year as a research fellow in liver medicine at the Institute of Liver Studies at King's College Hospital. During that time, I presented my research locally, nationally, and internationally with a focus on viral hepatitis. I currently work as a gastroenterology speciality registrar at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust aiming to finish my clinical training. And I am an honorary research fellow at the Institute of Liver Studies at King's College Hospital, leading a national audit under the British Association for the Study of the Liver and hopefully starting a PhD in hepatology shortly.
My ultimate career goal is to become a hepatology and education professor and help my home country by collaborating with the UK Medical Research Council and UK Universities to establish clinical research in Sudan, focusing on liver research, education and clinical trials related to local diseases. Ultimately, I enjoyed my time in this masters programme. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the field of gastroenterology.
Hello future QMUL alumni! My name is Thinzar, I’m a Gastroenterology MSc graduate from QMUL in 2017. It has always been my passion since I was a medical student to pursue a career in Gastroenterology, especially Hepatology. After I graduated from medical school from my home country, Myanmar (Burma), I wanted to obtain more knowledge and international exposure in the subject. This led me to the MSc Gastroenterology programme in QMUL.
I had a wonderful time studying the Gastroenterology MSc. The course covers a wide range of core Gastroenterology subjects from basic science, paediatric to adult GI diseases. Moreover, the endoscopy training simulator sessions were very interactive and lively. What was exceptionally beneficial to me was the chance to observe clinical MDTs, ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and endoscopy sessions. These opportunities helped me improve my clinical and bedside education and above all, I was able to learn from the world leading experts in the field from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Barts Health NHS trust.
At present, I am a trainee in Internal Medicine. Having a MSc from a reputable University was extremely beneficial when applying for job interviews. Moreover, the knowledge and experience I had gained from the MSc helps me in the day-to-day management of adult GI disease patients.
My goal is to CCT in Gastroenterology and to pursue a PhD in Hepatology.My MSc project was “The changing Face of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in East London’’. This project has inspired me to explore more into the immunology behind patients with NAFLD who develops HCC. I hope to study this area for my PhD thesis and contribute to the improvement in management of the disease from screening to treatment options available.
And ultimately, the programme is led by amazing Professors, tutors, and lecturers. In addition to the career and educational benefits I attained from the MSc programme, the team was very supportive, and I have gained lifelong friends from my time there.
My name is Shaun Koo and I studied on the MSc Gastroenterology course at the Blizard Institute during in 2022/23. As a current MBBS student at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, I undertook the masters degree as an intercalated study programme following completion of the fourth year on the MBBS. I attended the course in-person at the Whitechapel campus, which was lovely to continue studying at a campus I was already very familiar with and fond of.
My main goals when joining the programme were to develop my burgeoning interest in the study of Gastroenterology. Following my clinical placements with different hospitals across the Barts Health NHS Trust, I found that medical school often is a rapid whistle-stop tour through the myriad of body systems and specialty disciplines. As such, I wanted to dedicate exclusive study time to explore the realms of the digestive system with which I have become fascinated.
The course is remarkable for the amazing teaching team we had the privilege to study under. From the very first day, we had a surprise visit from Dame Parveen Kumar herself, during which I was star-struck. Our other lecturers were also experts in the different fields of Hepatology, Neurogastroenterology and even Paediatric Gastroenterology, which allowed for engaging conversations about the growing landscape in Gastroenterology beyond simply learning disease diagnostics and management. I also particularly enjoyed the focus on nurturing research skills, ranging from learning lab techniques to our independent coursework of essays, presentations and, of course, the final dissertation. The course is very comprehensive and future students will definitely benefit from the small student to teacher ratio and diverse coverage of emerging topics in Gastroenterology.
I am currently finishing my fifth and final year of undergraduate medicine at Queen Mary and am looking forward to graduating and becoming a doctor. Continuing my studies after the MSc, I am set in my future ambitions to become a specialist in Gastroenterology. In particular, I was very intrigued by our teachings in Neurogastroenterology and do hope to practise in this sub-specialty in the future. I am also currently involved in clinical research in Gastroenterology, and the course has helped me to be well-equipped in research skills and clinical knowledge.
As an international student from Singapore, I do see myself returning eventually to Singapore to practise medicine. London will always remain my second home and I will fondly remember my university days at both Queen Mary and the Blizard Institute. I am extremely grateful for the MSc team who have made my student journey an enriching and enjoyable one.