Meet our alumni
"My name is Aarushi Vaidya, I’m a Neuroscience and Translational Medicine MSc graduate, in 2021 from Queen Mary University of London. Having previously completed my Neuroscience BSc degree, I wanted to undertake the MSc to gain knowledge of drug discovery and the challenges of developing novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.
The MSc programme was extremely beneficial for me, I understood the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases from research-active experts in the field. I learnt about “bench to bedside” medicine, wherein existing in vitro and in vivo models of neurological diseases can be translated to clinical trials effectively. The neuro-oncology module was particularly enjoyable for me as we received lectures from leading clinicians and researchers alike. My MSc dissertation project aimed to assess the glial response in adenosine A2A receptor knockout mouse models compared to controls following a model of trauma haemorrhage shock. I specifically enjoyed the dissertation project because I gained independent laboratory skills including immunohistochemistry. Most significantly, I was working with extremely supportive lecturers and supervisors who provided incredible support and advice throughout the master's year.
I am currently a first-year Neuroscience PhD researcher at the University of East Anglia, developing organoid models of hypothalamic neurogenesis to study the roles of fibroblast growth factors. Undertaking the MSc dissertation project encouraged me to pursue a PhD as it equipped me with a strong set of laboratory techniques, as well as a realistic view of a research project. Completing the MSc programme inspired me to undertake a PhD as I thoroughly enjoyed the dissertation project and wanted to continue learning whilst contributing to leading research.
I wish to pursue a research career in neuroscience and want to work as a postdoctoral research associate in neuro-oncology or neuroendocrinology. I am particularly motivated to decipher the cause of paediatric brain tumours and consequently develop novel therapeutic approaches in the future. Alternatively, I also wish to work in drug discovery and target validation to contribute to developing novel therapeutic targets for central nervous system diseases."
"My name is Laurence King, I studied MSc Neuroscience and Translational Medicine at Queen Mary University of London in 2021/2022. I had previously studied for a BSc in Pharmacology, graduating in 2017. Neuroscience was my favourite area of study in my undergraduate degree, and I wanted to refresh my knowledge of it as well as gain access to a wider range of jobs in the Bioscience industry.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at QMUL and believe that the course gave me fantastic knowledge and experience of the complete process of developing novel neuroscience treatments, 'from bench to bedside'. The emphasis on translational medicine is a fantastic and unique benefit to the course and has helped me stand out from other job candidates in the translational medicine sector. There was sufficient range of module choices to cover all key areas of neuroscience, from Neuro-Oncology to Neurodegenerative diseases. I found the mixture of taught modules and a research project great, as I was able to apply the knowledge I learned from every key area of neuroscience into an independently planned research project whilst being supported by my supervisors.
I am currently working as a research technician in the translational team at the Cancer Institute at UCL where we process and analyse patient samples from ongoing cancer trials. We focus on CAR T cell therapy, a relatively new and innovative field in which patients' T cells are genetically engineered to recognise and fight cancer cells. I first learned about CAR T cell therapy in a lecture on Neuro-Oncology in which a consultant from UCL explained novel therapies in the field. I thoroughly enjoy my job and have no doubt that studying on the MSc was instrumental in me being hired. In fact, two of my colleagues also studied on the same MSc course.
I hope to carry on my career in the field of CAR T therapy and translational medicine by either studying for a PhD or getting a job in industry such as for a pharmaceutical company. The MSc course has opened my eyes to the niche and rewarding field of translational medicine and I hope to continue being a part of it by helping to inform clinicians of the best treatment options based on contemporary scientific literature."
"The MSc in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine was an excellent degree, providing me with a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the various exciting aspects of neuroscience research. The opportunity to complete a 12-week research project in the final term allows you to immerse yourself within one of the cutting-edge research groups at the Institute, and in my case, develop productive, long-term, collaborative relationships. Overall, the experience, mentoring and research output I gained through the programme helped me enormously in securing a clinical academic job on the specialised foundation programme for junior doctors in 2023."