The satisfaction making a breakthrough in disease research brings was recently demonstrated in a live Q&A we ran about medical research careers.
Dr Elizabeth Rapley, an experienced research scientist, explained how a team she co-led recently identified genes which give a person a greater risk of developing testicular cancer — a goal she had been hoping to achieve her whole academic career.
A massive achievement indeed — and you don't have to look far to see the commitment of other research teams to making the next big discovery in the fight against diseases.
University bosses believe a £15m research facility at the University of St Andrews will lead the war against superbugs — and it isn't just teams of scientists involved in vital research work — PhD student Emma Cope is hoping her three-year study into Alzheimer's disease will give vital clues about tackling the disease.
We've decided to focus the next of our series of research Q&As on the opportunities available within disease research — and how you can make yourself stand out to potential employers — so join our panel of experts in a live Q&A on October 18 at 1pm.
Our panel (more names to be added)
Dr Andrew J Roe is a lecturer at the Institute of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity at the University of Glasgow, where his group is focused on studying bacterial gene expression and the development of small molecules that interfere with pathogenesis.
Dr David Grant is scientific director at charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Dr Grant joined St George's Hospital Medical School in 1977 and carried out research and teaching until 1990, when he joined Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
Janet Seeley is professor in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia and head of the Social Science Research Programme of the Medical Research Council (UK) Research Unit on Aids in Uganda. Janet has been actively engaged in research on the social aspects of HIV and Aids since 1987, working in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Her other research interests include chronic poverty and social protection, internal migration, livelihoods and gender.
Dr Steve Russell is senior lecturer and head of the School of International Development, University of East Anglia. Steve has more than 17 years experience of health research in developing countries. He is also a founding member of the UEA HIV & Development Group.
Terry Jones is the careers adviser for King's College Graduate School. He supports the college's Researcher Development Programme and provides career guidance to early career researchers.
Simon Vincent is the head of personal awards funding for Cancer Research UK. Simon's team is responsible for all the charity's fellowship and bursary schemes. Simon did a PhD in genetics at the University of Nottingham, and then carried out post-doctoral research in the London Research Institute of Cancer Research UK. He has worked for the grants management side of Cancer Research UK for 11 years in a variety of roles.
Dr James Pickett is a research grants officer for the Alzheimer's Society and Dr Emma Jones is an Alzheimer's Society research fellow.
Dr Elizabeth Rapley is an experienced research scientist who has recently moved into a communications role at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). As the ICR's scientific spokesperson, Dr Rapley works within the public relations and fundraising team to raise awareness of cancer and the ICR's research.
