Read about two of our PhD students and their experiences at our Department and watch the full filmed interview at the bottom of this page
Hi, I am Ines. I am a PhD student at the Department of Radiology working metabolic imaging in kidney cancer under the supervision of Prof Ferdia Gallagher, Dr Sarah Welsh and Prof Grant Stewart. I am also a clinician and I’ve completed my training in Vienna, but I come from Slovenia originally.
Why did you choose Radiology at the University of Cambridge?
I was always fascinated by Radiology as a forerunner of innovation in medicine, the cutting-edge technology it involves and the multidisciplinary teams we get to work with. Innovation happens when excited people from different fields come together, and Cambridge is definitely the perfect place for this to occur. Our research group is on the forefront of developing novel imaging techniques to improve oncology pathways – from early detection, aggressiveness prediction and treatment response monitoring and follow-up. And all this in collaboration not only with oncologists, but also surgeons, pathologists, statisticians, physicists, biologists, chemists and more recently also industry, which supports innovation even further.
What have you enjoyed the most about being a PhD student at Cambridge?
In addition to multidisciplinary and innovative research we are working on at our Department, being part of the University brings our experience to yet another level. I am actively involved at my College as representative of the graduate community and thus well informed of the processes it entails and how it aims to support students from academic and from the wellbeing perspective. Not only is the college system unique to Cambridge, but also the opportunities it offers ranging from sports, culture, entrepreneurship – as indeed it is here where world experts and enthusiasm collide. It is here where your craziest ideas to change the world will come to live!
Hi, I am Nikita. I am a PhD student at the Department of Radiology working on metabolic imaging of prostate cancer. I work primarily with Dr Tristan Barrett and Prof Ferdia Gallagher. I am also a clinician, and I did my undergraduate training in Moscow, Russia.
Why did you choose Radiology at the University of Cambridge?
When I was an undergraduate, I came to Cambridge as part of a UK-Russia exchange programme funded by the British Embassy in Moscow. I did two undergraduate summer studentships with Dr Tristan Barrett and gained some experience working with the Department and prostate imaging. When it was time for me to apply for a PhD, I knew there was a grant available and I was offered to study as PhD student at Radiology. I was also offered a scholarship thanks to the support of my supervisors.
What have you enjoyed the most about being a PhD student at Cambridge?
Cambridge offers you access to people from so many walks of life and a wide range of expertise. I think in order to do cutting edge research, you need exactly that. Another aspect that I enjoy is the academic freedom. At our Department, freedom of thought and freedom of initiative are highly valued. As students, we have the pleasure of working with people who are incredibly supportive of your ideas, and you are free to shape your PhD exactly the way you like. Essentially any idea that you have, within the scope of your work, can be realised and I think that’s extraordinary. If you’re a person who likes being at the forefront of initiative, I think the Department of Radiology is the right place for you.
Advice for graduates who are thinking of applying?
If you’re interested in applying just go to our website and read about what our research groups are doing. If anything fits your interest, email the Principal Investigator or Research Associates. We are responsive and always happy to arrange a visit on site. It is a good idea to talk to the people who work here and learn more about what they are doing and see if their research is a good fit for you!
Watch the full interview:
