Young minds exploring cancer research

Posted on: 30 September 2024 by Dr Lorna Young in September 2024 posts

Dr Ahmad Ali running a workshop for the Year 12 students

Dr Lorna Young is a Lecturer in the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine (MCCM). Here she tells us about World Cancer Research Day and running an activity day for local Year 12 students.

Last week was packed with activities to mark World Cancer Research Day. This year’s theme was around inclusion, diversity and equity within cancer research, which is something I feel passionate about, so it was important for me to mark the occasion.  
 
Myself and Rasheed Zakaria (also from MCCM), held a panel discussion on Tuesday with a variety of members from different backgrounds and expertise. Then on Wednesday we welcomed fifty Year 12 students from Merseyside (Widening Participation) schools to the University. 

Held in the Life Sciences teaching laboratories, the students took part in five activities across the day hosted by some wonderful volunteers from across the Institute. A big shout out to the staff that helped with the logistics and organisation of the day! Activities included:  

  • Cancer therapies – Dr Gabi Grundy and Tom Peters
  • Tumour models and brain scans – Dr Ahmad Ali, Dr Ali Bakhsh, Ananya Ghosh and Dr Georgina Gregory
  • Cancer cells under the microscope – Dr Laura Randle and Piotr Dorski 
  • DNA extraction – with Elena Rosca, Mollie Nisbet and Dr Michael Davies
  • Cancer murder mystery – Dr Harriet Lahiff and Jacqueline Cole  

We also had a meet and greet lunch, where representatives from North West Cancer Research gave a demonstration on how to examine yourself for signs of breast cancer. Overall, it was a successful day and the feedback we gathered showed the students (as well as the accompanying staff and our volunteers) found the day engaging and fun. It was great to give them insights into what university life is like, including research and medic life.

I’d like to give a huge thanks to the University’s Widening Participation team, who helped organise the visit. We hope to organise more in the future, including 4 February marking World Cancer Day.