As part of International World Cancer Day (Tuesday, 4 February) research staff from the University’s Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology led a day of taster sessions for sixth form students from local Widening Participation schools, highlighting the key cancer research work being done at the University and how scientists of the future will be able to play a part.
The day was led by Dr Lorna Young, Lecturer in Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, and saw visiting students spend the day working on the University’s campus alongside Biosciences students, Evie McCann, Harriet Little, Matthew Billington and Owen Place and current Liverpool Advocates. Pupils received bespoke talks detailing the direction of research in the future, what is being done at the University now and how careers in this field are likely to develop.
The event was part of a wider programme of activities taking place across the city to mark World Cancer Day and was featured recently on local radio (begins 2.18).
Professor Michael Schmid, Head of the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine said: “The day’s activities were planned to mark the occasion of World Cancer Day, which this year was a theme around ‘United by Unique’.
“Cancer research is at the heart of the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine and we are passionate about encouraging younger students and the wider community to know about cancer research and to learn about the work we do. We are constantly working towards reducing cancer incident rates in the local area. Days like this help us raise awareness, not only of our science but of the disease of cancer.
“Additionally, bringing sixth form students in from Widening Participation schools, was a great opportunity to meet and chat to our students and University staff members in a relaxed setting. Spending a day on the University campus will hopefully inspire and encourage them to apply to a university and to become part of our journey to fight cancer.”