An event to share insights into cancer research
In February 2024, an exciting event was held by the student-led Cancer Biology Society at University of Greenwich. The Society collaborated with the NHS South East Healthcare Science Network, a network open to anyone in the southeast of England working in or studying healthcare, for the organisation of a combined event that would be informative for members of both groups and generate discussions around cancer research. The event was coordinated by Society co and vice presidents Livia Ford and Feyzanur Kayikci, and Healthcare Science Network Project Manager Sonali Malomo, who is a graduate of the University of Greenwich.
Medway School of Pharmacy Lecturer Dr Aiste Steponenaite was invited as the guest speaker for the event and delivered a talk to attendees on circadian rhythms, her area of expertise. Circadian rhythms, which can be affected by factors such as light and diet, support sleep patterns, helping the body to distinguish between night and day. Dr Steponenaite’s talk focused on her career journey, methods used to assess sleep and circadian rhythms, her current research on ageing of the circadian clock and a link between circadian rhythms and APOBEC enzymes, which are crucial for viral defence and have links with the development of cancers. The talk illuminated this topic and its relevance to current cancer research and led to an insightful Q&A session.
Dr Steponenaite is herself a graduate of the University of Greenwich’s BSc Biomedical Sciences degree programme and was inspired to carry out cancer research by the module Cancer Biology and Therapeutics taught by Professor Lauren Pecorino.
Student societies complement your studies
This is the first event from the student society that has reached beyond a university audience. Society members appreciated the opportunity to meet members of the Healthcare Science Network, share insights, and consider future ways of collaborative working. It is hoped that more combined events and opportunities for knowledge exchange will follow in the future.
All students of the University of Greenwich can join the Cancer Biology Society regardless of whether they are studying one of the university’s BSc Biology or Biomedical Science programmes. Meanwhile, the Healthcare Science Network is open to anyone working or studying in the field of healthcare science – more information can be found here.
