The bursary has helped me to study and focus on my work without having to worry about my finances

How did you first get interested in cell and gene therapies?

I first got interested during my undergraduate degree in Human Neuroscience, when it was briefly discussed during a hereditary disease lecture. I found it very interesting and wanted to study it in more depth than my undergraduate degree allowed as it has so much potential for treating currently untreatable diseases.  

What made you want to do the Advanced Cell and Gene Therapies course at Sheffield?

I found the course in Sheffield as there are not many places in the UK that offer a masters in advanced therapies. I chose the course because of the high quality of research that SITraN (Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience) produces, and Sheffield is a lovely city to live in.

How has the Innovation Hub Bursary helped you with your postgraduate studies?

The bursary has helped me to study and focus on my work without having to worry about my finances. I don’t need to work a demanding part-time job alongside my studies; instead, I can make sure that my assignments are as good as possible, while still having time to join a society and take full advantage of the opportunities that university has given me. 

This year my grades are much higher than previously, and I suspect it’s because the bursary has given me the extra time and peace of mind to focus.

What have you enjoyed most about the Advanced Cell and Gene Therapies course?

I’ve really enjoyed the variety of lecturers and topics which are covered in the course. It’s very exciting to hear from experts about their specific work and learn about their academic journey.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I’m currently applying to various research roles in and around Sheffield. After graduation, I’d love to begin a career as a researcher where I can use my knowledge of advanced cell and gene therapies to hopefully develop treatments for neurogenerative diseases. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.