Kin Pong U
Studied BSc Biomedical Sciences, Graduated 2008
I am currently undertaking a PhD studentship at University College London’s Institute of Child Health, under the supervision of Dr Patrizia Ferretti. My current project involves investigating the response of Neural Stem Cells upon mechanical and pharmaceutical insults, prospectively allowing us to further develop treatments for patients with injured Central Nervous System.
Before the start of my studentship, I have taken up a Masters of Research Cancer Biology Course at Imperial College London, during which I have completed two research projects on Polycomb Protein, CBX7 and Breast Cancer PI3-Kinase pathway under the guidance of Prof. Gordon Peters and Prof. Eric Lam respectively. Through these 2 projects, my understanding towards cancer development was further enhanced, and this allowed me to contribute in part towards to cancer treatment development.
Nonetheless, all the background knowledge and research projects which I have acquired and undertaken began with my 2 years of study at Newcastle University. Because of the fact that I have attained a Diploma of Biomedical Sciences from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore, I managed to gain a direct 2nd year entry into the BSc Biomedical Sciences course. Upon my arrival, my anxiety and worries started to accumulate: “Would I be able to adjust to the course at the university? What were the lecturers like? Are they strict?” These were just some of the many questions which bombarded my mind before the start of a new school semester.
Fortunately, the lecturers at the university were an unexpected surprise, for it was way better than I had imagined and my worries were laughably futile. Words could hardly sum up my rapture but I would say everything was fantastic! Lecturers not only engaged us in active discussion/debate, they also practiced interesting methods to put forth concepts for clearer understanding. They are amiable and approachable, even outside lecture halls and enjoy mingling with their students. It was like seeing old friends with that odd sense of “Hey, I think I'd met you before” and it made me feel warm and welcomed which has contributed greatly to my adapting to life in the UK.
Newcastle University Biomedical Department has also provided a huge range of opportunities for students to work on studentships over the summer. I had, in addition, undertaken a placement over at the Northern Institute of Cancer Research under the guidance of Dr. Steven Clifford, with funding from the Wellcome Trust, working on a medulloblastoma-related project. The project was about an interesting topic: identifying epigentically deregulated genes in childhood medulloblastoma. This involved techniques such as microarray, methylation array analysis, DNA sequencing and PCR. I had taken so much interest in the project that I felt somewhat bereft to have reached the end of my studentship. Knowing that I longed to continue with this research in the near future, I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to do so for my Honours Year project. It made my day.
Overall, Newcastle is full of hidden wonders under the daily hustle and bustle. Travelling to and from school is but a stone's throw away from home and travelling elsewhere is never a problem with easily accessible forms of transportation. It is a peaceful place filled with friendly people who see equality in each other. They made me feel welcomed to the UK and did not hesitate to allow me to join in their fun. The fact that the University of Newcastle is a prestigious university that takes great care and consideration of students' welfare and academic performance has put me and my parents' minds at ease. Ultimately, the experiences I have gained during my time here are nothing short of worthwhile.
