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“Be curious and enthusiastic about discovering the world around you” Celebrating International Day of Women & Girls in Science
Zoe’s CF research started with her PhD which focused on developing exercise tests and understanding limiting factors in people with CF. She’s now a Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Portsmouth. Alongside other research studies, she’s the co-chief investigator on the ExACT CF study investigating whether exercise can replace airway clearance in the form of chest physiotherapy. It was a study co-designed with the CF community.
“For me, one of the most rewarding elements about working in science is being able to translate the studies that we do in our laboratories, or with people with CF, into clinical management. When I look back on my career so far, so much has changed of not only CF itself, but also in terms of the exercise and physical activity information people are receiving in the clinic and that is incredibly exciting.
“I think there’s never been such an exciting time to start a career in science. Before working in research, I was an international elite rugby player. At the time we talked a lot about being ‘game changers’ within women’s sport. I’d say to any women or girl considering a career in science, take that vision forward, and go and be a ‘game changer’.”
Shafagh is Scientia Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. She leads a group of nine researchers at various stages of their careers. She is a co-investigator on our Strategic Research Centre programme on CF diabetes.
The aim of the SRC is to understand more about CF diabetes and better ways to monitor changes in controlling blood sugar levels. “We need to know what is happening in the pancreas of people with CF, but it’s very hard to measure or test the pancreas directly.
“We’ve developed a method to measure blood ‘biomarkers’ or ‘fingerprints’ of pancreas function as tiny particles from cells called exosomes. We’re analysing pancreatic exosomes of blood samples from people with CF with changed glucose tolerance to understand more about CF diabetes.
“I see science as like building a 4D puzzle, you get to explore the unknown, learn something new and work towards finding more advanced solutions to clinical problems. My advice to women and girls in science is to be passionate about your research, be willing to take risks and be persistent!”
My advice to women and girls in science is to be passionate about your research, be willing to take risks and be persistent!
Shafagh
Nicole’s research is funded through our SRC research programme on CF diabetes. “I love being in the laboratory and finding out how things might work in the pancreas with my experiments, knowing my results can potentially help people in the future. Working in the SRC is providing me with a lot of different opportunities; such as collaborating with different research groups around the world, and attending international conferences to present and discuss results.”
Nicole studied as an undergraduate in Germany, before moving to the UK to do her PhD. “There are lots of different ways to become a scientist with endless possibilities in each field of expertise. You can work in the lab, you can work with data or you can work with patients. My undergraduate science degree had a wide variety of subjects and that helped me when deciding a more specific direction for the future. I let myself be inspired by a lot of people around me, including my family, friends and colleagues”.
Shenna started her science journey promoting public health in rural areas of the Philippines. She’s now CTAP co-ordinator at the Bart’s and Royal London CF Centre, within the Trust’s Trials Accelerator Programme. “My advice to women and girls considering a career in science would be to read about different fields of science, find good mentors and be bold in reaching out to anyone you know who is successful in your chosen field.
“I work closely with the adult and paediatric CF clinical teams and sponsors to support the day-to-day responsibilities of our current trials. This involves regular communication to ensure the faster set up of studies, safe conduct of study visits and keeping up to date about other trials around the CTAP network. I’m also the main point of contact for people with CF who are interested and enrolled in our studies. I enjoy sharing what studies we have at Barts to those who are curious and want to be involved.
“What I love the most about working in clinical research or science generally is that learning is limitless, and the work is fulfilling.”
Passion, confidence and determination are all you need for a career in science
Lucia
Lucia is a PhD student working in a Trust funded Strategic Research Centre programme, based at University College Cork in Ireland. Working in gene editing, she’s currently testing gene editing approaches to correct the CF gene at the DNA level. Gene editing is a type of genetic therapy that has the potential to be used as a treatment for everyone with CF, including those unable to benefit from CFTR modulators.
“Working in science makes you realise how far the scientific community has come in building human knowledge. I feel an active part of this process, where even my small contribution may add a significant piece to the puzzle”
“Passion, confidence and determination are all you need for a career in science. Take one step at a time and enjoy the trip. Be curious and enthusiastic about discovering the world around you.”
Research in focus
Our Research in focus reports aim to give an overview of an aspect of cystic fibrosis where our funding is making a difference.