TRACC MB-PhD: 9 years, 3 degrees and lots of letters

About Me

Hi everyone! I’m Alsadeg, a fifth-year medical student at the University of Edinburgh, currently in the first year of the PhD phase of my MB-PhD. I’d like to tell you a bit about this programme and, hopefully, shed some light on why I’ll be at University for nine years and how I ended up here.

The TRACC MB-PhD Programme

The TRACC MB-PhD programme (Train and Retain Academic Cancer Clinicians) combines the MBChB degree with an integrated PhD, providing a unique opportunity to pursue my passion for science within a clinical context. Surrounded by world-leading cancer researchers and an incredible collaborative network, I couldn’t think of a better environment for meaningful research.

Before embarking on the PhD, I completed two years of preclinical education, focusing on basic sciences, followed by a third-year intercalating in neuroscience. My fourth year marked my transition into clinical placements, where I had the opportunity to explore different specialties and refine my career aspirations.

Why I chose this programme

A few years into medical school, I began working on small research projects across various specialties, initially as part of building my CV for those all-important trainee applications. However, I found myself increasingly enjoying the research process itself.

I developed a particular interest in neurosurgery and was fascinated by the complexity of brain tumours – especially the challenge they present. Despite surgical advancements, these tumours often remain difficult to treat effectively. With mentorship from Professor Paul Brennan, the Centre for Clinical Brain Science, I saw how academic clinicians can address these issues from multiple perspectives, combining clinical work with research.

This sparked a realisation: I wanted to take on that dual role, but I needed both advanced research skills and clinical expertise to do so. That’s what led me to apply for this MB-PhD programme. And now, here I am!

What I’m studying

I knew I wanted my research to stay as ‘close’ to the clinical problem as possible, so I focused on brain tumours. After extensive discussions with Professor Brennan, Dr Claire Durrant, and Professor Steven Pollard, I developed a project centred on understanding why the immune system fails in glioblastoma. Specifically, I’m investigating how microglia and other cells in the tumour microenvironment contribute to this aggressive disease.

To study this, we’re using a live brain slice model. We take tissue – including the cortex, tumour and peritumoural areas – directly from patients undergoing surgery. Within hours, the tissue is sliced and cultured, staying alive for up to a month. It’s an incredible opportunity to bring the clinical problem directly into the lab for detailed study.

How this will help my career

The TRACC MB-PhD has placed me in an exceptional position to work towards my career goal of becoming an academic neurosurgeon. This programme combines surgery, research and the ability to bridge these two fields.

During surgery, I can scrub in, assist and develop my surgical skills. Once we have the tissue, I can take it straight to the lab to conduct experiments. I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside researchers from a variety of disciplines, gaining insights into how leading academics tackle complex challenges.

With this experience, I feel more confident than ever that I’m on the right path to a career where I can make a meaningful impact through both clinical work and research.