Medics, Come to The Dark Side!
Hi! My name is Gerda, and I very proudly count myself among the number of medics currently undertaking a PhD in Cancer Biology. Having been inspired by Rowan on the sister MB-PhD TRAM Programme (who’s put out a wonderful piece of writing which you can find here), I thought it might be nice to write about my own experiences on the TRACC programme. I’m lucky to call both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow my home for the next three years – although more like two-and-a-half now – and I hope you’ll find some nuggets of wisdom from my valiant attempt to become an academic!
The Programme
The programme aims to Train and Retain Academic Cancer Clinicians (hence, TRACC!) and is funded in full by Cancer Research UK with the goal of producing world-leading academic clinicians. The three-year PhD generally runs after the intercalated BMedSci year of the undergraduate MBChB but is open to students who have completed their 4th year in their MBChB, Postgraduate MBChB students with a BSc, and Glasgow BDS students in their intercalated year or who have previously completed a BSc. The programme is shared between the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, which allows for a lot of cross-city collaboration, and there is great emphasis from organisers and supervisors to make the most out of the connection.
Why Choose to Do This?
I was halfway through my intercalated year in Genetics when I applied. Undertaking a PhD was the last thing on my mind at the time; I was entrenched in an Honours lab project which pushed me to truly think independently for the first time. There were no timetables, lectures or courses during that semester, and I was wholly responsible for my own learning in a way that was quite unlike medical school. With no prior practical experience in the lab due to COVID-19, I was working with all-new biochemical ideas and processes that had only been introduced to me the previous semester in a mere 10 weeks and was now expected to put it to the test and write up any results I miraculously managed to acquire. It was overwhelming, and at times very lonely, but I learned to ask for help when I needed it and to consult papers when I was stuck on what wasn’t quite going to plan. Despite everything, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Thus, when I was pitched the idea of becoming an MB-PhD student, my interest was piqued. At first, I considered it simply as an exercise in saying “yes” to new opportunities. Writing an academic CV, presenting during panel interviews and even asking for references – everything was new to me. But as time went by and the deadline approached, I realised that I would genuinely enjoy what a PhD might have to offer me and so sent in my application with high hopes!
How This Might Impact My Future
It often feels like medicine is all about finding ‘The One’: that specialty you’ll dedicate your life to, and sub-specialise to your heart’s content. A PhD in cancer does not limit you to a career in oncology – cancer as a subject is too large and can impact any system or organ. A PhD is principally intended as a training programme to learn transferable skills for future research and work. This means that while you may become an expert in your niche, you will also learn how to work in a lab both as a group and independently, how to present your work, how to write up results, utilise statistics and communicate effectively. As a TRACC student, you might also work and network with clinicians and surgeons who lead cutting-edge research and are outstanding in their respective disciplines. After careful discussion with my supervisors, I decided to pick a project that was cancer-based but immunology-focused, allowing me to delve deeper into immune processes and utilise this knowledge as a future medic. While I can’t yet say that I’m firmly set on any particular path, I am certain that my PhD will be an asset to my career regardless.
Sharp-eyed readers might have caught in the beginning that I am a student at both the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh – this was one of the main factors that led me to the TRACC MB-PhD. There will be many opportunities to pursue a PhD during a career as a medic so long as you know where to look, but very few allow for such a level of collaboration. After my successful application, I was given a list of around 20 projects spread between the Glasgow and Edinburgh Cancer Centres and then let loose to meet with the supervisors to pick what suited me best. Projects ranged from ‘wet lab’ benchwork to computer and machine-learning focused statistical analyses, each involving a variety of different cancer models and ranging from proof-of-concept to drug screening. I have been very fortunate to join a project with co-supervisors from not just Edinburgh and Glasgow, but also from the Institute of Cancer Research London, which allows me to learn from three phenomenal labs during my time as a PhD student.
If you’re a student considering applying, have questions on my work or anything I’ve said (or perhaps missed out!), are interested in life as a PhD student at the CRUK Scotland Institute, or would just like to chat about future options, please feel free to reach out to me on one of the following emails: g.dlugabarskaite@sms.ed.ac.uk or g.dlugabarskaite@crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk
Looking forward to speaking soon,
Gerda
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