In this extra post, Colette Revadillo, David Geddes, and Anya Tan showcase  APEX 7, an upcoming student-led medical research expedition to Bolivia that seeks to advance the field of high-altitude medicine. Colette, David and Anya are currently undergraduate Medical Students at the Edinburgh Medical School and are all part of the APEX Committee

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What can medical students achieve during their time in medical school? It’s easy to assume that our journey is all about mastering anatomy, perfecting clinical skills, and keeping up with exams. But what if we could go beyond this? What if, during our time as students, we could lead international research expeditions, contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, and push the frontiers of global health—all while balancing our studies? This is precisely what Altitude Physiology Expeditions (APEX), a Scottish charity founded by University of Edinburgh medical students, has made possible for over two decades. Established in 2001, APEX has organized six successful high-altitude research expeditions, with the seventh—APEX 7—scheduled for the summer of 2025. Each expedition is student-led, giving participants an unparalleled opportunity to engage in research, build leadership skills, and make tangible contributions to science while still in medical school. APEX: A unique blend of education and innovation The core mission of APEX is to study the effects of hypoxia—reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes—on the human body. While this may seem relevant only to mountaineers or elite athletes, hypoxia research has far-reaching applications in healthcare, especially for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure. By understanding how the body adapts to low-oxygen environments, we can develop better treatments for patients suffering from oxygen deprivation.

What makes APEX truly exceptional is its commitment to student leadership. Medical students organise every aspect of the expeditions, from research design and fundraising to logistics and safety management. This level of responsibility gives us the chance to take what we learn in the classroom and apply it in a high-stakes, real-world setting. APEX 7: The most ambitious expedition yet APEX 7, planned for June and July 2025, promises to be the largest and most ambitious expedition in APEX’s history. With a team of 80 to 100 volunteers from the University of Edinburgh, we will travel to Bolivia, where we’ll spend 16 days conducting research at high altitudes. The journey will take us to La Paz (3,800 meters) for acclimatisation before moving to the Huayna Potosi Base Camp at 4,700 meters, where most of the research will occur. One of the most exciting aspects of APEX 7 is its scale – it will be the largest controlled ascent ever conducted in medical research. The expedition is being led by eight senior medical students who previously participated in APEX 6. Balancing their academic commitments with the demanding task of organising this expedition, these students have been working for months to plan research projects, secure funding, and ensure the safety of all participants. Among the student leaders are:

• Ben Harrison (Head of Funding, Grants, and Sponsorship)
• Ella McElnea (Head of Volunteers and Well-being)
• Cami Maezelle (Head of Funding, Grants, and Sponsorship)
• Anya Tan (Head of Research)
• Cameron Norton (Expedition Leader)
• David Geddes (Expedition Leader)

As part of this team, I can say firsthand that organising APEX 7 has been an incredible learning experience. We’ve gained skills in project management, teamwork, and research that go far beyond traditional medical training.

Research at high altitude: A hands-on learning experience The heart of APEX lies in its research. Some of the exciting research projects planned for APEX 7 include:

• Gene expression at high altitude: This study will analyse how certain genetic variants regulate gene expression in response to hypoxia. By identifying these genetic markers, we can better understand why some individuals are more susceptible to altitude sickness or hypoxia-related conditions.
• Altitude and eczema: This project will explore whether high-altitude environments can alleviate symptoms of eczema, a condition often worsened by allergens and humidity. We will compare eczema severity in participants at different altitudes to see if there’s a correlation.
• Cortisol variation: Using a novel device to measure cortisol levels in the interstitial fluid over 24 hours, we will study how hypoxia affects the body’s stress response. Understanding this could lead to better management of stress in patients experiencing hypoxia.
• Cognitive performance under hypoxia: We will also assess how cognitive abilities are affected by altitude, testing participants at various points during the expedition to determine how decision-making and problem-solving skills are impacted by reduced oxygen levels.

These projects not only allow us to contribute to cutting-edge medical research but also give us hands-on experience of the scientific process—from study design and data collection to analysis and publication. It’s a rare opportunity to be directly involved in research that could have real-world medical applications, all while still in medical school.

What APEX teaches us: Lessons beyond the classroom APEX is more than just a research expedition; it’s a powerful learning experience. Organising and leading an expedition of this scale requires skills that we don’t always develop in traditional medical education—leadership, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These are the kinds of skills that will serve us well throughout our medical careers, whether we pursue clinical practice, research, or other paths. Being part of APEX also reminds us that medical school is about more than just learning from textbooks and lectures. It’s about exploring new areas of interest, taking on challenges, and pushing ourselves to make meaningful contributions to the field of medicine. Through initiatives like APEX, students have the chance to take ownership of their education and create opportunities that will shape their future careers. Getting involved: A call to action If you’re a student at the University of Edinburgh interested in medical research, global health, or expedition medicine, APEX is an unparalleled opportunity to get involved. Recruitment for APEX 7 volunteers will begin this autumn, with information sessions and workshops available for those who want to learn more. Whether you’re interested in scientific research, logistics, or volunteer coordination, there’s a role for you in APEX. Please email: apex7@altitude.org to register your interest! In short, APEX 7 is a testament to what medical students can achieve when given the opportunity to lead, innovate, and explore. We’re not just learning medicine—we’re making discoveries that could change it. And that, I believe, is what makes APEX so special. Read previous Teaching Matters blog posts on APEX expeditions:

• The APEX 5 Expedition: The Peak of Altitude Research
• APEX 6: Student-led learning in the Andes

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Colette Revadillo

Colette is a 5th Year Medical Student, and Head of Communications of APEX 7.

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David Geddes

David is a 4th Year Medical Student, and Expedition Leader of APEX 7.

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Anya Tan

Anya is a 6th Year Medical Student, and Head of Research of APEX 7.