Lizzy Day
MRC PhD student at the University of Cambridge.
Lizzy Day is an MRC PhD student on an MB/PhD programme, studying medicine as well as doing research into the genetics of cancer.
Part of Lizzy’s research focuses on looking for genes that have a part to play in the development of cancer. She is also working on developing new techniques to capture cancer cells circulating in the blood, which could help to detect whether cancers are spreading.
“Studying medicine at the University of Cambridge, I had the chance to spend my third year in a research lab. Having done that, I decided to combine a PhD with my MB studies – it means a nine-year course in total but I’ll finish as a qualified doctor with a whole range of additional skills and experiences.
“I knew I wanted to do my PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB). The research there is world-class but I was really attracted by the atmosphere. Everyone is so willing to help you, whether it’s with supplying reagents, teaching new techniques or just offering advice. Plus there’s plenty of training available through LMB, the MRC and the university, and I’m getting opportunities to explore other aspects of research such as biotechnology and even science writing. That integrated, collaborative culture means I am getting a broad education – I am surrounded by talented scientists who are eager to share their knowledge.”
Find out more about the MRC’s support for research training and careers.
Published December 2010