EXSEL at Leeds

Chloe Anderton 

Henschel Freduah-Agyemang  

Olivia Carson 

Sumayyah Ishfaq 

James Eaton 

Seva Gill  

Shan Sunny  

Tanjot Singh 

Ashmit, Bhardwaj 

Jules, Deruelle 

Mia, Singer 

Ronan, D'Souza 

My name is Rubab Ali, a third-year medical student and one of the newly appointed EXSEL scholars. Over the summer, I had the invaluable opportunity to conduct research analysing data from the NHS database, specifically focusing on the effectiveness of 'Nurse-led Ulcer Clinics' in improving care for patients with venous leg ulcers. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in research methodology and data analysis, offering hands-on engagement with real-world healthcare data. It significantly deepened my understanding of the integral role medical research plays in enhancing patient outcomes. The skills I honed during this research, particularly in critical thinking and data interpretation, have proven indispensable not only for my academic journey but also for my future clinical practice. This experience has solidified my aspiration to pursue a career as an academic doctor, where I hope to integrate clinical work with research, contributing to the ongoing advancements in healthcare.

Hi, my name is Olivia, and I am a 4th Year medical student. Since becoming an EXSEL scholar, I have had many opportunities to develop new research skills and present this research. My first EXSEL project was with Dr Jonathan Batty on the topic of identifying multimorbidity patterns in heart failure patients, which involved developing skills in programming and managing large quantities of data. Thanks to the support of EXSEL and Heart Research UK, I was fortunate enough to be able to present this research at the European Society of Cardiology International Congress in London in Summer 2024. 

Last year, I took a year out of medicine to pursue a Master’s in Research at the University of Leeds and undertook a very different project. This project was focused on identifying whether BACE1 inhibitors (which were initially developed as a medication for Alzheimer's treatment) could be repurposed for use in cardiovascular disease. It was predominantly lab-based, and I learnt how to conduct western blots to identify protein expression as well as do experiments using a wire myograph to test vessel reactivity. 

These were all very new skills for me, but learning new research skills and developing my current ones continues, as this year I am pursuing a qualitative data project, looking at the experiences of Deaf BSL users in NHS settings. I am excited to continue my research journey with the support of EXSEL and Heart Research UK as I progress through medical school.

Hi, my name is Harry Daisley and I am a 4th year medical student with an interest in clinical genetics and next generation sequencing. With the support of the EXSEL Scholarship, I have been able to work as part of Professor David Bonthron's laboratory under the supervision of Dr Christopher Watson, specialising in rare inherited disease, molecular genetics and diagnostic development. The scholarship has provided me with the time and resources to spend my holidays working with nanopore technology as a potential tool to advance its clinical applications in paediatric diagnostics. Our project was recently presented at the European Human Genetics Conference in Berlin, 2024. 

Hi, my name is James, and I am a third-year medical student. I am a new scholar that has joined the EXSEL community this year and worked on a summer research project under Dr Swoboda, investigating pulmonary transit time (PTT) during adenosine stress in endurance athletes using cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment. The project investigated PTT at rest and during stress between veteran endurance athletes in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation and sought to determine the relationship between PTT and fitness, and whether this relationship was impacted by AF. My role initially involved collecting the data and performing statistical analyses. This not only deepened my understanding of cardiovascular markers and imaging but gave me a secure understanding of research processes. I then wrote up the findings as an abstract which was submitted to the British Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance national conference in which I attended and had my work displayed as a poster presentation. This entire process has really built my confidence in approaching a research project, learning to work collaboratively and how to network and get involved in scientific discussions. The hurdles I faced along the way have built my resilience as a researcher and I look forward to undertaking more, especially due to my aspirations to study the Sport & Exercise Medicine MSc at Leeds. I am grateful to the EXSEL community, donors, and Heart Research UK for making all this invaluable learning possible for me.

Hi, my name is Seva, and I am a third-year medical student. This year, I joined the EXSEL programme and worked on a summer research project under Professor Ariëns, investigating affimers targeting the fibrinogen αC-region to accelerate clotting. The project explored the potential of the αC5 affimer in stabilising clots, offering an exciting shift from the usual focus on preventing thrombosis. My role involved conducting in vitro experiments to assess how αC5 affected clot formation and fibrinolysis. This experience not only deepened my understanding of clot mechanics but also helped me develop valuable research skills, resilience, and the ability to adapt methods for efficiency. The challenges I faced were key to my growth as a researcher, leaving me more confident in my capacity to contribute to scientific discovery and potentially embark on an MRes. I am grateful to the EXSEL directors, donors, and the BSHT for making this opportunity possible, and I look forward to finalising my results and presenting them at the BSHT annual scientific meeting in Newcastle next year.

Hi, I am Tanjot, a 3rd-year medical student. This summer, I began my research project under Professor Ramzi Ajjan, investigating the roles of multiple affimers in clot formation. Using techniques like turbidity and lysis assays, I studied how these affimers affect clot stability. I also gained experience in protein extraction and purification, which improved my lab skills—something I had not explored before. This project helped me develop crucial problem-solving skills, and it enhanced my understanding of the precision required in research. Thanks to the support of EXSEL, I have gained valuable insights into clinical research and its connection to patient care. This experience has also prepared me for my intercalation next year, equipping me with skills in data analysis and lab work that will be essential for further research. EXSEL has truly shaped my future career ambitions as I continue my journey in both clinical practice and medical research.

Hello, my name is Katherine, I am a medical student who has just finished their 3rd year of study and is about to embark on an intercalated MSc in Molecular Medicine. During my time as an EXSEL scholar, I have had the opportunity to work on a lab-based project, comparing the characteristics of fibrin clots formed from non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic patient plasma samples. I visualized clot surfaces and observed the fascinating changes wrought by thrombin-driven breakdown. Through EXSEL I was introduced to Professor Robert Ariëns, whose support was invaluable in guiding my research into the current literature on the relationship between fibrin clot structure, stroke and thrombosis. Subsequently, I collated this into a review paper, which was successfully accepted and published by the Journal NEUROSCIENCE in March 2024.
The projects I have been involved in thanks to EXSEL have inspired me to continue to develop my research skills, through undertaking a Masters, and pursue a career in clinical academia.

The EXSEL scholarship programme has been a valuable catalyst in my development as a medical student, researcher, and aspiring healthcare leader. Coming from an underrepresented background in higher education, I have continuously sought to expand my academic and research skills. The programme has deepened my understanding of research methodologies, experimental design, and the healthcare landscape, while connecting me with innovative clinicians and researchers. Mentorship through EXSEL has refined my ability to conduct impactful research and tackle complex challenges. My recent project on long-term cardiovascular risks for paediatric cancer survivors exemplifies how EXSEL has empowered me to bridge scientific discovery with clinical application. I am excited to build on these experiences to advance research and improve patient outcomes.