Charlotte Tauss, Isabel Lamadrid, Shreya Majeti, and Sumedha Bobba each spent two months embedded in different labs at NDORMS, bringing with them diverse academic and professional backgrounds – ranging from healthcare consulting and neuroscience to bioengineering and big data. Their interests spanned ageing, cancer biology, paediatric surgery, and global health policy, reflecting the broad spectrum of student pathways the programme supports.
Charlotte joined the Alsaleh lab, where she explored age-related disease and cell senescence—a field she had been interested in through family influences and a curiosity into the social side of ageing.
'Everyone's doing such cool work, and it's just been really inspiring to learn from them.'
Isabel, working in the Edwards Group, investigated molecular mechanisms behind multiple myeloma, focusing on obesity-related risk factors and their effect on cancer progression.
'My favourite part has been the international, collaborative nature of the research community, providing perspectives that can help tackle these really hard questions.'
Shreya, with a background in bioengineering, joined the Bubbl Lab with Dr Carugo, contributing to innovative drug delivery research for Crohn's disease, including the development of ultrasound-activated foam therapeutics.
'It feels like everyone here is from such different academic and personal backgrounds—I've learned so much just from our conversations.'
Sumedha worked in the Pharmaco- and Device epidemiology group of Prof Prieto-Alhambra, conducting pharmaco-epidemiological research using UK big data to study cardiovascular outcomes of NSAID used in primary care populations.
'This is the best way I could have ever thought to spend the summer, because I got to learn a lot about science, research and medicine, but I also just got to experience a completely different lifestyle.'
Beyond the lab, the students embraced the cultural richness of Oxford and beyond—attending formal events, exploring historic colleges, running on Port Meadow, and even visiting Wimbledon! As Charlotte summed up – 'It's been a great experience.'
James Edwards, who leads the UAB programme at NDORMS said: 'It has been a pleasure to welcome the UAB students to NDORMS and we are very grateful to the research teams that have hosted them.
We look forward to welcoming more bright, passionate students in the years to come, and I would welcome interest from others across NDORMS who might wish to host a student.'