Celebrating research, collaboration and the next generation of researchers

The School of Health & Medical Sciences (SHMS) at City St George’s, University of London recently hosted its second Postgraduate Research Symposium since the merger of the legacy schools.

Held at the Whitechapel Gallery, the event brought together doctoral and early career researchers from across the University's two campuses for a day of research presentations, discussion, networking and collaboration.

The Symposium also provided an opportunity for researchers at different stages of their academic journeys to showcase their work, exchange ideas and learn about the breadth of research taking place across the school.

The programme featured two invited speakers who shared insights into the relationship between research, policy and real-world impact, as well as the diverse career opportunities available to doctoral researchers.

• Dr Michael Borowitz, Independent Consultant and previously Chief Economist at the UK Health Security Agency, delivered a talk titled 'Journey across Global Health and Policy: Making research matter'. Drawing on his experience across global health and public policy, he explored how research can inform decision-making and translate into meaningful policy and societal impact.
• Dr Michelle Newmann, Senior Research Manager at Autistica, spoke on 'From PhD to Impact: What a Research Career Outside Academia Looks Like'. Her session offered perspectives on applying doctoral research skills beyond traditional academic settings and navigating career opportunities in the wider research and policy landscape.

Celebrating doctoral research and achievement

An important part of the Symposium was the opportunity for doctoral researchers to present their work and receive recognition for their research contributions. Presentations spanned a diverse range of disciplines and topics, reflecting the breadth of research undertaken across the School.

The following researchers were recognised for their presentations:

• First year winner: Diana Sitenda – Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of orthopoxvirus vaccination among CYP and adults, including pregnant women – A Systematic review and meta-analysis.
• Second year winner: Alex Yang – Examining Rho and Notch signalling in skin development and disease.
• Second year runner-up: Anya Bhavnani – Functional imaging of the novel Piezo1 sensor, GenEPi, in organised brain tissue, reveals the channel role in ischaemic neuropathology.
• Final year winner: Lauren Wallis – Why neonatal trials struggle in practice: insights from parents and healthcare professionals in UK neonatal intensive care units.
• Final year runner-up: Luz Toribio – MAPK and PI3K signalling regulate astrocyte neuroinflammatory polarisation in neurocysticercosis.

The awards recognised the quality and diversity of doctoral research across different stages of the PhD journey, providing an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the School's research community.

A collaborative and student-led initiative

The Symposium was organised by a team of doctoral researchers: Rishabh Jain, Millie Williams Walker, Jack Nicholls, Ugochukwu Ejiegbu, Edward Latham and Caitlin Bowles.

The organising team worked under the leadership of Dr Nick Drey, PhD Programme Director in SHMS, and the postgraduate research programme team, including Dr Dimitra Nikoletou, Deputy Director, PhDs, and Dr Laura Southgate, Deputy Director, MD(Res), to deliver the event.

Bringing together researchers from across the two campuses based at Tooting and Clerkenwell, the Symposium highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for peer learning, interdisciplinary exchange and connections across research communities.

Feedback from attendees reflected the value of the event, with participants highlighting the organisation, range of presentations and opportunity to connect with fellow researchers. One of the attendees said:

"The Symposium was exceptionally well organised, with excellent communication and timekeeping. It was particularly valuable to hear presentations from fellow researchers and gain a sense of the breadth and scale of research taking place across the University, as well as the potential for future collaboration."

Now in its second year since the merger of the legacy schools, the Postgraduate Research Symposium continues to provide a platform for celebrating doctoral research, strengthening connections across the School and supporting the next generation of researchers.