Edgar sheds light on life in the lab

Researcher Zen (Edgar) Liu has kindly shared with us his experience of working towards a PhD in the University of York's Jack Birch Unit, whose pioneering bladder cancer research we support.

Edgar writes:

My interest in cancer-related research grew while I was working as a research assistant in China.  In October 2017 I started my PhD career in the Jack Birch Unit under the supervision of Professors Jenny Southgate and Dawn Coverley. I’m grateful to have joined the JBU group funded by York Against Cancer, that carries out cutting-edge research in the bladder-cancer field.

My PhD project has focused on a protein called PPARgamma. It is suggested that PPARgamma might be involved in some bladder cancers, but its actual role was not known. Bladder cancers develop from normal human urothelial cells and the JBU previously found PPARgamma is an important control protein in human urothelial cells. My aim was to generate a comprehensive understanding about how PPARgamma functions to bring new insight about its role in bladder cancer. I have also broadened my knowledge in the cancer research field by attending several international conferences. I attended the Human Cell Transformation conference in York and presented my work in a poster. During lockdown, I also attended the online American Association of Cancer Research meeting, a conference discussing pioneering research about human cancers.

Besides my research life in the JBU, I’m glad to have been involved in some meaningful local activities. I helped demonstrate the work of our lab in York Hospital as a member of the JBU group. It is exciting to introduce people to what we’ve achieved and to explain how it helps identify treatments for bladder cancer. I also joined the Awareness Day in York city centre held by York Against Cancer to raise funding and show young kids how science works. Our lab held a long-distance walk, the “Hambleton Hobble”, to raise funds for York Against Cancer. It was a big challenge for me and is now a precious memory. The JBU cake stall and YAC gift stall held inside the University was also interesting and successfully raised a total of £629.50. I was touched by everyone’s effort to raise funds to support cancer-related research and realised how important our work is.

The JBU feels like a big family to me, and always shows its care to every member in the group.  I always received a blessing and gift from the group on my birthday. We all enjoyed a hearty Christmas meal together every year. Occasionally we held a quiz competition or an outdoor walk. I was surprised that JBU organised a picnic for me before my leaving. These activities established an emotional bond between members of the group. I nearly forgot I’m a foreigner in this country. I am grateful that York Against Cancer supported JBU so I got the opportunity to join this warm family as a PhD student. During my time here, I made progress in the cancer-research field. I also made plenty of friends and shared happiness together. It is an unforgettable memory in my life.