International Women and Girls in Science Interview

Dee Hayward

Research case studies > International Women and Girls in Science Interview: Dee Hayward

International Day of Women and Girls in Science recognises the critical role women and girls play in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). To celebrate the day, we spoke with Dee Hayward, a first-year PhD student whose studentship has been funded by Big C.

Since October, Dee has been working with Dr Andrew Beekman of the University of East Anglia on a project researching small molecules to target PD-L1, a type of interaction in the body that ensures the immune system is only activated when appropriate to avoid autoimmune disease, in hopes of creating a new type of cancer treatment.

We asked Dee more about her journey in STEM: what her research project is and how it is going despite COVID-19 and what advice she has for women and girls interested in pursuing careers in STEM.

“Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) has continued issues with diversity and is still a male dominated career choice. There is under representation of women within STEM, however it has improved in recent years and should continue to be highlighted to encourage young women to pursue this career path”

What did you study at University?

I studied a BSc in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry before my PhD.

What is your research project?

I’m currently researching a small molecule that will function to replace antibodies that act to block the protein protein interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, an immune checkpoint. By blocking this interaction, this may allow our immune system to attack a tumour through our T-cells, or the white blood cells of the immune system.

Close Up shot of PhD student Dee Hayward

Why do you think research project is important?

All research that can provide a better insight to less toxic cancer and tumour treatments is essential. This research is a stepping stone in providing another outlook on cancer treatment.

How has it been working in research during the COVID-19 pandemic? What are some difficulties you and the rest of your team have faced? Have there been any positive aspects to it?

We have been very fortunate to have been allowed to continue research in the lab with social distancing rules enforced by splitting our lab members into morning and night shift. One of the positives is with less people there is more opportunity to use the instruments, however we are missing our other lab members so hopefully we will be back to normal soon.

What drove you to pursue a career in STEM? Have you always wanted to work in the sciences?

I enjoyed science while at school, however coming out of high school I was more focused on sport than science. I was midway through my degree in a summer placement doing medicinal chemistry when I realised that I really enjoyed research and continued seeking way to continue this career path.

What is an issue or issues you think women and girls still face in STEM?

STEM has continued issues with diversity and is still a male dominated career choice. There is an under representation of women within STEM, however it has improved in recent years and should continue to be highlighted to encourage young women to pursue this career path.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person interested in pursuing a career in a STEM, what would it be?

To have perseverance, always continue looking for the next opportunity and don’t let any setback halt you from what you’re trying to achieve.

What does the future look like for you? What would you like to do after your research has completed?

Currently, my focus is my present research and making it through my PhD! I don’t know that research is ever completed but at the end of my PhD I’d like to stay within research and possibly get involved in lecturing. I guess we will see!

Let’s keep in touch

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news and updates from Big C.

Sign up

International Women and Girls in Science Day

Nancy Teng

Research case studies > International Women and Girls in Science Interview: Nancy Teng

11th February is International Women and Girls in Science Day, which recognises the critical role women and girls play in the sciences. To celebrate the day, Big C spoke with Nancy Teng, a current PhD student at the Quadram Institute whose studentship has been funded by Big C.

Since 2019, Nancy has been a researcher in the lab of Dr Lindsay Hall studying gut microbiota and breast cancer.

We asked Nancy about her research, her future plans and what advice she would give to someone interested in pursuing a career in the sciences.

In 2019, Big C awarded a grant to Dr Hall’s lab at the Quadram Institute to support the addition of a PhD student to assist with their work studying gut bacteria and their effect on certain aspects of human health.

Nancy Teng was the recipient of this funding and through her studentship, Nancy examines how particular gut bacteria can influence the efficacy of treatments for people affected by breast cancer.

She said: “This project really took my interest because of the different disciplines of science and different types of researchers involved in it. It really has its fingers in many science-flavoured pies i.e. cancer biology, immunology, microbiology. Alongside this, I get to work with the local hospital, patients and other scientists which is really different from your standard lab-project.”

Prior to her PhD, Nancy earned a BSc in Biomedicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and a MSc in Immunology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Regarding her previous degrees, she said: “For me, biomedicine is the science which asks the questions why do diseases happen and how can treatments work against them? Immunology is interesting to me because it’s the first line of defence against disease but there is a very fine balance between doing just enough and doing too much in terms of treatments and this degree studied that.”

Nancy’s family comes from a healthcare background and when she was younger Nancy wanted to be a doctor.

However, Nancy changed her mind about pursuing a medical degree while writing her university applications. She realised she was more interested in the science behind medicine. By talking to others about this interest, Nancy learned about the field of biomedicine and knew that this was the area of science she wanted to delve into.

“If science is what you are passionate about or what you love to do, then you should do it. Don’t let yourself, or anyone else, hold you back from it.”

NANCY TENG, PhD STUDENT

When asking Nancy what medical professionals or scientists inspire her, she had two people in mind. The first was her mother. She said: “My mum was a doctor by trade but put her career on hold to raise me and my sister. Once she decided that my sister and I could cook without burning the house down, she started her career again. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to practice medicine again. Instead, she studied for a master’s degree in a field related yet profoundly different from what she had previously done. She worked really hard for the career she has now, and all while still being a really great mum.”

The second person Nancy chose was her PhD adviser Dr Hall. She said: “When I was studying my master’s degree, someone mentioned Dr Hall’s name in a lecture about the microbiome. I looked her up and was so impressed by her academic career.

“When I got the studentship, I was a bit worried. But since being here, Dr Hall has been nothing but supportive in my PhD project. Despite being a well-known scientist who may not always be at the Quadram Institute, she always makes the time for her team.”

After she has finished her PhD, Nancy is unsure of what she wants to do, but knows she wants to use the skills she has gained to continue a career in research.

She said: “At the end of my PhD, I hope I’ve become a more well-rounded scientist and use the skills and knowledge which I have gained in my next role. Even if I can’t go directly into research, I would be happy working with patients and the wider community, too.”

“I always knew I wanted to go into science, but I was told that being a woman in science would be difficult. Despite this, I knew what I wanted to do and persevered.”

To find out more about the research happening in Dr Hall’s lab, visit Quadram Institute’s website.

Let’s keep in touch

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news and updates from Big C.

Sign up