Krisztina’s journey from chemistry to a PhD in cancer
Krisztina Gerencser
Meet Krisztina, a second-year PhD student at the University of East Anglia. Her research is supported by Big C, and is funded by Ladies in League Against Cancer (LILAC).
Personal journey
For Krisztina, cancer research is personal. After losing her grandmother to the disease, she knew she wanted to contribute to the search for better treatments.
Originally from Hungary, she studied for an integrated master’s degree in chemistry in Scotland. It was during this time, while doing hands-on lab work, that her passion for research truly took hold.
“I want to make a difference in the way we treat cancer,” says Krisztina.
While searching for PhD opportunities, she looked for a project that combined her chemistry background with her growing interest in cancer biology. The interdisciplinary project she found at the University of East Anglia (UEA) ticked all the boxes: focused on cancer, rooted in chemistry and rich with opportunities to collaborate. Krisztina says, “I was excited by the science and also the chance to learn new skills and work across different areas, and moving to Norwich was a bonus!”
Research focus: Helping the immune system fight cancer
Cancers can evade the immune system. Krisztina’s work focuses on improving immunotherapy, a promising approach that helps the body’s immune system target and destroy cancer cells.
Her research aims to design small molecules that block cancer’s “cloak” – helping the immune system do its job. These small molecules could become part of new treatments for cancers like melanoma, renal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
So far, she has developed some promising candidate molecules and is now working to optimise her method to design even better ones.
Challenge: A steep learning curve
Transitioning from a structured study experience to an independent PhD was one of Krisztina’s biggest challenges. “It was a big change, suddenly managing a research project on my own. But I’m learning every day and it’s exciting to see my work move forward,” she explains.
The Big C experience
Krisztina’s PhD is supported by Big C and fully funded by Ladies in League Against Cancer (LILAC), and that connection goes far beyond the lab bench.
She has taken part in outreach events, and is even considering a placement with the charity to broaden her impact further.
Looking ahead
Krisztina is eager to continue pushing her research forward and is excited about where her work and the molecules she’s developing might lead.
Watch Krisztina’s video
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