Miss Juliana Candido
Research Interests
Before coming to the Barts Cancer Institute, I completed my BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Westminster.
The major research focus of our group is to understand the biology and function of macrophages and their phenotype in health and disease. Innate immune cells and their mediators found in many cancers are believed to promote cancer growth. Understanding the origin and function of innate immune cells is very important and is an attractive target for therapy.
Pancreatic cancer is characterised by a significant myeloid infiltrate. The primary objective of my PhD is to investigate the mediators that regulate monocyte recruitment in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer.
Life at the Institute
The Institute is located in the historical setting of Charterhouse Square, a fantastic place to work, right in the heart of London. We have a vibrant, international community that attracts students and staff from all over the world. The PhD programme has not only provided me with a strong scientific training, but also transferable skills and personal development.
Seminars on a diverse range of research topics enable me to learn about other researchers working in other areas, encouraging me to engage with other scientists.
Highlights
The support I’ve received from my supervisor, fellow students and other academics has been excellent. The sense of fulfillment I feel in the Institute is incredibly gratifying. After my first year I feel like I have gained a lot, from understanding my subject, to managing my own project and time.
Low Points
After the first few months of my project, I was trying to get something working to see whether my ideas were happening in a biological system. After many time-consuming experiments the results were not what we were expecting, which made the whole experience, of changing the direction of my project, a very challenging process.
Be prepared for experiments not to go according to plan sometimes.
Future Plans
I am seriously motivated towards pursuing my studies and obtaining a PhD. Once I finish my PhD, I want to continue in cancer research, working towards what I consider to be an incredibly important branch of science.
