Anastasia’s Research Journey: From PhD to Postdoc
Anastasia Hughes, a dedicated PhD student supported by the Child Cancer Research Foundation, has recently graduated, making a significant milestone in her journey as a cancer researcher. Her experience at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre has been filled with memorable moments, intriguing research, and valuable life lessons.
With a real interest in the tumour microenvironment, Anastasia thrived in her PhD project in the Leukaemia Translation Research team that specifically looked at the leukaemia microenvironment.
“The complexity of this system really interests me,” said Anastasia. “I’m excited by the potential of therapeutically targeting the microenvironment to treat cancer. I believe these therapies will be important for the treatment of leukaemia in the future, so I hope that the work I completed during my PhD has moved us closer to harnessing this potential.”
For those considering a PhD in cancer research, Anastasia offers some valuable advice. “You will find it to be extremely rewarding,” she shared. “All PhD projects require a lot of hard work and perseverance, so it is a great motivation knowing that the work you are doing is helping children with cancer.”
As she bids farewell to the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Anastasia holds a mix of emotions. Completing her PhD is undoubtedly a huge achievement, but it’s also bittersweet as it marks the end of her time with the Leukaemia Translational Research Team. However, she is fortunate to move to another team within the Telethon Kids Institute, meaning she can still stay connected with her colleagues and the inspiring environment that has shaped her journey.
Anastasia’s new role is a postdoctoral researcher in the Mitochondrial Research Research Team. This position allows her to continue her journey in medical research, delving into mitochondrial biology and disease.
Anastasia’s journey from a passionate PhD student to a postdoctoral researcher is a source of inspiration for aspiring researchers. We congratulate Anastasia on her incredible achievement, and we wish her all the best as she continues her meaningful career.