WestminsterAbroad A Quintin Hogg Trust Funded Field Trip to Cyprus - by Vera Bowerman

A Quintin Hogg Trust Funded Field Trip to Cyprus – by Vera Bowerman

April 21, 2024
Europe Field trip
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At the beginning of April, a group of second and third-year students studying medical and biomedical sciences, biological sciences, and biochemistry at the School of Life Sciences attended a field trip to Cyprus.

Along with them were three life sciences lecturers: Dr. Maria Neofytou, Dr. Joan Liu, and Dr. Adele McCormick. We stayed in the capital city of Nicosia for 4 days and 3 nights. During this field trip, we visited the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), where we attended a PhD symposium and department tours. The symposium’s keynote speaker, Dr. Nektarios Tavernarakis, delivered an informative and exciting presentation titled “The Mystery of Ageing and Neurodegeneration: What does modern scientific research teach us?” In recent times, this topic has become re-popularised in the media.  We learned about ageing and degeneration on a cellular level and the roles of mitophagy and nucleophagy in these processes.

At the institute, we also had helpful networking opportunities where we connected with both students and researchers. We talked to them about their experiences working and studying at the institute, as well as their current research. As a second-year student researching graduate schools, this was a valuable opportunity to learn about their MSc and PhD programs in molecular medicine, medical genetics, neuroscience, biomedical research, and biotechnology. I heard about the different modules they offer and their program structures; also, how Cypriot graduate programs differ from UK programs.

We visited a variety of departments, including medical genetics, neuroscience, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and cytogenetics departments to learn about their diagnostic practices, current treatment methods, and research. I was especially intrigued by their research on Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Previously, I did a genetics portfolio for my medical genetics’ module on CMT, so having the opportunity to utilise my pre-existing knowledge of the disease to have a detailed conversation with a researcher was exhilarating. Our group also walked around and viewed current PhD student’s posters. Personally, one of my favourite posters was titled “Role of Connexin 47 in the inflammatory and demyelinating response in the cuprizone animal model of multiple sclerosis” by Styliani Theophanous. It investigates the role of cuprizone in the pathogenesis (demyelinating processes) of multiple sclerosis.  

Another fantastic part of this trip included learning about Cyprus’s history and culture. The food was incredible, with plenty of vegetarian options. I had delicious falafel, vegetable moussaka, pastries, and gelato throughout the trip. We also went to a gorgeous seaside restaurant where we were served fresh fish. Here, we also got to practise our dissection skills on our leftovers. Everyone we encountered, including hotel staff, drivers, and restaurant staff, was extremely kind and accommodating to everyone’s unique needs. We saw beautiful architecture and artwork with both Greek and Turkic influences. We visited the A.G. Leventis Gallery, the Limassol Castle, the Kourion ancient amphitheatre, and surrounding ruins. We also went to sunny and beautiful Limassol, a beachside city, where we swam in the Mediterranean and walked around the shops.

This trip allowed me to connect with my fellow students. Some of the most memorable moments were playing hang-man and mafia on the bus rides and learning Albanian card games. I met tons of new people and made plenty of friends. I also became closer to the lecturers on this trip and learned from them in a relaxed environment. As the first person in my family to pursue a science degree, I have often felt lost when navigating post-graduate options. It was beneficial to have in-depth conversations with current academics about their different journeys and get advice for my career path.

Overall, this trip was an incredible opportunity for me to connect with other students, lecturers, and researchers. I would finally like to say thank you to the Quintin Hogg Trust, which funded this experience.