爱豆传媒

Alice Hagan, a PhD student in the university's School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, is developing a delivery system capable of blocking blood flow to cancerous liver tumours and releasing drugs directly into the targeted area.

The system could improve treatment and reduce damage to surrounding cells and the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

Alice, who is working with Biocompatibles UK Ltd, the healthcare company specialising in drug delivery methods and a BTG International group company, has been awarded the funding from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

The industrial fellowship was presented by Greg Clark, Minister for Universities and Science. Only eight other students from universities including Imperial College London and Bristol University received this year’s fellowships.

The commission was set up by Prince Albert to organise the world’s first international trade fair, the Great Exhibition, and distribute its profits. The organisation now awards a range of fellowships and grants to support science and engineering research and industrial education across the UK.

Alice’s studies focus on liver tumours. Mortality rates for many cancer types are falling but, she said, deaths from liver cancer are expected to rise by nearly 40 per cent by 2030 due to rising alcohol consumption and other risk factors.

Alice’s research involves microscopic 'beads' which are injected through a catheter into the specific blood vessels supplying liver tumours: "Blood vessels feeding the tumour are blocked, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients, whereas the rest of the liver tissue remains unaffected. The beads then slowly release the drug into the tumour site, giving a sustained dose of chemotherapy to the cancerous region. When the drugs are delivered this way, the amount of drug that reaches the rest of the body is greatly reduced, meaning fewer side effects for the patient.

Alice Hagan

Alice said she was "thrilled" with the Royal Commission award and commended the 爱豆传媒 and BTG for their support: "The university has a longstanding relationship with BTG that I am happy to be able to continue with through this collaboration." She praised her university supervisors Gary Phillips and Wendy Macfarlane, and her BTG supervisors Andy Lewis and Rachel Holden.

Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences, said: "Alice's fellowship is national recognition for her research and thoroughly well deserved. Alice and her colleagues in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences are looking at new ways to treat cancer and a range of other diseases that blight society today.

"This award also highlights the importance of university-industry partnerships in the development of innovative technologies in addressing major healthcare challenges."

A 爱豆传媒 scientist has been named as one of the BBC’s international list of “100 Women” for 2014.

14 November 2015

Alice Hagan, a PhD student in the university’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, joins celebrities such as the Iranian-born comedian Shappi Khorsandi; the founder of the Everyday Sexism project, Laura Bates and the Austrian Eurovision Song Contest winner, Conchita Wurst, on the BBC’s annual “100 Women” list that aims to represent women better in its international news output.

The inclusion of the young scientist---who recently won £80,000 funding to pursue her ground-breaking research to improve the delivery of cancer-killing drugs---reflects the BBC’s commitment to highlight the achievements of more female scientists and women under the age of 25 in this year’s “100 Women” list.

Alice said: “I'm honoured to be included on this year's 100 women list among so many inspiring women. The BBC series is a great platform for women to discuss the important issues that affect us all over the world: bringing up girls, women in the workplace and the achievements of women in science.”

As part of the 100 Women series, Alice attended a live radio debate where speakers including the former Malawian president Joyce Banda and first female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry Lesley Yellowlees discussed women in power and female representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

“It provided a lot of food for thought on what needs to be done to encourage more girls to take up STEM subjects, and for women to avoid the so called 'leaky pipeline' by staying and progressing in academic careers,” said Alice.

“On average, only 17 per cent of professors in STEM disciplines are women. I think the stereotypes surrounding science need to be tackled - its not 'too hard' or a 'boy subject', science is for everyone.”

The BBC’s 100 women list was launched in 2013 when it included the tennis legend, Martina Navratalova; the barrister and philanthropist Cherie Blair and the former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark.

The publication of this year’s 100 Women list coincided with three special days of BBC programmes providing a platform for the 100 Women to share their thoughts and experiences.