Bethan wins ‘PhD Student of the Year’ in national awards

Congratulations to Bethan Rogoyski who has been named ‘PhD Student of the Year’ in the inaugural Postgraduate Awards, organised by FindAMasters.com and FindAPhD.com.

Beth graduated from Leicester in 2014 with a BSc in Medical Genetics and returned here one year later after taking her Masters at Liverpool. She is based in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology where she is researching cancer chemoprevention.

Her work concentrates on mesothelioma, a form of cancer associated with industrial exposure to asbestos but which may not appear till 50 years later. Beth has identified two promising agents which could be administered during this latency period, reducing mortality in at-risk populations.

The awards judges were impressed by not only Beth’s work in the lab but also her extracurricular activities including her project to improve STEM engagement in deprived communities, and her use of comics to break down complex scientific ideas. She also volunteers with various charities, and is a keen volleyball player.

"It was obviously a huge honour to receive such a prestigious award out of all of the other fantastic students in the country," says Bethan, "and a really exciting note on which to wrap-up my PhD! But it’s also a reflection on the amazing support I’ve received from my friends, colleagues, and supervisors at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre who have enabled me to pursue the variety of opportunities that have led to me being even a candidate for the award! I am very moved and grateful all-round!"