I am a fourth year PhD student at the School of Maths. My research field is Cancer Evolution and I am investigating extra-chromosomal DNA (ecDNA) evolutionary paths and mechanisms of reproduction, in order to understand connections with cancer development and treatment. I am mainly using numerical and statistical models and my research is deeply based on biological observations and clinical data. My supervisors are Dr Weini Huang and Dr Benjamin Werner and my project is done in cooperation with Barts Cancer Institute of the School on Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London.
I started my PhD and moved to London during the pandemic but despite this, I have never felt alone in Queen Mary's academic environment. I was involved in study groups, I could interact and work well with my research team and I attended seminars and conferences which made me feel part of a big community that shares my same interests.
I also had the chance to be involved in teaching opportunities, which allow me not only to improve my communication and academic skills but also to realise how much I am passionate about that. I am deeply grateful to be part of Queen Mary University team, and I could not ask for a better academic experience.