Please meet Aishani, for whom Red Trouser Day is sponsoring to conduct the research on the possible properties of the Klotho protein which could potentially transform bowel cancer.
Aishani says “The chance to conduct a research project concentrating on a novel therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer is not only allowing me to potentially make new advancements in the treatment of patients with bowel cancer, but also training me to constantly question how we can improve patient care and outcomes”.
For Aishani’s full background, please read on. A very inspirational young lady who will travel far in her career. Julia and Paul, two of the founding trustees met Aishani with Dr Irene Chong in the labs during Dec being introduced to their fantastic work. We felt it only right, that our supporters, donors and friends understand the impressive nature of the people we are funding.
Aishani Biography
I graduated from University College London in 2014 after completing my MBBS degree, and went on to complete my foundation training in the London deanery. During this time, I worked through various rotations in order to acquire all required competencies, and also explored different specialities to determine which speciality best suited me. Whilst oncology was not a rotation that I was exposed to much initially, after spending time with patients afflicted with cancer in a palliative care rotation, I became increasingly interested in this area of medicine as a career path. Thus, I actively sought to gain further experience in this field by choosing rotations in oncology during my core medical training years.
Working within the speciality I became aware of the growing number of patients with cancer, and how rewarding this branch of medicine was. I was able to build long-term relationships with my patients and their families to find the best treatment regimes for each individual patient, whilst working in multidisciplinary teams and using cutting edge technology with newly developed therapies to treat their disease. One thing that became apparent was how rapidly evolving this speciality was, with new research emerging constantly. It also highlighted the critical need for ongoing research. Although, I was able to continue to harness my clinical skills during this time, there was rarely time to focus on keeping up to date with new advancements, or build on existing knowledge, due to the increasing demands on the health service. I therefore endeavoured to take on the role as a clinical research fellow, in order to develop this skill set and partake in work, which hopefully could have lasting positive implications for patient care in cancer medicine.
The chance to conduct a research project concentrating on a novel therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer is not only allowing me to potentially make new advancements in the treatment of patients with bowel cancer, but also training me to constantly question how we can improve patient care and outcomes. Moreover, undertaking this project at the Institute of Cancer, in collaboration with the Royal Marsden and Imperial Hospitals has placed me at the doorstep of three centres of excellence with the ability to utilise a wealth of expertise and resources. This year has allowed me to nurture a part of my medical career which training doctors unfortunately don’t get much opportunity to focus on but is worthwhile, and is invaluable for me to take forward as an oncologist in the future.
Career history
Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden Sept 2019-current
Currently undertaking a combination of lab based cancer research at the ICR and outpatient clinical work at the Royal Marsden.
Core Medical Trainee 2 at Barnet General and Royal Brompton Hospital Aug 2018-Aug 2019
Geriatrics, High Dependency and Intensive Care, Cardiology (Adult Congenital Heart Disease)
Core Medical Trainee 1 at Royal Marsden (Fulham) and Barnet General Aug 2017- Aug 2018
Medical oncology, Stroke Medicine, Geriatrics
Hunter New England Health Region, Australia Oct 2016-May 2017:
Accident & Emergency
Foundation year 2 at the Whittington Hospital Aug 2015- Aug 2016:
Palliative Medicine, Acute Medicine, Accident & Emergency
Foundation year 1 at Lister Hospital Aug 2014-Aug 2015:
Trauma & Orthopaedics, Care of the elderly, General Surgery
For more information on the work of Red Trouser Day, please send an email to info@redtrouserday.com
——– Ends ———
