MB-PhD Summer Placement Project Outline

This placement will give students an introduction to how ageing changes tissues and how this can influence cancer growth and the immune response. In our lab, we are interested in how the tumour microenvironment, particularly stromal and metabolic factors, shapes whether immune cells can recognise and control cancer, or instead support tumour progression. 

Over the week, students will get a broad overview of melanoma and cancer biology, and how we study these questions using both human samples and mouse models. The focus will not be on generating data, but on understanding how research is designed and interpreted.

Students will take part in guided paper discussions, observe basic lab techniques, and spend time with different members of the team to see how a research group works day to day.

The placement will be in person at the CRUK Manchester Institute, with a structured but informal programme. The aim is to build confidence in reading scientific papers and thinking critically about data.

Key activities

Structured programme to give an overview of how a cancer research lab works.

1. Short introductory sessions on melanoma, skin cancer, ageing, and the tumour microenvironment, followed by guided reading of key papers from the lab and the wider field. Opportunity to discuss papers and present to the lab, if requested.
2. Feedback will be provided on how to identify the main question in a study, understand the experimental approach, and discuss strengths and limitations of the work.
3. Observe basic techniques (e.g. tissue handling, simple assays, data generation workflows) to understand the wider context: why specific experiments are done and how they are interpreted.
4. Possibility to attend lab meetings, and discuss with PhD students, postdocs and scientific officers scientific data and career paths.
5. At the end of the placement, we expect the student to summarise informally what they have learnt and to reflect of a scientific concept/paper they have been exposed to during the placement.

Supervisor style

Our lab studies how ageing shapes the tumour microenvironment, particularly metabolic and stromal influences on anti-tumour immunity and metastasis in melanoma. We work in a collaborative, supportive environment with close day-to-day interaction between students and postdocs. I prioritise critical thinking, clear communication, and helping trainees develop independence and confidence.