ABOUT US
The Edinburgh University Oncology Society (EUOS) is a student-run society at the University of Edinburgh. It was founded by three medical students in 2014 (Nandita Kaza, Kirsty Millar and Abhinav Mathur) after a chance encounter with a very supportive mentor (Dr Lesley Dawson) at a student conference in Edinburgh.
The clinical specialty of oncology plays an important role in every aspect of medicine, both in terms of research potential and with regards to clinical practice. The University of Edinburgh is at the forefront of much clinical and scientific cancer research. However, due to the limited teaching time allocated to oncology in a busy undergraduate medical curriculum, there is minimal oncology teaching or exposure for the average medical student.
This student society aims to expose interested students to the exciting, dynamic and rapidly growing world of oncology beyond our medical curriculum.
OUR AIMS
1. To Foster an Interest in Oncology
One of our main aims is to foster a greater interest in oncology among our undergraduate population through interaction with oncologists. There is often a misconception about what oncologists do and what the job involves. In particular, many people believe that a career in oncology will be dull and gloom. Neil Chesanow discusses this in his interesting article titled "Are Oncologists different from other doctors" - well worth a read to dispel some of the common misconceptions!
3. To Create Research Opportunities
4. Volunteering and Fundraising
Our society is lucky to be based in Edinburgh, which is at the heart of some fascinating scientific and clinical cancer research. The Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre is just one of the many examples of the exciting research that takes place in Edinburgh. Our aim as a society is to provide students with an opportunity to get involved in these research projects.
Edinburgh University students are heavily involved in volunteering and fundraising efforts for various charities. We hope to offer a platform to allow medical students and students of our university to pursue volunteering and fundraising opportunities with charities that assist in the care of cancer patients and form part of an already existing network of cancer-related groups and societies in the Edinburgh community (such as Marrow UK).
We hope to set up a system of peer teaching for oncology topics contained within the curriculum and create revision materials and resources for the benefits of students from the knowledge and experience of their older colleagues within the medical school.
2. To Provide Peer Teaching
MEET OUR COMMITTEE
Anna Scott
President
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Hello! My name is Anna and I am a fifth-year medical student, originally from the Netherlands. My interest in oncology already arose when I was 7-years old. As a little girl, I read a book about a young girl with leukaemia and ever since I have had a growing interest in oncology. I loved my intercalation research in cancer pharmacology and it got me really excited about research. In my free time, I dance a lot of Ballroom and Latin and compete all over the UK and Europe, and I also love teaching chemistry and biology.
Abeera Devasar
Vice-President
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Hi! I'm Abeera and I'm a fourth year medic from Geneva, Switzerland. I first became interested in oncology when I helped out with an audit of the breast cancer clinic at the Western General Hospital. Speaking to patients and their families made me realise how much of an impact a diagnosis of cancer can have on a person’s life, and this drove me to learn more about the science underlying the disease. I am particularly fascinated by immunotherapy, which I enjoyed studying during my intercalated year in Immunology. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, playing the piano, and binge watching The Office.
Grace Loy
Treasurer
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Cancer begins and ends with people. I first got interested in oncology after a friend recommended “The Emperor of All Maladies” for a good read. The psychosocial impact of the disease itself only fully hit me after volunteering at care homes and through shadowing oncologist on ward rounds. Irrespective of the career path I choose in the end, I hope to be able to make a difference along with the people who are suffering from cancer.
Erika Lo
Secretary
I'm Erika, 2nd year medical student and Secretary of EUOS. I hope I can engage on the topic of oncology together. Cooking is my hobby and I like reading as well. I'm working on making a nice omelette during this summer!!
Isabel Mason
Publicity Lead
Hi, I’m Isabel from York in the north of England. I’m a fourth year medic and intercalated in neuroscience last year. What I find so interesting about oncology is how relevant it is no matter what part of medicine or science you are involved in. I am particularly interested in the potential of gene editing and more personalised approaches to treatment. When I’m not editing the oncology magazine I’m probably playing badminton, fundraising with EUBBT and finding as many reasons as I can to procrastinate from studying.
Victoria Collins
Talks Convenor
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I'm a fourth year medical student who just finished intercalating in Infectious Diseases. I grew up around the world in places such as Melbourne, Auckland and Shanghai. My interest in oncology stems from working in care homes for several years. I'm also the President of Accessibility in Medicine this year and enjoy rewatching Brooklyn Nine-Nine in my spare time.
Clair-soo Blackwood
Tutorials Convenor
Hi! I am a second-year medical student from Ayrshire, Scotland. My interest in Oncology stemmed from reading a book about young people living with cancer, however this interest further grew through neoplasia and carcinogenesis lectures I attended as part of my course. In the future, I would like to expand my knowledge of oncology pathogenesis and emerging drug treatments, particularly personalised medicine and stem cell therapy. Aside from medicine, my interests include reading, playing piano and dancing (specifically modern dance). I am also currently studying Hanja in my free time!
Ryan Devlin
Conference Convenor
Hi! I’m a 4th Year Medic from Cromer, Norfolk. My interests in oncology include volunteering with Cancer Research UK as a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador. I have a keen interest in using immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer, which I focussed my intercalated year in. My hobbies include writing, running, stargazing and binge watching How I Met Your Mother.
Aleksandra Cuper
Conference Convenor
TBC
Natalie Tai
Magazine, Website & Podcast Editor
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Hi! My name is Natalie and I am a second-year medical student from Singapore. My interest in Oncology first developed when I witnessed first-hand how my cousin suffered from Medulloblastoma and how her paediatric oncologist collaborated with a team of doctors to give her a new lease of life. This interest was further fuelled by the lectures we had in first year on the topic of Neoplasia where I was able to gain deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms driving carcinogenesis as well as the existing and potential drug treatments used to treat cancer. I hope to explore more into not only the medical aspect of Oncology, but also understand more about the psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the violin, baking and travelling!
Dan Sharpe
Magazine, Website & Podcast Editor
Hi! I’m Dan and I’m going into second year. My interest in oncology is both professional and personal. My particular interest is in raising awareness of Ovarian Cancer early symptoms and my dream career is to go into research focusing on this area. I’m looking forward to assisting and enabling people with ideas and experience to reach a wider audience through the journal, website, and soon the podcast. Away from my studies, I’m a keen sports fan and have adopted Hibs as my Edinburgh team. I can be found watching sport, writing sports articles for The Student or reading a variety of sports journalism – or a combination of all of these things at once.
Mairi Treanor- Taylor
Sponsorship Manager
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Hi! I’m Mairi, the Sponsorship Officer for EUOS this year. I am taking 3 years out of Medicine after 3rd year to undertake a PhD funded by Cancer Research UK. I’m extremely excited for this. Aside from university, I enjoy hillwalking and the outdoors, being active and reading. I’m very keen to be part of the EUOS committee this year to help run events to bring awareness to cancer and related research.