What motivated you to come to Bristol and do this programme? 

The exceptional reputation of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol and the unique structure of the 4-Year Wellcome Trust MGLE PhD programme were the driving factors that motivated me to apply. The research topics offered within the programme aligned well with my interests in genetics and pharmacoepidemiology. Moreover, the vast range of training modules and courses offered were quite appealing.   

What is the key research question of your PhD research project and what have you found out so far? 

My main PhD research is focused on exploring unintended adverse effects of cancer drugs on secondary outcomes using protein quantitative trait loci or pQTLs associated with circulating proteins that act as targets for these drugs. The resultant findings can be used to guide cancer drug development and inform clinical decisions for cancer drugs currently in use.    

Currently, I am working on my first mini-project wherein I am investigating whether raised prolactin levels may be causally associated with higher risk of breast cancer using Mendelian randomization.   

Where do you think your research could lead and what are your future career plans now? 

I hope that my research will inform prioritisation of cancer drugs based on their long-term safety and inform future clinical trials about potential adverse effects to be evaluated for cancer drugs. I wish to continue working in the field of genetic epidemiology after the completion of my PhD.