One of the lecture topics that has stayed with me the most throughout my time at RCSI is cancer biology, which we covered as part of our Biologics and Immunotherapeutics module.

This topic explored cancer from multiple perspectives, including how tumours develop, how they metastasise and how different systems in the body, such as metabolic and immune pathways, influence disease progression. We also examined current cancer therapies, looking not only at how they work but also at their limitations and why cancer remains such a complex disease to treat.

What I really enjoyed about these lectures was the way the content was delivered. The material was taught through a mix of detailed lectures and case-based learning, which helped connect the science to real-world applications. Instead of just learning theory, we were encouraged to think through how and why diseases develop and how different treatments can be used to target them. This made the learning feel much more meaningful and engaging.

I also found it interesting that we did not just focus on what treatments are used, but why they work. Understanding the reasoning behind therapies and how they are developed and improved gave me a much deeper appreciation for the role of research and innovation in healthcare. It made the subject feel very relevant to real patient outcomes.

Although the topic was challenging, that was actually what I enjoyed most about it. It was one of the first times I found myself wanting to go beyond the lecture material, reading more, asking more questions and really trying to understand the bigger picture. It made me realise how much I enjoy topics that push me to think and that have a clear real-world impact.

This interest also influenced what I chose to do outside the classroom. Around the same time, I applied for a summer research programme in oncology, where I later worked on tumour hypoxia and explored ways to improve radiation therapy using nanoparticles. That experience helped me see how the concepts we learn in lectures can be applied in a research setting and made the subject even more meaningful to me.

Overall, this was a lecture topic that really stood out, not just because of the content but because of how it made me think and feel about my studies. It highlighted how ATT combines scientific understanding with patient-focused applications and gave me a clearer idea of the kind of work I would like to pursue in the future.