Profile
Jean Ling Tan
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About Me:
Malaysian who has been in the UK for four years now – I miss food from home 🙁
Taking steps to cure cancer by day, karate-ka by night!
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I am a first year MB-PhD in Cancer Sciences candidate. An MB-PhD is a dual degree programme which combines a medical degree (MBChB) with a PhD. This means that after completing three years of my medical degree at The University of Manchester, I have taken time out to undertake a PhD in Cancer Sciences, after which I will return to complete my medical degree.
Outside of work, I enjoy doing karate, going to the gym and have been slowly getting back into running, climbing, and language learning!
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
My research is on chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer and novel treatment combinations we could bring into the clinic.
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In a nutshell, my PhD project involves growing cancer cells, treating them with a combination of chemotherapy drugs and novel compounds, before examining if the cells die. I then study how and why this happens.
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My Typical Day:
I usually get to work by 9 and start/continue experiments in the lab. I also analyse data from these experiments and read any papers that might be useful to my project. I finish my lab work by 5pm.
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My typical day in the lab starts by checking on the cancer cells that I grow. To drive my project forward, I perform different experiments and analyse the data I get from them to address my hypothesis, with the support of my supervisory team. For example, to study whether a drug kills cells, I might transfer my cells that have been growing in flasks to plates, before dosing them with various combinations of chemotherapy drugs and leaving them to grow over a period of time. I can then observe how they behave using a machine that takes pictures of the cells at various points in time as they are left to grow.
I might also attend lectures or talks given by external speakers, meet with my supervisor and research team, analyse any data I’ve gathered and read any research papers that might be useful for my project. I usually finish my lab work by 5pm and to end the day, I might spend a few hours training in the gym or teaching karate at the university karate club.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
That’s difficult because I have so many ideas! To make the most of the prize money, I’d love to work with the Division of Cancer Sciences, the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and the Christie to organise an outreach event for school children, which would cover “simple” things such as what research is, the scientific process and how to design an experiment which are all things that I have learned through my supervisor and fellow lab members. I’d also love to include an overview of careers in science, which can range from becoming a clinical academic (which is what I’d like to do), working in hospital labs, scientific communication, medical writing, and so on – the sky is the limit!
I’d also like to create a resource that is more “evergreen”, something with longer-lasting impact which would cover the items listed above and hopefully empower future teams to organise outreach events of their own!
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My curriculum links
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Education:
My schooling was entirely in Malaysia. I went to a public primary school and a public secondary school (briefly), before transferring to an international school. Since then, I stayed in the British-style schooling system where I did my GCSEs and A-Levels.
Then I moved to Manchester for university, where I did three years of medical school before taking time out to start a PhD in Cancer Sciences and here I am now!
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Qualifications:
GSCEs and A-Levels
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Work History:
I currently work part-time with the University Careers Service as a Careers Intern, I also do voluntary work e.g. through a non-profit organisation I started last year.
Previously, I have been a ballet teaching assistant and clinic administrative assistant amongst other roles! In Malaysia, part-time work is generally discouraged so children could focus on their studies instead and I was very lucky that I did not have to work to support myself.
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Current Job:
1st year MB-PhD in Cancer Sciences candidate
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Employer:
My PhD is based at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, a research partnership founded in 2006 by The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Karate-ka in Research
What did you want to be after you left school?
When I was really young, my ambitions started with wanting to be an archeologist and discover a pharoah's tomb like Howard Carter, then to becoming a fashion designer, then a writer. Eventually I discovered my ability and interest in Science, so I became interested in learning about the human body!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Definitely not, call Jean a troublemaker and all my friends from school would laugh at you.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I'd still go into Science, but since starting medical school I have discovered an interest in scientific communication, widening participation and charity/non-profit work so I might've gone down working in those areas full-time.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I have quite a few that I like - Jay Park, Blackbear, and DPR IAN to name a few!
What's your favourite food?
Since moving to the UK, spicy food has become a way for me to manage my homesickness. My favourite spicy foods are all Korean, such as army stew and spicy noodles!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1) To have the ability to learn anything quickly! Imagine being able to pick up a new language or get good at a sport quickly, that would be an absolute dream. 2) To complete the National Three Peaks challenge and climb the tallest mountain in Malaysia one day, ideally before I start work as a doctor 3) To contribute to cancer research that is inclusive of the world's population and improve global cancer care
Tell us a joke.
I'm really bad when put on the spot like this, sorry! Dry jokes are my thing, you might get a few during a live chat :)
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