Gift Brings Two new PhD Students to Institute

Two new PhD students recently joined the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, thanks to the generosity of the widow of former member of staff at the University Professor Richard Whipp, who has part funded two Studentships in her late husband's name.A long-time supporter of the Institute, Mrs Whipp has already seen the creation of a tissue culture lab which bears Professor Whipp's name and recently had the pleasure of meeting the two students who have been awarded the Richard Whipp Sêr Cymru Studentships.

Juan Menendez Gonzalez from Girona in Spain joins Dr Neil Rodrigues' team to study acute myeloid leukaemia. "So far, so good," said Juan. "I am enjoying being a part of a new lab at the start of our research here in Cardiff, so am grateful to receive this Studentship."

Maria Konstantinou lives in Cyprus, but studied in the UK before coming to Cardiff as a PhD student. Her interest is in colorectal cancer and she joins Professor Alan Clarke's lab. "It's a challenge, but I like that we have strong aims to get somewhere within this field. Already, the Institute feels like one big family," said Maria.

On meeting the students, Mrs Whipp said:- "It's lovely to be involved with such a worthy research area and I know that Richard would have been so proud of the legacy he has left. Having met Juan and Maria, I can see how focused they are on their research and I'm looking forward to keeping up-to-date on their progress."