Reflections from an MSc Radiobiology Graduate: How Oxford Shaped My Career in Cancer Research

The MSc in Radiobiology at the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the principles of radiobiology at a molecular and cellular level, focusing on its applications within cancer research and treatment. With a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines physics, biology, and clinical application, the course is designed to equip students with the skills crucial for advancing a career in the field of radiobiology or radiation oncology. 

Recent graduate Ian Chai shares his experience of the MSc Radiobiology programme and how it helped to fuel his career aspirations.

Ian Chai, MSc Radiobiology Student 2022-2023

How did you hear about the MSc in Radiobiology course and what made you decide to apply?

I heard about the course through my previous undergraduate supervisors in Glasgow. They were integral in my decision to apply for this course. Having either studied the course themselves or taken part in the teaching, they recommended it as an ideal stepping-stone to further my skillsets and knowledge in cancer research. With that I took up their advice, applied for this MSc, and haven’t looked back since.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I most enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of the course, having had to grasp the physics, biology and clinical aspects of radiobiology, it expanded my field of knowledge and helped build a strong foundation of my understanding in radiobiology and cancer research. This interdisciplinary environment was also found amongst my course mates who came from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds from physics, biology, chemistry and medicine, making our interactions and discussions that much more vibrant and thought-provoking. 

What were/are your next career steps after completing the MSc in Radiobiology?

After completing the course, I spent a year as a Research Assistant working in Dr Monica Olcina’s research group, focusing on Immune Radiation Biology. This allowed me to further the work I performed during my Masters project, where I sought to gain more research experience in lab and expand my bioinformatics capabilities, while also concurrently applying for PhD projects. After this fruitful year, I am now about to embark on a PhD project at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, working on imaging techniques to characterise tumour stiffness and its association with the immune profile of tumours in the context of radiotherapy.

How has the MSc in Radiobiology helped you to achieve your career goals?

 This course has helped further my knowledge and technical skills in cancer research, while also providing me with the opportunities to develop ‘soft skills’ and critical thinking abilities such as effective communication of my research, how to link a wide range of multidisciplinary topics together, as well as the flexibility to draw ideas from these various sources. Overall, I do think that the course has also helped me grow as a more confident and inquisitive person, which in turn has opened up many career and research opportunities for me.

Would you recommend the course?

 I would certainly recommend this course for anyone looking to pursue a deeper understanding of the biological effects of radiation, with a focus on its application in cancer research and treatment. With radiotherapy being a part of treatments plans for more than 50% of patients with different cancers, I think this area of research is highly relevant in furthering our understanding of how best to optimise radiotherapy approaches for patients, and also improving combination approaches of radiotherapy with other therapeutic modalities.

Anything else you want to add?

Having completed this course while being involved in college life and attending a variety of other social events during my time here in Oxford, I can say that this experience has definitely been one of the most unique and best times of my life so far. The pace of this course, studying, and performing research throughout the year was undoubtedly very challenging, but thankfully I was fortunate in making great friends and mentors, both in and out of the department who were strong supporters of my journey throughout the course. You do meet the most outstanding and fun people on the course and within the department as well. Having crossed paths and becoming great friends with many of them, you see how well they manage both maintaining a strong work ethic while also enjoying social events outside of work, especially being in Oxford with all the formals and social events throughout the year, having a solid balance of the two is essential.

Ian’s journey highlights some of the many doors opened by MSc Radiobiology at the Department of Oncology, helping him to build a strong foundation for a career in cancer research, but also making valuable connections in peers and staff from diverse backgrounds.  Whether it’s the hands-on research opportunities or the vibrant academic and social life at Oxford, this course provides the knowledge, network, and confidence for aspiring scientists to take the next step.

For more information and application details, please visit the Graduate Admissions webpage.