PhD research celebrated at Medical School showcase

A total of 80 of the Medical School’s PhD students presented their work at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, in the two-day Exeter Annual Research Event last week. Two prizes for the quality of presentations and abstracts went to Hannah Jones for "an investigation into Inherited Neural Tube Defects" & Holly Sugg for "Morita Therapy for depression & anxiety: a feasibility & pilot study". Runners up were Tamsin Newlove-Delgado & Martina Muggenthaler.

The event gave students valuable experience of communicating their work, as well as an opportunity to meet their peers.

Holly Sugg said: "The Exeter Annual Research Event is a really valuable experience.  It’s certainly daunting, but to have the opportunity to showcase your research and receive such interest and feedback from your peers is very rewarding.  It has definitely boosted my confidence, in both myself and my ability to bring the recognition to my research topic that I think it deserves.​"

Hannah Jones said: “The event provided a really valuable experience, including good practice of answering questions about my project in front of an audience. It helped me get over my nerves about speaking in public in a friendly, encouraging environment.”

Professor Angela Shore, Vice-Dean Research at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “It’s always a great pleasure to see the spectrum of research that PhD students have undertaken. They often bring a fresh perspective to their field which can prove invaluable. We really value our bright and committed PhD students, and we’re proud to support them in their careers .”