#myPhDjourney – Blog about neuroblastoma research

Two New-Minted PhD in 2025!

What a year – two young and talented postgraduate students have been minted with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in September and December of 2025. They are Dr Lin Ma and Dr Ronja Struck. Hard work and dedication are the cornerstones of this challenging but rewarding journey.

They sailed through scattered showers and sunny spells, gale winds and stormy snow with sunshine developing elsewhere, turning chilly under clear skies on some days with temperatures below/above zero. The full spectrum of emotions and hard work was spiced up by the uncertainty of COVID-19 restrictions. Well done to Ronja and Lin!

My greatest thanks to Lin’s examiners Prof Sue Burchill (University of Leeds, UK), Dr Joan Ní Gabhann-Dromgoole (RCSI, Ireland) and the independent chair Prof Kevin McGuigan (RCSI, Ireland)!!

My greatest thanks to Ronja’s examiners, Prof Martina Rauner (Dresden University, Germany), Prof Fabio Quondamatteo (RCSI, Ireland) and the independent chair Dr Inmar Schoen (RCSI, Ireland)!!

This work would not be possible without the generous support from the Irish Research Council (Research Ireland) and the Conor Foley Neuroblastoma Cancer Research Foundation to Ronja, and from the RCSI-Soochow University StAR International PhD Programme to Lin.

Hi everyone! I’m Chunyu

Hi everyone! I’m Chunyu, and I’ve recently started my PhD journey in the field of bioengineering and neurobiology. My academic background includes an MRes in Biomedical Research from Imperial College London, where I developed a deep interest in microfluidic technologies and their applications in disease modelling.

Currently, my PhD project focuses on identifying the function of macrophages—the body’s frontline immune cells—when they first interact with neuroblastoma (NB) cells using a brain and liver organ-on-a-chip (OoC) model. By recreating these organ environments on a chip, I aim to explore how macrophages respond to NB invasion and how this early interaction might shape the progression of the disease. This research could open new doors for early intervention and treatment strategies in childhood cancers like neuroblastoma.

When I’m not in the lab, you’ll probably find me outside—going on hikes, enjoying a good swim, or finding a tasty Hotpot restaurant. I love blending my curiosity for science with a love for the outdoors, and I’m excited to share updates from both worlds as I go through this PhD journey.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for more science and a few outdoor adventures along the way!

Written by Chunyu Yan, Mac4Me DC

From Bench to Belfast

Thanks to the Breakthrough Cancer Research Education and Travel Award, I had the chance to attend the Irish Association for Cancer Research (IACR) Conference 2025 in Belfast—an insightful and rewarding experience.

I presented a poster on my research into the regulation of GPC2 in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The poster session was a great opportunity to share my work, receive constructive feedback, and speak with researchers working on similar topics. These conversations have given me new ideas to take back to the lab.

One of the most valuable sessions for me was the “PPI in Action” workshop, which focused on making patient and public involvement more inclusive. It introduced me to new perspectives on how researchers can engage directly with patients and the public. I left inspired to explore starting a PPI group for lung cancer at my own institution.

Another highlight was the Patrick Johnston Award session, where early-career researchers presented their work in lay terms. It was a strong reminder of the importance of clear, accessible science communication.

Beyond the conference, I enjoyed exploring Belfast—Victoria Square offered amazing views, and the architecture around City Hall was well worth the visit.

Overall, the conference was a great opportunity to connect, learn, and reflect. I’m very grateful to Breakthrough Cancer Research for supporting my attendance and look forward to applying what I learned to my research going forward.

Written by Eve O’Donoghue

My Chinese leg of the PhD journey

Hi, it’s Lin again!

Welcome to my first blog post of the year—and the first in two and a half years. You might be wondering what I’ve been up to during that time. Let me catch you up!

I’m currently pursuing a joint Ph.D. programme between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and Soochow University (SU) in China. For the past two years, I’ve been based at SU. My project has offered me a unique opportunity to experience and compare research environments across two countries, each with its own strengths, workflows, and lab cultures.

So, what is it like working in a Chinese research lab?

Beyond the routine experimental tasks, one of the standout features of this lab is its comprehensive capacity for conducting animal studies—all performed in strict accordance with ethical guidelines. I’ve had the opportunity to observe and work with a wide variety of laboratory animals, including mice and rabbits. Interestingly, depending on the specific needs of a project, researchers can even select animals based on precise characteristics, such as coat colour or genetic background.

In addition to lab work, the research environment here provides frequent opportunities to attend academic conferences and participate in scholarly exchanges. These events are invaluable for sharing findings, building professional networks, and exploring future collaborations—both nationally and internationally.

Outside the lab, work-life balance is also encouraged. My colleagues and I often take part in group outdoor activities like cycling around the nearby lake, camping, and barbecuing. These shared experiences not only bring joy to our daily lives but also help foster stronger team spirit and collaboration.

And the good news is – I have just submitted my PhD thesis! Onwards and Upwards!

Written by Lin Ma

My little lab story

I’m Ronja, a final-year PhD student navigating the final stretch of lab work, attempting to weave a cohesive narrative from the experiments—and occasional failures—that I’ve genuinely enjoyed over the past three and a half years. With just four months to go until my submission deadline, the calendar is dotted with wedding invitations, visits from friends eager to see me in Dublin while I’m still here, and one last Irish summer that I’m determined to savour—despite the ever-present stress and a slow, persistent creep of anxiety.

At long last, I’m learning to let go of perfection. I can no longer afford to chase down every loose thread left behind by past experiments. Time is no longer elastic, and what remains must be used with ruthless efficiency. It’s time to channel the inner German: go in, do the work with precision, make it count, and don’t let standards slip.

After years spent crafting a PhD through chapters of optimisation—each concluding with an arbitrary line drawn in the sand, because there’s always room for refinement—it’s a hard lesson to internalise. Eventually, the improvements stop justifying the time and resources they demand. Knowing where to stop might be the hardest skill of all.

Perhaps that, in the end, will be the life lesson my PhD leaves me with: learning how to spend my time in ways that truly matter—ways that serve my goals, whether they’re professional, in service of others, or deeply personal. And with that lesson in hand, I’m quietly hopeful that what comes next will be shaped not just by ambition, but by intention.

Written by Ronja Struck

Hello everyone! I’m Federica!

Hello everyone! I’m Federica, the new PhD student who joined the group 😃

I’m amazed that it’s been almost a month since it happened, and I couldn’t be happier!

I was born and raised in Palermo, a beautiful city in Sicily (Italy), but I always felt that it was not my place. So, I tried to combine my passion for cancer biology and my desire to live abroad by exploring the Erasmus Mobility Programme. I was awarded this scholarship twice, but both times I couldn’t avail of this opportunity. In March 2022, I got my Master’s degree and said to myself, “It’s time; this is my chance to go and build the future that I want”. And here I am. 😄

I moved to Dublin in June 2022 and loved this city’s vibes! I met wonderful people from all over the world with which I spent really fun and carefree moments.

These are only a few of that magic moments:

– I saw a deer for the first time in my life – I was soooo happy!

– I tried the “mate”, a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused herbal drink. As you can guess, I didn’t like it 😂 (sorry, my Argentinian friends).

– I got used to the outstanding colours of Ireland.

Obviously, I also had hard days. My English is still not perfect, but it’s getting better every day! I remember the first day I arrived in Dublin when I was looking for a cup, but I asked for a cupboard in three different supermarkets 😂. People looked at me, probably thinking: “Why is she looking for furniture in a grocery store? Should I say something to her?” I realized that I had asked for the wrong thing only during the night, when I was in bed, thinking about that first crazy day.

To be honest, I had a lot of really hard days, days when I felt that I wouldn’t be able to deal with other problems. But I never thought of giving up and returning to Italy. Every difficulty, every good or bad thing, is part of this wonderful experience, and I’m so excited and proud of myself for all the improvement I’ve been making, step by step.

I couldn’t make a better choice because I found my place in this super nice and great team in the Bioengineering Group 🙃

I look forward to better knowing all my new teammates and sharing with them my journey as PhD student!

Written by Federica Cottone