Launched in 1984 to commemorate the life and work of Sir Hans Krebs, FRS, the Krebs Memorial Scholarship acknowledges exceptional academic achievement and outstanding potential. Offered to individuals whose very promising research career has been interrupted for extraordinary non-academic reasons, this scholarship was first awarded to Dr Mahvash Tavassoli. This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary and are delighted to have supported 18 outstanding researchers to achieve their research goals so far. In this article, hear more from our latest Krebs Scholar, Sama Alsharif, who discusses her current research plans and aspirations for the future.
“Jumping for joy! This scholarship is a dream come true!”
Greetings, I’m Sama Alsharif, born and raised in Palestine-Gaza. In 2016, I enrolled at Jordan University of Science and Technology to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and genetics engineering, marking the start of my academic journey. I subsequently joined the University of Glasgow in 2021 to complete my master’s programme in cancer research and precision oncology.
My motives for delving into cancer research are both personal and professional. Cancer presents a significant challenge due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options, often resulting in tragic results for patients and their families. I am motivated by the urgent need to improve patient outcomes, raise the quality of life and, ultimately, discover a treatment to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by the disease.
As a highly ambitious person, I have always been curious to know more about the cancer field. I had the chance to work as a research technician for 9 months with Dr Joanna Birch who supported me in acquiring new skills, expanding my knowledge base and developing expertise in technical skills necessary for conducting experiments at a cancer laboratory, especially glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain tumour. This experience allowed me to contribute to a successful article that was published last year titled ‘Inhibition of ATR opposes glioblastoma invasion through disruption of cytoskeletal networks and integrin internalisation via macropinocytosis’, and another article is anticipated to be published later this year.
As a laboratory technician focusing on glioblastoma research, my main research interests revolve around understanding the complicated biology of this aggressive brain tumour and finding novel approaches for its diagnosis and treatment. One of my key interests is in understanding the molecular processes underlying glioblastoma carcinogenesis, progression and treatment resistance. This involves investigating critical genetic and epigenetic changes, signalling pathways, and microenvironmental variables that contribute to glioblastoma development.
In addition to that, I am extremely interested in developing and defining new biomarkers that might assist in early identification, accurate prognosis and treatment response prediction. This involves researching genetic, proteomic and imaging-based biomarkers to monitor disease dynamics and treatment effectiveness.
Furthermore, my research extends to the development and assessment of targeted treatments and combination therapy designed for glioblastoma. I am particularly interested in examining the potential of precision medicine methods, including molecular profiling and patient-derived xenograft models, to guide personalized treatment decisions and enhance therapeutic outcomes for glioblastoma patients.
My desire to make a significant contribution to the field of cancer research and advance scientific understanding motivated me to actively explore possibilities to pursue PhD studies. Recently, I was honoured to receive the Krebs Memorial Scholarship, which will enable me to pursue my PhD studies in my area of interest. My PhD project aims to identify novel therapeutic targets to oppose invasion that have the potential to prolong survival and alleviate symptoms in GBM patients.
In closing, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to share my story with the readers of The Biochemist magazine. Together, let us continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, inspire curiosity and pave the way for a future where science serves as a beacon of enlightenment and hope for future generations.
