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Celebrating this year’s BSc prize winners

Each year, NHLI awards academic prizes to the most exceptional students on our BSc courses.

This year’s awardees were:

BSc Remote Medicine

  • Aastha Mundra was awarded the Remote Medicine Prize – Best Overall Performance and was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize (for the student with the highest overall project score)
  • Hadrien Janbon was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement (for consistent high marks and high peer score)

BSc Translational & Respiratory Medicine

  • Katerina Sini was awarded the Ian J Stolow Prize – Best Overall Performance
  • David Yeoh was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize
  • Amy Curry was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement

BSc Cardiovascular Sciences

  • Yashwin Shyam was awarded the Agnes Cope Prize – Best Overall Performance and was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize
  • Vin Gomes was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement

We spoke to some of this year’s awardees about their time at NHLI, what they have learnt, and their plans for the future.

Aastha Mundra

What led you to studying BSc Remote Medicine?

I chose BSc Remote Medicine because I wanted an intercalated year that offered something different from traditional clinical medicine. I’d heard from older years that it was a sociable and engaging course, with a field trip to Brecon Beacons, and I was excited by the opportunity to explore areas of medicine that most medical students never have the chance to experience.

As someone who enjoys sport and the outdoors, the idea of learning how to manage medical emergencies in challenging environments really appealed to me. The course promised a unique perspective on healthcare, combining clinical medicine with research, human factors and decision-making in austere environments, and it certainly lived up to those expectations.

What have you enjoyed the most about the course, and what has been the biggest challenge?

One of the highlights of the course was the people. Our cohort included students from a wide range of backgrounds and universities, and spending time together during our field trips made it easy to build lasting friendships. I also loved hearing from guest speakers, including researchers working with international space agencies, whose experiences really broadened my perspective on where medicine can be practised.

The practical elements of the course were equally memorable. One of our ICAs involved a remote field exercise where we responded to a series of simulated medical emergencies, including a scuba diving incident, using only the limited equipment available to us. It was a brilliant way to apply clinical knowledge while thinking creatively under pressure.

The biggest challenge was learning to make clinical decisions when you don’t have the investigations, equipment or specialist support that we’d normally rely on in hospital. It pushed me to develop stronger clinical reasoning and become more confident making decisions with the information available.

What are the main lessons that you will take away from the course?

The biggest lesson I’ve taken away is that good medicine isn’t defined by the resources around you, it’s about your ability to think critically, adapt and make the best decisions for the patient with what you have. The course taught me that practising medicine in remote or austere environments requires a very different approach from working in a hospital, with greater emphasis on clinical reasoning, teamwork and resourcefulness.

I’d encourage any medical student considering an intercalated BSc to choose Remote Medicine. It offers experiences and perspectives that are unlike anything in the standard medical curriculum, and the skills I developed – particularly in clinical problem-solving and adapting to unfamiliar situations – will stay with me throughout my career.

Katerina Sini

What drew you to the Translational and Respiratory Medicine BSc?

What drew me to TRM was its combination of clinical relevance and strong research focus. During my earlier years of medical school, I encountered respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD across a wide range of clinical settings. Seeing how commonly these conditions affect patients, I felt that studying respiratory medicine in greater depth would be both interesting and highly relevant to my future practice.

I was also drawn to the translational nature of the course and its focus on bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care. The opportunity to gain experience in laboratory-based, clinical, and data-driven research appealed to me, as it would allow me to explore different areas of research, develop a broad range of skills, and gain a clearer sense of which areas interest me most.

How have you found the experience of studying at NHLI?

Studying at NHLI has been a rewarding experience. I have valued the opportunity to learn from individuals who are true experts in their fields, and I felt truly supported by the teaching team throughout the year. This created a welcoming and encouraging environment which helped me make the most out of my BSc.

What are your plans and ambitions for the future?

Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing my research skills alongside my clinical training and to keep research as a meaningful part of my future career, regardless of the speciality I eventually choose. This year has given me a strong foundation to build on as I continue through medical school.

Yashwin Shyam

Why did you choose to study the Cardiovascular Sciences BSc?

My interest in cardiology began during my clinical placements, where I was first exposed to the specialty and quickly realised how much I enjoyed it. Wanting to explore the field beyond what I was learning in medical school, I took on a research project at the NHLI in my second year, focusing on the electrophysiology of the heart and cardiac arrhythmias. Being involved in research gave me a completely different perspective on cardiology and showed me how exciting the field is, both clinically and academically. It sparked a real curiosity to understand the science behind cardiovascular disease and how research can shape future patient care. By the end of the project, I knew I wanted to learn more, so choosing the Cardiovascular Sciences BSc felt like the natural next step.

What has been the highlight of your time on the course?

I think the highlight of the course was the opportunity to work alongside doctors and researchers who are leaders in their field. Not only did this give me an incredible platform to learn from experts, but it also allowed me to build my network and contribute to cutting-edge cardiovascular research. The research project was especially enjoyable, as it gave me the chance to explore a topic I was genuinely interested in, develop new research skills, and experience what it is like to be part of an active research team tackling real-world scientific questions.

If you could give incoming CVS BSc students one piece of advice, what would it be?

The Cardiovascular Sciences BSc has a reputation for being challenging, and that’s probably what every older-year student will tell you! But if you genuinely enjoy learning about cardiology and are curious about the science behind it, you’ll find the course incredibly rewarding. My biggest piece of advice would be to start reading research papers early and as often as you can. Not only will this help you build your knowledge, but it will also teach you how to critically analyse research and understand how scientific papers are written, skills that are invaluable and are assessed throughout the course.

To find out more about the BSc courses offered by NHLI, please visit our website.

Understanding infection in cystic fibrosis: meet the researchers

“It is crucial to understand how these pathogens interact… with the aim of discovering new targets for treatments.”

For Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Week, 8-14 June, we’re shining a light on the work of two PhD students at NHLI who are helping to advance our understanding of lung infections in CF.

Greta Šveikauskaitė (Allsopp Group) and Shannon Blay (Hughes Group) are both exploring how microbes behave and interact in the unique environment of the CF lung – research that could help inform more effective treatments in the future. Their work forms part of the Precision-CF Innovation Hub, a Cystic Fibrosis Trust and LifeArc funded research programme bringing together researchers and clinicians to improve the diagnosis and treatment of CF lung infections.

Professor Jane Davies, Dr Dominic Hughes, Dr Luke Allsopp, part of the PRECISION-CF, a Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Life Arc funded project researching secondary bacterial infections associated with cystic fibrosis in the lab in the Emmanuel Kaye Building.
Greta Sveikauskaite (back row, third from right) and Shannon Blay (middle row, second from right), with Professor Jane Davies, Dr Dominic Hughes, Dr Luke Allsopp and members of the research groups.

Understanding bacterial dominance in CF infections

Greta Šveikauskaitė, PhD student (Allsopp Group)Greta in the lab

What is your current research in cystic fibrosis focused on?

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects many organs but has a particularly large impact on the lungs. CF causes the thickening of lung mucus, reduced clearance within the lungs and a frustrated immune system, creating a perfect environment for bacterial growth.

During infection, bacteria can lead to cell damage directly, but immune responses that do not effectively clear the bacteria can persist over time, resulting in damage that leads to reduced lung function.

Although the CF lung can be infected by a range of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common and most troubling. My project in the Allsopp Group focuses on how P. aeruginosa becomes dominant and outcompetes other bacteria.

“We do not fully understand how P. aeruginosa causes infection and becomes so successful. My work will hopefully reveal environmental triggers that lead to a boom in P. aeruginosa presence and make it more aggressive”

P. aeruginosa alters its behaviour in this environment and in response to other bacteria, and this is the focus of my PhD. One bacterial system I am particularly fascinated by is a protein nanomachine that it uses like a harpoon against other bacteria, or human cells, to inject toxins that lead to cell death. This system is called the type VI secretion system. I am researching how P. aeruginosa responds to the CF lung environment to arm itself for this bacterial warfare.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to being grown in different media by turning on the production of different pigments
Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to being grown in different media by turning on the production of different pigments

What impact do you hope your research will have for people living with CF?

I hope that findings from my research will help us better understand these bacteria. This is important as we do not fully understand how P. aeruginosa causes infection and becomes so successful. My work will hopefully reveal environmental triggers that lead to a boom in P. aeruginosa presence and make it more aggressive. Once we understand this, we could use these triggers as a guide for more effective future treatments.

What does a typical day look like for you as a PhD student?

My days are filled with experiment planning, literature reading, and a lot of experiments!

Collaboration plays a big role in CF research – how has this influenced your work?

I am part of the Precision CF Innovation Hub, part of the Translational Innovation Hub Network for CF Lung Health and Infection funded by LifeArc and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

This means that my work fits within the wider CF research landscape and I get to collaborate not only with researchers at Imperial, but also from other UK universities, and learn about broader CF research topics. I also interact and collaborate with clinicians, which helps remind me of the bigger picture beyond day-to-day laboratory work.

What are the next steps for your research?

I hope we are able to achieve better detection of the bacteria infecting CF lungs, coupled with increased understanding of their infection patterns, so we can deliver rapid and effective treatments that improve the lives of people with CF.

Looking ahead, what breakthrough would you most like to see?

I would love to see a way to restore natural innate immunity, with increased “good” (commensal) bacteria that could better equip the body with an active defence system against harmful bacteria such as P. aeruginosa.

Exploring polymicrobial infections in CF lungs

Shannon Blay, PhD student (Hughes Group) Shannon in the lab

What is your current research in cystic fibrosis focused on?

My research focuses on how the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) interact during co-infection in people with CF.

Lung infections in CF are common, and there is increasing understanding that these infections are polymicrobial—made up of many different pathogens. Pa and Af are the most common bacterial and fungal pathogens found in CF lungs.

Because people with CF have thicker mucus that is harder to clear, alongside an impaired immune response, infections often become chronic—triggering inflammation and progressive lung damage.

The introduction of CFTR modulators, such as Kaftrio, has been a huge breakthrough. However, these treatments are not effective for around 10% of people with CF, and even in those receiving modulators, chronic infections often persist and are difficult to treat due to antimicrobial resistance.

Research has shown that Pa and Af co-infection worsens patient outcomes, including requiring more frequent hospitalisation. It is therefore crucial to understand how these pathogens interact and why this negatively impacts health outcomes, with the aim of discovering new treatment targets.

My research explores how Pa and Af interact directly and indirectly, and how this affects their growth and survival.

What impact do you hope your research will have?

CFTR modulators, specialised healthcare and newborn screening have transformed outcomes for many people with CF. However, an ageing CF population brings new challenges, including chronic lung infections.

By researching polymicrobial interactions, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of how pathogens behave during infection so that we can treat them more effectively and alleviate symptoms. The opportunity to have a positive impact on people living with CF is what motivates me.

What does a typical day look like for you as a PhD student?

A typical day begins with checking my plan and writing a very ambitious to-do list. My experiments are time-dependent, so I usually carry them out in the morning.

After lunch, I focus on admin tasks, reading scientific papers and analysing data. Keeping accurate records is crucial, so I maintain both a lab book and electronic notes. I also regularly meet with my supervisory team or lab group—so my days can get very busy!

How has collaboration influenced your work?

“The collaborative nature of CF research is incredibly inspiring as an early-career researcher.”

Collaboration is central to my research, particularly as my project forms part of Precision-CF, one of four UK translational innovation hubs funded by LifeArc and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

I work closely with researchers within my group, including Dr Lillie Purser, to develop laboratory models of polymicrobial infection. We also collaborate with Professor Darius Armstrong-James to access A. fumigatus isolates from CF patients.

Our group is also exploring collaborations across departments, including with bioengineering. The collaborative nature of CF research is incredibly inspiring as an early-career researcher.

What are the next steps for your research?

My next steps are to continue optimising co-culture models to study polymicrobial interactions. I will then investigate how Pa and Af interact in different media, including synthetic cystic fibrosis medium, which mimics CF sputum.

This will help better simulate the CF lung environment and improve the clinical relevance of my research.

What breakthrough would you most like to see?

I would most like to see further advances in CFTR modulators or genetic therapies so that they can benefit everyone with CF, including those currently not eligible due to rare mutations or treatment intolerance.

Find out more about our Respiratory Infections research at NHLI and show your support by wearing yellow on the brightest fundraising day of the year, Friday 12 June.

Celebrating Women at NHLI

At NHLI, we seek to foster an inclusive, equitable and supportive environment for all who come through our doors.  

To mark International Women’s Day (8 March) and Women at Imperial Week (9-13 March), we spoke to several women across NHLI who were nominated by their colleagues for the impact they make and the inspiration they provide. 

 Jo Feary, Senior Clinical Research Fellow 

I lead a team who deliver high-quality, cutting-edge research in occupational lung diseases and am regarded as an international and national expert in the field. The aspect I enjoy most about my work is the direct relationship between my research, how it impacts on clinical care and how it influences policy across the globe. 

Asha Patel, Associate Professor in Advanced Therapies 

I lead a dynamic research team exploring next generation nucleic acid therapeutics. Currently, we are developing innovative polymer and lipid nanoformulations of mRNA encoded proteins to restore tissue homeostasis. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is bringing together a diverse, talented group of scientists whose unique experiences and perspectives spark creative solutions to complex challenges. We’re all driven by a shared passion for transforming these discoveries into real world impact. 

Nicola Ruivo, Section Manager 

As a Section Manager at NHLI, I am committed to building strong and trusting working relationships through a personable approach, creating an environment where academics, researchers and students feel supported and confident. By combining operational excellence with a collaborative mindset, I ensure the support I provide is of the highest standard and contributes meaningfully to the success of research initiatives. 

Kushalinii Hillson, Clinical Research Fellow 

I am a paediatric respiratory doctor, currently doing a PhD in developing non-invasive tests that can be used to target treatment in preschool wheeze. At present, treatment for recurrent preschool wheeze is purely by symptoms reported by parents. I enjoy my research as it involves working with preschool children with recurrent and severe wheeze, who have significant symptom burden. This also has a direct and indirect impact on their parents, their wider family, as well as on their quality of life. I undertake several bedside tests when they come into clinic and follow them up over the course of a year, which is highly satisfying. I have had the pleasure of getting to know these children and their parents, gaining their trust, and getting to know them well, over the course of their follow up. Preschool wheeze remains poorly managed, and an under-researched area, due to the perceived difficulties in undertaking tests in very young children, even though these children account for most acute childhood asthma presentations. It is humbling to see the level of engagement of parents and children in research, to help advance our knowledge in this field, to improve management in the future. 

 

Alicia D’Souza, Associate Professor in Cardiac Electrophysiology 

At NHLI, I lead a research group studying the biology of the heart’s natural pacemaker and conduction system. What I enjoy most is the collaborative environment and the opportunity to support the next generation of scientists while working on research that has real potential to improve how we understand and treat heart rhythm disorders. 

Jamilah Meghji, Clinical Associate Professor in Respiratory Medicine 

My work sits between TB and respiratory research. I am interested in understanding the lasting impact of TB disease on lung health, and much of my work describes the burden and impact of post-TB lung disease in Africa. We have now started to look at this in the UK, which is an exciting new focus. I am also investigating how we might deliver integrated TB and respiratory care in Africa, through collaborations in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria – this work aims to make clinical care more person-centred and offers important opportunities to improve patient outcomes. 

My research involves collaborating with peers and students from around the world, across cultures, and across research methods. This breadth can be challenging but means that I am always learning and developing, and I really value this about my work. 

Eleanor Tucker, Division Manager 

Happy International Women’s Day. I’m one of a team of four Divisional Managers in NHLI. What I enjoy most about my role is knowing that I’ve made a painful bit of university administration slightly easier for our staff and students. My overall experience of working in NHLI over many years is that it’s a department made up of exceptionally hardworking, ambitious, but also kind and altruistic people. It turns out, I’m very fond of the people I work with! 

Hime Gashaw, Laboratory Manager

I have worked in various sections within NHLI, starting as a Research Technician and progressing to Lab Manager. Over the years, I’ve learned so much from the wonderful women around me and have truly valued being part of such a supportive environment. As a mother and a lab manager, it’s especially meaningful to work somewhere that encourages women in science and provides opportunities for growth and leadership. I have brought my daughter in during the “bring your kids to work” experience, where she met many inspiring women leaders from across Imperial. I hope it showed her – and others – that women can thrive, lead, and make a real impact in research.

 

Across NHLI, women contribute their expertise at every level, shaping our research, education and professional services, helping build a community grounded in collaboration, compassion and excellence. Our commitment to equality is also reflected in NHLI’s ongoing work through the Athena Swan framework, which guides our efforts to create a fair, inclusive and supportive environment for all. 

This includes colleagues in senior leadership roles such as our Head of Department, Professor Barbara Casadei, and division leaders Professor Clare Lloyd, Professor Jane Mitchell and Professor Wisia Wedzicha. Their leadership, along with the contributions celebrated in this piece, sustains the vibrant and inclusive environment we are proud to recognise today. 

Beyond the Bench: A PhD Student’s Journey

“The intellectual challenge, the varied nature of the work, and mostly the opportunity to discover new things and contribute to advancements that could one day affect people’s lives are really what drew me into research.”

Meet Krish Sanghavi, a PhD student and part of the Snelgrove Lab at Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), whose journey into research took a turn from an early ambition to study medicine. Inspired by hands-on lab work during his undergraduate and Master’s projects, Krish discovered a passion for scientific discovery and the intellectual challenge of research. Now immersed in the world of immunology and data analysis, he shares insights into the highs, hurdles, and hopes of life as a PhD student. (more…)

One Year On: A New NHS Pathway for Blood Pressure Care

“There is a growing recognition that healthcare needs to move beyond the clinic and into people’s everyday lives.”

It’s currently Know Your Numbers Week, an annual campaign led by Blood Pressure UK to raise awareness of high blood pressure and the importance of regular checks. A year on from his previous blog, How home monitoring is redefining hypertension care, we catch up with Dr Amit Kaura as he shares updates on the ongoing challenge of hypertension, including new developments in NHS care pathways designed to better support patients both digitally and non-digitally. (more…)