(Average reading time 1 min)
Over the past week, we have followed the journeys of four Euan MacDonald Centre funded PhD students, each at a different stage of the doctoral training, each contributing in their own unique way to the future of motor neuron disease (MND) research.
From laying the foundations and refining their research questions, to preparing for thesis submission; their stories have offered a powerful insight into what it truly means to train the next generation of MND research leaders.
At its heart, the Euan MacDonald Centre’s funded PhD scheme is about more than producing a thesis. It is about developing confident, thoughtful scientists who understand the full research pathway in their chosen discipline, from bench science to clinical science to patient care. By hearing directly from people living with MND and their families and friends, the students never lose sight of the importance of MND research. It helps to challenge them to think not only about what is scientifically interesting, but what will make a difference.
The Euan MacDonald Centre remains dedicated to nurturing talent, strengthening community, and accelerating progress toward better health outcomes for people living with MND. Our funded PhD students are part of a collaborative and supportive network of scientists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals, where knowledge is shared openly.
We are profoundly grateful to our donors and fundraisers whose support makes these funded PhD studentships possible.
This series may be concluding, but our mission continues to slow, stop and ultimately reverse MND, with people living with MND always at its heart.
Relevant links
Read the introduction article: Training the Next Generation of MND Researchers
Year 1: Irene Roig Ferrando's PhD story
Year 2: Maja Matoga's PhD story
Year 3: Alyssa Corbett's PhD story
Year 4: Hannah Crick's PhD story
Information about the Euan MacDonald Centre
The Euan MacDonald Centre funded PhD scheme
(Image courtesy of Prof Tom Gillingwater's lab)