Benjamin Golland

I hold a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham. Previous to that, I studied Biology, Chemistry and History at A-Level.

What previous lab experience do you have?

Most recently, the final year of my undergraduate degree was spent in the Drug Discovery Facility In the Institute of Microbiology and Infection focusing on antitubercular drug discovery. During my degree I spent a year in the Antibody Engineering group of the Biopharmarmaceuticals R&D department of GSK. Previous to that, I held a Summer Studentship at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mike Blackman's malaria group in the Division of Parasitology.

What attracted you to the Centre for Doctoral Training in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine – Innovation in Medical and Biological Engineering

The focus on turning quality bench-side science and engineering into bedside treatment options is clear. A real draw was also the opportunity to develop a formal

How did you hope the CDT integrated PhD would give you an advantage over a conventional PhD?

Being new to the research area and medical engineering in general, I felt I would benefit from a gradual introduction and well-supported environment. The cohort setup also meant I would be part of a group full of individuals of mixed backgrounds which has already fostered helpful interactions.

What benefits do you feel you get from the interdisciplinary nature of the course?

The ability to understand the advantages and shortcomings of different fields and match them where possible. An understanding that to bring a successful treatment to patients requires more than pure science or engineering.

What other activities do you participate in? – if you have a blog and/or participate in other professional networks, please give details, i.e. links if appropriate

The outreach opportunities with schools and the general public are always enjoyable and really test your ability to communicate science, especially to those with limited specialist knowledge