Meet some of our Medical Ultrasound MSc students and read about their experiences at NHLI.
Hilary Allen - MSc Allergy
Why did you choose your course?
I chose to undertake the MSc Allergy because I didn’t have the knowledge or experience to treat the patients with allergic disease presenting to my surgery on a daily basis. I recognised Imperial is a world renowned centre in both clinical and academic allergy medicine. I felt this course would give me the clinical and research skills I required in order to provide the highest standard of care to my patients and it exceeded my expectations.
What have you been doing since completing your MSc?
The MSc qualification afforded me the opportunity to establish a primary care allergy practice, to which other GP colleagues refer. It enabled me to develop relationships with international allergy colleagues and to be appointed to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) working group for primary care. My MSc research study was published in an American allergy journal and I am about to embark on a MD to further develop my research study.
What’s been your favourite part of the course?
I really enjoyed acquiring both research and clinical skills. The opportunity to attend outpatient allergy clinics facilitated clinical application of the knowledge learnt in lectures. I also discovered a hidden passion for research by undertaking a research study in my final year.
What has been the most challenging part so far?
I think it is daunting for any working professional to return to study but I found the department extremely supportive of this and the facility to review recorded lectures allows you to study at your own pace.
Is there anything you would recommend to students about to start the course?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help at any stage throughout the course. The lecturers and course facilitators are extremely helpful and supportive and recognise the unique challenges facing postgraduate students.
How would you sum up your time on the course in one word?
Career-defining.
Angela Pinot de Moira - PGCert Allergy
Why did you choose Allergy at Imperial?
I decided to study for a PGCert in Allergy to gain a better understanding of the clinical manifestations of asthma and allergy and how these relate to the underlying immune mechanisms. I specifically chose the Allergy programme at Imperial because of its clinical perspective and the fact that it is taught by world-leading clinical researchers in the field of allergy. Imperial is also one of the top institutes for respiratory health and allergy research in world. Therefore the course promised to provide both world-class teaching and excellent opportunities for networking and forging new collaborations.
What was a highlight of the course?
One of the highlights of the course was the diversity of the students on the course, not only in terms of the range of professions represented, but also the nationalities represented. This meant that each student brought with them their own unique perspective, creating a unique learning experience.
How did the structure of the course suit your needs?
The structure of the course was great for me. I have a young family and a full-time research job, so its part-time structure, with just three weeks of in-person teaching spread across the year, meant that I could combine the course with my other work-life commitments.
What are you doing now?
I am an epidemiologist currently based at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark where my research focuses on how early-life exposures influence the gut microbiome, the development of the immune response and the risk of asthma and allergy.
How do you incorporate the learning from the Allergy programme into your daily work?
The course has helped me to develop new research ideas, to direct my existing research in a more meaningful direction, and with the interpretation of my research findings. It has also helped me appreciate the limitations of the data I work with.
How do you think this programme will impact your career?
As well as the obvious benefits to my research, the course also allowed me to widen my research network and establish collaborations within the National Heart and Lung Institute. This led me to successfully apply for an NHLI fellowship. This fellowship will allow me to develop applications for external mid-career fellowships which, if I am successful, will allow me to establish my own independent research group at Imperial. So I would say that the course has had a huge impact on my career!
Sophia Kallis - MSc Allergy
Why did you choose your course?
I chose this course as, at that time, I had been working as a paediatric allergy dietitian for two years and wanted to consolidate my learning further. I wanted to develop my allergy knowledge from all perspectives to help me provide more holistic care to my patients and understand their other treatments, e.g. for their eczema or asthma.
Did you have any issues sourcing funding for your MSc?
I was fortunate enough to receive funding from my hospital department, as they understood that my learning would be directly applied to my clinical service. I have also received some funding from company reps for individual modules.
What’s the best thing about studying in London?
London is such a vibrant and fast-paced city and very multicultural. It attracts students from all over the world and it's been a real pleasure to meet students from varied backgrounds on this course. That in itself is a learning experience and it's great to find out more about how people work in other countries.
What’s been your favourite part of the course?
I've really enjoyed the wonderful lecturers we have had on the course. They are all experts in their field and so it is a real privilege to have them come in and teach us.
What has been the most challenging part so far?
It has been challenging balancing my job with studies but overall, with the support of the course leaders, it has been manageable.
What are you planning to do next?
When I have completed my MSc in Allergy, I plan to use that knowledge in my day-to-day practice. No further plans for studies in the near future, I think I will treat myself to a little break!
Is there anything you would recommend to students about to start the course?
Enjoy the lectures and focus on the speakers. All lectures are recorded, so I found it better to focus on the speakers and then make notes from listening to the recorded lectures. Also, try to be organised with coursework and set aside time weekly to work on it and then you can easily work through it all in time.
How would you sum up your time on the course in one word?
Rewarding.