The Spark of Research: From Clinical Practice to Cutting-Edge Exploration

Igniting a Research Passion During Clinical Training

My passion for understanding health and metabolism wasn't always confined to clinical practice. During my Junior Clinical Training Scholarship at the University of Bristol (2015-2016), a spark ignited.  This occurred when I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Natalie Finch on a retrospective study investigating calcitonin response in cats with hypercalcaemia.  Driven by a thirst for deeper understanding, I actively participated in this project, immersing myself in the research process.

Expanding the Scope and Securing Funding

Fuelled by curiosity and a desire to contribute meaningfully, I championed the expansion of the study to include prospectively recruited hypercalcaemic and normocalcaemic cats.  Recognising the increased sample size's impact on analysis, I took the initiative to secure funding. My efforts resulted in a successful application to the Langford Vets Clinical Research Fund (£1,500), which enabled our collaborator, Dr. Carmen Pineda at the University of Córdoba, to measure calcitonin in this larger sample of cats.

Disseminating Knowledge and Building Expertise

My passion for research extended beyond the clinic. To share our findings with the broader veterinary community, I leveraged an Alumni Foundation Travel Grant (£500) to present a research abstract at the British Small Animal Veterinary Congress in 2016.  This experience not only allowed me to disseminate knowledge but also provided valuable feedback and networking opportunities.

Furthering My Research Journey

My commitment to research excellence was further recognised with another Alumni Foundation Travel Grant (£750). This prestigious award allowed me to present my research and attend the bespoke 2016 Summer School of Veterinary Endocrinology in Bologna, Italy. Immersing myself in this learning environment alongside leading experts in the field significantly enhanced my research knowledge and solidified my path towards further exploration.

This initial research venture, currently pending publication, laid the foundation for my ongoing research journey.