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Reah Rumbold-Hall

Research Technician

OCA Picture - Reah.jpg

About

Reah is a research technician who is working alongside Professor Graham Cook. Their research focusses on next generation oncolytic viruses (NGOV) for the immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

What inspired you to be a scientist? 

When I was younger, I knew that I wanted a career which involved helping people. This dream and my strong interest in science has enabled me to be in a role which encompasses both. Now as an early career researcher, I feel motivated everyday by the fact the work I am doing in the laboratory has the potential to improve the lives of cancer patients.

 

What projects are you working on that are funded by Ovarian Cancer Action?

I began working on a project funded by Ovarian Cancer Action in April 2021. This project is looking at next generation oncolytic viruses (NGOV) for the immunotherapy of ovarian cancer. The aim of this project is to identify immune evasion strategies that prevent effective immunotherapy in ovarian cancer patients and to develop strategies to overcome them using NGOVs.      

 

What is the most exciting part of your job? 

There are many aspects of my job that I find exciting including the supportive team of colleagues I get to work with. Another aspect is the variety of experiments I can perform, meaning two days are never the same. I enjoy analysing the data which then allows further experiments to be planned in the coming weeks.

 

What is the most challenging part of your job? 

Sometimes it is disheartening when an experiment does not give the results you are expecting. However, this is also a great opportunity to find out what can be done differently next time.

 

How has Covid impacted your work?

I started my role during the pandemic, which means working in line with the current guidelines is how I have had to work from the beginning. This has involved online laboratory group meetings, one-way systems, wearing masks and occupancy limits in certain areas to adhere to social distancing. However, these are all necessary measures to make the laboratory a safe place to work and allow the research to continue. 

All year round our scientists at the Ovarian Cancer Research Centre, The University of Oxford and beyond are working to find the next breakthrough in ovarian cancer research. Your donation will support the work they do each and every day. Donate now.