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PhD spotlight – Anya Robinson

Back in July 2019, BSMS welcomed its first cohort of students for our inaugural Work Experience Week – a programme designed to open doors, spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Among those early participants was Anya Robinson, who arrived with an interest in medicine and a passion for discovery.

Seven years on, Anya’s journey has come full circle. After returning to BSMS for her degree, research opportunities and continued involvement with the school, she is now a Global Health and Infection PhD student, supervised by Dr Leena Al‑Hassan.

Her story is a brilliant example of how early experiences can shape futures and how BSMS continues to nurture talent from the very first spark of interest. We caught up with Anya to hear more about her path – and what it feels like to be back where it all began.

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Looking back: Work Experience Week (2019)

What do you remember most about attending the first BSMS Work Experience Week in 2019?

I remember doing DNA extractions with a postdoctoral researcher and two undergraduate students. They talked to me about university life, what to expect, and how they found their courses, which made the experience feel exciting and real.

At that time, did you already see yourself pursuing a career in medicine or research?

Yes, I already imagined myself working in medicine or research. I originally wanted to be a doctor, but when I was 15, I toured the medical school and spoke to people working in different research areas. That opened my eyes to how broad medicine really is and sparked my interest in research.

Was there a particular session, person or moment during that week that stayed with you?

I spent many mornings with Dr Lisa Mullen, who let me assist with her research and taught me basic lab skills. The techniques she showed me stayed with me, and I still remember and use some of them today.

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The Journey Since

What steps did you take between that week in 2019 and starting your PhD?

After the work experience week, I travelled to Kenya to volunteer in a hospital and deepen my understanding of global health. I then completed an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Kent. During my degree, I used the contacts I made during the work experience week to undertake a six‑week placement with Dr Lisa Mullen and Dr Fabio Simoes. I later returned to BSMS to complete an MSc in Global Health. After finishing the MSc, I again used those early connections to take on a volunteer research assistant role with Professor Simon Waddell and Michael Brennan.

Were there any challenges along the way?

As part of the first cohort of work experience students, the week initially felt a bit unstructured and everyone was still figuring things out. But as the week progressed, it became much more comfortable and engaging.

Did the Work Experience Week influence your subject choices or career direction?

Yes, it gave me a real insight into what a research career looks like. It also made starting a lab‑based degree much easier because I already recognised some of the equipment and techniques.

When did you realise you wanted to pursue a PhD in Global Health and Infection?

During my 2017 tour of the medical school, I spoke with Professor Gail Davey and Professor Melanie Newport. They encouraged me to think deeply about why I wanted a career in medicine and what mattered most to me. That conversation stayed with me, and after my undergraduate degree I returned to BSMS to study Global Health, which eventually led me toward a PhD.

Current Research

Can you tell us about your PhD and what excites you most about your research?

My PhD is in microbiology and focuses on how mobile genetic elements and how they transfer resistance and virulence genes in certain strains of Klebsiella and E.coli. I’m particularly interested in how this is affected people who are immunosuppressed, such as how is this affected by the drugs used in patients undergoing chemotherapy. My goal is to help improve quality of life for vulnerable patients globally. What excites me most is being able to see how my research could translate into real‑world impact and reduce the antimicrobial burden on underserved populations.

What does being funded by the Wessex One Health BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Award mean to you?

Being funded by the Wessex One Health BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Award is incredibly valuable. It not only supports my project but also provides additional training opportunities, such as bioinformatics and pathogen biology, which strengthen my development as a researcher.

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Full Circle Moment

How does it feel to now be part of BSMS as a researcher?

It feels great. I’ve grown up around BSMS, so starting my PhD here felt natural and comfortable, which made it easy to settle in and get started

What would you say to students attending Work Experience Week today?

Make the most of the connections you build. The relationships I formed during my work experience week helped me gain further opportunities and ultimately played a major role in getting me to where I am today.