We aim to provide our students with the skills to become not only successful creative researchers, but leaders in their field.
Research degrees
The Lungs for Living Research Centre has a established track record in providing high-quality training to PhD students interested in basic, translational and clinical research in the areas of lung cancer and airway stem cells.
Current PhD students and Clinical Training Fellows
- Jessica Allen-Hyttinen - Molecular signals involved in human lung regeneration and development, funded by the Medical Research Council (UCL-Birkbeck MRC Doctoral Training Programme)
- Hamyan Alobaidly - Investigating the immune microenvironment and its role in lung cancer progression, funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), Qatar Foundation
- Zara Baig - Using CRISPR/Cas9 to dissect MSCTRAIL and PBMC synergy, funded by the Medical Research Council (UCL-Birkbeck MRC Doctoral Training Programme)
- Panagiota Chondrou - The role of SPARC in the pathogenesis of squamous cell lung cancer, funded by the Medical Research Council and UCL Physics & Astronomy
- Rebecca Graham - Investigating the antigen presentation properties of mesenchymal stem cells, funded by the Medical Research Council
- Jessica Orr - Molecular signals involved in human lung regeneration and development, funded by BREATH/Longfonds
- Zoe Whiteman - Investigating the role of dysregulated PI3K signalling in the progression of lung squamous cell carcinoma, funded by Cancer Research UK
- Tsvetana Stoilova - MRC UCL PhD student (UCL-Birkbeck MRC Doctoral Training Programme)
- Kaylee Worlock - Molecular signals involved in human lung regeneration and development, funded by the Medical Research Council
- Dr Sophia Antoniou - Improving the early diagnosis of Lung Cancer: testing and validation of biomarkers for early diagnosis, funded by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
- Dr Sarah Clarke - Understanding the role of respiratory epithelial basal cells in lung disease, funded by GSK
- Dr Lukas Kalinke - Using bronchoscopic electrocautery for the treatment of pre-invasive airways disease, funded by the Rosetrees Trust
- Dr Henry Yung - Molecular signals involved in human lung regeneration and development, supported by a Scadding-Morriston-Davies Fellowship
Recent PhD graduates
- Dr Adam Pennycuick, 2020, The molecular pathogenesis of squamous cell lung cancer.
- Dr Samantha Arathimou, 2020, Characterisation of normal human pleural mesothelium to understand malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- Dr Doraid Alrifai, 2020, Enhancing the effect of Tumour necrosis factor - Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- Dr Deepak Chandrasekharan, 2020, The role of KRT5+ progenitors in chronic otitis media.
- Dr Carolyn Horst, 2020, Implementing streamlined radiology reporting and clinical results management in low-dose CT screening for lung cancer.
- Dr Alice Davies, 2020, Cell and gene therapy for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer.
- Dr Ricky Thakrar, 2019, The role of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of lung cancer.
- Dr Elizabeth Maughan, 2019, Strategies for tissue engineered airway epithelialisation in fetal and paediatric populations
- Dr Neelam Kumar, 2018.
- Dr Colin Butler, 2018, Strategies to improve epithelialisation of tissue engineered airway constructs.
- Dr Mamta Ruparel, 2018, Implementing LDCT lung cancer screening in the UK: finding an evidence base for practical strategies.
- Dr Tanvi Agrawal, 2018, Epithelial ErbB2 regulation of thymus homeostasis and age-associated T cell mediated immunity.
- Dr Laura Succony, 2017, Defining the role of LRIG1 dependent EGFR signalling on airway homeostasis and lung cancer development.
- Dr Nicholas Hamilton, 2017, Tissue-engineering airway mucosa for airway reconstruction and transplantation.





Undergraduate and Postgraduate teaching
Members of the Centre actively contribute to the undergraduate MBBS, iBSc, BSc and Masters teaching programmes within the Division. The Centre provides BSc and MSc/MRes research project supervision for highly motivated students.
“UCL’s cutting edge new MSc in Respiratory Clinical Science has been designed for those who seek to lead the way in the growing field of Respiratory Medicine – as clinicians or as scientists. This MSc will focus on the study of the scientific and clinical basis of Respiratory diseases with all courses and modules directed towards understanding disease and the effects on patients. To learn more about this programme click here.