Educational Bursary Application Form

“Attending the EBMT 7th International Conference on Relapse After Transplant and Cellular Therapy in Madrid, Spain was an inspiring and formative experience that has significantly shaped both my ongoing MSc thesis work and my development as a Trainee Clinical Scientist. As part of the final year of the NHS Scientist Training Programme in Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I), I am currently undertaking research on HLA-DPB1 match status and its clinical implications on outcomes such as acute GVHD and disease relapse following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This conference felt like the perfect opportunity to deepen my understanding of the wider clinical landscape in which my work sits.

“I chose to attend because the event brought together leaders in relapse biology, transplant immunology, and clinical decision-making—all areas directly relevant to refining donor selection strategies and understanding how HLA molecules may influence transplant outcome. Hearing the latest insights into relapse management, particularly for conditions such as AML and ALL, conditions that affect a large proportion of the patients my team and I support, allowed me to see how developments across disciplines ultimately translate into improved patient outcomes.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the breadth of knowledge I gained around measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring and relapse detection, and how closely clinical transplant teams and genetics and H&I laboratories must work together to guide key clinical decisions under intense time pressures. Learning how these teams collaborate to shape interventions such as donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) or second allogeneic HSCTs has given me a far more holistic perspective on transplant care. This has already enriched my thesis work—helping me interpret HLA-related data in a more clinically grounded and context-aware manner.

“Beyond the scientific insights, the personal connections I made were just as meaningful. I had the chance to meet several clinicians and scientists I frequently communicate with but had never met in person. Putting faces to names helped me appreciate the wider clinical community I am part of and gave me an even stronger sense of purpose in the work we do at NHSBT. I returned feeling proud, energised, and more connected to the impact our laboratory contributions have on patients undergoing HSCT.

“I am incredibly grateful to VH Bio for supporting my attendance through their Educational Bursary. The application process was simple and encouraging, and it prompted me to reflect on the learning opportunities that would truly support my growth—many of which would otherwise be financially difficult to pursue. I would strongly recommend that anyone considering applying for the bursary takes the step; you never know what doors it may open or how profoundly it may enhance your professional journey.”

“The VH Bio bursary greatly supported my participation in the ASM–IISc Symposium, and the application process was impressively quick and straightforward. The Symposium delivered exceptional scientific content and meaningful opportunities to connect with leading researchers in microbiology. Presenting my poster led to insightful discussions and promising collaborative avenues. I am sincerely grateful for this support and would highly recommend the bursary to early-career researchers seeking to expand their scientific reach and visibility.”

“I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 World Congress of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA) in Pisa, Italy. I greatly enjoyed the talks and found it truly inspiring to see the direction the field is taking, particularly the advances in immunomodulation approaches and stem cell therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The conference allowed me to learn from and network with experts in the field, providing valuable motivation and inspiration for my Master’s of Research at the University of Oxford.”

“The bursary from VH Bio was essential for my ability to attend the 2025 Research Quality Association International Conference in Belfast: their support with the registration allowed me to justify and obtain further funding for travel and subsistence through my university in times when spending is tightly controlled. The conference was a great event, with plenty of speakers with global knowledge of how best to implement regulatory compliance (at European and USA level) in the context of pharmaceutical and clinical research. I learned lots on the day-to-day practicalities of assuring quality in our clinical research work: how to manage this type of work practically and empathetically within my team, how to document our quality efforts as well as how to be prepared for future inspections; all for the benefit of the participants in trials that are going to lead to improved medical care. In particular, the workshop and talks about how quality managers interact with research labs delivering services for clinical trials allowed me to contribute with my own personal experience and to bring home easy tips that will facilitate my lab involvement in future work. An excellent opportunity, so much so that since returning from the conference I have been invited to join (and done so!) the RQA Northern Regional Forum as well as the RQA Research Practice Group (Special Interest Group).

“I am truly grateful to VH Bio for their support as the conference represented a solid stepping stone on my professional development and on the introduction of Quality Assurance across our research facilities.”

“As a laboratory professional, I place strong importance on delivering reliable, compliant, and high quality results. This is supported through internal quality auditing using standards such as ISO requirements, SOPs, and other regulatory frameworks. In this context, I recently participated in the “Internal Quality Auditing for Conformity Assessment Bodies” course delivered by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), held virtually from 8 – 10 April 2026. I am grateful to VH Bio for supporting my participation, as it provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen my understanding of quality and compliance systems.

“The course provided a structured and immersive journey through ISO 19011:2018 guidelines for auditing management systems, supported by clear explanations, examples, and real-world
application. A key highlight was the hands-on audit component, where we were guided through the full audit cycle. This started with developing an audit plan and preparing formal audit
documentation. We then conducted a simulated audit, which included the opening meeting, execution of audit activities, and closing meeting. The cycle concluded with the preparation of a
formal audit report based on objective findings. Throughout this process, working in groups added significant value, as collaboration with peers encouraged open discussion, shared learning, and improved our overall outputs.

“Through these exercises, I gained a practical understanding of how audits are structured and executed in real environments. More importantly, I developed stronger capability in audit planning, structured execution, identifying and classifying findings, and formal reporting. Alongside these technical skills, I also enhanced my attention to detail, critical thinking, and confidence when operating within structured audit environments. The experience further reinforced key professional principles such as maintaining impartiality, ensuring findings are evidence-based, communicating clearly without ambiguity, and upholding professionalism throughout every stage of the audit process.

“Overall, this experience strengthened my understanding of internal auditing and my ability to think in a more structured, risk-based way when assessing processes and identifying gaps in controls. As a result, I am better equipped to contribute to audit activities and support continuous improvement initiatives in my organisation. Thank you to VH Bio.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have been approved for the VH Bio Educational Bursary as it allowed me to attend the British Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) Conference 2025. As someone, new to this field, the conference was an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of both current and emerging practices and technologies within H&I. 

A highlight for me was the exposure to the developments in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). We currently use it for other tests but seeing its implementation in HLA typing and how different labs have adapted it to their workflow, has opened possibilities for the future capabilities of our lab, in its clinical use and for research purposes. 

Another truly impactful moment for me, was being able to connect and network with attendees and exhibitors alike, from a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. It brought new insight and perspectives that I hope can support our local HLA program at the Best-Dos Santos Laboratory, so that we can provide a more informed service. 

Thank you again for the incredible opportunity and for the constant support in advancing not just my career, but also the goals of a growing healthcare program in the small yet ambitious island of Barbados.”

“Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for professionals to maintain and enhance their skills, knowledge, and competence throughout their careers. It ensures professionals stay up to date with industry standards, adapt to changing technologies, and deliver high-quality services. CPD also boosts confidence, improves career prospects, and can lead to greater job satisfaction and professional growth.

As a health and care professions council (HCPC) licensed biomedical scientist my CPD is linked to my HCPC registration, and I need to meet the 5 CPD standards set by HCPC to stay registered. VH Bio Educational Bursary has been of a tremendous support to my professional development. I used the bursary to pay for my CPD Biomed Online course in renal disease at Greenwich University.

This course has helped me to keep up to date with recent developments in biomedical sciences. Through out this course I was exposed to acquisition of knowledge necessary for me to practise safely and effectively on the job. I learnt a lot of new things, one of them was ‘Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD).

This concept suggests that adverse conditions during organogenesis increase the vulnerability to developing adult diseases. This concept is also called ‘programming’. This concept has led to a theoretical shift in the therapeutic approach from adult life to an earlier stage, namely, reprogramming, to potentially reverse disease processes before clinical disease becomes evident.

I am so grateful for the VH Bio Educational Bursary for making it possible for me to enrol unto this course.”