14 August 2012
Kenyan pupils join Dundee hosts for tour of Cancer Centre
Photo opportunity: 1pm on Tuesday, 14th August at Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, James Arrott Drive, Ninewells Hospital. Pupils from Meru School, Kenya and Grove Academy will be learning about the cancer research carried out at Dundee.
A group of senior school pupils from Kenya will today accompany their Scottish hosts on a visit to the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre to learn about the world-leading research taking place at the University of Dundee.
Four pupils and two teachers from Meru School, Meru, Kenya are currently on a twelve day visit to Grove Academy. This follows the visit of four pupils and two teachers from Grove to the Kenyan school last September.
As part of the trip, pupils and teachers from both schools will visit the Division of Cancer Research in the Medical Research Institute of the University, based in the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, James Arrott Drive, Ninewells Hospital.
They will hear about the Division's research into the processes underlying the development and progression of cancer, and learn how scientists are investigating ways to translate their findings into new treatment options.
The visit, taking place from 1-3pm on Tuesday, 14th August, is being coordinated by Dr Jenny Woof, Reader in Immunology. Dr Woof's son, Matthew Andrews, is one of the Grove pupils involved in the exchange.
She said, "Our visitors will first learn about our research into the function of the immune system and the development of new antibody-based treatments, before taking a tour around the research laboratories housed in the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre.
"They will be introduced to the Biomarker and Drug Analysis Core facility by Dr Jeffrey Huang, and will also learn how the Tayside Tissue Bank facilitates the research of many scientists and clinicians at the University.
"The pupils will have an opportunity to view cultured cancer cells under the microscope, watch an investigation of chemical composition on a mass spectrometer, and learn how patient tissues can be investigated to help in accurate diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.
"Cancer is something that affects people across the world, and so it a subject of concern for Kenyan and Scots alike. We are delighted to be welcoming our Kenyan visitors to the University, and hope some of them might be inspired to consider a career in medical research and bring benefits to people in their home country."
The pupils from the all-male Meru School are aged 16-17 and are taking their first trip outside Kenya. The Grove pupils are all 17 and studying for Advanced Highers to enable them to go on to university. The visit will provide a flavour of the types of jobs that can be undertaken by graduates in medicine and life sciences.
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University of Dundee
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