Pathways to PhD
Hosted by the MRC DTP at King’s College London
On October 6th 2025, the Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC DTP) at King’s College London, in collaboration with the London Interdisciplinary Biosciences Programme (LIDo), UCL-Birkbeck MRC DTP, and the NERC TREES Doctoral Landscape Award, hosted a free one-day event for prospective research students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education.
Our aim was to promote equality of opportunity in access, success, and progression within the sector.
Over 100 delegates heard from a range of experts and current funded PhD students through interactive Q&A sessions and panel discussions. The afternoon featured tailored advice on applying for PhD opportunities. Lunch was provided, and a limited number of travel bursaries supported attendees travelling from outside Greater London.
2025 (Past) Event Information:
Pathways to PhD
Date: Monday 6 October 2025
Location: Coin Street Conference Centre, 108 Stamford St, London SE1 9NH
Time: 10:00 – 18:30
Programme
10:00 – Registration and refreshments
10:30 – Opening remarks
Theme: What is a PhD, and why pursue one:
10:50 – Talk: ‘What is a PhD, and how is it funded?’ with Dr. Monica Agromayor (King’s College London)
11:20 – Talk with Q&A: ‘What can you do with a PhD’ with Dr. David Gunn (Unilever)
11:55 – Talk: Insider Knowledge: Navigating the Hidden Curriculum of the PhD Pathway with Cassandra Hugill (Martingale Foundation)
12:15 – Lunch
Theme: The Student Experience:
13:15 – Talks: ‘PhD Journey: Student and Alumni Insights’ with current PhD students.
14:15 – Panel Discussion with Q&A: with current PhD students.
15:00 – Talk: ‘Careers in Academia’ with Dr. Donald Palmer (Royal Veterinary College)
15:15 – Break
Theme: How to apply:
15:45 – Introduction to: PhD Programmes
16:35 – Breakout session: How to apply to a PhD Programme
17:30 – Networking opportunity
2025 Organising Committee
Dr Monica Agromayor
EDI Team Lead,
MRC DTP at King’s College London
Dr QueeLim Ch'ng
Reader in Systems Biology and Neuroscience
Samuel White
Communications & Engagement Officer,
MRC DTP at King’s College London
2025 Contributors
Cassandra Hugill
Chief Executive,
Martingale Foundation
Dr Donald Palmer
Associate Professor in Immunology,
The Royal Veterinary College
Dr David Gunn
Senior Scientist and Bioscience Hub Leader,
Unilever
Dr Baljinder Mankoo
Director of Training,
MRC DTP at King’s College London
Prof Paola Pedarzani
Co-Director,
UCL Birkbeck MRC DTP
Prof Tom Mitchell
Director,
NERC TREES DLA
Prof Kevin Fowler
Co-Director,
NERC TREES DLA
Prof Angus Silver
Director,
LIDo
Anastasia Lankina
LIDo Alumni
Dr Laura Ramos del Cano
Unilever
Dr Katarzyna Figlak
Unilever
2025 Student Contributors
Tosan Okpako
Student,
UCL-Birkbeck MRC DTP
Khalayi Wangamati
KCL MRC DTP Student
Kenneth Ancheta
LIDo Student
Eyad Elbahtety
LIDo Student
Zayed Shalim
KCL MRC Student
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CM-HD Team
- Dr Monica Agromayor (co-lead)
- Dr Tracey Mitchell (co-lead)
- Dr Alan Hodgkinson
- Dr Anna Schurich
- Dr Baljinder Mankoo
- Dr Bart Tummers
- Dr Charlotte Odendall
- Prof Christer Hogstrand
- Dr Ciro Chiappini
- Dr Claire Wells
- Dr Cynthia Andoniadou
- Dr Espe Perucha
- Dr Eirini Kyrana
- Prof Georgina Ellison-Hughes
- Dr Hannah Mischo
- Dr Igor Vivanco
- Dr James Garnett
CM-HD Continued
- Prof. James Mason
- Dr Joanna Jackow
- Dr Joaquim Nunes Vieira
- Prof. Juan Martin-Serrano
- Dr Mahesh Sangrithi
- Dr Marika Charalambous
- Dr Matthias Krause
- Dr Natalie Prescott
- Dr Oliver Witard
- Dr Panicos Shangaris
- Dr Robbert Hoogeboom
- Dr Rocio Martinez-Nunez
- Dr Satveer Mahil
- Dr Simon Pitchford
- Dr Thomas Tull
- Dr Toby Lawrence
- Dr Vincenzo Torraca
NS-MH Team
- Dr Francesca Happe (co-lead)
- Dr Philip Holland (co-lead)
- Dr Alessio Delogu
- Dr Diana Cash
- Dr June Brown
- Dr Roland Zahn