CASE studentship offers academic and industry experience
Postgraduate’s research into asthma is linked to an industrial perspective
Biomedical Sciences graduate Olivia Larsson has embarked on a PhD in immunology and neuroscience, looking especially at asthma. She opted for a CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentship as it combines study in the university laboratories with applied research at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). During her three-year doctorate she will work both at Southampton and the GSK research laboratories at Stevenage.
“This combination of academic work and industrial experience was key in helping me choose the CASE studentship,” says Olivia. “I wanted to see how my research could directly be used in the discovery of new drugs and I’m sure it will be a rewarding experience.”
Her supervisor at GSK is Leigh Felton, another School of Biological Sciences graduate who joined the multinational drug company after studying for a PhD at Southampton.
Olivia, from Sweden, enrolled at the University of Southampton for her first degree as she wanted to study abroad. At school, lessons were taught in English so going to university in the UK was no problem. During her degree, Olivia found immunology and neurology the most difficult and challenging of her subjects but also the most rewarding, so they seemed an obvious choice for further study.
On graduating with a first class degree, Olivia knew she wanted to carry on research at a higher level. She examined her options, considering both master’s and PhD qualifications and eventually decided on a CASE studentship because of its industrial perspective.