Southampton student donates back to Heart Research UK

In 2006, Dr Zeshan Qureshi, a medical student at the University of Southampton, received a £7,000 research grant from Heart Research UK for an Intercalated BSc degree, working with Professor Nick Curzen. Six years later, Zeshan has now donated £1000 back to Heart Research UK.

The study, which aimed to improve medications to prevent blood clots in patients being treated for coronary artery disease, gave Zeshan the opportunity to kick-start his successful career, leading to national prizes, eleven publications, and experience presenting research in America, France, Scotland, Bulgaria, England, and Canada.

The book, ‘The Unofficial Guide to passing OSCEs’, has had a tremendous response and was the bestselling medical book on ‘Amazon’ for over four and half months, selling over 3500 copies in over 20 countries. It is still extremely popular in helping medical students with their exams.

Zeshan is now an Academic Clinical Fellow in Paediatrics at Great Ormond Street and the Institute of Child Health, and has generously donated £1000 of proceeds from the book into research for better treatments for Long QT syndrome, a genetic condition which can cause abnormal heart rhythms, which can lead to fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.

Zeshan says; 'I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Professor Nick Curzen, and after the kick start to my research career, I'm now on the path to becoming an Academic Paediatrician'.

Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK, says; “What is heart-warming and special for us is that a successful Doctor remembered how his first steps on the research ladder were helped by a grant from Heart Research UK and repaid the faith put in him with such a kind, generous gesture.”
Press release courtesy of Heart Research UK.