University surgeon wins international award
A scientist at the University of Southampton’s Cancer Research UK center has received a Royal College of Surgeons Fulbright Award to enable him to conduct research in America.
The award, given to Marc Bullock, an MRC Clinical Research Fellow at the University and a Registrar in General Surgery at Southampton General Hospital, will allow him to study at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, on one of the most prestigious and selective scholarship programmes operating world-wide.
Marc was selected from a strong group of applicants and will conduct research into the molecular origins of colon cancer metastasis. Metastasis, the process whereby cancer spreads to other organs, is a major cause of death in western societies. A better understanding of this may reveal opportunities to develop new and more personalized treatment strategies to help improve and extend the lives of patients with colon cancer.
Marc said: “To be awarded the Royal College of Surgeons Fulbright Award is a great honour and reflects the quality of clinical and academic training provided by the Cancer Sciences Unit at the University of Southampton and Division of Surgery at Southampton General Hospital. As a Fulbright Scholar I will be working at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, one of the world’s foremost research institutions and the best rated cancer hospital in the USA. This opportunity to live and work in Texas will be hugely rewarding and exciting for me and my family, and will provide me with new skills and expertise which I will be able to reinvest in my clinical practice back in the UK.”
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship programme, offering awards and summer programmes for study or research in any field, at any accredited US or UK University. The Commission is part of the Fulbright programme conceived by Senator J William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. Award recipients and summer programme participants will be the future leaders for tomorrow and support the “special relationship” between the US and UK.
The Commission selects scholars through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.
Typical grants include a maintenance allowance and a contribution towards tuition fees where applicable. In addition, Fulbright scholars receive a distinctive support and cultural education programme including: visa processing, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities in country, a re-entry session and opportunity to join our alumni networks.