Alexandra Rosie Paul

After gaining a First Class BSc Chemistry degree in 2018, Alexandra Rosie Paul won the Vice Chancellors PhD Scholarship to fund a Chemistry PhD, which she completed in 2022. Following graduation, she joined King’s College London as Postdoctoral Fellow in Nanomedicine, where is part of project working to develop specifically targeted aptamers for nucleic acid delivery for brain cancer immunotherapy.

At the end of 2024 she will be joining Hong Kong University as a Research Fellow for Professor Khuloud Al-Jamal’s new nanomedicine lab.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I graduated with a First-Class Chemistry undergraduate degree in 2018. I then won a Vice Chancellors PhD Scholarship which allowed me to stay and do a Chemistry PhD with Dr Christopher Serpell & Prof Michelle Garrett.

My project established a new method for synthesising and screening large drug candidate libraries, accelerating drug discovery processes. It has provided new aptamer drug candidates/carriers to be used for cancer therapeutics. During this time, I won a Royal Society of Chemistry Research Enablement Grant in support of this project.

In early 2022 I accepted a Postdoctoral associate job at King’s College London with Prof Khuloud Al-Jamal. I was then awarded a Maplethorpe Research and Teaching Fellowship in Nanomedicine, to work on a project developing specifically targeted aptamers for nucleic acid delivery for brain cancer immunotherapy.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I am mostly in our lab doing research however I also support PhD/Masters students or am teaching on the Pharmacy undergraduate course.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

My professional highlights are winning the Royal Society of Chemistry Grant and the Maplethorpe Fellowship.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

I love that the University of Kent gave me lots of opportunities and help with my dyslexia. During my undergraduate degree I was given a lot of support for my dyslexia via extra exam time, extra lecture materials, and some sessions with a learning difficulties coach etc. My high school did not support me, so I was very grateful for this. This allowed me to finally thrive academically, feel more confident and reach my full potential.

I was also grateful for the opportunity to apply for a PhD at Kent, achieving this along with the support of my supervisors has allowed me to be where I am now.

Kent has an amazing social scene and groups to be a part of, which I think allows you to truly discover who you are and learn different skills that you carry with you into your career. The fantastic friends you make also support you through your life and career.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Work hard, be a team player, and make as many connections as you can. If you are looking to do a PhD, find a supportive supervisor as this will make all the difference to your journey. References are very important; they can potentially get you jobs you are not fully qualified for.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

My favourite memories are living with my friends (who I am still friends with now) and being part of Kent Dance. I was Vice President of Kent Dance between 2016-2017, which was amazing. I miss dancing with those dancers very much.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I actually wouldn’t change anything. I had the best time!

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I am so lucky to have made some fantastic friends during my time at Kent, who I still see consistently today. Some still live in the Canterbury/Kent area which gives me a great excuse to come back to Canterbury for a visit.

Two of my best friends from my Chemistry undergrad degree just got engaged, so I’m very much looking forward to this upcoming Kent wedding!

I also keep in contact with my PhD supervisors which is very nice.

What are your future ambitions?

I aim to have a successful career in academia where I hope to become a PI of my own multidisciplinary research lab working on brain cancer drug delivery and discovery.

I have just been offered a job, starting at the end of 2024, at Hong Kong University to work as a Research Fellow for Prof Khuloud Al-Jamlal’s new nanomedicine lab. I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity.