PhD student awarded first place at International Pharmacology Conference

Nathan Vella, a final-year PhD student within the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, has been awarded the first-place prize in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) annual meeting, Pharmacology 2025. The conference was held between 16 and 18 December 2025 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The BPS are one of the world's leading pharmacological societies and their annual meeting is a cornerstone event for the global pharmacology community, bringing together world-leading experts and researchers to discuss the latest breakthroughs in the field.

Mr Vella’s presentation, entitled 'A Novel Combination Therapy Targeting Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer', was peer-reviewed by international experts on two separate days of the conference from both the BPS and the Irish Association of Pharmacologists (IAP). This international recognition reflects the significant contribution to knowledge his work provides and is a testament to the scientific rigour and innovative approach of his research. Beyond serving as recognition for years of dedicated research, the conference provided Mr Vella with the opportunity for networking, extensive scientific dialogue and the collection of invaluable feedback.

Mr Vella’s PhD research focuses on a novel triple therapy combination for lung cancer. Part of his work involves the development of 3D spheroid models, or 'mini-tumours', which mimic real-life cancers in a laboratory. These advanced models allow for more accurate studies of how anti-cancer treatments behave in a complex biological environment, bridging the gap between laboratory-based testing and clinical application.

Mr Vella's PhD is supervised by Dr Vanessa Petroni Magri and Prof. Anthony Fenech. His research is built upon strong international collaborations, many of which stem from his PhD research endeavours and academic outreach, most notably the Tumour and Microenvironment Interactions (TMI) group at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S, University of Porto), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg and the Cancer Research Centre of Marseille (CRCM), Aix-Marseille University. Furthermore, Mr Vella is a research support officer (RSO) within the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

The conference was also attended by current B.Sc. Pharmacology students and alumni, showcasing the Department's dedication to providing the next generation of scientists with exposure to the global scientific community. Ms Graziella Aquilina, a B.Sc. Pharmacology third-year student and Ms Justyne Anne Bugeja Wettinger, a B.Sc. Pharmacology graduate, also had the opportunity to present their work at the conference.