Research on improving cancer diagnosis boosted by award

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A researcher in toxicology, based in the College of Medicine at Swansea University, has been awarded a £1000 travel scholarship by the Welsh Livery Guild, which will help fund him to present his research at a major international scientific conference in the United States.

Hasan Haboubi, who was brought up in Carmarthenshire, researches cancer of the oesophagus, which is becoming more common, especially in the UK and USA.   

He is working on developing a simple blood test which could be used to identify patients at higher risk of the disease.  At present, the only way of testing this is through uncomfortable, invasive - and expensive – procedures such as an endoscopy.   In contrast, a blood test could be carried out with just a tiny finger-prick of blood.

Hasan’s research has now been given a big boost by the Welsh Livery Guild, which has awarded him a travel scholarship of £1000.

The Guild is “The Honourable Society for the Arts, Science and Technology”, and one of its aims is to “promote education, science, technology and the arts”.

The funding will enable Hasan to take part in the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomic Society conference in Florida in September, which brings together the world’s leading researchers in this field.  
 
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Picture:  Hasan receiving his award from Adrian Warner of the Welsh Livery Guild

Hasan Haboubi said:

"I am privileged to receive this award from the Welsh Livery Guild.

The conference will be an opportunity to present my data to world-leading experts in toxicology.   They’ll be able to provide valuable feedback on our test which we can bring back to Swansea, to help improve our research.   It’s also good that I can showcase the good work of Swansea researchers at this prestigious event.   

Cancer of the oesophagus is becoming more prevalent across the UK, and levels in Wales are higher than average.   So my research will hopefully lead to real healthcare benefits for patients here in Wales, as well as more widely.”

Adrian Warner from the Welsh Livery Guild said:

“The aim is to encourage students to progress and to support them with a specific project.  The Welsh Livery Guild raises the money through dinners and other events. 

Hasan’s research is essential, and his enthusiasm for his subject is clear.  We are pleased to be able to support him to be able to attend this international scientific conference”

Swansea University College of Medicine