Jasmine White, BSc (Hons), MSc

With a keen interest in cancer research, Jaz has joined the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute to support its research work and goal of providing more accessible cancer treatments. She also enjoys the friendly working environment and being in a small laboratory with high-end technology. 

Jaz started with the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in 2023 as a PhD student on the Melody Collins Memorial Scholarship, focusing on determining key differences in metabolism within glioblastoma brain cancer cells compared to normal cells.  Her work aims to target pathways to prevent tumour growth. She uses the innovative 3D GLICO model, which combine brain organoids (lab-grown mini-brains) and cancer stem cells, to grow tumours. This model recreates the brain microenvironment as it influences tumour responses and, therefore, molecular biology. The 3D GLICO model is used to identify which pathways are active and what influences them at different stages of tumour growth. 

Jaz’s primary research interest is discovering the mechanism of dysregulated pathways and identifying ways to prevent or reverse these abnormalities in glioblastoma tumours. For her research project, she is focusing on the most lethal primary brain tumour (glioblastoma) in adults since there is a lack of therapies that successfully prevent glioblastoma growth and invasion.

Jaz studied in Manchester, UK, graduating with an Honours degree in Biochemistry and a MSc in Cancer Research and Molecular Biomedicine. 

Outside of work, Jaz most enjoys being outdoors hiking and climbing or going to gigs around the city.