From developing new ways to test cancer treatments to understanding why more women are opting out of the tech sector, postgraduate researchers showcased the real-world impact of their work this week,
writes Fidele Lungieki.
The annual De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Doctoral College poster competition brought together doctoral researchers from across the university, giving them the opportunity to present and share their work with students, staff and judges. Nearly 30 students showed off their work and were judged by a panel of experts drawn from across DMU. Winners will be announced in September.
Despite the intensity and immense preparation behind such advanced investigations, students said how much they have enjoyed their time studying at doctoral level and the support given at DMU to develop their ideas.
Amina Bibi completed an undergraduate and Master's chemistry degree in Pakistan before joining DMU where she is studying for a PhD in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. She is looking at how fluorescent molecules can help researchers see what is happening inside living cells. She said: “I’m in my second year and I’ve already submitted a paper based on my research so far. I was awarded a fully funded scholarship to DMU and I’m loving it. It’s what I wanted to do.”
Ayesa Bibi is developing artificial tissue models which she hopes will ultimately help make it cheaper for pharmaceutical companies to test cancer drugs. She said:
"I want to make a difference. I have had family members diagnosed with cancer, which really hit home for me and I think that has inspired me to pursue this PhD, because making more cost effective models means more research can be done and could help others in the future."
Ayesa completed her undergraduate studies at DMU before progressing to postgraduate research after being encouraged by her tutor. She said the transition has required a greater level of independence, with the freedom to shape and direct her own research.
"It's a big jump from undergraduate study because you're responsible for deciding the direction of the work," she said. "My supervisor gives me the freedom to investigate ideas and make my own decisions, which I've really enjoyed."
Senior Lecturer in Business and Law, Katie Downing-Howitt, is investigating the emerging phenomenon of corporate nomads: employees who work remotely from different countries while remaining employed by a single company. As a relatively new and under-researched area, her work examines how organisations can better support these workers and adapt their policies to meet the challenges of international remote working.
She said: “People have only heard of digital nomads meaning that companies are cutting themselves off global talent.”
Joy Aguguo’s investigation follows the disengagement of women working within the technology industry in the UK. Figures from 2025 show that over 50% of women are leaving the industry in comparison to only 17% of men. The investigation aims to reveal why the decline of female technologists is on the rise. Joy seeks to understand why women leave STEM careers and explore ways to improve their experiences and retention within the sector.
Pam Nagra is exploring the challenges people with ADHD face in the workplace and how employers can better support them. Pam was only diagnosed with ADHD during her first year at university and empathises with the lack of support neurodivergent people receive within workplace sectors, saying "they are forced to survive rather than thrive."
Pam added: “It’s been a personal journey for me because I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until my first year at uni and only then I was able to access support and have that understanding.”
Judges from across DMU spoke to each research student and assessed how well their poster communicated their research topic, methodology and potential impact of their work. The winners will be announced at the DMU Doctoral College showcase in September.
Kirstie Skelton Clarke, Head of the Doctoral College said: “It was an incredible day and I am so proud of the work that our PhDs are doing, it genuinely is life changing.
“The competition showcased the supportive and vibrant research culture we have built at DMU, where postgraduate researchers are encouraged to develop their ideas, collaborate across disciplines and make meaningful contributions to knowledge and society. We are incredibly proud of what our doctoral researchers are achieving.
“It is a highlight of our year and this year's entries demonstrated not only the breadth and quality of research taking place at DMU, but also the passion and personal commitment that drives many of our doctoral researchers. We look forward to celebrating the winners in September.”
Posted on Wednesday 17 June 2026