Scholar Spotlight - Elisya Muhamad Faizul

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Elisya Muhamad Faizul, a University College London Laidlaw Scholar, on learning about being a good leader, the intricacies of the human body and working towards a cancer free future.

Research title: Actionable Alterations in Cholangiocarcinoma

Cells are the basic components of life. All cells undergo cell division for the growth and development of organisms, which is the process of a single “parent” cell splitting into two “daughter” cells. This process is controlled by genes, and sometimes, a random and spontaneous change occurs in our genes which is known as a mutation. Numerous mutations in genes that control cell division can have devastating consequences, leading to uncontrolled cell division, which then leads to the formation of a tumour, thus causing cancer.

Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is a rare but aggressive form of cancer in the bile ducts of the digestive system. Due to this disease having non-specific symptoms, it is often diagnosed in advanced stages and has poor results to treatment. A common treatment for cholangiocarcinoma is precision medicine, in which a specific mutation in the gene is targeted. However, the 5-year survival rate remains at less than 10%.

My research involves working alongside my supervisor to gather data from patients who suffer from various forms of cholangiocarcinoma and taking a look at their next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiles. After data collection is completed, the next steps are to analyse the results to see the common mutations present in these patients and note the effectiveness of their treatments. It is hoped for this study to be published in a medical journal by my supervisor. The conclusions of the project could contribute to the advancement of precision medicine, informing doctors and researchers about the mutations that are most prevalent in patients with cholangiocarcinoma so that they may be targeted. This can allow for more effective treatment with better outcomes for cholangiocarcinoma, and eventually, similar techniques can branch out to treat other forms of cancer.

Where did your passion for this research originate?

My passion for biology stemmed from a fascination for the intricate workings of the human body. Every day, our systems work in blissful harmony to ensure that we function properly without us having to so much as think about our heart beating at the correct pace; it does that all by itself. And whilst I learnt more about the flawless machinery within our bodies, I also began to learn more about the devastating consequences that the slightest malfunction could cause. When we begin to understand how things go wrong, we can begin to understand how to fix them, which is exactly what the field of biomedical sciences is all about.

Now why cancer specifically? A couple of years ago, my grandfather suffered from cancer. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, the very disease that this research project focuses on, so this topic is very close to home for me. Unfortunately, palliative care was the only treatment suitable for him, and he passed away before such care could be arranged. 

My story is not unique. Countless others have lost loved ones to cancer. But we can change that. I believe that my participation in this project, no matter how small, can contribute to the fight against cancer.

Real-life leadership lessons

In 6th form, I joined the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) as a Non-Commissioned Officer (or NCO) and was assigned to deliver first aid training to younger cadets. With this responsibility of teaching such important information, I had to have clarity of speech and confidence in the information I was relaying. 

I also had to demonstrate assertiveness, flexibility and lots of patience. At my school, CCF was compulsory for all Year 10 students and became optional in the years after that, so you can imagine that there were quite a few people who didn’t exactly want to be there. Naturally, there was less focus, so I had to be assertive and firm to make sure that they were listening to what I was telling them and also following instructions. It was important that I understood my audience and tailored the sessions to make them more interactive with demonstrations and real-life stories of first aid in action rather than just standing and talking to them for an hour and a half.

From this experience, I also learnt a valuable lesson. At times when the cadets were being difficult, it would have been easy to have been the “fun” NCO and allow them to just mess around on a Wednesday afternoon. Something I came to realise was that there was more to being a leader than simply telling people what to do. I was serving them. I had a duty to teach them this vital life skill and had to ensure that everything was clear and understood. Seeing them grasp the concepts and apply the things that I taught them was wonderful! It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am grateful to have had that opportunity.

Top leadership tips

⚡️ Be of service – as mentioned in my leadership experience above, leaders have a duty to help their team towards a collective goal, not simply watch from the sidelines.

⚡️ Strive for excellence – although it may never be obtained, it is important to strive towards excellence in any task that is done because even if you fall short of that mark, greatness can still be achieved as leaders work for others as well as themselves. “Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars".

⚡️ Be perceptive – leaders need to be able to understand the people they are leading in order to better lead and serve them.

⚡️ Be a team player – everyone has to fulfil their role in a team, even the leader.

⚡️ Be a good listener – good ideas don’t only come from the leader, so it is vital that they listen carefully to input from all team members, including constructive criticism or conflicting suggestions, which should be taken to heart.

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

For me, being a Laidlaw scholar means being given the opportunity to participate in a research project that I am passionate about. In the field of biomedical sciences, lab placements are difficult to obtain for undergraduate students. I was keen to gain as much exposure as possible once I began university but found I would only be able to obtain research experience upon reaching the third year of my course. Now, I have been given the opportunity to participate in a scientific study in the summer of my first year, a feat that would have been very challenging if I was not a Laidlaw scholar.

As a scholar, I am part of a vast network of people who are not only presented with amazing opportunities but who are willing to take full advantage of them to incite change. It is a true honour to be called a Laidlaw scholar, and I hope that I can make the most out of this experience.

Which leaders inspire you and why?

Although his status as a leader is debatable, Muhamad Ali undoubtedly demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities. He may not have been the president of a country or a civil rights leader, but he exhibited exceptional leadership skills and displayed excellence that rivalled that of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Ali led by example and was always of service to the people around him. He used his success from fighting in the ring to fight for people around the world and used his influence for charitable works and to show solidarity to others. His perseverance and work ethic are admirable, with his winning mindset pushing him forward, even with his great dislike for training. 

Despite being denied his boxing licence and being stripped of his titles when he fought against conscription, he remained true to his morals and demonstrated courage, something that I take great inspiration from.

Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

For the billions of individuals touched by cancer, we dream of a world without it. Unfortunately, cancer is a by-product of multicellular life, and the disease itself cannot be stopped, thus, a cure may never be found. Despite this, we can still strive to make advancements in the management of the disease and care for patients.

I hope for the drastic lengthening of life expectancies of diagnosed patients; I hope that treatments are friendlier for patients with fewer side effects and improved quality of life; I hope that cancer can become more bearable to endure for both patients and their families. Above all, I sincerely hope that one day, effective cancer treatment will be accessible to everyone. A world not free from cancer but one where cancer is no longer a disease that we fear. I hope for a world where cancer is a disease that we conquer.

Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: Interstellar

📚 My top book recommendation: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

🎵 My current anthem is: Wildfire by LEC x Against the Current

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: A lovely round of 18 holes on the golf course (including an encounter with a family of monkeys!)