Final year funding for PhD at Oxford

I am a proud daughter of Pakistan. This is my story.

I come from a very humble background. Despite having barely enough financial resources to send me to a good school in Pakistan, my family was very supportive of getting a good education. Through hard work and sheer determination, I graduated with a BSc in Microbiology from Karachi University, coming top of my class and winning a Gold Medal. I self-funded my way through a Master’s degree in Biotechnology at NUST, one of Pakistan’s top universities – taking side jobs to generate enough income to pay my way.

I was amongst the best students at NUST and was able to gain a 3 year, fully-funded scholarship to Oxford University to study for a PhD in Oncology in 2019. My research work at Oxford focuses on cancer vaccines, one of the most promising areas in Oncology. My supervisor is the renowned founder of the British Society of Gene Therapy, Professor Len Seymour.

My arrival in the United Kingdom coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic. The laboratories where I conduct my research were either closed or had limited capacity due to Covid restrictions. While I was able to achieve “Transfer of status” – a process where Oxford University confirms the continuation of a PhD one year after commencement, sadly, the impact of Covid has meant that I have not been able to complete my research in the three-year duration of my scholarship – although I continue to make good progress and have presented my work at the International Oncolytic Virus Conference and the Annual Oncology Symposium in Oxford.

Oxford University have given me a one-year extension to complete my PhD but my scholarship funding has lapsed. Without funds to sustain myself in the U.K. I face the prospect of abandoning my PhD and returning to Pakistan.

I am looking for financial assistance – especially from the Pakistani diaspora - to help me complete my PhD.

I love my country from the bottom of my heart and promise to generously help others from similar humble background in the years to come. Please assist me in my hour of need.

Mahnoor Nadeem – a proud daughter of Pakistan

[email redacted].ac.uk