ECMC Programme Office: Meet the new team members

What is your role in the ECMC Programme Office?

David Ayland (DA): My role is Intelligence and Reporting Project Manager; I will be supporting the reporting and analysis functions in the Programme Office and working on a project to improve current reporting and evalution methods.

Tara McKay (TK): As the Paediatric Network Manager, I support the Paediatric Strategy Group in delivering their strategic and operational activities, and work with the industry engagement team to bring new study opportunities to the network.

Xi Ye (XY): My main role in the Programme Office is to develop and manage trainings, projects and meetings with the relevant steering committees for members of the Quality Assurance and Translational Sciences (QATS) and the UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network (UKTCPN) groups. In addition to that, I also provide support towards the scientific/clinical strategies of the network, supporting workshops/meetings, mapping the network's scientific/clinical capabilities and fostering dialougues and relations with the relevant organisations such as Cancer Research UK (CRUK), NCRI and Genomics England (Ge)L.

When did you join the team and can you describe one highlight you have had since joining?

DA: I joined the team in January 2020 and a highlight for me has been seeing the Programme Office's approach to working at pace and delivering across a broad spectrum of activity.

TK: Since joining in September 2019, my highlight has been attending the ACCELERATE conference in Brussels – it was really exciting to see scientists, clinicians, industry and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) groups coming together to discuss challenges at an international level and decide on topics for their future strategic forums.

XY: I joined the team in September 2019 and already I have learnt a lot from members of the Programme Office as well as clinicians, scientists, nurses and many other staff members across the network. In particular, it has been amazing to learn how much patients are involved in both drug discovery and the setup of clinical studies.

What was your experience before joining the team?

DA: I previously worked in the Centres and Institutes Research Funding Team at CRUK. This involved producing reports and analytics required by the team, liaising with Centres, and managing internal working groups. Prior to this, I worked as a Data Manager in the marketing department of a well-known gambling company and also volunteered with the British Science Association.

TK: My background is Biochemistry and since graduating in 2016 I have had several roles at CRUK, spanning data analysis, communications, evaluation and project management through the Research and Innovation Graduate training scheme.

XY: I studied how capillary blood vessels grow and how stem cells differentiate in infantile haemangioma for my PhD and then, following this, I spent close to 4 years as a postdoc researching cardiovascular diseases. After that, I worked at the Medical Research Council for 1 year managing the application, peer review and funding meetings for the Neuroscience and Mental Health Board.

What hobbies to you enjoy doing outside of work?

DA: In my spare time I play guitar, take singing lessons and play Dungeons & Dragons with fellow nerds. I have also performed in a few fundraising stand-up comedy gigs.

TK: I'm a keen musician and wish I had room for a piano in my London flat!

XY: I'm a keen baker and have a collection of cook books, some focussing on the chemistry of cooking/baking. I am currently learning about ancient Celtic history and culture through myths and archaeology. I love board games and enjoy long walks in the country side.

If you were only able to read 1 book, watch 1 movie and listen to 1 song whilst stranded on an island, what would they be?

DA: Based on the assumption that I'm going to be rescued, to keep my spirits up, I would choose The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as my book, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring from the film, and 19-2000 by Gorillaz for the song. If no one is coming to get me, I would probably take the SAS Survival Handbook.

TK: Persuasion by Jane Austen, Hidden Figures and Magnestised by Tom Odell.

XY: My not so perfect life by Sophie Kinsella (an absolute hilarious read), Oliver (a classic and it also increases the number of songs I have), and Older by Ben Platt (he has such as dreamy voice).