Kent Cancer Trust backs new PhD researchers across Kent

This summer, Kent Cancer Trust continued our commitment to improving cancer outcomes by awarding postgraduate funding grants to PhD researchers at the University of Kent. These are the next generation of scientists working to improve cancer outcomes for people across our county.

Meet the researchers now benefiting from local support.

Ziyi Feng — searching for a better drug for bowel cancer

Ziyi Feng, a PhD researcher in the School of Biosciences, is investigating PMF — a compound that has shown promise in killing bowel (colorectal) cancer cells in the lab.

Working under the supervision of Professor Michelle Garrett at the University of Kent, alongside Professor Chris Serpell (School of Pharmacy, University College London) and Mr Liam Poynter, a consultant colorectal surgeon at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Ziyi's project will use live-cell microscopy to understand exactly how PMF affects cancer cells from the inside — tracking its effect on a family of proteins that act like "traffic controllers", moving materials around inside the cell.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, and many patients eventually stop responding to chemotherapy. By pinning down exactly how PMF kills cancer cells, Ziyi's team hopes to design an improved version of the compound — a step that, over time, it is hoped and expected will bring it closer to clinical trials.

The grant will fund antibodies, cell culture materials and the fluorescent imaging probes needed to carry out this microscopy work.

Mahzad Nasir Shalal — engineering tiny delivery vehicles for cancer drugs

Mahzad Nasir Shalal, a BBSRC South Coast Biosciences PhD student also based in the School of Biosciences at Kent, is developing a new way to deliver cancer drugs straight to tumour cells rather than throughout the whole body — a technique known as targeted drug delivery.

Her project, "Engineering VNp-induced Vesicles for Targeted Cancer Drug Delivery", uses engineered vesicles — tiny protein-based capsules — designed to seek out and bind to cancer cells before releasing their cargo. The aim is to reduce the side effects that come with less targeted treatments, while improving how effectively the drug reaches its target.

This is a repeat award from Kent Cancer Trust for Mahzad's research. She has been a strong advocate for the Trust in return, presenting her work — and KCT's role in funding it — at conferences.

"Your support means a great deal to me and will be extremely helpful in covering the expenses associated with my research project," Mahzad said.

Jordan Bean — tackling bladder cancer recurrence

Jordan Bean, a PhD researcher from Sittingbourne at the University of Kent, has been awarded a further grant from Kent Cancer Trust — having previously received support towards his Master's research, work that laid the foundation for his current PhD project.

Supervised by Professor Jennifer Hiscock (School of Chemistry and Forensic Science), alongside Professor Michelle Garrett (School of Biosciences) and Professor Sashi Kommu, a consultant urological surgeon at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Jordan is screening a library of more than 190 novel molecules developed by Professor Hiscock to see whether they can make an existing bladder cancer chemotherapy drug, mitomycin C, work more effectively.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Kent, and while treatment is often successful at first, many patients see the cancer return — meaning repeated surgery and further rounds of treatment. Having already screened over a quarter of the molecule library, Jordan is working to identify combinations that kill more cancer cells than chemotherapy alone, guiding the design of even better molecules and, in time, helping reduce how often patients need retreatment.

The grant funds the specialist cell culture media and laboratory plasticware needed to complete the screening programme.

Jack Bragg — stopping infections in intensive care for head and neck cancer patients

Jack Bragg, a PhD researcher building on a project Kent Cancer Trust has supported before, is tackling a problem faced by head and neck cancer patients who need breathing tubes after surgery: the tubes can become coated in biofilms of bacteria and fungi, raising the risk of infection, blockage, delayed recovery and distressingly frequent replacement. 

Earlier KCT-funded work in the same research programme showed that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) — a medicine already used to thin mucus in the airways — can prevent these biofilms forming, and discovered that NAC interacts with mucus proteins in a way that boosts its effectiveness. Jack's project takes this a step further, using a sophisticated artificial lung system that reproduces conditions in the human airway to work out exactly how much NAC is needed when patients have different amounts of mucus.

The findings will directly shape how NAC is delivered in NACBIOMAN, a planned major clinical trial testing whether the treatment can improve outcomes for patients in intensive care — work with the potential to benefit cancer patients in Kent and beyond.

Supporting the next generation of cancer scientists in Kent

Since 2003, Kent Cancer Trust has funded local scientists working across a range of cancers, right here in our county. Grants like these help PhD researchers cover the day-to-day costs of their work — from lab consumables to imaging equipment — at a critical stage in projects that could shape how cancer is diagnosed and treated in future and puts research in Kent on the “map”.

§If you'd like to help us fund more research like this, you can donate to Kent Cancer Trust today.

Live at The Moat: An Evening of Music, Food and Fundraising for Kent Cancer Trust

This November, we're swapping the usual bake sale for something with a bit more volume.

On Friday 13 November 2026, Kent Cancer Trust is heading to The Moat in Wrotham for a night of live music, dancing and great food — all in aid of local cancer research and support right here in Kent.

What's happening

Doors open at 7:30pm and the night runs through to midnight, with live music from Kent band Empty Cans, who are generously donating their time and talent for the evening. Tickets are £35, which includes a buffet on the night, so you can come straight from work, grab a plate, and get stuck into the evening without worrying about dinner first.

Beyond the music and food, there'll be a raffle with some brilliant prizes on offer and table magic courtesy of Steve Dunbar.

Why it matters

Kent Cancer Trust exists to fund local cancer research and support people affected by cancer across our county. Events like this one aren't just a fun night out — they're a vital part of how small, local charities like ours keep that work going. Unlike larger national charities, every pound raised at events like Live at The Moat goes towards funding scientists and research right here in Kent.

We're incredibly grateful to The Moat for hosting us, and to Empty Cans for giving up their evening — and their fee — to help us raise as much as possible.

The details

• Date: Friday 13 November 2026

• Venue: The Moat, Wrotham, Kent

• Doors: 7:30pm — Midnight

• Tickets: £35, includes buffet

• Music: Live from Empty Cans

• Extras: Table Magic + Raffle on the night, with all proceeds to Kent Cancer Trust

Get your tickets

Tickets are on sale now and capacity is limited, so we'd encourage you to book early to avoid missing out. Get your tickets here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/live-at-the-moat

Whether you're a long-time supporter of Kent Cancer Trust or simply looking for a great night out for a great cause, we'd love to see you there. Bring your friends, bring your dancing shoes, and help us raise money for cancer research and support across Kent.

Kent Cancer Trust is a registered charity (No. 1105730) supporting cancer research and care across Kent.