Nathan Vella, a final-year PhD candidate within the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, has achieved international recognition after placing first in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology category at the 2025 annual meeting of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS).
The event, held between 16th and 18th December at the International Convention Centre Belfast in Northern Ireland, is regarded as one of the key gatherings in the global pharmacology calendar, drawing researchers and specialists from across Europe and beyond.
Mr Vella was recognised for his research presentation exploring an innovative combination therapy aimed at treating non-small cell lung cancer. His work underwent evaluation by international experts over two days, with reviewers representing both the BPS and the Irish Association of Pharmacologists. Securing the top prize in a competitive international forum marks a significant milestone in his academic journey.
At the core of Mr Vella’s doctoral research is the development of a novel triple-therapy approach for lung cancer treatment. A distinctive aspect of his methodology involves engineering three-dimensional spheroid models – often described as “mini-tumours” – designed to closely replicate the biological complexity of real cancers in laboratory conditions. These models allow researchers to assess how potential therapies behave in environments that more accurately reflect human disease, strengthening the translational relevance of laboratory findings.
Written By
Nicole Zammit
When she’s not writing articles at work or poetry at home, you’ll find her taking long walks in the countryside, pumping iron at the gym, caring for her farm animals, or spending quality time with family and friends. In short, she’s always on the go, drawing inspiration from the little things around her, and constantly striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.
