Nico Mueller is a final year PhD student studying Medical Science at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. For his research into CAR T-cell therapy – a new type of immunotherapy that harnesses a patient’s own immune cells to target and destroy cancer – he received the Cherry Hume Award. This enabled him to attend Immunology 2025, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious immunology conferences.
How did you find out about the award and what was the application process like?
“I first heard about the Cherry Hume Award through my Tutor at St Edmund’s College, who encouraged me to explore funding opportunities for attending conferences. This particular award really stood out to me because of its support for PhD students in STEM. The application process itself was very smooth; I needed a short explanation of how the conference would benefit my work, a budget plan, and a letter of support from my PhD supervisor. Additionally, my Tutor had to endorse me too. I felt really grateful to be considered, and even more so when I heard that I had been selected.”
What did that opportunity mean for you?
“It meant a great deal. Over the past three to four years, I have poured my heart into developing a novel CAR T cell therapy – a new type of immunotherapy that harnesses a patient’s own immune cells to target and destroy cancer. I have spent countless long days and nights in the lab, often seven days a week, and I am proud that this hard work has led to a co-first author publication in EMBO Molecular Medicine and an invited review article.”
“But beyond the publications, attending Immunology2025 was a real highlight. It was the first time I had the chance to present my work on such a major international stage. It was rewarding to know that others now know about the therapy I am developing, and to receive insightful feedback from fellow researchers, from PhD students to senior professors. Their questions and advice have already shaped the next steps in my project.”
The conference also exposed me to new technologies that could help refine my work. And on a more personal note, being warmly welcomed by the American Association of Immunologists, and watching the sunset with my supervisor, Dr Maike de la Roche, at the most picturesque Hawaiian beaches after a long day of talks, made me feel that the intense years in the lab had finally come full circle.”
What talks or presentations specifically stood out to you and how are you hoping to contribute to this ground-breaking research?
“There were so many inspiring talks, but two in particular really stuck with me.
One talk focused on how different types of PKC (a family of proteins) affect the way immune cells behave in cancer. They showed that tweaking one specific PKC type could help CAR T cells survive longer and fight tumours more effectively, which is exactly what we need to make these therapies work better. I have already started thinking about how to incorporate these insights into my own experiments.
Another talk explored how memory in immune cells is formed, and how we can design CAR T cells to “remember” better, so they stick around and continue protecting patients long after treatment. The speaker proposed using a new kind of signalling component (NKG2D), which sparked some ideas for improving the CAR T cells in my own project. It was incredibly motivating to see how discoveries like these can move the whole field forward and to realise that I could be part of it.”
What are the biggest challenges facing Immunology Research and how do you feel you’re making a difference – either personally or professionally?
One of the biggest challenges in immunology is the complexity of the immune system. It is incredibly dynamic and intricate, which makes it difficult to predict how it works in the first place, and even harder to translate basic discoveries into effective treatments.
“My project sits right at this interface between fundamental science and application. I am building a novel CAR T cell therapy that draws on emerging insights into both T cell biology and cancer stem cell behaviour. I also work hard to ensure that our lab models closely reflect real patient scenarios, so the results are more likely to be clinically meaningful.”
“But I would never be able to make progress alone. My work is only possible thanks to the researchers who came before me, the postdocs and collaborators who laid the foundation for my project. I also work closely with colleagues from the departments of Biochemistry, especially Dr Marc de la Roche, and Dr Simon Richardson from the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, as well as with colleagues from other departments and universities.”
St Edmund’s College provides a number of awards and prizes for postgraduate students. To find out more about the Cherry Hume Award and funding opportunities, visit our postgraduate funding opportunities web page.
It is this spirit of collaboration, of different minds coming together, that makes a difference, and I feel grateful to be a small part of it.
What advice would you give students who may be interested in Medical Science?
“Medical science is a deeply meaningful path. If you are someone who is curious about how the body works, and passionate about improving people’s lives, it can be incredibly fulfilling. Cancer research, in particular, offers the chance to make a real and lasting impact.”
“But it is also not easy. My advice to anyone would be to stay resilient and patient. There will be setbacks, long days, failed experiments, and moments of self-doubt. Stay curious and remember why you started. Research is all about learning, failing, and trying again and again, but if you trust the process, it will be a very rewarding journey. And remember that every tiny success matters. Even when progress feels slow, you are building something step by step, which is what makes it all worth it.”
