Q & A with Dr David Michod

In the summer 2014 issue of The Grey Matters, our printed newsletter, we featured an interview with Dr David Michod, one of the leading researchers we fund. You can read the full interview below.

With a grant from The Brain Tumour Charity, Dr Michod is investigating the role of a protein called DAXX in enabling childhood glioblastoma cells to grow uncontrollably. The ultimate aim is to pave the way for a drug that could block the effect of DAXX.

We previously funded Dr David Michod when he was a postdoctoral associate in our Samantha Dickson Brain Cancer Unit at University College London.

“…this is probably one of the most exciting jobs. You are getting paid to think logically and innovate to make a difference for people.”

Dr David Michod

What inspired you to become a researcher?

I performed a research project in a laboratory at university – and I loved

it. I then realised I wanted to do research as a career as this is probably one

of the most exciting jobs. You are getting paid to think logically and innovate

to make a difference for people.

How did working at our Samantha Dickson Brain Cancer Unit help you develop your research?

It allowed me to test innovative hypotheses leading to discoveries which have helped improve our understanding of glioma brain tumours. Overall, The Brain Tumour Charity has been key in the development of my career.

Can you give us an idea of your typical day?

Curiosity is the main quality that drives the life of a scientist, so a typical day starts by formulating a hypothesis, designing the experiments to test this hypothesis and then analysing the results. And then repeating the process again and again!

Why is more money needed for research?

Brain tumours have not been well funded historically and therefore major improvements in treatments have not been possible. However, recent breakthroughs in brain tumour biology have given us a fantastic window of opportunity to find new approaches to treat these tumours.

If you were to do a fundraising event, what would it be?

Fundraisers for The Brain Tumour Charity are doing a fantastic and important job. Personally I am thinking of taking part in the Thames Path Challenge 2014.