Hello!

I'm Ryan Ellison



Trainee Clinical Scientist

LinkedIn Substack Twitter

Bluesky

What I've been reading lately

About

About Me

My name is Ryan, and I’m a trainee clinical scientist working at Nottingham City hospital. As a clinical scientist in cancer genomics, I help doctors and other healthcare professionals to make decisions about how to treat patients. This includes helping to diagnose people who may have cancer, and help to decide what the best treatments would be for someone who has cancer.

I’m also passionate about science outreach and teaching - I love it when you get a question from someone that shows they’re really engaged in what you’re saying. When you’re explaining something to a student, it’s very rewarding when you see them have that “Aha!” moment. I have >40 hours of experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching in lab practicals, problem classes, and marking reports.

  • Skills: Research, writing, speaking, teamwork, project management
  • Education: PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Masters in Biochemistry
  • Qualifications: Human Tissue Authority Level 2, Epigeum: Research Integrity in Biomedical Sciences, ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management
  • Interests: Kendo, Reading, Teaching

Resume

Resume

Trainee Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics. I am passionate about teaching and outreach, and I love to engage with students and the public to discuss science!

Experience


Feb 2026 - Current

Trainee Clinical Scientist (Cancer Genomics)

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Feb 2026 - Current

Science Communication Officer

Instruct-ERIC

  • Organising webinars: Sourcing speakers, scheduling, producing promotional materials, advertising via social media and curated mailing lists.
  • Managing social media presence: Sourcing and developing content, monitoring performance and analytics, researching and developing social media strategies, relevant jobs, and open research calls.
  • Content development: Videos, news items, scientific highlight articles, as well as producing promotional materials and advertising content.

    • May - November, 2025

    Associate Medical Writer

    Oxford PharmaGenesis

  • Adapted quickly to become familiar with new scientific fields outside of my previous expertise and work within industry codes of practice.
  • Worked flexibly to support the Business's agile working model and meet tight deadlines.
  • Developed a range of publications deliverables including graphical abstracts, slide decks and manuscripts.
  • Acted as a volunteer fire warden.

    • Jan - April, 2025

    Medical Lab Assistant (Band 2)

    Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

    See Below.

    October - December, 2024

    Bereavement Officer (Band 2)

    Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Received calls from bereaved families, offering compassion at all times.
  • Liased with hospital doctors, the medical examiner and medical examiner officers to ensure accurate and timely completion of documentation necessary for death certification.
  • Ensured timely and comprehensive communication with the Coroner's office and funeral directors.
  • Took on an increased level of responsibility, as this role is typically advertised at Band 4.

    • July - October, 2024

    Medical Lab Assistant (Band 2)

    Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Work as part of a team in fast-paced enviroment.
  • Multi-tasking and constantly adapting to shifting priorities and changing workflow needs.
  • Contribute to ensuring a timely and accurate histopathology service for patients.
  • As part of this role, completed training in conflict resolution and information governance.

    • 2018

    Laidlaw Scholarship

    University of Oxford and Aix-Marseille Université

    Laboratory project to genetically engineer E. coli bacteria which can recognise and kill Colorectal Cancer cells.

  • Researched background literature and developed a successful project proposal to obtain >£8000 funding.
  • Obtained Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 certificate and completed Epigeum course of Research Integrity in Biomedical Sciences.



    • Education


    2020-2025

    PhD in Biomedical Sciences

    University of York

    PhD in Biomedical Science. You can read my thesis here!

  • Laboratory project investigating how mutation of the gene FGFR3 may induce changes in the normal bladder epithelial lining and whether this drives development of bladder cancer.
  • Strong communication skills developed through regular lab meetings, national and international conferences presenting posters and research talks, as well as numerous outreach events.
  • Effective project management and self-organisational skills, developed through scheduling of experiments across multiple projects simultaneously. Balanced short-term goals and report and conference deadlines with long-term project goals.
  • Overcame numerous experimental and technical setbacks. Each time I was able to push through and adapt in order to continue my research, and as such I have developed a high level of resilience.
    • 2016-2020

    Undergraduate and Integrated Masters in Biochemistry

    University of Oxford

    MBiochem (Hons) - Upper Second Class (2:1)

  • Laboratory project investigating which parts of the protein Mad1 are required for cells to control the timing of how they divide.
  • As a guest author, wrote a historical perspective article for The Oxford Scientist the History of Blood Transfusions.
  • As President of the Kendo Club, organised equipment orders and tournament entry and chaired executive committee meetings. Also liaised with the Treasurer to obtain club grants and submit annual financial reports.
    • 2014-2016

    Sixth Form

    Carmel Sixth Form College

    A Level - Biology (A*), Chemistry (A*), Mathematics (A). AS Level - Psychology (B) and EPQ (A*).

    2011-2014

    Higher Secondary School

    Rainhill High School

    GCSEs - 8 A*and 4 A’s including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

    Download CV

    Projects and Outreach

    Projects and Outreach

    Below is a list of projects and outreach events I have been involved in.

    Support a Student - 93 Percent Club

    Responding to student requests on the support hub. This has involved speaking to students about career options after their degree, and my experience in postgrad study and different lines of work.
    If you’re a student who isn’t sure about the next steps after university, then please feel free to reach out to me either here or on the 93% club platform! I’m happy to talk about my own experiences in life science postgrad study and the world of work beyond.

    Online chat volunteer - I'm a Scientist get me out of here!

    Online chats with high school and sixth form students about a variety of topics related to working in STEM. Helping to make STEM careers accessible and relatable to students, and opening them up to new career and study possibilities.

    Online mentoring - Brightside (STEM Ambassador)

    Provided online mentoring and support to three students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Answered questions on applying to university, studying for exams, and considering future career options.

    Research Paper Database Template

    Developed a template in Notion to function as a database to keep track of research papers. Sort by custom topic tags, and display summary information such as key points from the paper, limitations, and methodology.

    LIMS in action! (STEM Ambassador) May 2025

    Outreach talk to several groups of sixth form students about Laboratory Information Management Systems in real-world scenarios, including a University research lab as an NHS hospital lab.

    University of York Graduate Symposium 2023

    Research Talk.


    York Against Cancer ENTHUSE partnership lab outreach day

    Assisted in delivery of lab outreach event - "DNA fingerprinting in cancer" - to high school and sixth form students.

    York Against Cancer Volunteer Celebration Teaparty 2023

    Outreach Talk.

    “Meet a PhD” outreach sessions (University of York)

    Ran sessions where undergraduate students could speak to postgraduates in a relaxed environment to find out if they wanted to undertake postgraduate study.


    You can read my blog on Substack

    I write about what it's really like to study for a PhD




    Click here to read my Substack



    Have a Question? Click Here


    • Find me on

    Copyright © All rights reserved | Original Design by Rishabh Mishra. This template is made with by Colorlib