Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) Blog
Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) Blog
Posted by ma403
17 June 2025To start with, packing for this conference was frantic. What does one even wear to a conference?! Those nerves quickly turned into excitement as I set off for Manchester, only to discover it was surprisingly hot (so, of course, I definitely did not pack the right stuff).
That first evening, though, was a gentle introduction. The welcome drinks and dinner with the Apex group were just what I needed to settle in and meet everyone properly. At that point, I had no idea what lay ahead, but I was already planning out which talks looked interesting and mapping out my schedule.
The first official day was nothing like I expected, in the best way possible. With little prior conference experience, I threw myself into the day, embracing every networking and learning opportunity as it came. This is where having the Exeter research group by my side made all the difference. I’m so grateful for such a friendly, supportive group to hang out with amid the conference hustle. The talks were diverse but stayed on their themes, and with my dissertation on the horizon, it was brilliant to jot down ideas I knew would enrich my assignment. I also had the opportunity to attend talks and posters presented by some members of the Exeter group, which was truly inspiring to see.
By the second day, everything felt much easier. I was more familiar with the schedule, and seeing my poster up on the screens was so surreal. My poster was based on my dissertation exploring Obesity mediated cancer risk in women with Endometrial, Breast and Ovarian cancer. To have even been accepted onto the conference was amazing, but to see it presented was such an honour. I also found myself feeling more confident discussing my dissertation, and it was easier to approach new people and strike up conversations. This was my first real taste of networking, and while I know I still have a lot to learn, it was fun meeting so many different academics and researchers at all stages of their careers. The talks themselves were so incredible, with such interesting, important work being done in the cancer primary care community, which I truly had the privilege of listening to and learning from. What made the day even more memorable was the dinner and after-party. A good karaoke, great food, and a chance to get to know the research group better outside the usual academic setting.
Overall, I genuinely had the time of my life and can only hope there are more Ca-PRI conferences in my future. I want to thank my dissertation supervisor and the Exeter research team for having me and supporting me throughout this experience, as they made all the difference. Opportunities like this are so rare, especially at this stage of my career, and I’m incredibly grateful for the memories and learning experiences this conference brought.
Theresa
