My PhD Journey: Work experience at Nature’s Laboratory & Conferences Attended by Samra Ihsan PhD student with the University of East London & Nature's Laboratory

12 September 2024

Joining the UEL and Nature's Laboratory PhD Project

In March 2023, I began an exciting journey as a PhD candidate through a joint funded project between the University of East London (UEL) and Nature's Laboratory.

Working at Nature's Laboratory has been an incredibly enriching experience. During my time at Nature’s Laboratory, I gained extensive knowledge in herbal products quality control testing, ensuring that each product meets high standards of purity and efficacy. I also delved into handmade cosmetic formulation development, crafting unique and effective skincare solutions. The process of developing new products from concept to market launch was particularly exciting, allowing me to collaborate with a skilled team in a professional industrial environment. Additionally, I was involved in contract manufacturing projects, which provided insight into the intricacies of producing customised products for clients. Overall, it's been a wonderful journey working in such a dynamic and innovative setting.

Through this blog I want to share the outcomes of my research work. Over the past year and a half, I've had the privilege of attending several conferences that have profoundly impacted my research and professional growth.

3rd International Propolis Conference, Istanbul, Turkey

One of the highlights of my PhD journey was attending the 3rd International Propolis Conference from November 9-11, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. This conference aimed to bridge the gap between East and West, focusing on key issues related to propolis research. It brought together researchers, regulatory bodies, policymakers, and consumer organizations to discuss the health benefits of propolis through modern and sustainable production technologies. I had the privilege of giving an oral presentation on “Comparative Flavonoid Profiling of Middle Eastern, African, and European Propolis Samples and its Correlation with their Therapeutic Potential.” This experience allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals and expand my research horizons.

University College London (UCL) Spices and Medicine Symposium and UCL Frank Fish Memorial Lecture

In February 2024, I attended the Annual UCL Spices and Medicine Symposium and UCL Frank Fish Memorial Lecture. Co-hosted by the UCL School of Pharmacy, the International Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (Germany), and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, this event focused on the intersection of food, medicine, and culture. I presented a poster on “Comparison of Antibacterial Potential of Turkish and Nigerian Propolis Against MRSA,” detailing the extraction processes and antibacterial activities of the propolis samples, as well as their flavonoid compositions determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Bioscience Research Conference at UEL

In June 2024, I participated in the Bioscience Research Conference at the University of East London (UEL), which featured over 55 participants and 12 speakers from institutions such as  King's College London (KCL), University of  West London (UWL) , the University of Westminster, and the University of Surrey. My poster presentation on “Propolis: A Potential Source of New Antibacterial Lead Compounds Against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)” discussed the extraction, antimicrobial potential, and GC-MS analysis of propolis. The positive feedback I received was incredibly encouraging, and I was awarded third prize for my poster presentation.

The Chemistry and Biology of Natural Products Symposium XVII

In July 2024, I attended The Chemistry and Biology of Natural Products Symposium XVII at the University of Warwick. This annual symposium is a gathering for postgraduate students, PDRAs, and young academics, as well as professionals in natural product chemistry and biology. Sponsored by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the Royal Society of Chemistry, and Alta Bioscience, I presented a poster on “Propolis: A Potential Source of New Antibacterial Lead Compounds Against MRSA,” focusing on the activity-guided isolation of bioactive compounds and their Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis.

Future Prospects

Currently, I am working on the activity-guided isolation of anti-MRSA compounds from Turkish and Nigerian propolis. I look forward to presenting my findings at the upcoming 4th International Propolis Conference on “Propolis – Immunity – Community – Sustainability” in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, from February 13-15, 2025. This conference will bring together researchers involved in the isolation and identification of new propolis compounds, quality control, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical trials to discuss the latest advancements in propolis research.

Attending these conferences has been an enriching experience, providing me with valuable opportunities to share my research, learn from experts, and build a network within the scientific community. I am excited to continue this journey and contribute to propolis research.