Cher van der Heijden did not set out to become a cancer researcher. She arrived at university with her sights set on veterinary science, drawn by a love of animals and biology. But during her undergraduate studies in animal science, her interests began to shift.

Through time in the laboratory and learning about animal diseases, Cher became increasingly interested in how diseases develop at a biological level.

“I wanted to contribute to research in a way that felt meaningful and could make a real difference.”

Cher van der Heijden, NCARD

“That’s what ultimately drew me towards biomedical and cancer research, where I could stay closely connected to the science while also working towards outcomes that can help people.”

When it came time to find an honours placement, Cher contacted NCARD directly. After visiting the lab, she knew it was the right fit.

“The facilities were excellent, and the team was warm and welcoming,” she recalls.

Cher joined NCARD as a mid-year intake student, supervised by Dr Jonathan Chee and Dr Nicola Principe. Her honours project focuses on mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer strongly linked to asbestos exposure.

Cher is investigating whether combining statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering medicines, with immunotherapy could improve treatment responses. The research is based on evidence that tumours can change the environment around them, including the way immune cells function.

“While immunotherapy has been a huge step forward in cancer care, it doesn’t work well for everyone,” Cher explains. “By testing whether an existing, widely used drug can enhance its effectiveness, the research could help identify new ways to improve treatment responses.”

Day-to-day, Cher’s work has included preclinical models and laboratory techniques that help identify immune cells, show where they sit within tumours, and measure lipid content. The work has been technically demanding, and not everything has gone smoothly.

Optimising immunofluorescence, a technique used to visualise cells and proteins in tissue, proved particularly challenging. It required extensive troubleshooting before Cher was able to produce reliable results.

“It was a good reminder that experiments don’t always go exactly as planned,” she says.

“Learning how to troubleshoot, adapt, and make sense of results, even when things don’t work the first time, has definitely changed how I see research and helped me grow as a scientist.”

Cher began the project without a background in immunology or cancer research and says the learning curve was steep. The support around her made a significant difference. Dr Principe worked alongside her in the lab to help build confidence with new techniques, and both supervisors were consistently approachable.

“I always felt comfortable going to them with questions or for guidance,” Cher says.

“Everyone understands that research can be challenging, and that shared experience makes it a really understanding and encouraging place to work.”

As she approaches the end of her honours year, Cher reflects on a milestone she is proud of for reasons that go beyond the science. Starting mid-year meant she arrived just as conferences were underway. Although she was still new to the research, she signed up to present.

“Getting over my fear of presenting and putting myself out there is something I’m really proud of,” she says.

There is also a broader lesson she is taking away.

“I wish I’d known at the start that experiments not working is a normal part of research, not a sign that you’re doing badly. Confidence comes through doing, not before, and research takes patience, both with the process and with yourself.”

Looking ahead, Cher plans to move into a research assistant or clinical trials role before considering further study, including a PhD. Her experience at NCARD has helped confirm the direction she wants to take.

“Being involved in research has reinforced that science is where I want to be,” she says.

Her time at NCARD has also given her a deeper appreciation of how cancer research progresses. One of the most surprising aspects, she says, has been learning how important lipids can be in the tumour microenvironment, and how medicines developed for other purposes may have a role in future cancer treatment.

“A lot of progress comes from uncovering small details over time, rather than sudden breakthroughs,” Cher says. “And I think that’s something more people should know.”