So says Jason Seewoodhary, Specialist Registrar in diabetes mellitus and endocrinology, and member of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2012, Jason decided to expand his specialist knowledge to this emerging area of medicine by studying an MSc in Stem Cells and Regeneration at the University of Bristol.

“I applied for this programme because it offered an exciting opportunity to learn about a facet of therapeutics that will revolutionise how doctors treat tomorrow’s patients,” he said.

Jason chose to study at the University of Bristol because of its reputation as a centre of international excellence and research, much of which has been documented as having a positive impact upon practice, according to Jason’s own reading list. 

“Being part of a research-intensive university and studying for a master’s degree in the cutting-edge of medicine provided me with an incredible opportunity,” he said. “Students are even encouraged to publish papers themselves, as I found out with the publication of a paper after I had completed the first module of the MSc.”

Jason hopes that the MSc will help him apply for a Fellowship in Islet Cell Transplantation in the USA, and is also keen to set up Wales’ first, and indeed, only, Islet Cell Transplantation Unit on completion of his Specialist Registrar training.

“This would offer patients suffering diabetes the opportunity to live without insulin, and may even lead towards developing a cure,” he said.

“I would recommend the programme to other medical practitioners as it provides an opportunity to learn about an exciting new area of medicine that few clinicians specialise in. This will support the development of pioneering clinical services in any number of areas, which will, I believe, have a significant impact upon public health in the future,” he said.