{"id":488886,"date":"2026-02-13T01:29:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/?p=488886"},"modified":"2026-02-20T01:39:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T01:39:55","slug":"cancer-research-shangari-devaraj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studyinternational.com\/news\/cancer-research-shangari-devaraj\/","title":{"rendered":"UK master\u2019s degree empowers pharmacist to advance cancer care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shangari Devaraj<\/a> sees the same pattern at the local pharmacies, clinics, and even one of her country\u2019s top hospitals: women dominate her field.<\/p>\n

But, it\u2019s males who mainly hold leadership positions.<\/p>\n

“As a woman in STEM, I find that both inspiring and frustrating,” says the MS in Cancer Research student at Brunel University of London. “Inspiring, because more women are now recognising the amazing cerebral opportunities in science, but frustrating because we still have to work harder to be seen and heard. Still, that motivates me to keep pushing forward and show that talent and innovation don\u2019t have a gender.”<\/p>\n

In 2023, 43.5% of 2022 graduates in Malaysia received a STEM degree, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the highest STEM enrolments in the world.<\/p>\n

Hiring data shows a less positive picture: despite Malaysian women making up a larger proportion of STEM graduates, male STEM graduates are the ones being hired.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re seen as less likely to take career breaks or have family commitments by employers. Another survey by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce of Malaysia (ACCCIM) found that 41.3% of respondents expect that expanded maternity leave provisions might make employers less likely to hire women. This is the result of the updated Employment Act in Malaysia that increased maternity leave from 60 to 98 days.<\/p>\n

Devaraj is more optimistic. She\u2019s seen first-hand how women, especially those in gruelling roles in the healthcare field, are \u201cincredibly hard-working.\u201d They show \u201cresilience and consistency\u201d while performing tasks that can be demanding and emotionally heavy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe bring empathy and patience into our work, especially when dealing with patients who are anxious or scared. That human touch \u2013 the ability to care deeply while staying professional \u2013 makes a huge difference,\u201d she says. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s something men can\u2019t do, but women often bring that extra layer of compassion that truly enhances patient care.”<\/p>\n

\"cancer

Shangari Devaraj pharmacist with years of experience in local pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. Source: Shangari Devaraj<\/p><\/div>\n

Her inspiration for cancer research<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When she first joined Sunway Medical Centre, she was posted to the oncology ward. With little to no experience in cancer research, her time there really deepened her understanding of everything patients go through \u2013 emotionally, clinically, the whole package of emotions,” she says.<\/p>\n

Seeing how pharmacists are crucial to patients during chemotherapy, she became even more passionate about her job. A colleague who went out of her way to make sure every patient \u2013 in oncology and elsewhere — understood their treatment inspired Devaraj even more.<\/p>\n

That clarity pushed her toward cancer research and ultimately to Brunel University London, where she\u2019s now sharpening her skills in cancer biology, diagnostics and therapy. \u201cThe field never stops evolving. Treatments are increasingly personalised, so you\u2019re always learning and questioning,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s challenging, but every small breakthrough feels like it could matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Cancer research is constantly evolving, and treatments are becoming more patient-based. What works for one person might not work for another. So, you’re always learning, reading, and questioning everything,” she says. “You know it’s tough, but at the same time, it’s exciting because [with] every small discovery, you could one day make a real difference.”<\/p>\n

\"\"

The clinical side is just as important as the emotional side when researching cancer patients, according to Shangari Devaraj. Source: Shangari Devaraj<\/p><\/div>\n

Devaraj is at the #38 best university in the UK on a \u00a0British Council<\/a> Women in STEM<\/a> scholarship. It covers everything, from tuition fees to travel costs, for exceptional women recipients to complete a one-year master’s degree in the UK.<\/p>\n

“When I found out that I’d be selected, I was in complete shock,” Devaraj recalls. ” It was such a happy and proud moment for me, for both me and my family.”<\/p>\n

The scholarship helped Devaraj immensely. She didn’t need to worry about her finances, unlike some of her course mates who work part-time to make ends meet.<\/p>\n

All she needed to do was find the cure to cancer.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Her colleague was her inspiration to delve deeper into cancer research. Source: Shangari Devaraj<\/p><\/div>\n

The future of cancer research in Malaysia<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Set to graduate in less than half a year more in 2026, Devaraj has big dreams.<\/p>\n

From just a few months abroad, she\u2019s already seen how the UK detects and creates awareness about cancer better than Malaysia.<\/p>\n

The percentage of cancer cases detected at stages 3 and 4 increased to 65.1% in 2017-2021, according to Ministry of Health Malaysia data.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s need for more pharmacists specialising in cancer too. Add that to the fact that there are a lot of rural areas in Malaysia, access to cancer care can be a real challenge<\/p>\n

\u201cMy master\u2019s in cancer research gives me the deeper science \u2014 from molecular biology to treatment innovation,\u201d she says. \u201cI want to bring that knowledge home to strengthen Malaysia\u2019s oncology education and research, and help close the gap between clinical care and research so we can build local expertise that fits our healthcare system.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also hopes every Malaysian hospital \u2014 public or private \u2014 can one day offer the full range of cancer treatments and chemotherapy regimens.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest lesson I\u2019ve learned is that cancer care goes far beyond medicine,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s empathy, teamwork, and clear communication with patients and their families. Working in oncology showed me how much people rely on understanding and emotional support, not just medication. Sometimes empathy can be as healing as the treatment itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

“My master\u2019s gives me the deeper science, from molecular biology to treatment innovation,” she says. “I hope to bring that knowledge home to strengthen oncology education and research. I want to close the gap between clinical care and research so that we can build more local expertise and solutions that fit our healthcare system.”<\/p>\n

She also hopes every Malaysian hospital, public or private, can one day offer the full range of cancer treatments and chemotherapy regimes.<\/p>\n

But, Devaraj acknowledges that cancer care goes beyond medicine alone.<\/p>\n

“It’s about empathy for patients and also teamwork among your colleagues, patients, and their family members,\u201d she says. \u201cI’ve seen how much patients really rely on clear information and also emotional support, not just medication. Working in that kind of environment taught me that empathy and communication can be just as healing as the treatment itself.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“My master\u2019s gives me the deeper science, from molecular biology to treatment innovation,” says the Brunel University of London student. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1984,"featured_media":488890,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[15],"countries":[12],"partner":[],"ppma_author":[1487],"class_list":["post-488886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-feel-good","countries-united-kingdom"],"acf":{"modules":null},"meta-shares":{"ppma_authors_name":["Dini Azri"],"_edit_lock":["1772782036:292"],"_edit_last":["292"],"rank_math_seo_score":["77"],"rank_math_focus_keyword":["cancer research"],"rank_math_title":["British Council scholarship winner advancing cancer research"],"rank_math_description":["With an aim to advance cancer research, this Malaysian applied for the British Council's 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