From Cambridge to Columbia: Ayobami’s Summer at the Spina Lab

From June to August 2025, Ayobami, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Cambridge, spent his summer with the Spina Lab. He joined through Columbia University’s International Collaborative Exchange Program (ICEP), founded by Dr. Annette Wu. Cancer pathology had been one of his favorite subjects back home, and the pull of translational research—where science meets patient care—was too strong to ignore.

“The chance to be on the frontier of cancer research, seeing the interface between clinical research and patient care, was something I couldn’t pass up,” Ayobami said.

In the lab, he jumped into a range of projects: radiopharmaceuticals, adenosine signaling, even patient-derived organoids. He learned hands-on techniques—quantitative PCR, cell culture, tumor implantation and harvesting—and helped with patient samples for organoid studies. He also took part in lab meetings, where he saw the importance of questioning data and spotting limitations. “I reflected on the importance of assessing the reliability of data, spotting limitations, and proposing improvements,” he explained. Along the way, he also caught a glimpse of biotech partnerships and the entrepreneurial side of research.

Shadowing Dr. Katie Spina in clinic made just as big an impression. “It was inspiring to watch how she explained conditions to her patients, empowering them to become experts in their own disease while carefully presenting their treatment options,” he said. “She wasn’t just treating disease—she was addressing each patient’s unique needs, embodying the kind of doctor I hope to become.”

Dr. Spina shared similar admiration for his time in the lab. “Ayobami was an excellent addition to our lab for the summer. Motivated and driven to experience the full translational trajectory, he jumped in enthusiastically, collaborating and learning from nearly every member of the lab and learning about radiation oncology with me in the clinic. We are thrilled to follow his progress through the remainder of his training and beyond as he makes his impact in medicine!”

Looking back, Ayobami described the summer as motivating and humbling. “I am determined to put myself in the best position to advocate for my patients, and I look forward to participating in more research, becoming more integrated and involved, and continuing to grow day by day.”

His visit underscored the lab’s mission: to welcome global trainees, share practical skills, and inspire future clinician-scientists.

Written by Joshie Amposta