A remarkable full-circle moment unfolded this autumn at Robert Gordon University (RGU), as adult cystinosis patient, Lena Forsyth, began her PhD in Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy at the School of Pharmacy Applied Sciences and Public Health – returning to the very labs where her passion for biomedical research was first sparked.
During a tour of the university’s facilities, Lena was stunned to discover a centrifuge still in active use – donated by the Cystinosis Foundation UK back in October 2007. Further investigation revealed another piece of equipment – a vacuum oven – gifted by the charity in August 2005, was also still in use. Both pieces of equipment have supported years of research and student training, quietly bearing witness to the long-term impact of community-driven investment in science.
For Lena, this discovery was more than symbolic. As a child living with cystinosis, she had visited RGU’s labs and met researchers whose work and compassion left a lasting impression. That early exposure to biomedical science—combined with her lived experience as a patient—planted the seeds for a career in healthcare and research. Now, she returns not only as a scholar but as a powerful advocate for patient-led innovation and public health.
“This is what long-term charity impact looks like,” said a trustee from Cystinosis Foundation UK. “Not just equipment in a lab, but inspiration that carries forward into a lifetime of learning, advocacy, and scientific contribution.” The charity will continue to follow Lena’s journey closely, celebrating the ways in which cystinosis patients are shaping the future of science and healthcare.
This story is a testament to the power of early engagement and the enduring legacy of community support. It’s also a reminder that every donation—whether a machine, an event, or a moment of encouragement—can change the course of a life.
Lena has told us; “I am delighted to be taking the next step in my scientific career back at RGU. My long-term connection with the university, from the research when I was a child to completing my undergraduate degree there, makes it all the more special. Seeing the legacy that CFUK left all those years ago is remarkable, from the equipment still in use, to the staff who studied Cystinosis still lecturing at the institution today. It feels so good to be back! And I am excited to see how the next 4 years unfold.”