Exeter College DPhil student presents research at Houses of Parliament
Exeter College DPhil student Daniela Bermudez Pumasunco (2026, DPhil Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics) was selected to present her research at the Houses of Parliament as part of The Physiological Society’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The Physiology Showcase, held on 20 October 2026, brought together researchers, parliamentarians and policymakers to highlight the importance of physiological research in addressing health and societal challenges.
Daniela presented her DPhil research project, ‘When more blood does not mean more oxygen’, which investigates chronic mountain sickness, a condition affecting people living at high altitudes, including communities in the Peruvian Andes. People affected by the condition produce excessive numbers of red blood cells, yet their tissues may still receive insufficient oxygen. Her research aims to better understand this process and contribute to improved treatments.
The project forms part of an international collaboration combining Peruvian expertise in high-altitude physiology with scientific and technological capabilities in the UK. It is supported by a Wellcome Discovery Award awarded to Professor Francisco Villafuerte (2004, DPhil Physiology) of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru, where Daniela previously studied and worked as a teaching assistant.
The showcase was hosted by Sam Carling MP, Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, and attended by representatives from Parliament and the scientific community. It provided an opportunity to demonstrate how physiological research can inform policymaking and improve public health.
Reflecting on the experience, Daniela said:
“It was a wonderful opportunity to share research addressing a health challenge that is particularly relevant to communities in my home country, Peru, and to highlight the importance of international collaboration in tackling these challenges.”
Exeter College warmly congratulates Daniela on her selection to present at this milestone event and on showcasing her research at the Houses of Parliament.