Post by Niyati Raj

It was an honour and privilege to present my research findings at the HCC-UK Annual Conference 2026 in Bristol last week. My presentation focused on how liver-specific microbiota and microbial-derived metabolites influence metabolic and structural phenotypes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Although presenting always comes with its nerves, I was delighted to share this work, and was overwhelmed by the engaging discussions it triggered and the encouraging feedback I received following the presentation. It was especially rewarding to connect with researchers working in this space. Huge thanks to the organisers of #HCCUK2026 for putting together such a standout conference, and for the opportunity to present and share our data. It is a privilege to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking community. What made this event particularly impactful was the depth of insight across both basic and clinical science, highlighting the cutting-edge work driving HCC treatment and addressing some of the field’s most pressing challenges. On the research front, it was exciting to see growing momentum around defining immune cell distinctions within HCC cohorts, which I believe is an important step towards better understanding disease heterogeneity and enabling more targeted therapeutic approaches. A huge thank you to my PI Antonio Riva, my co-author Wendy Fernandes and my team members at the The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies for their continued support. Looking forward to continuing this work and building on these discussions. #HCC #BASL #GutMicrobiome