Elena Pera, 29 years old The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy, Brisbane, Australia During my MPhil I developed an interest in ion channels and I decided to follow my interests by applying for a PhD project with the calcium signaling in cancer research laboratory, based in Brisbane, under the supervision of Professor Greg Monteith. I started my PhD in June 2011. My project focuses on the role of calcium transporters and modulators in a specific subtype of breast cancer (HER2-positive). Expression of calcium channels, pumps and calcium channels modulators is known to be altered in different cancers, including breast cancer. However, few studies have been carried out to evaluate changes in the expression of these calcium transporters and modulators in the HER2-positive breast cancer subtype. In my PhD I am investigating the role of calcium channels, pumps and calcium channels modulators on the proliferation of HER2-positive breast cancer, which may lead to the development of new therapy for the HER2positive breast cancers. I would greatly benefit from attending the European Calcium Society meeting as this will give me a unique opportunity to participate in a calcium-centered conference, to listen and meet researchers and important speakers in the field ABSTRACT TITLE Calcium channels, pumps and channel modulators and proliferation of SKBR3 HER2-positive cancer cells.