We are delighted to present the Sixth Edition of the Student Medical Journal! Once again, we are proud to showcase the hard work, dedication, and academic achievements of UCC's medical students through an exciting collection of original research, literature reviews, thought-provoking discussions, and scholarly contributions. This year's edition is particularly special, featuring the Student Research Conference Proceedings, proudly sponsored by Cancer Research @UCC, celebrating the innovative research and scientific curiosity of our student community. As the SMJ continues to grow, we remain incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our editorial team, faculty and peer reviewers, and, of course, the talented authors whose contributions make each edition possible. We hope this edition inspires further curiosity, collaboration, and a continued passion for medical research. Happy reading!