HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCH EXPEDITION: BOLIVIA, 2021
APEX was founded by medical students at the University of Edinburgh in 2001. Since then, hundreds of students have taken part in expeditions investigating the effect of altitude and hypoxia on the human body. The latest expedition, APEX 6, will be in June 2021 after being postponed due to COVID-19...
THE ITINERARY
The APEX 6 expedition will begin on in La Paz (3700m) for an initial acclimatisation period of 5 days, before we ascend to our base on Huyana Potosi (4700m). We will stay on Huyana Potosi for 8 days.
Data and sample collection will be carried out during the acclimatisation phase in La Paz and throughout our time at Huyana Potosi.
The expedition will conclude on our return to La Paz.
RESEARCH DURING APEX 6
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Apex 6 will be lead by five Medical Students from the University of Edinburgh.
VOLUNTEERS
APEX6 has recruited a fantastic group of volunteers. Meet the rest of the team!
Gavin Woodbridge
Gavin is a sixth Year Medical Student at the University of Edinburgh, navigating his way throughclinical attachments. He has so far gained interest in Emergency Medicine, General Medicine or
Practice and Remote and Rural Medicine. Holds a strong interest in natural history, particularly bird – current President and founding member of Edinburgh University Ornithological Society.
Chris McColm
Chris is a sixth year medical student with an interest in sports medicine and surgery. Outside of medicine he loves all things sport, especially cycling – this is what he’ll miss most on the APEX6 trip! Having never visited South America before he can’t wait to get out there to explore.Thomas Park
Tom is a third-year medical student at the University of Edinburgh. He is looking forward to getting his first real taste of medical research, and for it to happen in such an amazing place. In his spare time, he’s often found on a run, on a bike or in the kitchen.Lizzie Drinkwater
Lizzie is a fourth year medical student, intercalating in Neuroscience. She is excited to discover more about what happens to her body at high altitude and to explore the beautiful landscapes of South America whilst also seeing some Alpacas!Maeve MacLeod
Maeve is a 4th year medical student. After giving myself a year off from examsduring my intercalated she has decided to squeeze in a little science this summer before clinical
years hit. She love travelling and is excited to explore South America, fill up on local cuisine
and then work it all off with un poco de salsa dancing.
Gemma Woodhead
Gemma is a fourth-year medic who loves the outdoors and enjoys cycling and running. Having never visited South America before, she is really excited to be a part of APEX6 and looking forward to exploring this part of the world!Amy Lussiana
Amy is a third year medical student at the University of Edinburgh. She spends most of her free time playing volleyball, dancing bachata or cooking Italian food for potlucks. She’s a keen traveller but APEX 6 will be her first time in South America!Eilish Murphy
Eilish is a fourth year medical student, currently intercalating in primary care. When not working in the North face shop, she enjoys being outdoors, particularly in the high mountains. She can’t wait to head out to Bolivia and be part of the APEX6 expedition.Cameron Peattie
Cameron is a second year medical student interested in sports and expedition medicine and orthopaedics. Cameron loves the outdoors and travelling, and has always wanted to travel in South America so can't wait for the expedition. Outside of medicine, Cameron loves most sports including football and basketball and loves music.Danial Imseeh
Daniel is a second year medical student volunteering for APEX 6. He loves to travel, dabble with magic, and practice with his Bo-staff. He is very excited to see South America for the first time, and is keen on practicing the 3 years’ worth of Spanish that he forgot.Robbie McLaren
Robbie is a fourth year medical student currently intercalating in Health Sciences-Academic Medicine. He first heard about the APEX expeditions a few years ago and have been really keen to go on one since. Outside of uni he love being outdoors with interests in running, cycling, mountaineering, skiing… the list goes on!Vivien Jowett
Vivien is a third year medical student at the University of Edinburgh. When not studying, Vivien enjoys travelling and long walks with her dog through the countryside. Vivien took a year off before coming to university and is keen to jump back into travelling.Isla Petrie
Isla is a third year medical student and is looking forward to her first apex expedition to Bolivia. She is excited to explore South America and gain first hand experience into the research and the data collection process. She is keen to develop her Spanish and fitness on the beautiful hikes across the South American vista.Ella Crowther
Ella is a third year medical student (unfortunately that’s not her degree in the picture!). Outside of medicine, she likes riding ponies and playing the violin at a questionable standard. She loves the outdoors and is very excited about getting to explore completely new scenery, having never been to South America before!Max Zinn
Max is a Year 5 Medical Student at the University of Edinburgh with a love of travel, food and all things outdoors. His goal is to visit every continent and looks forward to exploring Bolivia and South America while also broadening his experiences of research outside of the lab.Heather McAdam
Hi! I’m Heather, a fourth year medical student intercalating in Global Health Policy. Alongside my studies, I enjoy advocating for better mental health and wellbeing through research, volunteering and running a peer support group. I am also a keen traveller, having travelled through over 50 countries via tuk tuk, slow boat, kayak and more! South America is the only continent I have not visited and I am keen to learn about a new mix of cultures there.Louisa Cary
I’m a fifth-year medical student, with an interest in space medicine. I love traveling (hopefully out of this atmosphere in the near future!) and climbing. This will be my first time in South America- I’m excited to join this amazing group to see all that it has to offer.India Daniels
I'm a Year 5 medical student who loves being up mountains and on the sea. Being in the Andes has long been a goal of mine and so I'm really looking forward to the expedition and getting a taste of extreme medicine research.Katharine Welch
I am a fifth year chemistry student at the University of Edinburgh and am really excited to travel to South America for the first time. Outside of chemistry I enjoy dancing with the university and you can always find me relaxing with a good book!ENDORSEMENTS
SPONSORSHIP AND GRANTS
APEX 5 has been fortunate to be sponsored by the following organisations. We thank all of our sponsors for their continued support for our expedition.