Isabel Candir is a fourth-year medical student, a passionate advocate for social mobility, and the founder of the Leeds Access to Medicine Society (A2M) which was awarded Best New Society at the University of Leeds.
Coming from a low socioeconomic background as a first-generation university student, Isabel understands first hand the barriers that aspiring doctors face. This inspired her to create opportunities for students from all backgrounds, ensuring accessibility in medicine and empowering them to pursue their ambitions. Through Leeds A2M, Isabel and her team have supported hundreds of students by providing support, application workshops, mock interviews, and personal statement guidance. The society has also run free events to support both aspiring medical students and current medical students with their studies and career prospects. While winning Best New Society was a significant achievement, Isabel believes the real success lies in the barriers they have broken and the futures they have helped shape. Beyond her work in widening participation, Isabel is a member of the RAF University Air Squadron, where she has developed resilience, teamwork, and decision making skills under pressure. This has pushed her beyond her comfort zone and shaped her leadership style emphasising adaptability, empathy, and a commitment to the bigger picture. Isabel is passionate about creating opportunities for others and making a lasting impact. At the heart of everything she does is a belief in paying it forward ensuring that those who come after her have the support, confidence, and opportunities to succeed, just as others have inspired her.