Providing crucial support, the College is incredibly grateful for Postgraduate Studentship kindly supported by a Lucy donor

Despite my background in Physics, it is the intersection of Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics that fascinates me most. Interdisciplinary approaches to scientific problems motivate me to continuously ask questions about how and why something happens until I fundamentally understand a phenomenon. I am especially interested in the work at the interface of nanotechnology and physics, aimed to be applied to biological systems. Reading an MPhil in Biotechnology provides me with an interdisciplinary and multifaceted education in preparation for my PhD in nanoscale quantum biosensing with Dr. Helena Knowles and Prof. Mete Atatüre (Department of Physics, University of Cambridge). 

Besides the technical knowledge, the degree does not miss to emphasise the importance of soft skills and industrial awareness. This aligns well with my desire to make use of my scientific findings in order to develop more promising and easy solutions to pressing problems. The ongoing pandemic has, despite its disastrous consequences, broadened the public awareness of the undeniable need for developments in the biotechnological sector. I want to make use of the overwhelming potential that lies within the field and develop high impact scientific contributions to our ever-changing environment that allow for the advancement of our society. Part of this is working towards the creation of more united, interdisciplinary scientific clusters, where researchers and the industry work together towards a joint goal.

Receiving the studentship has been an immense honour for me. I am grateful that my future ambitions resonated with Fellows of the college. I very much appreciate the financial and ideational support of my desire to combine academic and commercial work in order to promote positive change. Moreover, the studentship served as a great starting point for connecting with staff from college, discussing my plans and ideas. Finally, the financial component allowed me to focus on my studies without having to worry about the funding. Especially in this academic year, where many scholarships cut their funds as a result of the pandemic, the studentship relieved me of uncertainty and apprehension. 

I am looking forward to staying connected with Lucy Cavendish and sincerely hope that I will be able to help future students with my own contributions and give back to the amazing community that the college nourishes.