Directory

I studied medicine at Radboud University (the Netherlands). During my studies I realised that, whilst working in medicine is both extremely rewarding and challenging, there are many patients for whom curative treatments are not available. This sparked my interest in translational research; I want to make a contribution to get science from the ‘bench to the bedside’ to improve the outcomes for patients. Therefore, I intermitted my medical degree to undertake an MPhil at the University of Cambridge, supervised by Dr Mark Toshner and Dr Chris Wallace. We investigated the link between autoimmunity and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH); a rare but deadly cardiovascular disease. We found that a significant subset of PAH patients had a clear autoimmune signature. I was keen to further investigate this, which led me to apply for a PhD after completing my medical degree. In my PhD, I aim to identify the mechanisms mediating the link between autoimmunity and PAH as well as biomarkers associated with autoimmunity in PAH. In the future, this may result in personalised treatment and better outcomes for PAH patients. I am delighted to become a part of the community of Gates Cambridge Scholars and look forward to start in Cambridge!

Previous Education

Radboud University Nijmegen Medicine 2023
University of Cambridge Translational Biomed Research 2020
Radboud University Nijmegen Medicine 2019

I am a conservation and sustainability professional, extremely fortunate to have been born and brought up in a global biodiversity hotspot with its own share of opportunities and challenges. My childhood travels across Sri Lanka, Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries and my own family’s mission to live sustainably, inspired a passion within me to study further and work in this field. This led me to pursue a BSc. degree in Environmental Science, Botany and Chemistry at the Bangalore University, and a MSc. degree in Biodiversity, Ecotourism and Environmental Management at the University of Peradeniya. As the first woman from Sri Lanka to earn a LEED Accredited Professional title from the Green Building Certification Institute, USA, I also received a scholarship to the Asia Pacific Leadership Programme at the East-West Center in Hawaii. My career spanning the inter-governmental, non-governmental, academic and private sectors in Sri Lanka and abroad for over 15 years, was integral in identifying the legacy I intend to create. I am now incredibly honoured to join the esteemed community of Gates Cambridge scholars, which will empower me to establish an institution that would facilitate the development of future conservation leaders.

Previous Education

University of Peradeniya Biodiversity Ecotourism Env. M 2017
Bangalore University Env. Science Botany Chemistry 2007

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-m-h-desilva-pandithasekera

Raised in New Jersey, I completed my B.A. in Astrophysics at Columbia University in the City of New York. As an undergraduate, I fell in love with asking the astrophysical questions that lied at the intersection of the blackboard and the computer. During my doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics I will work with the Theoretical Astrophysics group to study the galactic center, focusing on characterizing the fluid and planetary dynamics that govern Super-Massive Black Hole accretion disks and the objects that are embedded within them. Developing theoretical models and computational simulations to study this physics has wide applications to research in cosmology, gravitational waves, and plasma. In addition to my research, I am passionate about democratizing science education and developing a diverse and international community of scientists. The task of pushing the frontier of knowledge and uplifting the human condition is inherently interdisciplinary, international, and difficult, but as a Gates-Cambridge Scholar I look forward to working towards strategies and solutions together with the global and multi-faceted community of fellow Gates-Cambridge scholars.

Previous Education

Columbia University Astrophysics 2023

Hailing from India, I pursued BSc Honors in Chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, where I recognized the importance of ‘excellence’ and ‘service’. There I got the opportunity to intern at the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) and the University of Cambridge to computationally analyze carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and biomolecules respectively, which opened to me multiple avenues to perform experiments sustainably! To delve deeper, I moved to the University of Oxford to pursue MSc in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, where I am currently working on theory and software development. During my PhD at the University of Cambridge, I will work under the supervision of Prof David Wales and use energy landscape exploration methods to analyze stapled peptides, which possess the potential to be used as novel therapeutics for aberrant protein-protein interactions and in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases, etc. Concurrently, I aim to promote science communication between scientists and non-scientists by providing a common platform. I feel blessed to be a part of the passionate Gates Cambridge community as it will empower me to realize my goal of positively impacting global healthcare!

Previous Education

University of Oxford Theoretical Computational Chem 2023
St Stephen's College, University of Delhi Chemistry 2022
Bal Vikas School Physics, Chem, Maths, IP, Eng 2019

I developed a keen interest in researching the interlinkage between anti-racism, Afro-hair aesthetics, and ethnic entrepreneurship as an undergraduate in Political Science and Conflict Resolution at Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia). This nexus was rooted in my lived experience as a Black woman with “kinky” hair. Thanks to further engagement with Afro-hair grassroots organizations, I wrote my undergraduate thesis on the resistance strategies Black women undertake through their hairstyles —an article that was published in a Colombian academic journal. This work serves as the foundation for pursuing my PhD in Latin American Studies at Cambridge. I aim to unveil the extent to which and how entrepreneurial anti-racism might be contesting and reshaping economic dynamics for Black women in the country, crafting different economic narratives and dynamics of local development. Moreover, I did my Master’s degree in Development and Governance at the Universität Duisburg-Essen (Germany) as a DAAD- Helmut Schmidt scholar. My Master’s thesis examined reparation policies and cultural repertoires in Afro-Colombian communities. I have significant working experience in the civil society and corporate sectors in my homeland, Colombia.

Previous Education

Universität Duisburg-Essen Development and Governance 2022
Universidad del Valle Political Science and Conflict 2020

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengiselt/?locale=en_US

At Cambridge University, where I am currently enrolled in an MPhil program and surrounded by hundreds of outstanding young academics, I find myself inspired by the youth voice. It is a great honor for me to be an awardee of the Gates Scholarship again for my PhD program in social anthropology at Cambridge. The experiences I have had both locally and internationally with youth culture have led me to recognize that youth politicisation and social movements are vital elements of our society. Socioeconomic hardships, unequal access to social and economic capital are the issues that underpin social movements in Mongolia. A study of Ulaanbaatar city focusing on its movements will assist us in understanding the complexities of social problems and political activism among citizens. In the broad scope, it covers many issues, including those related to social movements, the realisation of national identity, the impact of digital technologies, the relationship between citizens and the state, and the evolving political landscape.

Previous Education

University of Cambridge Social Anthropology 2023
Free University of Berlin Socialogy and Anthropology 2022
National University of Mongolia Sociology and Anthropology 2014

I grew up in Singapore, where I developed a fascination with history and a love for the natural world. At Harvard, I combined those two interests during my B.A. in History and Anthropology. I have a keen interest in how nature in Southeast Asia came to be understood as ‘science,’ and how both histories of empire and rich cultural narratives can be displayed in museum spaces. During my MPhil in Digital Humanities, I seek to create a database that will bring together disparate archival sources on Southeast Asian natural history and its key people and institutions, including local and indigenous figures. By creating digital resources, working with specimen data, and engaging in online storytelling, I hope to contribute to crucial ongoing efforts to decolonize natural history collections. My research works towards a future with more accessible and racially just museums as spaces of learning and wonder. I am thrilled to join the Gates Cambridge community of scholars this year.

Previous Education

Harvard University History and Anthropology 2023

At Stellenbosch University in South Africa, I studied mathematics and computer science. At the University of Cambridge, I will pursue an MPhil in Advanced Computer Science. My interest in these subjects is rooted in the enjoyment of acquiring a deep and thorough understanding of a topic at hand. This I regard as a process that heavily relies on the development of a suitable formal language. Formal languages are omnipresent in computer science and are fundamental in the development of, for example, network protocols or programming languages. My current research interests lie in the applications of category theory and mathematical logic to formal language theory. I am also interested in the related area of proof assistants and their use in building provably correct software. The abstract nature of these topics leads to potential applications in a wide range of subjects. Thus, I hope to be an inspiration to and equally be inspired by the multidisciplinary and diverse Gates Cambridge community.

Previous Education

University of Stellenbosch Mathematics 2022
University of Stellenbosch Mathematics 2021

Plato and Aristotle agreed that we cannot begin to reach for the fruits of philosophy—scientific knowledge, wisdom, self-understanding—without the feeling of wonder. When motivated by power, fame or wealth, truth-seeking inquiry will likely amount to little more than clever sophistry. Wonder, they thought, is the one and only starting point of philosophy.

My PhD thesis investigates how Plato and Aristotle understand wonder and its role in philosophical life. What provokes wonder? Does it persist in the proper culmination or realisation of philosophy? And in what circumstances can the feeling be deceptive or even dangerous?

This research builds on my interest in Pierre Hadot’s idea of ancient philosophy as a way of life and expands on my master’s thesis on wonder in Plato’s Theaetetus. As a tutor and research assistant of many years at my home university in Tasmania, I am also interested in how aspects of my project can be used to advocate for the humanities, defend the virtues of basic research, and inspire learning in the classroom, lecture theatre, and beyond.

Previous Education

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Ancient Philosophy 2019
University of Tasmania [No major] 2015

At Middlebury College I pursued an independent major in Disability Studies and Social Determinants of Health. My junior thesis excavated the stories of women incarcerated against their will in United States asylums. I used theories of disability to conduct twenty interviews with people with disabilities in corporate positions. When employees do not disclose disabilities, companies do not grant workplace accommodations or include people with disabilities in diversity metrics. As a result of my studies the Middlebury Center for Career and Internships created a position where I serve as a peer-specialist in career counseling for students with disabilities. I continued this work as a disability policy intern for the Senate HELP Committee I collaborated closely with disabled constituents and advocacy organizations, As a student of history and both gender and disability studies, I am drawn to Cambridge’s MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society as a program that will let me weave together these distinct disciplines. This degree will prepare me for a future career in disability policy and accessibility. Ultimately, studying at Cambridge will equip me to help reshape institutions and create a more accessible future.

Previous Education

Middlebury College Disability Studies 2023

Previous Education

Boston University Neuroscience 2021

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinaghosh

I am a young researcher in history of music trained in France (Paris Conservatoire, ENS de Paris, EHESS). My research interests are in contemporary history and include music festivals, cultural transfers between France and England and women musicians.My PhD at Cambridge is untitled « Music festivals in post-war France: International competition, decentralisation and cultural regionalism (1945-1975) ». I will investigate how classical music festivals acted as shelters for stage music in the context of a collapse of the traditional opera system and how a “local” focus was used to promote the idea that some towns had been protected from change in the aftermath of the Second World War, through several case studies (Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Mai musical de Bordeaux, Festival de Royan, Théâtre des Nations).

Previous Education

Ecole Normale Supérieure Musique 2023
Conservatoire de Paris CNSMDP Histoire de la musique 2022
EHESS Musique 2020

Growing up in Houston, Texas, I experienced and saw firsthand the destructive impacts of climate change as hurricanes increased in both frequency and severity over only the last decade. While attending Washington University in St. Louis, I found myself drawn to chemistry not only because of its unique way of understanding our world, but also because of its unmatched ability to drive technological innovation, better the lives of others, and protect our natural environment. During my PhD in Chemistry, I will focus on synthesizing and applying a particular class of supramolecular cages. These complex architectures can utilize host-guest chemistry in a variety of applications related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, from providing a greener way to perform industrial chemical separations to solar-driven desalination. Additionally, I hope to use my scientific background to contribute to climate policy in the ongoing effort to address the complicated, interdisciplinary issue of climate change and its effects. I am honored to join the Gates Cambridge community, comprised of people who are all dedicating their studies to improving the world for both our generation and those that come after us.

Previous Education

Washington University Chemistry 2023

Growing up in a developing country has exposed me to the unfortunate reality of healthcare disparity and inequality. It's disheartening to witness that many modern healthcare technologies are inaccessible to the majority of people in China. However, this experience has inspired me to pursue a career in medical imaging, with a particular focus on developing advanced imaging techniques that can benefit people from all backgrounds. During my Meng degree at Imperial College London, I delved into the intricacies of Diffusion Tensor Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Quantitative Musculoskeletal MRI. Thanks to the generous support of the Gates Cambridge Trust, I'm thrilled to continue my academic journey at Cambridge, where I will be focusing on Zero Echo Time Cardiac MRI. This technology has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of cardiovascular calcification formation and significantly improve our ability to diagnose and manage this medical condition.

Previous Education

Imperial College London (University of London) Biomedical Engineering 2023

As an undergraduate studying geology, geochemistry, and archaeological sciences at MIT, my research interests span the intersections among those fields to better understand how the natural environments of the past shaped human movement and decision-making. I believe that looking to past civilization change can be a powerful means to drive climate activism today, and I aim to apply the lessons learned from my research to inform modern climate policy and industry, especially in my home state of California. As a NOAA Hollings Scholar, I explored impact-driven groundwater geochemistry in the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, and as an MIT Climate & Sustainability Consortium fellow, I have reconstructed late Pleistocene paleoclimate of Northeastern Mexico. At Cambridge, I will undertake a Research MPhil in Earth Sciences with Dr. David Hodell at the Godwin Lab for Paleoclimate, where I will investigate the impact of past climate on the Postclassic Maya city of Mayapán via cave sediment records. My goal is to address resolution difficulties in pairing paleoclimate and archaeological data while contributing to our understanding of human-climate-environment changes in the Yucatán peninsula, especially during times of drought and conflict.

Previous Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Geosciences 2023

Growing up in small-town Germany I developed an interest in foreign languages because I associated with them cultures and places that lay beyond my reach, and which therefore seemed exotic and fascinating. I went on to study general linguistics at the University of Düsseldorf, where I first came into contact with Old English, the language of medieval England before and for some time after the Norman Conquest of 1066. As a consequence of this military and political event, French became an important language in England, replacing Old English - itself the language of previous migrants from the Continent - in some contexts and interacting with it in a way that changed both the French (dialects) of the invaders and the English (dialects) of the conquered. My PhD research is concerned with these linguistic influences, in particular with regard to the orthography and pronunciation of English.

Having been a tutor and student representative at my previous university, I am also passionate about widening access to education and fostering community among students.

Previous Education

Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf Linguistics 2022
Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf Linguistics 2019

There is as much poetry in understanding the brain, as there is science. I had the opportunity to pursue both these during my undergraduate degree at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali. After working on Schizophrenia at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, I completed my final year thesis on memory formation at the Indian Institute of Science. My graduate research at Oxford interested me in examining how brain circuits contribute to mood disorders. The ways in which early-life experiences predispose individuals towards mental illnesses require examining changes in a developing brain. In my Ph.D., I hope to explore how such changes in the prefrontal cortex can lead to the early onset of neuropsychiatric disorders, by examining their impacts on behaviours that are commonly dysregulated across these conditions. Through my research, I hope to identify critical periods of development and arrive at a better understanding of specific prefrontal circuits that can be targets of early intervention.

Previous Education

University of Oxford Neuroscience 2023
Indian Institute of Science Ed & Research Mohali Biology 2022