Luke Ventures To Harvard To Finish His Medical Science Research
We spotted on the OPs Facebook account - www.facebook.com/old.princethorpians - that OP Luke Tillman is spending a year at Harvard University. He takes up his story below.
I joined Princethorpe in 2007 at the tender age of 11, entering form 7AD with the great Mr Darkes as my form tutor. I was immediately welcomed into the great community the school has to offer and quickly felt that I was joining much more than just a college. Princethorpe inspired me to work hard at my academics and aspire to achieve in whatever field I followed. I will always be grateful for their nurturing support and guidance.
After life at Princethorpe I attended King Edward VI Grammar school (KES) in Stratford Upon Avon. My new school brought with it new challenges and new aspirations but it could never replicate the welcoming community that Princethorpe so naturally provides. It was here, however, that my desire to study in the medical field was first realised. I elected to study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Geography and I’m happy to admit that I applied for Medicine with no success.
In 2014 I left KES to begin studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science at Exeter University. For the first time I felt exposed to new cutting edge science that has the potential to impact healthcare. Since my first year of A-level study I was certain that this was the field for me – I wanted to place my impact on the world no matter how big or small. It is also at Exeter that I discovered the opportunity to study at Harvard.
As part of my degree programme, students may elect to extend their degree by an additional year by conducting research. Many choose to remain in the UK but I must admit, there was something quite exciting about going to the US. I applied to Harvard in September 2016 and was elated to be accepted into the Wessling-Resnick Lab at the University’s School of Public Health. I am now conducting research into the effects of dietary metals such as Manganese, which in excess can cause Parkinsons-like symptoms and has been heavily linked to Alzheimer’s disease. I hope to publish my work before I leave this June.
I continue to aspire to study medicine and hope to apply to Medical School when I return to the UK. As I mentioned earlier I had previously tried and failed at this endeavour but I was taught never to give up on your dreams, a lesson I owe greatly to the wonderful deputy head during my time at Princethorpe – Mrs Sue Millest.
I ultimately want to thank Princethorpe for all that they did for me, they brought the best out of me and helped me achieve. I will always be proud to be an Old Princethorpian.
Thank you to Luke for taking the time to share his update - it is great to hear what you have been up to and lovely to know that you still think fondly of Princethorpe!