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Chen a winner in 2023 Lasker Foundation Essay Contest

Ph.D. candidate Allison Chen has been named a winner of the Lasker Foundation's 2023 essay contest.

Meet the Winners of the 2023 Essay Contest and Read the Essays

This year, the foundation asked medical, research, and public health trainees to describe an unanticipated ethical issue they have encountered and the strategies used to address it. Allison's essay, "Research Training in an AI World," was one of five essays chosen.

The winning essays are published in the July 17th issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Allison Chen is a Ph.D. candidate in Cornell's Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering. Her research is in lipid nanoparticle targeted delivery of ubiquibody mRNA in the laboratories of Matt Delisa and Chris Alabi, and she aspires to bring forth novel technologies from the bench to the clinic to advance drug therapeutics. Allison earned her BS in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego and is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She credits many of her scientific endeavors to the support of her great mentors, teachers, family, and friends, and enjoys cooking, reading and dancing in her spare time.

The Lasker Foundation's mission is to improve health by accelerating support for medical research through recognition of research excellence, advocacy, and education.

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The Lasker Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2023 Essay Contest through March 31, 2023. This career- and resume-building opportunity is open to medical students, interns, residents, doctoral and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences and grad students training in health professions.

Now in its 10th year, the contest awards several winners up to $5,000 for educational expenses.

This year’s essay contest theme: “Ethical issues are not always easy to identify. Describe an unanticipated ethical issue you have encountered, or you have seen colleagues encounter, during your training and the strategies used to address it.”

The 800-word essays are due March 31. For detailed guidelines and stories on past winners please see the Foundation’s website .

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Reimagine Biomedical Research for a Healthier Future: Essay Challenge

The Health Research Alliance (HRA) and the Public Library of Science (PLOS) have partnered to launch the Reimagine Biomedical Research for a Healthier Future Essay Challenge.

The biomedical research enterprise experienced a year of reckoning in 2020. Global cooperation to create a COVID-19 vaccine at an unprecedented pace shows the promise of research. Yet the pandemic, the resulting economic and social uncertainties, and the urgency of addressing systemic racial and regional inequities all add to longstanding concerns about the sustainability of the biomedical research enterprise. We need a new vision for a healthier future. The Reimagine Biomedical Research for a Healthier Future Essay Challenge is your opportunity to propose systemic changes that re-commit to serving society and achieving an equitable, diverse, and creative environment for all those working to advance scientific discovery and improve human well-being.

The Challenge

We invite you to submit a 1500-word essay following these submission guidelines . The winning essay will be published in either PLOS Biology or PLOS Medicine, and will also receive a US $5,000 prize. There will also be recognition for up to four essays receiving honorable mentions.

We encourage you to think critically about the current state of biomedical research, globally. We hope our challenge stimulates you to confer with colleagues and consider submitting an individual or multi-authored essay that will propose and elaborate new ideas addressing the challenges for the field – for example:

• Innovative ways to move away from contemporary and reductive metrics of success and towards efforts that measurably improve everyday lives (e.g. advances in diagnostics, therapy, drug discovery, health services, and novel solutions to reduce health inequities).
• Bold ideas to realign incentives for behaviors that advance discovery, support healthcare decision makers, and benefit society.
• New ways to frame transparency and rigor as Open Scholarship values, not just checklists or hurdles, to improve societal trust in science.
• Strategies to build an equitable, open, and transparent research ecosystem that values, empowers, and nurtures diversity. 
• Approaches that depend on creativity and innovation and not on the need for “more” (e.g.  more money, more data, more publications, etc.)

Winner, and Honorable Mentions

The winning essay judged to have the most potential for inspiring change will be published either in PLOS Biology or PLOS Medicine , whichever is deemed by PLOS the most appropriate venue for the essay. It will also be awarded US $5,000.

Up to four essays will be recognized by an honorable mention, and these will be published on the PLOS Blogs Network and will each receive a US $2,500 prize.

The authors of the winning essay, and authors from honorably mentioned essays, will be invited to present their ideas in a Reimagine Biomedical Research for a Healthier Future Symposium hosted by HRA and PLOS in September 2021. 

Deadline: March 11, 2021

This date is the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. It has been chosen to honor those who have experienced so much suffering during this pandemic, and to help convey the real-world importance of this reimagining.

Eligibility

We welcome essay submissions from individuals or from teams, noting that diverse perspectives are critical to solving our most pressing global challenges. Submissions will be considered from those working in academic, private sector, governmental, or non-profit institutions. Authors must commit to abiding by PLOS policies for publication which include Open Access publication under CC BY license, and editorial policies such as disclosure of competing interests. (See full submission guidelines .)

Review Criteria and Process

There is a 1500-word limit to keep essays succinct and to the point. 

You should include a brief description of the problem you propose to solve, and devote the majority of the essay to the proposed solutions.

A panel representing HRA member organizations ( HRA members ) will score applications based on the review criteria outlined below, to create a shortlist of up to ten essays.

• Magnitude of the change envisioned 
• Potential for achieving lasting impact and change
• Novelty and timeliness 
• Feasibility 
• Diversity of thought and perspective 

No single criterion outweighs another; all are important. 

The overall winner, and honorable mentions, will then be selected from this shortlist by the panel of judges, including: 

• Maryrose Franko , Executive Director, Health Research Alliance
• Nonia Pariente , Editor-in-Chief, PLOS Biology
• Lara Bethke , Chief Scientific Officer, Health Resources in Action
• Sindy Escobar Alvarez , Senior Program Officer, Medical Research Program, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
• Susan M. Fitzpatrick , President, James S. McDonnell Foundation 
• Lynne Garner, President, The Donaghue Foundation
• Marc Hurlbert , Chief Science Officer, Melanoma Research Alliance
• Judy Keen , Director of Scientific Affairs, American Society of Hematology
• Amy Laster , Vice President, Science and Awards Programs, Foundation Fighting Blindness 
• Dawid Potgieter , Director, Programs in Discovery Science, Templeton World Charity Foundation

The panel reserves the right to reach out to other reviewers, in confidence, for input into the decision. 

Before publication, the winning essay may be edited by a PLOS editor for length and style to conform to the PLOS  journal format .

Please go to ProposalCentral   and create a user account (or login if you have one). Please note you will need an ORCID ID. 

Under the “Grant Opportunities” tab search for “Health Research Alliance”. Click the Apply Now button next to the Health Research Alliance | Reimagine Biomedical Research for a Healthier Future Essay Challenge .

Any questions, please email: [email protected] .

Author: Iain Hrynaszkiewicz, Director, Open Research Solutions, PLOS; and Chris Heid, Head of Product, PLOS Summary Research by PLOS and Research Consulting…

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Access to raw scientific data enhances understanding, enables replication and reanalysis, and increases trust in published research. The vitality and utility of…

Science Essay Competition

2023 Science Essay Competition

2023 competition theme is " Innovations in Biomedical Science: From Theory to Practice ."

We invite participants to explore the latest scientific innovations and advancements in biomedical science and discuss how these ideas have been implemented to solve real-world problems.

Essays should focus on Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, and Medicine, and be original, well-researched, and no more than 1500 words in length.

To enter the competition, simply submit your essay by email to the address provided on our website or [email protected], along with below information:

- Your full name.

- The name of your school and the year.

- Contact details (Your email address, your phone number, parents/or guidance’s email and phone number).

The deadline for submission is September 15, 2023 .

Our panel of esteemed judges, consisting of experts in biomedical science from prestigious Universities with PhD, MD, or equivalent degrees, will evaluate all entries based on originality, clarity, and scientific merit.

The winners will be announced on our website and social media channels on October 15, 2023 . The top essay from each grade level will be published on our website.

All participants will receive a certificate of participation, recognizing their hard work and dedication to science. In addition to the prizes and the certificates, all participants will receive feedback and comments. Receiving expert feedback is crucial to honing one's writing and scientific skills, which is why we are proud to offer each participant in our competition valuable critiques to help them grow and improve. You will gain invaluable insights from experts in the field, empowering you to take your writing and scientific abilities to new heights.

Evaluation criteria is as below:

1. Originality: Does it offer new and innovative perspectives or ideas on scientific topics? (Essay should not simply restate existing information.)

2. Clarity: Essays should be well-structured and easy to follow, with clear and concise language that effectively conveys the author's message.

3. Scientific accuracy: Essays should be scientifically accurate and supported by evidence from credible sources.

4. Relevance: Judges will assess the essays' relevance to the theme or topic of the competition, and how well they address the specified research question or objective.

5. Creativity: Essays that demonstrate creativity and ingenuity, such as through the use of analogies, metaphors, or innovative approaches to data analysis or interpretation, may be given higher marks.

6. Writing style: Judges will evaluate essays based on the quality of writing, including grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

7. Significance: Judges will consider the overall significance and impact of the research presented in the essay, and whether it has the potential to advance scientific knowledge or benefit society in some way. 

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your passion for biomedical science. We look forward to reading your entries! 

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• Discover pathology
• Competitions

Essay competitions

The College’s two annual essay prizes offer undergraduates and Foundation doctors the chance to take an in-depth look at a particular aspect of pathology through a written piece. This year's essay questions centre around the impact of climate change on health, disease and pathology. 

Prize winners will be awarded £250, will have their essay published on our website and in the College magazine,  The Bulletin , and will be presented with a certificate at an RCPath event.

The Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize

The Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize is now open for 2024. Submit your entry by 23:59 on Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Foundation Doctors with an aspiration to specialise in pathology are encouraged to take part in the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize. This competition offers the chance to explore how pathology makes a difference to patients, as well as a unique opportunity to boost your CV ahead of applying for your specialty training. 

The competition is posthumously named after Dr Hugh Platt, an RCPath Fellow who contributed a huge amount to the work of the College, and to the support of postgraduate medical training in pathology disciplines. 

Subject for 2024

The essay subject for this year is  ‘Today's greatest global challenges and health threats are the result of human activity affecting the natural environment. Discuss, with examples relevant to pathology specialties.'  

Further information about the competition

• The Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize will run annually and is open to Foundation doctors in their first two years of postgraduate medical training
• The Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2024 opens on 18 January 2024  and closes at 23.59 GMT on 8 May 2024
• The essay has to be no more than 1,000 words, excluding references and bibliography.
• A prize of £250 will be awarded to the winning entrant, as well as having their essay published on our website and in the College magazine, The Bulletin .
• Full details, including essay specifications and format, are in the Terms and Conditions document, which can be found below.

Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2024 Terms and Conditions

January 2024

How to enter

Submit your essay in either Microsoft Word (doc, docx) format or PDF format and email it to [email protected] and include subject line 'Foundation Essay Prize 2024'. Please download the front cover below and use it to submit your essay; keep all other pages of your essay anonymous (free of any personal information). The front page will be removed before essays go to the judging panel. Please note that we are only accepting online submissions. Further information is in the Terms and Conditions document below.  

huFoundation Essay Prize documents

Hugh-platt-foundation-essay-prize-front-page-2024,   the paola domizio undergraduate essay prize.

If you are passionate about pathology or are an aspiring pathologist studying any related undergraduate course, the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize is your opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and explore a fascinating subject through writing. 

The competition is posthumously named after Professor Paola Domizio, an RCPath Fellow who contributed a huge amount to the work of the College, and to pathology education.

Question for 2024

The essay question for this year’s prize is ‘Climate change presents a fundamental threat to human wellbeing. Discuss how it impacts health, disease and pathology.’

• The Paola Domizio Essay Prize will run annually and is open to undergraduates studying medicine, biomedical science, veterinary medicine or dentistry.
• The Paola Domizio Essay Prize 2024 opens on  18 January  and closes at 23.59 GMT on 8 April 2024

Paola-Domizio-Undergraduate-Essay-Prize-2024-Terms-and-Conditions

Paola-domizio-undergraduate-essay-prize-front-page-2024, previous prize winners, 2023 winners, hugh platt foundation essay prize 2023 winner - sally ashton.

Congratulations to Dr Sally Ashton for winning the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2023. The essay subject for this year was   'How do you think pathologists will shape healthcare over the next 75 years?'. Download and read Sally's winning essay above. 

How do you feel about winning this year’s Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize?  I’m delighted! It was a lovely surprise to receive the news.

Why did you enter this essay competition?  During my foundation year, I have begun to discover the breadth of pathology and the essay question offered an ideal opportunity to further explore this area.

What is the name of your Foundation training programme?  I’m currently at the end of my F1 year in Wales. My rotations were respiratory, geriatrics and general surgery. Throughout the year, I have also spent one day a week in histopathology as part of a LIFT programme (Longitudinal Integrated Foundation Training).

What do you hope to do in the future?  I’m really drawn to dermatology and also enjoy aspects of histopathology and infectious diseases.

What do you like about pathology?  It is such a wide-reaching, ever-evolving specialty that underpins so much of what we do in medicine and surgery. A lot of innovation arises from improving our understanding of pathology.

What would you say to students who are considering entering this competition?  You might be surprised when researching the essay question by some of the interesting concepts you encounter.

Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2023 winner - Sam Parsons

Congratulations to Sam Parsons for winning the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2023. The essay question for this year’s prize was  ' When the NHS was introduced, it was said that it would care for people ‘from the cradle to the grave’. 75 years later, how does this apply to pathology?'. Download and read Sam's winning essay above. 

How do you feel about winning this year’s Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize? I am thrilled and honoured to have won this year’s Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize. It’s a wonderful feeling to have my work recognised, and I am grateful to the judges for selecting my essay.

Why did you enter this essay competition? Entering this essay competition was a natural choice for me. This year’s topic provided a fascinating opportunity to explore my thoughts on pathology and expand my knowledge. As someone aspiring to pursue pathology, I saw this competition as a chance to showcase my passion for the subject.

What course and year are you currently studying and at which university? I recently graduated from Swansea University Medical School and I'm excited to begin a Cambridge Specialised Foundation Programme rotation, with a particular focus on research.

What do you hope to do in the future? In the future, my aspiration is toward continuous intellectual growth and exploration, with an inclination towards furthering my knowledge within the field of pathology. I am enthusiastic about contributing to the advancement of medical and scientific understanding.

What do you like about pathology? Pathology, to me, represents the epitome of scientific inquiry in medicine. Its etymological roots are the study of disease, and that aspect captivated me from the beginning. The pursuit of understanding and unravelling the underlying causes of disease is not simply fundamental to clinical medicine but is inherently fascinating.

What would you say to students who are considering entering this competition? To all the students contemplating entering this competition, I would say that while medical school can be demanding, don’t let the challenges deter you from pursuing your passions. If you have a genuine interest in pathology, or any subject, seize the opportunity to try and showcase your dedication and talent. Putting in that extra effort can be immensely rewarding.

2022 essay prize winners

Paola domizio undergraduate essay prize 2022 winner: anamay shetty, paola domizio undergraduate essay prize 2022 winner - anamay shetty.

Congratulations to Anamay Shetty for winning the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2022. The essay question for this year’s prize was   'Which one scientific discovery or pathologist has had the most significant impact on medicine/pathology in the last 60 years?' . Download and read Anamay's winning essay above. 

Anamay is a final year medical student at the University of Cambridge, who will be going on to do his foundation training in Aylesbury and Oxford.

How do you feel about winning this year’s Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize? 

I am very glad that the judges enjoyed my submission as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Why did you enter this essay competition?

I heard about this competition from my medical school, and I enjoy writing about medicine, so I thought it was a good fit. The prize money would also go a (small) way to offset the costs from frequent trips home to see my family and London to see my friends!

What course and year are you currently studying and at which university? 

I am a final year medical student at the University of Cambridge, going on to foundation training in Aylesbury and Oxford.

What do you hope to do in the future? 

I don’t know what I want to do yet – I have heard pathology is a good speciality choice.

What do you like about pathology?  

I like pathology because pathology is modern medicine. Prior to pathology developing as a field in the late 19th century, we had made some progress in understanding the body (anatomy, the beginnings of physiology and infectious disease transmission, some bioactive compounds) but we were stuck without a correct theory of how these integrated together. The development of a theoretical base (germ theory, genetic basis of cancer) and the tools (microscopy, IHC, PCR) from pathology meant we could rationally investigate disease and develop treatments which we associate with medicine today.

What would you say to students who are considering entering this competition? 

You should apply for this competition! It is hard to find time to think about medicine broadly in medical school, so it is a great opportunity to write essays like this.

Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2022 winner - Saumya Singh

Congratulations to Dr Saumya Singh for winning the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2022. The essay subject for this year was 'How has pathology changed in the last 60 years?'. Download and read Saumya's winning essay above. 

Saumya is a Foundation Doctor at the Essex, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire Foundation School.

How do you feel about winning this year’s Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize?

I am delighted to have won this year’s Foundation prize. I found this year’s question challenging but highly enjoyable. It was not easy trying to summarise sixty years of amazing advancement in pathology into 1000 words! I am pleased my entry was chosen by the judges.

I am at the stage of my career where I am exploring what to do after my Foundation training is complete. I enjoyed learning pathology at medical school and so I entered the competition to explore more about pathology as a field of work. This year’s question was broad and intrigued me.

What do you hope to do in the future?

I am keeping an open mind about my future career. I hope to complete Internal Medical Training as a first step and have been exploring Infectious Disease & Medical Microbiology by doing a taster week in the specialty.

What do you like about pathology?

I always enjoyed pathology at medical school. Pathology reveals the amazing intricacies of the body and its interactions with the outside world. I find the science fascinating and appreciate how an understanding of pathology aids clinical decision making and communication with patients about what is happening to them and why.

What would you say to students who are considering entering this competition?

I would encourage fellow Foundation Doctors to go for it and enter this competition! There is nothing to lose by entering. I learned a lot about pathology by participating and it was a fun challenge to work on.

2021 essay prize winners

Hugh platt foundation essay prize 2021 winner: maeve mclaughlin, hugh platt foundation essay prize 2021 winner - maeve mclaughlin.

Congratulations to Maeve McLaughlin for winning the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2021. Download and read Maeve's winning essay above.  Maeve is currently in her second year of training at the Severn Foundation School. 

I am delighted, I really enjoyed learning about the subject and found it extremely relevant in the current climate.

The title grabbed me - the world is talking about testing strategies to manage COVID-19 and I wanted an opportunity to educate myself further on the current testing methods, and the future ones we are working towards.

I am hoping to specialise in Intensive Care. I worked there as my first foundation job and enjoyed it a lot. Understanding the underlying pathology helped me come to terms with the complex conditions the patients presented with. I was also redeployed there during the first wave of the pandemic. 

I always enjoyed pathology at medical school, I felt it was the bridge to making sense of disease processes. I feel a good understanding of pathology translates into better clinical practice and improves communication with patients. 

Go for it! It is a great way to learn more about a topic that you are interested in. 

Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2020 winner: Rebecca Sarsam

Paola domizio undergraduate essay prize 2021 winner - rebecca sarsam.

Congratulations to Rebecca Sarsam for winning the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2021. Download and read Rebecca's winning essay above. 

Rebecca is studying medicine at King’s College London and currently undertaking an intercalated MSc in Immunology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She will be returning to the fourth year of her medical degree in August.

Pretty great! It was a bit of a surprise, but a very pleasant one.

The question was a very interesting one, given the events of the last two years, and the competition was a good way to practice essay-writing skills and explore areas of pathology that were only touched upon in my medical course, such as the roles of virologists and immunologists.

I'm not totally sure yet. I've really enjoyed studying Immunology during my intercalation so Clinical Immunology sounds like a good specialty, but I also find Haematology very interesting, and there are still many specialties that I haven't had much exposure to yet.

What do you like about pathology? 

I like how the links are made between a disease process and the symptoms suffered by patients, and how understanding the aetiology of a disease can lead to discovery of  effective treatments.

Go for it! It's an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into an area of pathology that interests you and also to hone your writing skills.

2020 essay prize winners

Hugh platt foundation essay prize 2020 winner: chuer zhang, hugh platt foundation essay prize 2020 - winning essay by chuer zhang.

November 2020

Congratulations to Chuer Zhang for winning the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2020. Download and read Chuer's winning essay above. 

Chuer is a FY2 trainee at   Northern Ireland Foundation School and is looking to make an application for histopathology training.

Very ecstatic! I’m so honoured that the panel liked my essay, and to have the chance to have my experience read by more people.

I came across this competition when I was exploring applying to pathology. The title “Tiny test, huge impact” immediately caught my attention. As detailed in my essay, I have had a lot of personal experience of how a pathology result can change a patient’s course of treatment and ultimately affect their lives and their wider social circle.

The variety it offers – it forms the basis of such a wide range of other specialties. Also, it allows further exploration and understanding of the mechanism of health and disease which I find fascinating.

Definitely give it a go! It makes you reflect on your experience more, and appreciate the role pathology plays in the course of a patient’s treatment despite often being in the background.

Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2020 winner: Harry Adams

Paola domizio undergraduate essay prize 2020 - winning essay by harry adams.

September 2020

Congratulations to Harry Adams for winning the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2020. Download and read Harry's winning essay above. 

Harry is a final year medicine undergraduate at Newcastle University. We found out what motivated him to enter this year's competition. 

How do you feel about winning this year’s Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize?   

I am absolutely thrilled! It has come as a real surprise to me and I am so excited by it. 

Why did you enter this essay competition?  

Due to the lockdown imposed in response to COVID-19, I was unable to complete my immunology research project, which was the final part of my MRes intercalation. Entering this essay competition allowed me to continue developing my writing and research skills, in a topic that interested me.  

What do you like about pathology?  

I like the idea of how through understanding fundamental disease processes, a pathologist pieces together clinical and laboratory findings to arrive at a diagnosis, ultimately helping to understand the presentations of different patients and guide treatment.

What do you hope to do in the future?  

I am still undecided! I loved learning more about immunology over the last year and am torn between the academic and clinical approaches to medicine. 

What would you say to students who are considering entering this competition?  

Give it a go! It is a great opportunity to practice essay writing skills and appreciate topics not usually taught at university.  

2019 essay prize winners

Hugh platt foundation essay prize 2019 winner: keir edwards, hugh platt foundation essay prize 2019 - winning essay by keir edwards.

October 2019

Congratulations to Keir Edwards for winning the Hugh Platt Foundation Essay Prize 2019. Download and read Keir's winning essay above. 

Keir is currently in his second year of Foundation training at Poole NHS Foundation Trust and is hoping to enter speciality training in histopathology. We found out what motivated him to submit his essay. 

Why did you decide to enter the competition? 

During my FY2 jobs in haematology and microbiology I became interested in how we can better explain pathology results to patients. I wanted to explore this further in the essay.

The huge variety it offers; being at the intersection of science and clinical medicine; the people - many things!

Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2019 Winner: Toal O'Connor

Paola domizio undergraduate essay prize 2019 - winning essay by toal o'connor.

Congratulations to Toal O'Connor for winning the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize 2019. Download and read Toal's winning essay. 

Toal is a third year medical student training at Queen's University in Belfast.

It was suggested by the module co-ordinator of my student selected component [SSC] that I consider applying for the competition. Dr Kathleen Mulholland at Altnagelvin Hospital gave us a great introduction to pathology in the clinical setting. The topic also seemed very relevant. I'm a graduate entrant to medicine, previously qualifying as a pharmacist, and genomics will also have a big impact on how that profession works.

That's a difficult one! I'm definitely considering a career as a pathologist at the moment, but medicine's so vast that I'm just taking it one step at a time.

What do you like about pathology?  I find pathology very interesting as it's the foundation of understanding all disease processes in medicine. I also quite enjoy the interdisciplinary aspect of the role of a pathologist and the opportunity to specialise further within the field.

Peterhouse Kelvin Biological Sciences Essay Competition

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Peterhouse Kelvin Biological Sciences Essay Competition! This competition aims to give students the opportunity to explore scientific concepts and topics beyond the classroom, and to engage with scientific research.  

Who can take part?

The Kelvin Biological Sciences Essay Competition is open to students in their penultimate year of study (Year 12 in England and Wales, S5 in Scotland, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or equivalent) who are educated in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Please make sure that you have read the submission guidelines and FAQs sections carefully before entering.

You can read a selection of the winning entries from last year’s competition here ( https://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/essay-competition-winners-2023 )

Submission Guidelines

Your essay should be no more than 2,000 words including footnotes and appendices on one of the four questions listed below. You should include a bibliography and ensure that all sources are referenced. The bibliography is excluded from the word limit. We know that not all students will be familiar with referencing, so you might find the following page from the University which includes a Guide to Harvard Referencing helpful ( https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/Official-Publications/referencing ) . Any other standard system of referencing style is also acceptable. Please note that all work should be your own, should not be produced by Artificial Intelligence, and should not include any work that has been or will be submitted to an exam board as part of your studies. The main focus of your essay should not be material previously or currently being studied as part of your school courses.

There is a maximum of four entries per school, preferably across the range of questions. Please note that this limit does not apply to Sixth Form Colleges where year groups are over 1000 students in size. All entries must be approved by a teacher, so please make sure a teacher at your school knows that you are entering. On the submission form you will be asked to provide a name and contact information for the teacher who will be supporting your application. If more than four entries are submitted by one school, we will contact the referees at this school to let us know which submissions are to be considered. Schools with lots of potential entrants may wish to run their own internal competition before the chosen answers are submitted to us for consideration.

Submissions will close on Monday 29th April at 23:59 pm GMT . We are unable to consider essays which have not been submitted by this deadline.

Your essay must be submitted as a PDF via the following form: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_080XQThHYlhMuPk Please ensure that all pages in your essay are numbered, and that your name and school appears clearly on the first page. You should name your PDF file in the following format: Question number-Surname-First Initial e.g. Q2-Smith-T. Your teacher will then receive an email from Peterhouse asking them to confirm that you are eligible and that your essay complies with our guidelines. They will need to complete this by Tuesday 7th of May – please do make sure that they are aware of this.

Kelvin Biological Sciences Essay Competition Questions – 2024

• Why do duckbill platypuses fluoresce under UV light?
• Mitochondria are always shown as ovals; in reality they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Why?
• Why are there so few venomous mammals and no birds, whereas there are so many venomous reptiles?
• Reintroduction of ecosystem engineers (e.g. beavers) can have major impacts on the environment. What species would you reintroduce (or introduce) to the British Isles and why has this not been done already?

Summary of Key Dates

Deadline for submissions – Monday 29th April 23:59 pm GMT

Deadline for teacher confirmation – Tuesday 7th May 23:59 pm GMT

Can I answer more than one of the four questions for the 2024 Kelvin Essay Competition?

We ask that students only submit one essay per person.

Can I make any changes once I have submitted my essay using the above form?

Please note that once you have submitted your entry it is not possible to make any changes – please ensure you are happy with your work before pressing ‘submit’.

Will I receive feedback on my essay?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of submissions, it is not possible to provide feedback on individual essays.

Why do I need to include contact information for a teacher at my school, and who should this be?

After you submit your essay we get in touch with a contact at your school so that they can confirm you are eligible for the competition, and that the essay is your own work. This can be any teacher at your school who knows you, for example, the Head of Biology, one of your subject teachers, your form tutor, or your Head of Year.

The competition has a prize pool of £750, which will be shared between the winners. Winners will be contacted by email - please make sure your contact details are entered correctly! A prizegiving ceremony will be held in Cambridge in summer 2024.

If you have any further questions relating to the competition, please email us at [email protected] .  

Bookings Open for Online Summer Courses

Essay Writing Webinars

• Thursday, 7th March, 5pm UK time: Essay Writing Essentials: Top tips from a writing expert
• Wednesday, 20th March, 5pm UK time: Q&A with 2023 Essay Competition winners

Watch our Explainer Video

How Our Essay Competition Works

Submit your entry.

Research and write your essay and then submit it, along with your references, via our short form below.

Entries close at 9pm UK time on 31st March 2024 !

Awards Ceremony

All shortlisted entrants and their parents and teachers will be invited to attend our Awards Ceremony in April 2024, where the winners will be announced.

Over £100,000 Worth of Academic Prizes

Free Conference place

The first thousand students who are successfully shortlisted will be awarded a free place at one of our OxBright Conferences (worth £95) in the autumn. Alternatively, you can put this credit towards an Online Course or Online Internship .

All shortlisted entrants and their parents and teachers will be invited to attend our online Awards Ceremony in April 2024, where the winners will be announced.

Matilda Winner, History, 2023

I’m both thrilled and flabbergasted at the outcome of the competition.

Winning this competition undoubtedly made me feel much more confident in researching and writing in my field from now on, opening a lot of new doors for me!

Regina Winner, Psychology, 2023

I’m very happy and grateful to win such a meaningful competition. I truly learned a lot.

My advice to anyone considering entering is to try to think deeper and further about your chosen topic.

Alex Winner, Philosophy, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Entering the essay competition, how will entering the oxbright essay competition help me in the future, why do you run an essay competition.

OxBright is about giving students the edge to help them to succeed, find their purpose and make a difference in the world.

We think it’s the greatest time to be alive, but we’re aware that young people face challenges their predecessors didn’t. We’re passionate about encouraging students to be optimistic about the future by being active thinkers interested in collaborating to create a better future for the long-term. You can read more about this in our Worldview .

Our essay competition combines these two elements – encouraging students to think actively about the future, and giving them tools to help them to succeed.

Who can enter?

Anyone can enter – the only eligibility criteria is that you must be aged between 15-18. You don’t need to have previously joined an OxBright programme in order to take part.

Kindly be aware that to be eligible to take up any of the free places offered as prizes, such as our online courses/internships, winning students must be between the ages of 15 and 18 at the commencement of the programme.

Can I write more than one essay?

Sorry, we only accept one essay per student in each Essay Competition. This is due to the volume of essays we receive.

Can I enter jointly with a friend?

No, we can only accept entries from individuals, and it’s important to make sure that your work is entirely your own.

Is there a fee to enter the OxBright Essay Competition?

No, the essay competition is completely free to enter.

When is the entry deadline?

The entry deadline is 9pm on Sunday 31st March 2024.

Are you connected to any university?

No, OxBright is an independent education organisation which is not connected to any university.

Where can I see the results of the Essay Competition 2023?

You can see the results of our previous Essay Competition, including the winning essay in full, here .

Writing Your Essay

What are the subject categories i can enter for, how long should my essay be.

There are three parts to the essay:

• Essay title: the title of your essay can be up to 100 characters long, including spaces
• Essay: your essay can have up to 3,800 characters , including spaces (this is about 500 words). This includes everything you write, like the main text and in-text citations. In-text citations are little notes you put in your essay to show where your information came from. For example, if you quote something from a book by John Smith, you would add (Smith, 2010, p. 50) right after the quote. These citations are part of your word count, so make sure to include them
• References: as for references, there’s no word limit – you can include as many as you need! These are important for showing where your information came from. Please use the Harvard Referencing Style for your references (you can find how to do this in the guidelines provided here ). This won’t count towards your essay character limit, so please list all the sources you used

What are the evaluation criteria?

We’ll be assessing essays on the following criteria:

• Fluency of written English
• Relevance to the question
• Creativity and originality of ideas
• Use of evidence or examples
• Relevance to the OxBright Worldview

Should I use references?

Please make sure to include references to your sources, using the Harvard Referencing Style (guidelines here ).

What makes a good essay?

Make sure to read our criteria carefully (you can find it in the FAQ above).

We want essays that are thoroughly researched, packed with examples and solid evidence. What really catches our attention are essays with unique analysis. So, we’re not just interested in essays that simply describe things – we want your thoughts, analysis, and fresh ideas.

Don’t forget, it’s crucial to use and mention trustworthy sources for the evidence you provide.

Do you accept personal or descriptive essays?

We’re looking for clear, concise and compelling answers to the question above, written and formatted in an academic style. Please don’t submit personal essays or creative writing samples.

What Happens Next?

When will i hear the results.

We’ll be in touch within two weeks of your entry to let you know whether or not you’ve been shortlisted (all entrants who meet our core standards of relevance and coherence will be shortlisted).

All shortlisted entrants and their parents and teachers will be invited to our Awards Ceremony in April 2024, when the winners in each subject category will be announced.

How are essays assessed?

You can read about the criteria we use to assess your essay in the FAQ above (“What are the evaluation criteria?”).

Essays are assessed using our proprietary system which combines a mixture of technology and personal assessment. Essays which are deemed to be plagiarised or be written by AI will be rejected and our decision on this is final.

There are two stages to our assessment process:

Shorlisting Our first stage assessment reviews whether the essay is relevant and coherent. If so, your essay will be shortlisted, you will be offered a free place at an OxBright Conference and you will be invited to the Awards Ceremony.

Awards Shortlised essays are then given further assessment by our panel. This includes a review of the References. In the application form, we ask for a the name of a teacher who is familiar with your academic work. If your essay is nominated for an Award, we will ask this teacher to confirm that the essay was genuinely written by you.

What are the prizes?

Please click here for more information about the prizes and awards.

Why is the overall prize a place at Oxford Scholastica in 2025, not 2024?

Will i receive feedback.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of entries received, we are unable to provide feedback on essays.

Does everyone who enters get a free place at a Conference?

The first thousand students to who make a valid submission and are shortlisted will be invited to attend an OxBright Conference of their choice, free of charge (worth £95). Conference subjects include Business, Medicine, Law and Psychology. It is optional to attend a Conference.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to choose to apply the £95 credit toward another programme with us.

Does everyone receive a certificate?

Only students who win one of the awards receive a certificate. Certificates are issued in online format.

Do you publish the names of the award winners?

Yes, award winners will be published on our website after the Awards Ceremony.

How can I pass on some feedback about the essay competition?

The 2024 Essay Contest

Identify a specific unmet need in biomedical knowledge or a scientific question that is insufficiently addressed in biomedical research today..

The deadline to submit all materials is April 2 at 2pm US Eastern Time .

Essay must be 800 words or less (figures/references excluded).

At the top of the essay, please include your Name, Institution and Email (also excluded from the word limit).

* Indicates required field

First name: *

Last name: *

Phone number: *

Institution: *

Country of institution: *

State of institution: (If in the United States)

City of institution: *

Current training position: * —Please choose an option— Medical Student Medical Intern Medical Resident Medical Fellow Graduate Student: Biomedical Research Postdoc Fellow: Biomedical Research MPH Student or Public Health Graduate Student Other Graduate Health-Profession Student

Elaborate if you selected "Other Graduate-Health Profession Student" above:

Essay: * Valid attachment types: pdf, txt, doc, docx, jpg Max file size: 1 MB

How did you hear about this essay contest? * —Please choose an option— Friends Lasker website LinkedIn Twitter Other

Elaborate if you selected "Other" above:

Terms and conditions

By submitting my essay, I signify that I agree to the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation Essay Contest terms and conditions:

I grant the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation permission to publish all or parts of my essay on their website and in other venues to promote the Lasker Foundation's Essay Contest.

I signify that I am the sole author of this essay, that all sources of information have been properly acknowledged, and that it has not been published elsewhere.

I hereby declare that I have not used any generative AI tool to produce this essay.

Making it All Fun and Games in the Biomedical Sciences

The author in the lab of Xingxing Zang, Ph.D., where he studies cancer immunology.

Editors’ Note: Today, Einstein M.D/Ph.D. student Peter John was named a winner of the 2019 Lasker Foundation Essay Contest for his entry titled, “Making it All Fun and Games in the Biomedical Sciences”—and we’re pleased to share his entry on The Doctor’s Tablet . The Lasker Foundation, which supports medical research by celebrating research excellence, education, and advocacy, awarded Mr. John $10,000, to be used for educational expenses. 

Over the course of my training in medical science, I have learned two things with great certainty: science is fascinating, but classes are boring. The trouble with classes in the biomedical sciences is that they rely heavily on lectures, textbooks, and other forms of passive learning to deliver information. Paradoxically, we use uninteresting methods to teach exciting subjects, and so fail to intellectually engage students. The challenge for science educators of the future is to find formats that encourage students to actively participate. Could we design an interactive medium that educates, engages, and even entertains its participants? An ambitious idea indeed, but in fact, this format already exists and is known to us under a familiar name: video games.

Video games are extremely popular as a form of entertainment and have become a massive industry. Over 2 billion individuals worldwide play electronic games in some form, generating nearly $138 billion in revenue . Video games are particularly popular among young adults , which coincidently, is the key demographic that take classes in the biomedical sciences. So, video games’ popularity and capacity for entertainment are undeniable, but how can we leverage them as an educational tool?

To better understand the educational potential of video games, we should take a look at the historical strategy genre. Game series such as Civilization and Age of Empires weave together elements of historical civics, diplomacy, and warfare into their gameplay.

Through the game mechanics, players learn about ancient civilizations in surprising detail. In Age of Empires for example, players learn that the Phoenicians had powerful warships, which is both part of the game’s strategy and a historical fact about that civilization. These games are tremendously successful and have even been incorporated into college history courses , proving that an entertainment medium can be successful in delivering scholastic information.

The strength of games lies in their ability to motivate players to learn about the game’s subject in order to win. Games feed our impulse to overcome challenges and solve problems, which has a gratifying and even addictive quality. In a word, games are fun. This motivates players to succeed and improve, which means they must learn more about the underlying rules of the game, be it history or say, biology. Consider Age of Empires again; most young adults would have little reason to ever think about the ancient Phoenician navy, but in the context of the game, this information becomes essential.

So, what might video games for biomedical sciences look like? There are some precedents already, such as the online puzzle game developed by researchers at the University of Washington called Foldit . Here, players are tasked with finding optimal 3D-conformations of proteins, thus learning how protein structure is determined by their constituent amino acids. In addition, consider the popular strategy game Plague Inc., where players assume the role of a highly infectious bacterium, virus, or other pathogen in an effort to spread across the globe and cause a cataclysmic pandemic. In the process, players learn about microbiology, infectious disease, and population health. Plague Inc. became so popular that the Centers for Disease Control became interested in it as a platform for education and public outreach.

In principle, games could be designed for any subject in the biomedical sciences. For example, immunology could be taught through a strategy game format, where players coordinate different types of immune cells to fight off pathogens. Cancer biology could be simulated in the style of Plague Inc., where players control a tumor cell that mutates and acquires the various hallmarks of cancer. Biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology etc. could all be taught through games; the only limit is creativity.

Games also have a long-term, career-motivating effect. This is already recognized by the U.S. military, which has had a long-standing presence in the gaming industry and has even developed its own video games . The rationale is simple: people are interested in careers related to hobbies they enjoy. The National Institutes of Health would be wise to take a page from this playbook and promote game development for the biomedical sciences. After all, there is no better way to reach a wide demographic than by using entertainment mass media. Considering how the film industry introduced many young minds to archaeology with Indiana Jones or to paleontology with Jurassic Park, video games just might be able to inspire tomorrow’s molecular biologists and biochemists.

Of course, electronic games won’t be replacing traditional teaching methods any time soon. Instead, they should be used synergistically and in parallel to classwork and reading, engaging students in the subject matter and motivating them to learn. In this way, science-based video games just might be the impetus that drives interest in biomedical sciences in the next generation.

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SPARC Science

SPARC (Science Program and Research Coach), our student-focused science education programs, deliver engaging, hands-on, age-appropriate science curricula embedded with career awareness and readiness information.

Great Grow Along

Through an animal feeding project with lab rats, this classroom program brings together the scientific method, biomedical research, and nutrition concepts in a fun and exciting educational experience. 

  Students in K-12th grade have the opportunity to win cash prizes, and discover the connection between biomedical research and their life through our essay, poster, and digital media contests. 

SPARC Mobile Science Program

PSBR has launched a Mobile Science Program we call SPARC (Science Program and Research Coach). SPARC allows us to engage schools, communities, and OST programs with educational programs that contribute to the development of 21st century skills while strengthening the regional talent pipeline. Engage your learners, broaden their perspectives, and enhance your curriculum with a visit from the SPARC Mobile Science Program.

Our SPARC program delivers engaging, hands-on and age-appropriate biomedical science curricula embedded with career awareness and readiness information. SPARC demonstrates laboratory methodologies used in biomedical research to introduce concepts surrounding the scientific method, genetic and biomedical engineering, genome editing, nanotechnology, neuroscience, and laboratory animal science. We provide all the equipment, materials, tools and supplies necessary. The content is tailored to your grade level, class time, and selected topic. Our proven approach boosts students’ grasp of scientific concepts and professional opportunities.

Request a SPARC Science Classroom Visit

Our impact highlights, our program supporters, testimonials what they're saying feedback.

Dr. Dave always does a great job engaging students when he comes to my classroom.  He has so much energy and real life science knowledge which is a benefit for my high school juniors and seniors deciding on future careers.  Kids always come in class the next day telling me how much they enjoyed having Dr. Dave talk to them.

The Great Grow Along

I love this project! It is a great way to teach nutrition, English, experimental design, the scientific method, and animal welfare simultaneously. Not to forget students love the project! Authentic project based learning trains students to use multiple disciplines. Also, this trial appeals to the diverse learning styles in a classroom.

Student Workshops

Opportunities to visit Penn State Medical Center and participate in a real experiment/see the animal facilities sparks so much interest and excitement in students.  Kids always have preconceived ideas going into the tour of what a biomedical research facility with animals looks like and this changes many negative ideas.  The small groups are perfect for hands on experiences.

On behalf of Fitler's third-grade class, thank you, thank you, thank you!  Today, we had a visit from the SPARC mobile science laboratory.  To say it was fantastic, is an understatement.  The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  They were engaged throughout the lesson.  It was even more than I had anticipated. Dr. Dave and Ms. Hannah were so encouraging and informative.

Support PSBR and bring biomedical research education to more schools!

Your tax-deductible contribution will allow PSBR to reach additional students through our SPARC mobile science program, the Great Grow Along project, BioEYES, Student Workshops and other educational programs. PSBR accepts donations in any amount from individuals.

The Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (PSBR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit science education organization formed in 1990 by universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical firms, and professional societies to foster a better understanding of the benefits of biomedical research to human and animal health, as well as the necessity for the humane treatment of animals in such research. The goal of the PSBR is to educate the public, including students and teachers in grades K-16, about biomedical research and the vital role the responsible use of animals plays in improving the quality of both human and animal health. PSBR seeks to provide facts to permit individuals or the public to form independent opinions and conclusions about the necessity and benefits of utilizing animals in scientific research. Note: PSBR does not conduct medical research.

Our role is to inform, educate, champion, advocate, and communicate to those who can have an impact on or be impacted by biomedical research- which is just about everyone!

• Helping Animals

Spring & Summer 2024 Admissions Open Now. Sign up for upcoming live information sessions here .

Discourse, debate, and analysis

Cambridge re:think essay competition 2024.

Competition Opens: 15th January, 2024

Essay Submission Deadline: 10th May, 2024 Result Announcement: 20th June, 2024 Award Ceremony and Dinner at the University of Cambridge: 30th July, 2024

We welcome talented high school students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives to the competition.

Entry to the competition is free.

About the Competition

The spirit of the Re:think essay competition is to encourage critical thinking and exploration of a wide range of thought-provoking and often controversial topics. The competition covers a diverse array of subjects, from historical and present issues to speculative future scenarios. Participants are invited to engage deeply with these topics, critically analysing their various facets and implications. It promotes intellectual exploration and encourages participants to challenge established norms and beliefs, presenting opportunities to envision alternative futures, consider the consequences of new technologies, and reevaluate longstanding traditions. 

Ultimately, our aim is to create a platform for students and scholars to share their perspectives on pressing issues of the past and future, with the hope of broadening our collective understanding and generating innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. This year’s competition aims to underscore the importance of discourse, debate, and critical analysis in addressing complex societal issues in nine areas, including:

Religion and Politics

Political science and law, linguistics, environment, sociology and philosophy, business and investment, public health and sustainability, biotechonology.

Artificial Intelligence 

Neuroengineering

2024 essay prompts.

This year, the essay prompts are contributed by distinguished professors from Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT.

Essay Guidelines and Judging Criteria

Review general guidelines, format guidelines, eligibility, judging criteria.

Awards and Award Ceremony

Award winners will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony and Dinner hosted at the King’s College, University of Cambridge. The Dinner is free of charge for select award recipients.

Registration and Submission

Register a participant account today and submit your essay before the deadline.

Advisory Committee and Judging Panel

The Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition is guided by an esteemed Advisory Committee comprising distinguished academics and experts from elite universities worldwide. These committee members, drawn from prestigious institutions, such as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT, bring diverse expertise in various disciplines.

They play a pivotal role in shaping the competition, contributing their insights to curate the themes and framework. Their collective knowledge and scholarly guidance ensure the competition’s relevance, academic rigour, and intellectual depth, setting the stage for aspiring minds to engage with thought-provoking topics and ideas.

We are honoured to invite the following distinguished professors to contribute to this year’s competition.

The judging panel of the competition comprises leading researchers and professors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, and Oxford, engaging in a strictly double blind review process.

Keynote Speeches by 10 Nobel Laureates

We are beyond excited to announce that multiple Nobel laureates have confirmed to attend and speak at this year’s ceremony on 30th July, 2024 .

They will each be delivering a keynote speech to the attendees. Some of them distinguished speakers will speak virtually, while others will attend and present in person and attend the Reception at Cambridge.

Why has religion remained a force in a secular world? 

Professor Commentary:

Arguably, the developed world has become more secular in the last century or so. The influence of Christianity, e.g. has diminished and people’s life worlds are less shaped by faith and allegiance to Churches. Conversely, arguments have persisted that hold that we live in a post-secular world. After all, religion – be it in terms of faith, transcendence, or meaning – may be seen as an alternative to a disenchanted world ruled by entirely profane criteria such as economic rationality, progressivism, or science. Is the revival of religion a pale reminder of a by-gone past or does it provide sources of hope for the future?

‘Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Jürgen Habermas (European Journal of Philosophy, 2006)

In this paper, philosopher Jürgen Habermas discusses the limits of church-state separation, emphasizing the significant contribution of religion to public discourse when translated into publicly accessible reasons.

‘Public Religions in the Modern World’ by José Casanova (University Of Chicago Press, 1994)

Sociologist José Casanova explores the global emergence of public religion, analyzing case studies from Catholicism and Protestantism in Spain, Poland, Brazil, and the USA, challenging traditional theories of secularization.

‘The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Judith Butler, Jürgen Habermas, Charles Taylor, and Cornel West (Edited by Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen, Columbia University Press, 2011)

This collection features dialogues by prominent intellectuals on the role of religion in the public sphere, examining various approaches and their impacts on cultural, social, and political debates.

‘Rethinking Secularism’ by Craig Calhoun, Mark Juergensmeyer, and Jonathan VanAntwerpen (Oxford University Press, 2011)

An interdisciplinary examination of secularism, this book challenges traditional views, highlighting the complex relationship between religion and secularism in contemporary global politics.

‘God is Back: How the Global Rise of Faith is Changing the World’ by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge (Penguin, 2010)

Micklethwait and Wooldridge argue for the coexistence of religion and modernity, suggesting that religious beliefs can contribute to a more open, tolerant, and peaceful modern world.

‘Multiculturalism’ by Tariq Modood (Polity Press, 2013)

Sociologist Tariq Modood emphasizes the importance of multiculturalism in integrating diverse identities, particularly in post-immigration contexts, and its role in shaping democratic citizenship.

‘God’s Agents: Biblical Publicity in Contemporary England’ by Matthew Engelke (University of California Press, 2013)

In this ethnographic study, Matthew Engelke explores how a group in England seeks to expand the role of religion in the public sphere, challenging perceptions of religion in post-secular England.

Gene therapy is a medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the underlying genetic problem. Is gene therapy better than traditional medicines? What are the pros and cons of using gene therapy as a medicine? Is gene therapy justifiable?

Especially after Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, gene therapy is getting more and more interesting approach to cure. That’s why that could be interesting to think about. I believe that students will enjoy and learn a lot while they are investigating this topic.

The Hall at King’s College, Cambridge

The Hall was designed by William Wilkins in the 1820s and is considered one of the most magnificent halls of its era. The first High Table dinner in the Hall was held in February 1828, and ever since then, the splendid Hall has been where members of the college eat and where formal dinners have been held for centuries.

The Award Ceremony and Dinner will be held in the Hall in the evening of  30th July, 2024.

Stretching out down to the River Cam, the Back Lawn has one of the most iconic backdrop of King’s College Chapel. 

The early evening reception will be hosted on the Back Lawn with the iconic Chapel in the background (weather permitting). 

King’s College Chapel

With construction started in 1446 by Henry VI and took over a century to build, King’s College Chapel is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and is a splendid example of late Gothic architecture. 

Attendees are also granted complimentary access to the King’s College Chapel before and during the event. 

Confirmed Nobel Laureates

Dr Thomas R. Cech

The nobel prize in chemistry 1989 , for the discovery of catalytic properties of rna.

Thomas Robert Cech is an American chemist who shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Sidney Altman, for their discovery of the catalytic properties of RNA. Cech discovered that RNA could itself cut strands of RNA, suggesting that life might have started as RNA. He found that RNA can not only transmit instructions, but also that it can speed up the necessary reactions.

He also studied telomeres, and his lab discovered an enzyme, TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), which is part of the process of restoring telomeres after they are shortened during cell division.

As president of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, he promoted science education, and he teaches an undergraduate chemistry course at the University of Colorado

Sir Richard J. Roberts

The nobel prize in medicine 1993 .

F or the discovery of split genes

During 1969–1972, Sir Richard J. Roberts did postdoctoral research at Harvard University before moving to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he was hired by James Dewey Watson, a co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and a fellow Nobel laureate. In this period he also visited the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the first time, working alongside Fred Sanger. In 1977, he published his discovery of RNA splicing. In 1992, he moved to New England Biolabs. The following year, he shared a Nobel Prize with his former colleague at Cold Spring Harbor Phillip Allen Sharp.

His discovery of the alternative splicing of genes, in particular, has had a profound impact on the study and applications of molecular biology. The realisation that individual genes could exist as separate, disconnected segments within longer strands of DNA first arose in his 1977 study of adenovirus, one of the viruses responsible for causing the common cold. Robert’s research in this field resulted in a fundamental shift in our understanding of genetics, and has led to the discovery of split genes in higher organisms, including human beings.

Dr Aaron Ciechanover

The nobel prize in chemistry 2004 .

F or the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation

Aaron Ciechanover is one of Israel’s first Nobel Laureates in science, earning his Nobel Prize in 2004 for his work in ubiquitination. He is honored for playing a central role in the history of Israel and in the history of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Dr Ciechanover is currently a Technion Distinguished Research Professor in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute at the Technion. He is a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Russian Academy of Sciences and is a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences. In 2008, he was a visiting Distinguished Chair Professor at NCKU, Taiwan. As part of Shenzhen’s 13th Five-Year Plan funding research in emerging technologies and opening “Nobel laureate research labs”, in 2018 he opened the Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen campus.

Dr Robert Lefkowitz

The nobel prize in chemistry 2012 .

F or the discovery of G protein-coupled receptors

Robert Joseph Lefkowitz is an American physician (internist and cardiologist) and biochemist. He is best known for his discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family G protein-coupled receptors, for which he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Brian Kobilka. He is currently an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as well as a James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Duke University.

Dr Lefkowitz made a remarkable contribution in the mid-1980s when he and his colleagues cloned the gene first for the β-adrenergic receptor, and then rapidly thereafter, for a total of 8 adrenergic receptors (receptors for adrenaline and noradrenaline). This led to the seminal discovery that all GPCRs (which include the β-adrenergic receptor) have a very similar molecular structure. The structure is defined by an amino acid sequence which weaves its way back and forth across the plasma membrane seven times. Today we know that about 1,000 receptors in the human body belong to this same family. The importance of this is that all of these receptors use the same basic mechanisms so that pharmaceutical researchers now understand how to effectively target the largest receptor family in the human body. Today, as many as 30 to 50 percent of all prescription drugs are designed to “fit” like keys into the similarly structured locks of Dr Lefkowitz’ receptors—everything from anti-histamines to ulcer drugs to beta blockers that help relieve hypertension, angina and coronary disease.

Dr Lefkowitz is among the most highly cited researchers in the fields of biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical medicine according to Thomson-ISI.

Dr Joachim Frank

The nobel prize in chemistry 2017 .

F or developing cryo-electron microscopy

Joachim Frank is a German-American biophysicist at Columbia University and a Nobel laureate. He is regarded as the founder of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2017 with Jacques Dubochet and Richard Henderson. He also made significant contributions to structure and function of the ribosome from bacteria and eukaryotes.

In 1975, Dr Frank was offered a position of senior research scientist in the Division of Laboratories and Research (now Wadsworth Center), New York State Department of Health,where he started working on single-particle approaches in electron microscopy. In 1985 he was appointed associate and then (1986) full professor at the newly formed Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University at Albany, State University of New York. In 1987 and 1994, he went on sabbaticals in Europe, one to work with Richard Henderson, Laboratory of Molecular Biology Medical Research Council in Cambridge and the other as a Humboldt Research Award winner with Kenneth C. Holmes, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg. In 1998, Dr Frank was appointed investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Since 2003 he was also lecturer at Columbia University, and he joined Columbia University in 2008 as professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and of biological sciences.

Dr Barry C. Barish

The nobel prize in physics 2017 .

For the decisive contributions to the detection of gravitational waves

Dr Barry Clark Barish is an American experimental physicist and Nobel Laureate. He is a Linde Professor of Physics, emeritus at California Institute of Technology and a leading expert on gravitational waves.

In 2017, Barish was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Rainer Weiss and Kip Thorne “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”. He said, “I didn’t know if I would succeed. I was afraid I would fail, but because I tried, I had a breakthrough.”

In 2018, he joined the faculty at University of California, Riverside, becoming the university’s second Nobel Prize winner on the faculty.

In the fall of 2023, he joined Stony Brook University as the inaugural President’s Distinguished Endowed Chair in Physics.

In 2023, Dr Barish was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Biden in a White House ceremony.

Dr Harvey J. Alter

The nobel prize in medicine 2020 .

For the discovery of Hepatitis C virus

Dr Harvey J. Alter is an American medical researcher, virologist, physician and Nobel Prize laureate, who is best known for his work that led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Alter is the former chief of the infectious disease section and the associate director for research of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. In the mid-1970s, Alter and his research team demonstrated that most post-transfusion hepatitis cases were not due to hepatitis A or hepatitis B viruses. Working independently, Alter and Edward Tabor, a scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, proved through transmission studies in chimpanzees that a new form of hepatitis, initially called “non-A, non-B hepatitis” caused the infections, and that the causative agent was probably a virus. This work eventually led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus in 1988, for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2020 along with Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice.

Dr Alter has received recognition for the research leading to the discovery of the virus that causes hepatitis C. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award conferred to civilians in United States government public health service, and the 2000 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research.

Dr Ardem Patapoutian

The nobel prize in medicine 2021 .

For discovering how pressure is translated into nerve impulses

Dr Ardem Patapoutian is an Lebanese-American molecular biologist, neuroscientist, and Nobel Prize laureate of Armenian descent. He is known for his work in characterising the PIEZO1, PIEZO2, and TRPM8 receptors that detect pressure, menthol, and temperature. Dr Patapoutian is a neuroscience professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California. In 2021, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with David Julius.

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Student Prizes for Biomedical Sciences and Medicine 2022-2023

Awards and Appointments General Staff and student stories

1 June 2023

Congratulations to all our Biomedical Sciences students and Medicine students who have been awarded prizes during the 2022-2023 academic year.

John Potter Essay Prize

The prize, to the approximate value of £300, is offered annually and is open to clinical students working in Oxford for the Second Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Medicine.

The prize will be awarded for an essay on a clinical neurosurgical, neurological or neuropathological topic. The primary purpose of the prize will be the promotion of sound use of English and clarity of expression in medical writing. 

Joint winners:

• Gabrielle Cognacq, Graduate Entry, Year 3 (St Peter's College)
• Lena Zhu, Graduate Entry, Year 3 (Green Templeton College)

There were a record 13 entries for the prize in 2022/23.  The prize amount is £300 so the joint winners will get £150 each.

General Clinical Studies Prize

• Lottie Cansdal (St Hilda’s College)

Ledingham Prize in Medicine

Prize awarded for outstanding performance in Medicine in the General Clinical Studies Examination in Medicine and Surgery by the Examiners appointed for the Second BM examination:

• Afrose Dor (Wadham College)

Mortensen Prize in Surgery

Prize awarded for outstanding performance in Surgery in the General Clinical Studies Examination in Medicine and Surgery by the Examiners appointed for the Second BM examination:

• James Alden (Green Templeton College)

George Pickering Prize

Prize awarded for excellent performance in the Second BM examination:

• Scarlett Harris (Magdalen College)

John Freind Prize in Medical History

• Alexandra Knighton (Balliol College)

Sidney Truelove Prize in Gastroenterology

Prize, awarded annually to Clinical Medicine students, for an essay on a topic relating to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

• Srishti Rentala Venkata (Keble College)

JL Witts prize in Haematology or Gastroenterology

Prize, awarded annually to Clinical Medicine students, for an essay on a topic relating to diseases either of the blood or of the gastrointestinal tract:

• Beatrice Lander (Worcester College)

Renwick Vickers Prize in Dermatology

• Isabella Busa (Brasenose College)

MEAKINS McCLARAN MEDAL 2023

Prize awarded for the outstanding overall performance of a student admitted to the medicine course leading to the degrees of BM BCh (Oxon):

Sir Roger Bannister Neurology Prize 2022

Prize awarded annually for performance in the Year 5 Medical Student Neurology attachment:

• Desson Au-Yeung, Jesus College

Palliative Medicine Prize 2022-2023

The annual Palliative Medicine Prize is open to all Oxford clinical medical students who are invited to submit an essay on a current topic in Palliative Medicine.  Entrants are expected to demonstrate both a good grasp of the relevant philosophical, ethical and legal frameworks as well as using their experiences in practice as a lens through which to consider the clinical implications for individual patients and families.

• Malaika Ivey, St Anne’s College
• Iris-Mae Morse, Green Templeton College

Andrew Markus Essay Prize in Medical Ethics 2023

An annual student essay prize in Medical Ethics has been established in memory of Andrew Markus. Essays are invited from all medical students that contain an analysis of an ethical issue arising in medical practice, broadly conceived.

• Winner – Antoni Krupa, Corpus Christi College
• Second place – Ariff Castronovo, Pembroke College
• Runners up: Tolu Atilola (Worcester College), Tom Hatfield (Lincoln College), Rebecca Howitt (The Queen’s College), Tara Slade (St Peter’s College) and Morganne Wilbourne (St Peter’s College)

R.B. Duthie Prize 2022/23

This prize fund was established to mark the retirement of Professor R.B. Duthie as Nuffield Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. A prize of £300 will be awarded annually to the best research, audit or quality improvement project undertaken by any clinical medical student in the field of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Trauma or Emergency Medicine.     

• Jesse Kimani, Green Templeton College

Peter Tizard Prize in Paediatrics 2022/23

The prize is awarded annually. The 3 to 5 students with the combined highest scores in the paediatric components of the end of year 5/GE year 3 exam (both MCQ and OSCE) will be invited to give a presentation to two examiners. The most outstanding student will receive the prize.

• Iwan Raza, Worcester College
• Isabella Busa (Brasenose College) and Rebecca Howitt (The Queen’s College) were awarded proxime accesserunt. 

Moher Prize in Primary Care 2022-23

The Moher Prize is the annual year 5 / GE year 3 student prize in Primary Care worth £300. The prize is awarded based upon a submission focusing on a topical Primary Care issue. There were a record 12 entries for the prize in 2022/23.

• Ryan Danvers (Oriel College) - Ryan’s project focused on creating a more equitable pathway for adult ADHD diagnosis in primary care, inspired by prolonged waiting times in the current NHS system.

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