This week, we shine the spotlight on Alumna Sahar Knight (Class of 2017), who has just graduated from UCL with a First Class Honours in BSc Human Sciences, Neuroscience.
Sahar is hoping to go on to complete her MA at UCL in Biomedical Sciences, to further her research skills and gain more experience in a laboratory environment.
Sahar, how do you think GIS prepared you for university?
University life is very different to high school, but the academic environment and the incredibly high achievements of my peers at GIS definitely prepared me for the intensity of attending UCL.
On top of that, GIS is such a diverse community and my time at the school exposed me to so many new nationalities, cultures and customs, which in turn allowed me to easily connect with and build a wonderfully diverse circle of friends at UCL.
What are your future plans?
Over the last few years, I’ve become increasingly interested in the neuroanatomic basis of depression, and in my undergraduate dissertation I explored Optogenetics as a potential treatment. Next year, I’m hoping to continue along this path and find a role in the healthcare movement which combines technology and biology to create radical and progressive new treatments.
What advice do you have for current students who might be interested in a similar path?
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box a little! Human Sciences isn’t a run of the mill course; it allowed me to be a lot more flexible with my learning and explore disciplines that never would have been available from more conventional courses!
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Honestly, to try to list individuals would be impossible! I’m so thankful for all the wonderful, motivational teachers who pushed me academically, and for the sports department which played such a huge role in my time at GIS. I’m also so grateful to have been a part of the International Award, and for the teachers who never let me give up on myself!
I also have to give a massive shout out to my Mum because, as I found out after leaving for university, I’m pretty lazy and would never have come this far without her constant motivation and effort! Thank you Mum; you’re the best!
And finally, do you have a favourite quote to leave us with?
‘All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’
Congratulations and thank you, Sahar, for taking the time to share your achievements and experiences with us. We are proud of you and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
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