If our VI Form scientists  want to find out more about cutting edge research, then all they have to do is meet up with our ex-student Charith Perera. Charith left us in 2014 and in those 10 years, while working hard to develop an impressive career in academia, he has regularly visited us and been a great role model to our current students. After graduating from Oxford University  in Biochemistry, he went on to complete his Master’s Degree, then a PhD, and is now working at UCL’s CABI,  one of the most advanced biomedical imaging facilities in the world.

Charith came into VI Form recently to deliver a workshop to our Year 12 students based on  his postdoctoral research. He is working on developing new non-invasive MRI methods to study unexplored areas of the brain which one day will help the scientific community find ways of preventing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Our Year 12 scientists gained a great insight into the most up-to-date methods of scientific research, how the scientific disciplines are linked and how they could also pursue a career as a research scientist. "Seeing Charith and his journey as a fellow Preston Manor student to now as a postdoctoral research fellow has inspired me to consider a career in STEM as his work is quite niche but has the potential to have a positive impact on many patients around the world - which is something I haven't previously given much thought to." commented one of our students.

Later on in the year, some of our students will also  be able to benefit from work shadowing at CABI under Charith’s supervision. In this way, we hope to inspire another generation of top scientists!