Category: Student Profile

Celebrating this year’s BSc prize winners

Each year, NHLI awards academic prizes to the most exceptional students on our BSc courses.

This year’s awardees were:

BSc Remote Medicine

  • Aastha Mundra was awarded the Remote Medicine Prize – Best Overall Performance and was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize (for the student with the highest overall project score)
  • Hadrien Janbon was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement (for consistent high marks and high peer score)

BSc Translational & Respiratory Medicine

  • Katerina Sini was awarded the Ian J Stolow Prize – Best Overall Performance
  • David Yeoh was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize
  • Amy Curry was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement

BSc Cardiovascular Sciences

  • Yashwin Shyam was awarded the Agnes Cope Prize – Best Overall Performance and was nominated for the St Mary’s Development Trust Prize
  • Vin Gomes was awarded the NHLI Prize for Outstanding Achievement

We spoke to some of this year’s awardees about their time at NHLI, what they have learnt, and their plans for the future.

Aastha Mundra

What led you to studying BSc Remote Medicine?

I chose BSc Remote Medicine because I wanted an intercalated year that offered something different from traditional clinical medicine. I’d heard from older years that it was a sociable and engaging course, with a field trip to Brecon Beacons, and I was excited by the opportunity to explore areas of medicine that most medical students never have the chance to experience.

As someone who enjoys sport and the outdoors, the idea of learning how to manage medical emergencies in challenging environments really appealed to me. The course promised a unique perspective on healthcare, combining clinical medicine with research, human factors and decision-making in austere environments, and it certainly lived up to those expectations.

What have you enjoyed the most about the course, and what has been the biggest challenge?

One of the highlights of the course was the people. Our cohort included students from a wide range of backgrounds and universities, and spending time together during our field trips made it easy to build lasting friendships. I also loved hearing from guest speakers, including researchers working with international space agencies, whose experiences really broadened my perspective on where medicine can be practised.

The practical elements of the course were equally memorable. One of our ICAs involved a remote field exercise where we responded to a series of simulated medical emergencies, including a scuba diving incident, using only the limited equipment available to us. It was a brilliant way to apply clinical knowledge while thinking creatively under pressure.

The biggest challenge was learning to make clinical decisions when you don’t have the investigations, equipment or specialist support that we’d normally rely on in hospital. It pushed me to develop stronger clinical reasoning and become more confident making decisions with the information available.

What are the main lessons that you will take away from the course?

The biggest lesson I’ve taken away is that good medicine isn’t defined by the resources around you, it’s about your ability to think critically, adapt and make the best decisions for the patient with what you have. The course taught me that practising medicine in remote or austere environments requires a very different approach from working in a hospital, with greater emphasis on clinical reasoning, teamwork and resourcefulness.

I’d encourage any medical student considering an intercalated BSc to choose Remote Medicine. It offers experiences and perspectives that are unlike anything in the standard medical curriculum, and the skills I developed – particularly in clinical problem-solving and adapting to unfamiliar situations – will stay with me throughout my career.

Katerina Sini

What drew you to the Translational and Respiratory Medicine BSc?

What drew me to TRM was its combination of clinical relevance and strong research focus. During my earlier years of medical school, I encountered respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD across a wide range of clinical settings. Seeing how commonly these conditions affect patients, I felt that studying respiratory medicine in greater depth would be both interesting and highly relevant to my future practice.

I was also drawn to the translational nature of the course and its focus on bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care. The opportunity to gain experience in laboratory-based, clinical, and data-driven research appealed to me, as it would allow me to explore different areas of research, develop a broad range of skills, and gain a clearer sense of which areas interest me most.

How have you found the experience of studying at NHLI?

Studying at NHLI has been a rewarding experience. I have valued the opportunity to learn from individuals who are true experts in their fields, and I felt truly supported by the teaching team throughout the year. This created a welcoming and encouraging environment which helped me make the most out of my BSc.

What are your plans and ambitions for the future?

Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing my research skills alongside my clinical training and to keep research as a meaningful part of my future career, regardless of the speciality I eventually choose. This year has given me a strong foundation to build on as I continue through medical school.

Yashwin Shyam

Why did you choose to study the Cardiovascular Sciences BSc?

My interest in cardiology began during my clinical placements, where I was first exposed to the specialty and quickly realised how much I enjoyed it. Wanting to explore the field beyond what I was learning in medical school, I took on a research project at the NHLI in my second year, focusing on the electrophysiology of the heart and cardiac arrhythmias. Being involved in research gave me a completely different perspective on cardiology and showed me how exciting the field is, both clinically and academically. It sparked a real curiosity to understand the science behind cardiovascular disease and how research can shape future patient care. By the end of the project, I knew I wanted to learn more, so choosing the Cardiovascular Sciences BSc felt like the natural next step.

What has been the highlight of your time on the course?

I think the highlight of the course was the opportunity to work alongside doctors and researchers who are leaders in their field. Not only did this give me an incredible platform to learn from experts, but it also allowed me to build my network and contribute to cutting-edge cardiovascular research. The research project was especially enjoyable, as it gave me the chance to explore a topic I was genuinely interested in, develop new research skills, and experience what it is like to be part of an active research team tackling real-world scientific questions.

If you could give incoming CVS BSc students one piece of advice, what would it be?

The Cardiovascular Sciences BSc has a reputation for being challenging, and that’s probably what every older-year student will tell you! But if you genuinely enjoy learning about cardiology and are curious about the science behind it, you’ll find the course incredibly rewarding. My biggest piece of advice would be to start reading research papers early and as often as you can. Not only will this help you build your knowledge, but it will also teach you how to critically analyse research and understand how scientific papers are written, skills that are invaluable and are assessed throughout the course.

To find out more about the BSc courses offered by NHLI, please visit our website.

Student Journey: Top Tips for Thriving as a Postgraduate at Imperial

MSc in Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies student Harriet Ashley“The MSc course has a very strong community. One thing that stood out was how much more discussion is encouraged in class rather than passive learning.”

Harriet Ashley is a current MSc in Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies student and one of the recipients of the Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells Scholarships 2025/26. Let’s hear about what inspired her to pursue science at Imperial and some top tips to make the most of the Imperial experience.

 

What first inspired you to pursue Biological Sciences at Imperial, and how did that experience shape your decision to progress into the MSc in Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies?

When I was at my sixth-form college, I had very inspiring A-level Biology and Chemistry tutors. My Biology tutor built an environment where every student was seen and challenged and they encouraged us to read more about biology through her weekly book recommendations. I remember learning about CRISPR for the first time in Jennifer Doudna’s book A Crack in Creation and discussing in length the impact that gene editing technologies could have in future scientific research with my tutor. Skipping to 2026 and I’m now utilising CRISPR-Cas13 in my own master’s project to speed up the test control process of cell and gene therapies. To this day, I’m still grateful to her for encouraging my curiosity, having thoughtful discussions with me and inspiring me to continue Biological Sciences into undergraduate level. My Chemistry tutor studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and growing up near Doncaster, this isn’t a background you come across often. I’m grateful to him for giving me the confidence and resources to aim high for top universities like Imperial College London which I initially believed were unreachable.

Applying to Imperial for Biology was 100% the right decision for me and I’ve found the last three years nothing short of exceptional, having loved every moment of my course and all the friendships I’ve made along the way. Biology at Imperial has given me a range of opportunities, including studying abroad in Germany, joining the netball team as well as getting to join an Imperial research group for a 10-week project for my final year dissertation. With the early exposure to research that I’ve had during my undergrad, I was confident that I wanted to stay at Imperial to do my master’s. The MSc in Genes Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies stood out to me because of the opportunity to do a six-month research project in the industry, which I am currently undertaking at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult at Guys Hospital.

How has the transition from the BSc to the MSc felt for you?

As with any course at Imperial, the undergraduate Biological Sciences course is equally challenging and rewarding. Studying for exams over the holidays, pulling all-nighters in the library and full days in the lab have given me a lot of resilience and confidence in myself. Therefore, the transition to the workload of an MSc has been somewhat more manageable. Transitioning with some course mates from my BSc has also helped to build a more supportive environment. The course conveners and the lecturers have been very transparent from the start, creating a very welcoming environment. I feel that the course has been designed very well to encompass students from a range of backgrounds in life sciences, medicine and pharmacology to bring them to the same level, helping to ease the transition.

Could you share a module, a project or a session from the MSc that has had the biggest impact on your career aspirations?

One of my favourite parts about the course is the fact that for every session in each module, we have a guest speaker from a different department or institution, and this has helped me network and open my mind to a range of diverse perspectives. One of the most impactful lectures we had was about the application of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry, delivered by Dr. Andrée Bates from Eularis. The session explored how AI is transforming the drug development pipeline, from target identification and molecule design to clinical trial optimisation and regulatory processes and introduced me to new fascinating concepts like digital twins. Seeing strong female leadership in a highly technical field also reinforced the importance of representation in STEM. This has motivated me to pursue a career in innovative, technology-driven areas of the pharmaceutical industry.

How would you describe the community within the MSc programme? What makes it stand out?

The MSc course has a very strong community with regular socials held by the course reps every month. The staff are also very approachable and welcome any questions during or after lectures. One thing that stood out comparing to undergrad was how much more discussion is encouraged in class rather than passive learning, allowing the students and staff to learn from one another. Since starting my master’s project at a company, I have not felt disconnected from the course. My imperial supervisor still catches up with me regularly and there is also a range of events scheduled during the project phase such as an interim project presentation and a course cohort picnic!

Receiving the Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells Scholarship must have been a great moment! What did it mean to you, and what top tips would you share with future applicants who are planning for MSc study?

Funnily enough, I received the email that I’d been awarded the NHLI scholarship while I was working over the summer in London to save up for my master’s. Imperial attracts students from a multitude of backgrounds, and I soon learnt that not everyone has the same appreciation when it comes to finances. As someone who has worked throughout sixth form and during exam seasons, money was something that I thought about a lot and I suffered from quite bad imposter syndrome at the start of university. Whilst I was lucky enough to have support from family, I still had to support myself for general living expenses and costs. My top tips for funding an MSc study would be to apply for the full student loan from student finance England if you are a home student as it is not means-tested for postgraduate study. When you’re applying for courses, remember to check if the department offers their own internal scholarship for that course as well as checking what scholarships or bursaries the university offers and if you’re eligible to apply.

In terms of budgeting for your living expenses whilst studying your master’s, my best advice would be to get a summer job or internship and save up before you start the course. Imperial also offers plenty of student-friendly job opportunities during term time with very good pay. Some of these roles include being a student ambassador, a welcome ambassador, working as a graduate training assistant (GTA), working at the union bar or part time tutoring (and much more!)

If you experience any financial stress during your master’s programme, Imperial has plenty of services to help you deal with this including counselling services to help you navigate your options as well as a hardship fund which you can also apply for during term time for unexpected circumstances.

What advice would you give to students who are considering applying but feel unsure if this is the right programme for them?

If you’re interested in working in any aspect of advanced medicinal therapeutics such as cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, organ printing, tissue engineering, monoclonal antibody therapies or neurotechnology, then this course is for you. Whether you want to learn more about the intricacies of the science behind these therapies, or you’re interested more in the IP, commercialisation and distribution of these therapies, then this course covers both aspects in detail in the first six months. In the last six months, you will undertake an integrated research project. This can either be a laboratory project based at Imperial, a placement in industry or an international project at another university. The connections of the course offer so many opportunities with industry partners and university partners.

The course also attracts people from different backgrounds including biology, biochemistry, medicine, pharmacology and engineering, so don’t be afraid to apply regardless of your background!

Looking ahead, how do you think this MSc is shaping your future?

I’m currently undertaking a placement at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, where I’m investigating how we can optimise methodologies to identify miRNAs that reflect the cellular state to help increase the efficiency of assessing critical quality attributes during the manufacturing of the cell and gene therapies. I have learnt so much during this degree and my company placement about the drug discovery pipeline, the pharmaceutical industry and the commercialisation of new drugs and advanced medicinal therapies. Being given the opportunity to work in industry for six months has helped solidify my understanding of how academic research translates into real-world clinical and commercial applications. I am excited to advance my career in industry, whether that be biotech or pharma, and this master’s has given me the knowledge and relevant experience to do so.

Lastly, if you could describe your MSc experience so far using only three emojis, which ones would you pick and why?

I’ve picked the scientist because this course not only teaches you the core content for your chosen field in advanced therapies, but you get to put all your knowledge into practical experience with the six-month lab-based project!
I’ve chosen the sunset over the city emoji because of how beautiful of city London is! There’s always so much going on and sites to see, new restaurants to go to and exhibitions to visit! You’ll never get bored.
Finally, I’ve chosen the love letter emoji to represent the valuable friendships that I’ve made during my time at Imperial, which will last a lifetime!

 

To learn more about the MSc in Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies and the postgraduate programmes offered by the National Heart and Lung Institute, please visit our Postgraduate taught website.

 

Connecting with patients and learning from the experts: Inside Imperial’s Medical Ultrasound MSc

“Learning a new skill in the medical field in 12 months sounded ridiculous, but it’s achievable if you put in the work.”

Balancing academic study with networking and even running a university society, we speak to Shahd Najjar about her experience on Imperial’s Medical Ultrasound (Vascular) MSc.

The Medical Ultrasound (Vascular) MSc gives students the opportunity to explore the scientific theories of medical ultrasound, before developing their skills on a placement in a hospital department.

Shahd tells us about what she learned from her time studying the course, and offers advice to prospective students.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to Imperial? 

I am an international student from Saudi Arabia. After finishing my BSc in Neuroscience, I was a bit lost and noticed that my degree lacked practice and actual life skills; I had only gained theoretical knowledge. The MSc course at Imperial was interesting, top-rated and more importantly, gave me hands on experience. 

What inspired you to pursue an MSc in Medical Ultrasound? 

Medical Ultrasound is an amazing for diagnosis and pre-surgical planning. The amount of knowledge that can be acquired through one scan is baffling.  

What have been the most valuable skills or knowledge you’ve gained from the course?  

During my hands on work with the NHS, I had the amazing chance to connect with patients, speak to them and perform scans. 

What is the most important thing you learned from Dr Mohammed Aslam, the course director? 

I observed him work for a full shift, skipping his lunch hours just to make sure patients are not waiting for too long in the waiting room. He makes sure that each scan is thorough, precise, and all the requirements of a scan are met. His work ethic is amazing and should be learned from – no matter how tired he is, he gives 100% to patients and not only that, he is so dedicated to his students.   

Were there any particular modules, projects, or experiences that stood out to you? 

One great thing was attending so many conferences during this degree. Talking to professionals and innovators in the field gave a real taste of the job and helped me in shaping my future career plans. 

How do you see this course influencing your future career or educational path? 

I’ve learned a lot, talked to a lot of people, and connected with NHLI community. I attended a workshop with Dr Barbara Casadei; it was amazing to have the opportunity to speak to her and learn about her plans. 

What have you gained from your time at Imperial, professionally, academically, and personally? 

Learning a new skill in the medical field in 12 months sounded ridiculous, but I have realised that learning something new and developing new skills is achievable if you put in the work. 

Has anything surprised you about the course or your time at Imperial? 

I was surprised to see that a work-life balance was achievable. I never thought I could have a nine-to-five job, but it was not that bad! Studying and working also seemed farfetched, but I travelled to Europe and fun created memories alongside achieving my academic goals. I also led the Saudi Society at Imperial where me and my team held great activities and had a lot of fun doing so. I was very involved in my university experience, as well as doing great academically.

What advice would you give to future students considering this course? 

Have fun, work hard and never be embarrassed to ask for help. Another important point is get involved and make connections – it is a great gateway to opening up y

our mind. 

How did founding the Saudi Society at Imperial shape your experience here? 

When I first went to the welcome week at Imperial, I was amazed to see that the Saudi Society was inactive, especially since the Saudi community at Imperial is large. I re-founded it and took responsibility by hiring and leading a team. It was very stressful; however, it is such an amazing feeling to lead a group, and now I can still see it thriving! 

What does being part of a diverse academic community mean to you? 

It’s truly inspiring to see different age groups, different cultural backgrounds and academic backgrounds. I learned a lot by speaking and connecting with people. The variety of age groups was especially beneficial to me, as I have learned a lot from the older generation. They had great advice and wisdom. 

What’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects or opportunities you’re currently working on or planning to pursue? 

Yes! I’m working on a patent and founding my own health tech company. Working at the NHS, looking at patients and looking at the problems sparked an idea, although I regret not knowing about Imperial’s great programmes which help start-up companies. So, I advise future students to make use of all resources that Imperial has to offer. I’m doing great things and I’m thankful to Imperial and the NHLI for the opportunity to tell more people about my experience and create connections.  

Find out more about our Medical Ultrasound and other MSc courses.

Meet the 2024/25 NHLI BSc Prize Winners and Nominees

“This BSc has reshaped how I see myself as a future clinician and researcher. These experiences taught me to navigate ambiguity and think critically – skills that are vital in delivering patient-centred care.”

Students on the iBSc Translational Respiratory Medicine course run by the NHLI

Each year, our Intercalated BSc (iBSc) students at the National Heart & Lung Institute (NHLI) are recognised for their outstanding achievements across our three courses: Remote Medicine, Cardiovascular Sciences, and  Translational Respiratory Medicine.

Here are our 2024/25 award winners and nominees in their own words, reflecting on their journeys, challenges, and the impact of their intercalated year at NHLI.

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Growing Through Research: How Personal Story Fuels Research Passion

“NHLI and Imperial in general, feels like a place where, if you’ve got a question, someone will help you find the answer, and often from a perspective you hadn’t considered.”

Yiling Guo is currently pursuing PhD study at the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI). Let’s hear about how her personal experiences inspired and shaped her passion for research.

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Postgraduate Before and After: Navigating Scientific Adventures Through Resilience

“I believe if I get to a good university, there will be good people. They will keep pushing me out of my comfort zone. And that’s why I’m here.”

Abhiram Chakka’s enthusiasm in stem cells research has brought him from India to Imperial College London. Let’s hear how his journey with MSc Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies at the National Heart and Lung Institute has fuelled his passion in stem cells research and inspired him to pursue postgraduate research.

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Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators in Bioscience

MSc Bioscience Futures is the latest addition to NHLI’s postgraduate programme suite which combines biosciences with entrepreneurial, communication and commercialisation skills to address global challenges.

Sana Kardar is one of the students from the inaugural cohort 2024-25 and let’s hear about her experience with the course and how it opens up possibilities to build her own start-up.

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Postgraduate Before and After: A Rewarding Journey to Building a Career in Medical Imaging

“My favourite part of the programme was the clinical placement. As Imperial provides us with the clinical placement opportunities, we don’t have to face the stress of finding our own clinical placement.”

Melika Bankipoufard shared how the MSc Medical Ultrasound (Vascular) at the National Heart and Lung Institute has fulfilled her passion in medical imaging and brought her one important step closer to starting her own clinic. (more…)

Postgraduate Before and After: Integrating Clinical Practice with Cutting-Edge Research

“Getting to Imperial is actually a magic key for other opportunities.”

As an experienced clinician, Awad Algarni has found that the MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare at the National Heart and Lung Institute not only advanced his expertise but also expanded his knowledge base in clinical research.

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