On 23 September, Ms Jasmine Abdy, MSc Genomic Medicine student and recipient of the Lupin Healthcare Scholarship, met with Dr Tim Aldwinckle, Medical Director for Lupin Healthcare, and School of Health & Medical Sciences academics Dr Clara Cieza-Borrella and Dr George Wardley, Director and Deputy Director of the MSc/PgDip/PgCert Genomic Medicine programme.
Published (Updated )
The meeting underscored the scholarship’s transformative effect on Jasmine’s academic journey and career trajectory, as well as Lupin Healthcare’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.
The Lupin Healthcare Scholarship, valued at £10,000, is the first sponsored scholarship in the history of the Genomic Medicine programme and has covered Jasmine’s tuition fees almost in its totality.
The scholar’s journey: Jasmine Abdy
Jasmine Abdy, a graduate in BSc Medical Microbiology with a Year in Industry from the University of Bristol, shared how receiving the Lupin Healthcare Scholarship influenced her decision to pursue a Master’s in Genomic Medicine. “The scholarship opened so may doors for me,” she said, “It gave me a huge boost of drive and motivation.”
Reflecting on her academic journey, Jasmine explained that she has always been fascinated by infectious diseases and microbiology but came to realise that science extends far beyond the lab. With ambitions to take on a patient-facing role after completing her degree, she is combining her studies with research work at Queen Mary University and, in the future, may explore the option of applying for the Scientist Training Programme in genomic counselling.
Jasmine is currently focusing on modules including Genomics in Infectious diseases, Fetal genomics, Pathology of cancer, and Ethics. When asked about her research project, she shared that she hopes to make use of the study abroad option, expressing a particular interest in population health and epidemiology.
The impact of Lupin’s contribution
The scholarship has had a tangible, far-reaching impact on Jasmine’s studies and overall student experience. She shared that having this support was instrumental in her decision to pursue her master’s and has fuelled her motivation.
When asked what it means to her to have a company like Lupin supporting students in this way, Jasmine shared: “I am really grateful to see a company like Lupin Healthcare supporting students. It shows they are committed not only to help patients in the present through pharmaceuticals but are also dedicated to supporting future scientists with their journey into patient care and research.”
The power of the partnership
The meeting also highlighted the value of collaboration between academia and industry.
For Lupin Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1968 in India by science lecturer Dr Desh Bandhu Gupta, the scholarship embodies their commitment to give back to the community.
Shaping the future
When asked how partnerships like this can shape the future of Genomic Medicine and research, Jasmine noted: “The future of Genomic Medicine and research relies on new ideas from my generation. Partnerships like these allow young researchers to access further education and training to develop as scientists and contribute to future innovations. Without help from scholarships, higher education would be inaccessible to many young, talented individuals.”
The Lupin Healthcare Scholarship stands as a testament to the power of philanthropic investment in education, enabling talented students like Jasmine Abdy to excel and ultimately contribute to a rapidly evolving and critical field of medicine.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr Clara Cieza-Borrella highlighted the difference such initiatives can make for students. “The Lupin Healthcare Scholarship has provided Jasmine with a unique opportunity to advance her studies and career in our MSc Genomic Medicine.