Meet student Pragash Kamalathevan
What year are you and what is your PhD on?
I am a second year DPhil student under the supervision of Professor Tonia Vincent and Professor Dominic Furniss. My DPhil investigates the role of reactive oxygen species in cartilage injury.
What is your background? And what brought you to a DPhil at the Kennedy Institute?
I studied pre-clinical medicine at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, completing my BA in neuroscience. I then transferred to University College London (UCL) to complete clinical medicine and graduated as a doctor in 2015. Following graduation, I completed my two years of foundation training in south London working in acute medicine, surgery and psychiatry. In July 2017 I undertook an MSc in Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCL and graduated with a distinction. In October 2018 I began my DPhil at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology having been awarded a Kennedy Prize Clinician Studentship.
I am surrounded by a team of researchers at the world forefront of their respective fields at NDORMS. This environment produces an excellent learning environment where I can test the most innovative ideas in the presence of world expert support. In addition, NDORMS has a multitude of research equipment at its disposal, the majority of which is easily accessible. The people at NDORMS also make work extremely enjoyable.
What is like to be a DPhil student at NDORMS?
I really enjoy sharing scientific ideas with people in my team. At NDORMS you are surrounded by hugely influential people in their fields and as such you are almost always supported with your research. You are also supported in areas other than the research and a lot of attention is also directed towards your overall well-being. However, expectations are high and so the ability to sustain chronic pressure is important.
Advice for prospective students
To future students, I would advise the importance of time-management and to choose your supervisors and project carefully. This is a long-term commitment and both the people you work with, alongside the area of research, can part determine how much you enjoy your time as a DPhil student.