Imperial medic begins prestigious Harvard scholarship

Michelle Krishnan awarded a Kennedy Scholarship - News

By Laura Gallagher
Friday 10 August 2007

Imperial medic Michelle Krishnan arrived at Harvard University this week after becoming one of just 10 UK students to be awarded the prestigious Kennedy Scholarship by the Kennedy Memorial Trust. Michelle will use the placement, which lasts until June 2008, to continue her research using MRI scanning to monitor the progress of premature babies. She applied to the scheme whilst a final-year student at Imperial.

The annual scholarships, established in memory of the former US president, give students the opportunity to study at MIT or Harvard, with the aim of deepening their expertise and promoting transatlantic relations.

Professor David Edwards , from Imperial's Paediatrics and Imaging Sciences Departments, who encouraged Michelle to apply for the scheme, said: "Winning this scholarship is a fantastic achievement and an enormous credit to Michelle. We wish her the best of luck over the coming year."

Past Kennedy scholars have included the poet Mark Ford, politicians Ed Balls, Alan Duncan, Nicholas Boles, David Miliband and Yvette Cooper, economic historian Emma Rothschild, economist Lord Eatwell, the philosopher Gareth Evans and the theatre director Ravinder Casley Gera.

Michelle talks below about the scholarship and her plans for her time at Harvard.

What inspired you to apply for the scholarship?

I was alerted to it by Professor David Edwards, who I came into contact with while working on a Paediatric MRI research project at Hammersmith Hospital. It was an exciting idea and I sensed it was a unique opportunity that had to be seized.

How did you feel when you found out you had won it?

I was elated and I think it's only now that I've arrived in Boston that the reality of it is truly sinking in. The application process happened to coincide with my medical elective in Brazil, so that posed an interesting practical challenge. I was overjoyed when my written application was successful and then I was selected after interview. I also felt very grateful to those who had supported and encouraged me throughout.

What will you be doing while you are out there?

I am a visiting research fellow at the Children's Hospital in Boston. I'll be working on the application of advanced magnetic resonance techniques to the study of brain structure and neurodevelopment in children, and how this is affected by preterm birth or congenital abnormalities.

I first became involved in this field in 2005, in parallel with the 5th year of my undergraduate Medicine course. I had completed a Neuroscience BSc and am interested in working in Paediatrics so it was a great combination. I worked closely with Dr. Serena Counsell and the group at the Robert Steiner MR unit at Hammersmith Hospital.

What are you most looking forward to?

It's my first visit to the US so I'm looking forward to the experience of learning about this culture and its people as well as enjoying the opportunity to work at one of the leading academic institutions in the world.

What are you planning to do when you finish the scholarship?

I've secured a place on an academic Foundation training programme at the North West Thames Foundation School (which includes Imperial College's teaching hospitals). Eventually I hope to specialise within Paediatrics and to stay committed to research long term.

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