Humans of York: Rose
“I’d tell people to keep going and don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to dream.”
Introducing our latest Human of York, Postgraduate researcher Rose.
“As a mature student, it was very daunting to think of going back to studies after being away for some time. The York Graduate Research School (YGRS) scholarship gave me the boost of confidence that I needed to make the jump, and has provided me with an opportunity to pursue my dream of working with parasites of medical importance.
“My research looks at the parasite Leishmania mexicana, a neglected tropical parasite causing leishmaniasis. Unlike malaria, the disease is far less studied. It is research with a tangible outcome - knowing how viscosity can influence the parasite’s movement could help us develop management strategies for it in the future.
“As part of receiving this scholarship, I’ve also been able to get to know the other recipients across their different fields, been introduced to experts and learned new skills across biology and even physics, which I hadn’t done before.
"When I found out about this scholarship opportunity, it felt heaven sent for me. When I first relocated to the UK, I was classed as an international student; scholarships that I could apply to were few and far between. I am now a British citizen.
“The YGRS team were so supportive throughout my application process, and the support system at York has been amazing.
“This scholarship is doing a really important job in filling a gap and providing an opportunity for people from the BAME community to have a chance at graduate studies.
“When I was studying for my undergraduate degree and my first masters degree in Kenya, it was amazing, but it was male dominated. I wanted to see more people like me.
“That’s another reason why I applied for this scholarship. I thought if I put myself out there, hopefully somebody else will be able to see me and think, ‘okay, I can do that too’.
“For anyone interested in applying, I’d tell them not to be scared. I wish I hadn’t been too shy to apply before. I’d tell people to keep going and don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to dream.”
Rose, Humans of York, December 2022