Science success stories

In British Science Week, it feels appropriate to celebrate the extraordinary number of former Worth students who have gone on to enjoy prominent careers in the world of medicine, science and relevant research.

Thanks to inspirational teaching in our Science department across a long period of time, students leave Worth to study a wide-range of science-based courses at university before setting out to make a difference to the world in their own unique ways.

From a pioneer of keyhole surgery who left Worth in the 1960s to one of the UK’s most prominent and successful surgeons who left in 1970s to post-millennium alumni working as doctors in a range of areas, health professionals, winning awards and playing leading response roles during the COVID pandemic, the list of success stories is huge.

Drawing on information from a feature in our annual alumni magazine, The Blue Paper, in 2022, we look at some of those students and what they have gone on to achieve. The article quoted former Head of Science Peter Freeland, who worked at Worth for nearly 40 years and saw many of his students go on to enjoy notable careers, while it also reflected on the achievements of more recent leavers.

Mr Freeland said: “It is gratifying that over a period of 40 years, former Worth pupils have published more than 1,500 scientific research papers.”

He added: “May all Worthians, past, present and future, be remembered for their love of people, animals and plants.”

Current Head of Science Mrs Andrea Kirpalani said: “As Head of Science, I am proud that our innovative teaching prepares students to excel in a rapidly changing world of work. From medical researchers to environmental consultants, forensic scientists to data analysts and aerospace engineers to experts in scientific law, our approach inspires curiosity, nurtures critical thinking and equips students with the skills to thrive across a wide range of scientific careers, making meaningful contributions globally.”

Here are a few examples of alumni who have go on to enjoy prominent careers:

Dr Charles Akle (Chapman House, 1971 leaver): One of the UK’s most prominent and successful surgeons, a winner of the prestigious Hallett Prize while training at Guy’s Hospital.

Dr Timothy Morris (St Bede’s, 1976): In addition to having about 40 published research papers, has practised as a veterinary surgeon, been chief vet for British Horseracing, an expert witness in anti-doping cases, an investigator of corruption in horseracing and an advisor to the Government on animal matters.

Dr Matthew Jebb (St Bede’s, 1976): An academic botanist and taxonomist who spent six years in Papua New Guinea where he studied and classified ant plants. In 1996 he was appointed Keeper of the Herbarium at the National Botanic Gardens Dublin, Ireland’s answer to Kew. From 2010 he has been its director.

Carl Baptista (Butler, 1993): One of Worth’s first graduates in Biotechnology, he founded Cuprina Solutions, a Singapore-based biotech company that breeds thousands of blowflies and researches their uses in medicine, agriculture and waste disposal.

Dr Nick Kadar (Gervase, 1966): Gynaecological oncologist, pioneer of keyhole surgery, author of more than 135 publications.

Dr Nick van Terheyden (Chapman, 1982): Having gained years of experience as chief medical officer for various blue-chip names, now on the board of MedicAlert, the emergency service, and a leader in digital healthcare provision in the US.

Dr Livio di Mascio (Rutherford, 1993): Clinical director of orthopaedics and plastic surgery at Royal London and Barts NHS Trust.

Dr Matthew Knight MBE (Chapman, 1998): Consultant respiratory physician, honoured for services to the NHS during the COVID pandemic.

Tom Taverner (Rutherford, 2007): Studied physiotherapy at university, became clinical director of Marsi Bionics in Spain, helping to develop lower limb exoskeletons for rehabilitation. Now runs his own neurological business.

Daniel Grace (Farwell, 2005): One of the founders of Virtual Doctors, offering telephone mentoring for GPs in Africa. Also won an award for his work with NHS 111 during the COVID pandemic.

Sophie Nash (St Mary’s, 2011): Worked for Public Health England as an HIV/STI surveillance and prevention scientist, then principal scientist working on COVID-19 epidemiology and is now public health registrar at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Annabelle Jones (St Catherine’s 2016): Studied Biomedical Science (Anatomy) at university. Was awarded the Best of Business Intelligence Best Newcomer Award in 2022, a competition run by the British Healthcare Intelligence Association.

For more on an education at Worth click here.