Current Scholars

Michael Bishop Foundation Thatcher Scholar
BSc Experimental Psychology (2020)

I am in my second-year studying experimental psychology. I grew up in Brighton, where I attended my local state comprehensive school, and I was curious about all subjects, from maths to politics. My interest in Psychology arose when I was working as a personal assistant to a young boy with cerebral palsy and associated learning difficulties, sparking in me a desire to help others and understand how the human brain functions. I went on to complete an online short course in Psychology and gain a position working as a mental health support worker in a high dependency rehabilitation unit for people with complex mental illnesses, before starting my degree at Somerville College. I am particularly interested in neuropsychology, developmental psychology, and individual differences, and hopes to pursue a research or clinical career.

Alongside my studies, I am secretary and treasurer of Oxford Student Action for Refugees (STAR). You can often find me drinking chai in a local café, reading fiction, playing board games, or keeping up my regular yoga practice.

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
DPhil History (2020)

Born and bred in Northwest Africa, Hazim spent a great deal of time around the Mediterranean growing up. Over time, his bookish interests and love for the landscape converged on the historical relationship between humans and nature.

An environmentalist by training, he has worked in environmental NGOs and taught environmental subjects at an undergraduate level, both with a focus on climate change adaptation, plastic pollution, and the history of environmentalism. His DPhil in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology will synthesise all these interests as Hazim looks at the early centuries of Islam in the Mediterranean, particularly how technology and natural philosophy were influenced and informed by different world-views.

“I hope that my DPhil will be a stepping stone on the path to becoming an interdisciplinary researcher – an approach which is of increasing importance as the environmental crisis gains momentum.”

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (2020)

Joshua is a linguist with a particular interest in Phonology and Historical Linguistics. 

After graduating from Oxford in 2014 with a BA in German and Linguistics, he completed a PGCE and spent time in teaching. He returned to academia and Oxford in 2018 for an MPhil in General Linguistics and Comparative Philology. Joshua’s MPhil thesis focused on the impact of Romance loan words on the Middle High German stress system, reflecting his interest in Germanic languages and Metrical Phonology. In 2020-21, Joshua began a DPhil in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics at Somerville, in which Joshua hopes to build on his earlier research and provide a diachronic account of the changes to the word prosodic system of German between the mediaeval and modern periods.

Outside of his studies, Joshua can often be found in wellingtons, tramping through fields and over hills with his Scottish terrier, Bertie. He is also a keen skier and, closer to home, enjoys board games, knitting and music (in addition to the perhaps unsurprising love of reading!).

Qatar Thatcher Scholar
MSt Late Antique & Byzantine Studies

Originally from Tunisia, I have pursued higher education in Lebanon, the United States and France. I graduated with a BA in History from the American University in Beirut, where my studies were heavily focused on Middle Eastern (mainly Islamic) history. Having also worked towards a minor in Semitic Studies, I was introduced to the rich realm of Syriac literature and more broadly the diverse traditions of Christian communities under Islamic rule. I was taken aback by the voices of Syriac authors who very often produced counter-narratives to mainstream Abbasid historiography. I since went on to research the role of Syrian Melkite communities in the flow of historiographical material between the Caliphate and Byzantium.

Following my undergraduate studies, I attended the École pratique des hautes études in Paris, where I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of various Eastern Christian traditions. At Oxford, I hope to research the impact of the Byzantine reconquest of Antioch on the Melkite Church in northwest Syria and the local translation movement of Greek religious literature into Arabic and Syriac.

In my spare time, I enjoy cycling and hiking as well as sketching and visiting museums. I am grateful and honoured to be a recipient of the Qatar-Thatcher Graduate scholarship, which will allow me to continue my academic journey and be part of Somerville’s dynamic community.

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (2019)

Having graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2019 with 1st class MSci in chemistry, Edward Brewer is now a first year student reading for a DPhil in physical and theoretical chemistry thanks to the Thatcher scholarship.

As part of this programme of study Edward is currently attached to the Mackenzie group, who specialise in the dynamics and reactivity of metal clusters in the gas phase. Clusters are of  His project currently involves modification of a velocity map imaging instrument to accommodate a reaction chamber to allow the study of reactions of metal clusters with thermally excited molecules. In addition, he also carries out infrared experiments on metal-ligand complexes in the gas phase. After Edward graduates from his Doctor of philosophy programme he wishes to pursue a career in academia. In his spare time, Edward pursues a variety of different hobbies the most prominent of which being learning to code (specifically in python).

Sir John Vickers Thatcher Scholar
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

My name is Zoë (she/her) and I’m a second year Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) student at Somerville. Home for me is a small village in Dorset where I attended the local state school. I spent part of my childhood in Kenya, which opened my eyes to the extremes of social and economic inequality, and also to my relative privilege. This early experience, combined with studying how societies develop politically and economically, motivated me to understand what causes inequality and how to tackle it.

I believe my degree is a great stepping stone for this goal as it gives me a broad understanding of how the world works, exploring the role of governments, economic systems, communities and cultures – and how they interact. I am particularly interested in international relations and in environmentally sustainable and socially just economic models. In the future I am keen to explore how different sectors – including academia, government, NGOs, and the private sector – address inequality so I can get a sense of which would best help me to fulfil my aspirations.

In my spare time I enjoy playing for the college rounders team as joint captain, as well as painting and going to charity shops. I am extremely grateful for the scholarship and the opportunities it offers to support me in my efforts to tackle inequality.

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Economics (2021)

I am a DPhil student in Economics at Somerville. I am interested in topics in environmental economics, public economics and political economy. I am especially interested in finding ways to bring science and our knowledge of climate change into economic models. I also explore how to economically incentivize firms and individuals to tackle climate change. For instance, I would like to work on carbon taxation, both in terms of its design and its political feasibility.

Prior to joining the University of Oxford, I studied mathematics, physics and engineering at the Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussées, an engineering school in France. I then moved to the UK to attend the London School of Economics, graduating with a Master of Public Administration. I also worked in the private sector (in green finance and securitisation at Crédit Agricole) and public sector (at the French Embassy in Germany and the European Central Bank), and in academic research (at the LSE).

I am really grateful to have been awarded the Thatcher Scholarship, without which coming to Oxford would have been impossible. Being at Somerville, where brilliant people with very different backgrounds and research interests meet and exchange ideas, is extremely inspiring and motivates me to bring together my scientific, economic and policymaking skills in the hope that my work will make a difference.

Aside from economics, I enjoy horse riding, playing the piano, baking and learning new languages. I speak French, German and am currently teaching myself Persian. I also enjoy cycling around Oxfordshire and admiring the beautiful countryside.

Michael Bishop Foundation Thatcher Scholar
BA Modern Languages, German and Russian

I am a second year student at Somerville studying German and Russian. I grew up in a rural area of Northern Ireland, where I attended my local grammar school. At school I discovered a passion for modern languages. I was particularly drawn to German, as I was fascinated by the logical nature of its grammar and the endless nuances of learning to speak another language fluently.

I was always intrigued by the Russian language and Cyrillic alphabet, so I decided to study Russian ab-initio at university. I am currently on my year abroad in Estonia, taking part in a Russian language course, where I am gaining a valuable insight into the impact of the war in Ukraine on relations between Europe and Russia. I am particularly interested in translation and the role of language in facilitating communication on both an individual and international level.

Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time outdoors, listening to music and playing the piano. I have been involved in several cross-community projects, which aimed to bridge the gap between young people in the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland, in order to discuss solutions for a united future.

Being at Somerville has taught me that diversity should be celebrated. I am proud to be a Thatcher Scholar and I am extremely grateful to Lord Glendonbrook for providing the funding for me to explore the opportunities available to me, so that I can realise my full academic potential as well as further my commitment to engage myself both in my local community and in the wider world.

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
DPhil International Relations (2021)

Born and raised in Morocco, my interest in politics and international relations developed early, driven by a desire to gain a deeper understanding of the social issues underpinning uprisings and revolutions throughout the Arab world. Over time, my interests matured to focus on the interrelation between human development and security in complex humanitarian emergencies, focusing particularly on health insecurity in conflicts. Following an MPhil thesis dedicated to the right to health in Syria at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, I have continued to research topics related to health security and asymmetric warfare in Africa and the Middle East at the Policy Center for New South. 

My DPhil in International Relations at Oxford represents an opportunity to further explore the weaponisation of health in Syria post-2011 and its impact on regional human security. This project hopes to help inform the changing nature of warfare and violence in the country, as well as the morphing forms of multifaceted insecurity by highlighting the interlinkages between political, socio-economic, and health vulnerabilities. Outside of me studies, you can often find me enjoying Arab and French literature, immersing herself in various musical genres (including, but not limited to, rap), volunteering with local NGOs, and travelling to pursue her self-discovery path. 

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Medical Sciences (2019)

Martin became fascinated by tumour biology during his undergraduate studies in Molecular Biomedicine at the University of Bonn. In particular, he was interested in how cellular mechanisms lead to the creation of these “immortal” cells.

Having completed a Master’s degree in Oncology here at Oxford, Martin spent a year on placement with Merck as an intern with their in-house consulting team before commencing his DPhil in Medical Sciences in 2019, supported by the Thatcher Scholarship. The analytical proficiency Martin developed at Merck equipped him with a stronger grasp of how best to confront the emerging challenges of modern healthcare, which he is now applying to his doctoral research in immuno-oncology.

In addition to his studies, Martin is also keen to maintain a good balance between work and extracurricular activities. In both his Bachelor and Master studies, he was elected as a student representative with responsibilities that include improving the academic experience for students, as well as organising social events and formal dinners.

Ann and Giles Currie Thatcher Scholar
BA English (2021)

Born and raised in Norwich, I was educated at state comprehensives for both high school and sixth form. Coming from a family with little frame of reference to academia and having been forced to suspend my studies in Year 13 due to chronic illness, there were times when university, let alone Oxford, felt intangible.

Visiting Somerville on an open day in July 2019 brought Oxford into the realm of the possible – I encountered an embodiment of the meritocratic principles my parents raised me with, and I immediately felt at home. Crucially, Somerville’s history as a pioneering women’s college presented an opportunity to reclaim the education my mother was denied when she was pressured into leaving school at 16.

So far, I have found my degree endlessly fascinating and rewarding: literature captures and interrogates all aspects of existence, I believe it is vital in creating an informed and compassionate body politic and compels us all to strive to create a better world. Experiencing a Somerville education in the wake of the fake news era and the climate crisis places the preservation and enrichment of our heritage and environment at the forefront of my mind in choosing a career. Specifically, I’m drawn to curatorship or environmental law.

It is an honour to be awarded this scholarship and to be chosen to serve a project which mirrors the meritocratic principles I hold close to my heart. I will always be incredibly grateful to Ann and Giles Currie for funding my scholarship and am greatly inspired by Ann’s work at the Museums Association and the National Maritime Museum. Graduating debt-free will provide a financial foothold making essential graduate study palpable and will permit me to choose a meaningful career with less immediate concern about economic constraints. Moving forward with the clear confidence of the college and the trust behind me emboldens me to expand the horizons of my ambition, to not place limits on the change I strive to achieve. In particular, I am eager to use the privilege and platform afforded by the scholarship to increase the audience and impact of my access work on a general and subject specific level.

Ng Teng Fong Thatcher Scholar
Mst, DPhil Physics (2018)

Chuqiao grew up in an ordinary family in China, but was not educated in the same way as many of my peers. Instead of being forced to attend extra classes to outperform others in the highly competitive Chinese education system as many students are, Chuqiao’s parents fully supported and respected his ideas, allowing him to pursue his own interests such as classical guitar and ancient Chinese characters, as well as badminton and table tennis. It was an upbringing which, by Chuqiao’s admission, taught him to think independently and follow his inner voice.

Academically, Chuqiao’s passion has always been Physics, and this is the subject to which he devotes most of his time. Chuqiao empathises particularly with the sense of helplessness felt by 19th Century physicists when the crisis of classical mechanics began, and he is particularly moved by the efforts of many to change the postulates and develop quantum theory in order finally to conquer these eccentric particles. Ever since our ancestors first looked up at the stars, Chuqiao notes, humans have had the desire to explore and discover – and he would dearly love to be one of the pioneering intellectual explorers who conduct experiments, develop ideas and find those seemingly ineffable answers.

“I am still feeling a little dazed to even have a place to study at Somerville, and I am even more amazed to have been awarded the Ng Teng Fong Thatcher Scholarship. I regard the Ng Teng Fong Thatcher Scholarship as the greatest opportunity I have had since I first won my place at Oxford, and an encouragement to work ever harder.”

Clarendon Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary (AOP) Physics (2022)

My research focuses on better understanding the chemistry and dynamics of atmospheres on planets outside the solar system. These are complex environments that we can only indirectly measure, so having a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved is important for accurate characterisations. More specifically, I have developed cutting edge computer models to account for some interactions between a star and its planets. This is particularly relevant following the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and all of the exciting data it will bring us.

Working within the astrophysics department during my masters allowed me to be involved with the questions and people on the forefront of this field and make critical connections within the astrophysics community. My fortunate position within the Atmospheric Physics department here in Oxford provides me with the opportunity to learn more about this rapidly growing field, and make my own contributions while working alongside world leading experts. I have every intent of staying within this wonderful community in the future, and making the most of my time at Oxford.

I enjoy rock climbing in my free time. Approaching each climb is like solving a puzzle – not dissimilar to some problems in physics, with their own crux – which often requires significant thought to solve most optimally, and provides a unique sense of accomplishment once you reach the final hold. I am grateful for the opportunities made available to me thanks to the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship.

Margaret Thatcher Scholar
BA Medicine

My name is Sarafina and I am a current second-year medical student. After moving to the UK during secondary school, I attended a comprehensive state school but the lack of resources along with my family not having much knowledge of the higher education system meant that much of my support during the university application process came from access initiatives. I am now so glad to be studying Medicine at Oxford, where excellent teaching of the sciences underpinning Medicine will form the framework of my later clinical work.

As a medical student, one of my main ambitions is to directly contribute to the health management of the patients I will meet as a future clinician. With the support of the scholarship, I also hope to get involved in public health initiatives even prior to practising, as well as to explore my academic interests in global health and oncology through research projects and programmes.

During my time at Oxford, I have loved volunteering as a Somerville ambassador at outreach events; it feels great to help demystify higher education for other students and to support them in their application journey. I also volunteer with the social enterprise Generation Medics, which helps to widen access into healthcare for people from underrepresented backgrounds with the aim of diversifying future healthcare staff.

Outside of my academic and outreach interests, I also enjoy playing Netball to relax and remain active. Alternatively, you can also find me in the kitchen attempting to bake! I am thankful to have been chosen as a Thatcher Scholar, as it will allow me to explore my academic interests and make an impact through my work as a future clinician. I hope to make the most of this amazing opportunity! 

Clarendon Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Atomic and Laser Physics (2022)

I was born and raised in Italy, in a small town among the hills of central Sicily. My passion for physics started during high school, when I was fascinated by the elegance and precision with which it allows us to understand a world that is always more complex and unpredictable. It was precisely the desire to tackle this complexity that led me, after obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Catania, to undertake an International Master’s degree in Physics of Complex Systems, a two year-long double degree programme based one year in Italy and one year in France, that earned me the Italian Master’s degree at Politecnico di Torino, and the French M2 degree at Université de Paris.

One of the most important things I’ve learned from Complex Systems is that information processing is one of the best ways to face highly correlated physical systems and that’s why I’m mostly interested in Quantum Information Theory, which will be the main subject of my DPhil. I will be studying the information-theoretic foundations of systems made of a subsystem that fully obeys quantum theory interacting with a macroscopic component with lots of degrees of freedom (a complex system, in fact), focusing on biological entities.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis and table tennis, watching motorsport, especially Formula 1 (avid Ferrari fan!), movies and TV shows, and reading books and manga. I am also interested in history, particularly the history and traditions of European and United Kingdom monarchies.

I’m extremely honoured to have been awarded this prestigious scholarship, from which I hope to make the most of my studies and career thanks to the community of brilliant fellow Thatcher scholars and Somervillians!

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
DPhil in English (2021)

I am a first-year DPhil candidate studying English and an alumna of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program from Baghdad, Iraq. I am the first in my family to study at the graduate level and the first woman in my family to study abroad. I graduated from San Diego State University with an MA in English and Comparative Literature in 2020. For my scholarly work on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, I won the College of Arts Dean’s Award for Research and Scholarship. Prior to my MA, I studied English Language and Literature at the University of Baghdad, graduating in the top 10 in my class. It was there that I developed my passion for British Romanticism.

Knowing that Oxford is the best place to study this major, I applied. I was overjoyed not only to get a place, but also to receive the Thatcher Scholarship offer letter. My DPhil dissertation will be an exploration and analysis of the presence of the Oriental and Muslim women in nineteenth-century British literature.

Besides working on my DPhil, I am writing my first novel in English. I am also co-writer of two screenplays about the Middle East, and I will serve as Presiding Officer of a number of academic conferences in the USA. I am also passionate about teaching British Romanticism and plan to teach as part of my long-term academic career, and I will soon be giving virtual lectures on the Romantic gothic.

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Ancient History (2020)

Born and raised in Italy, educated in Australia and the Netherlands, and recently arrived in Oxford, Luca has always been a keen observer of multiculturalism and the ways in which people react to the exposure to different cultures. Luca brings this interest to bear in his research by investigating the relationship between culture, objects, cultural identity and cultural exchange in the ancient world.

Luca was exposed from a young age to the Roman past, as part and parcel of his Italian heritage. Always aware of the longstanding connection between past and present, it makes sense to Luca to study the past as a means of acquiring a better grasp of contemporary issues. After all, themes of multiculturalism, cultural exchange and identity formation are not the reserve of modernity. They interest us as much as those who came before us; perhaps, once again, they could teach us something new.

In addition to his passion for the ancient world, Luca enjoys spending his free time listening to Baroque Opera, reading, visiting museums and, if the weather permits, roaming the Italian countryside looking for unexplored archaeological sites.

Michael Bishop Foundation Thatcher Scholar
BA Medical Sciences (2017)

Joe completed his BA in Medical Sciences in 2020. Having won the 2018 Gibbs Prize in Physiological Sciences in his first year, Joe was awarded a scholarship funded by the Michael Bishop Foundation for the remaining two years of his study. He was the first in his family to go to university, and hopes that his time at Oxford will enable him to pursue a career advancing healthcare in the developing world.

“Being awarded the Thatcher scholarship is a huge honour,” said Joe. “It’s a very pleasing reward following the hard work of my first year. I hope to make the most of my scholarship by pursuing new opportunities that will help my career in future.”

Michael Bishop Foundation Thatcher Scholar
BA Classics

My name is George and I am a third year Classicist at Somerville. I grew up in a small town in Suffolk and my exposure to the classical world was practically non-existent until sixth form, when a chance decision to attend a taster session led to me discovering my passion for ancient history. Since then, I have thrown myself into the subject, discovering here at Somerville that my greatest interest lies in late Republican Rome and its judicial processes, as well as the study of the Latin language, topics which my degree has given me ample opportunity to explore in depth.

The lack of opportunity for me to study Classics when I was young has led me to be deeply passionate about access and outreach work, and I hope to contribute to helping others from underprivileged backgrounds to discover a wonderful subject which they might otherwise never even consider as a possibility. Outside of academia, I am also an avid writer, managing a writing group here at Somerville which meets once a week to discuss one another’s work.

I am honoured to have been chosen to receive this scholarship and am deeply grateful to Lord Glendonbrook for funding my education. I hope to make the most of the opportunity that has been provided to me to pursue excellence in all that I do, academic or otherwise.

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
MSc Clinical & Therapeutic Neuroscience (2021)

I graduated as a pharmacist in Jordan. During my bachelor’s degree, I was keen to understand the human brain. After reading Robert Winston’s book “The human mind”, I realised that the brain is the sole cause of our world. This means that changes in the brain are changes to your world;. Some, like “hemineglect syndrome” patients, live with half of their world; it can take it all away under the name “Alzheimer’s”.

The Thatcher scholarship gives me a unique opportunity to do a Master’s degree at Oxford, which feels like a wonderful reward for the two years I spent preparing and working towards this goal. I’m particularly interested in treating neurological disorders using the Deep Brain Stimulation technique, which can give a better quality of life for patients in a shorter time.

Besides my degree, I make videos where I simplify medical conditions to promote community understanding, including neurological diseases. My next step will be to create videos to promote education for girls, especially in Arab countries.

Sir John Vickers Thatcher Scholar
BSc Biochemistry (2019)

Emer grew up in a small town in East Lancashire and, having always been fascinated with learning about the world through science, came to develop a particular interest in Biochemistry during her A Levels.

Emer is particularly interested in genetics and how it can be used to study and treat disease. In her spare time, she enjoys running and playing for the college netball team as joint captain. Her other hobbies include Irish dancing, which she has practised for more than ten years, and baking.

After graduating with an MSc, Emer has continued her studies at Somerville as a Masters student.

“I am honoured to be in receipt of this scholarship and I am excited and grateful for the opportunities that the scholarship will offer me in furthering both my academic development and my contribution to university access and outreach work.”

Lee Kuan Yew – Thatcher Scholar
BA Law

Growing up in Singapore, only a handful of my family members ever pursued higher education, let alone Law. Consequently, I did not have someone I could readily approach to learn more about what studying Law entailed. I eventually chose to read Law as I find it fascinating – Law sits at the intersection between multiple disciplines, such as philosophy, history, economics and many more. I enjoy seeing how different theories intertwine with one another to give rise to the laws that govern every aspect of our lives today. Prior to coming to Somerville, I spent a year reading Law at the National University of Singapore where my interest in Law was further cultivated. It was interesting to see how laws gradually evolved over time, and how Singaporean courts have modified the legal rules proposed by the courts in the United Kingdom to better suit the local context.

I was also motivated to study Law as I want to help the underprivileged. Pro-bono work, something unique to the legal industry, is definitely something I aim to pursue. Serving the community and helping others has always been something I have held close to my heart from young. In secondary school, I was part of the Red Cross Youth where I organised and participated in many flag days, charity events, and volunteering work. In junior college, I helmed a service project which provided free academic aid to students from under-privileged backgrounds across Singapore. Most recently, I was the Project Director of the NUS Law Golden Years Project 2022, where I led a team of 25 students to educate the elderly on wills, lasting power of attorneys, and the CPF nomination scheme. I hope to use my legal knowledge to help those who cannot afford to get legal aid and ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their background.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing Badminton, Chess, and going on food hunts. I also look forward to trying out the different sports and clubs that both Somerville, and the university, have to offer. I am immensely grateful for this precious opportunity to pursue a subject I am deeply interested in, in such a prestigious institution. As the second Lee Kuan Yew-Thatcher scholar, I will do my best to protect the rights of the marginalised and promote access to justice.

Lee Kuan Yew – Thatcher Scholar
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

I’m Isaac, a fresher hailing from the sunny shores of Singapore. I will be studying PPE as a Lee Kuan Yew – Thatcher Scholar. Reading PPE seemed like the natural choice for me to make, given my love of all three subjects. While studying economics A level, I nurtured my love of politics by volunteering at weekly MP surgeries. I became interested in philosophy through Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, whose exhortations to focus on the self inspired me throughout my military service and subsequent internship at the Ministry of Social and Family Development supporting rough sleepers and homeless individuals. I look forward to this new interdisciplinary academic journey of discourse, questioning, and (lots and lots!) of writing. Outside of academics, I have a deep conviction to support marginalised or underprivileged communities. As well as the aforementioned internship, I spearheaded and chaired two Community Service projects in Singapore; one which supported pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers, while the other benefited at-risk youth. I also volunteered regularly to teach underprivileged children. In 2019, I was part of a humanitarian trip to Nepal, where we provided aid to communities that were devastated by the 2015 earthquake and are still feeling aftershocks today.

In my free time, I enjoy playing a variety of sports, especially climbing, and spending time with my friends. I am sure I will be a part of many societies soon, especially since Somerville is such an open and inclusive College. I am eternally grateful for the generous Lee Kuan Yew – Thatcher Scholarship, which has provided me a life-changing opportunity. I am honoured to be the inaugural LKY-Thatcher Scholar, and I will strive to be a force for good, in a world that needs it now more than ever.

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Mathematics (2019)

Federico grew up in Lecco, a small town by the lake of Como in Italy. As soon as he started high school, Federico realized that mathematics was my path. On finishing high school, he enrolled at the University of Milan for an Undergraduate degree in pure mathematics with a focus on Analysis and Geometry. Federico then moved to ETH Zurich for his master’s degree, where Federico was able to define more precisely his research interests and improve his maths.

Federico’s general area of interest is Differential Geometry, which could be naively defined to be the study of differentiable manifolds (smooth curved spaces). The Euclidean plane, the surface of a ball (sphere) or of a doughnut (torus) are easy examples of two-dimensional differentiable manifolds. Even though it might look like Differential Geometry is very abstract, Federico feels it is closer to the “Real World” than we imagine, with striking links to Theoretical Physics. For instance, General Relativity and String Theory describe the universe as a differentiable manifold of “high” dimension.

Besides mathematics, Federico enjoys playing the violin, watching movies and going to the theatre.

Oxford Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Medieval and Modern Languages (2018)

Mai-Britt is a medievalist from Germany. As an undergraduate, she studied History and Medieval Latin at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and progressed on to a master’s in Medieval and Renaissance Studies including History, German and Art History in the same faculty. Mai-Britt’s special fields of interest are the late medieval history of piety and devotion, Middle Low German literature and the history of the book.

In Michaelmas 2018, Mai-Britt started her DPhil project on early Low German book printing at the Faculty of Modern Languages. In her spare time, Mai-Britt likes playing sports, reading, playing music and doing all kinds of creative handicraft. In German, she was involved in her parish’s youth work for many years. Here in Oxford, she volunteers in the field of public history by working at a museum and conveying insights into late medieval everyday life as a historic interpreter at living history events.

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
MPhil Economics (2022)

Dayin has a defined interest in economic research and data analytics. Before pursuing an MPhil in Economics at Oxford, he worked as an Economics Instructor and Research Assistant at New York University Abu Dhabi, where he also graduated cum laude on a full-ride scholarship. Driven by his passion for delivering clear insights from data, he undertook multiple empirical research projects with a focus on labor economics and international trade. His undergraduate thesis, which explores the effects of lower trade barriers on skill upgrading in Indonesia, earned him a distinction award from the Social Science Division and was the culmination of his academic training. He further applied his knowledge in programming and statistical models to his internships across the private and public sectors. His previous experience includes working as a venture capital analyst in Dubai, driving customer analytics and business development at tech startups in New York and Jakarta, and conducting market research at the U.S. Commercial Service in Abu Dhabi.

As a child raised in a low-income household in rural Indonesia, Dayin is deeply invested in efforts to democratize access to quality education. In 2018, he spoke at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston about the importance of educating economically disadvantaged students. He drew on his own experience of receiving two high school scholarship opportunities: Leadership Academy in Indonesia and United World College in the Netherlands. He discussed direct evidence that educating the impoverished is not a fruitless act of charity; it is a long-term, valuable investment that can spur growth and foster community development. He continues to channel his dedication by mentoring first-generation students in applying to universities and serving on a committee to nominate students for scholarships overseas.

Ng Teng Fong – Thatcher Scholar
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (2022)

My name is Xiya Yu, a first year PPE student in Somerville College. Social sciences have always been my passion, and I am truly grateful for being able to study my favourite subjects here with the support from MTST. I grew up in Hunan, a province in South Central China.

Since I was a kid, I have always been interested in reading and thinking. My enthusiasm for social sciences continued to grow in high school as I joined the school debate team and Model United Nations. Therefore, studying the three different yet internally related subjects is definitely the most exciting thing for me entering university, since I can listen to past thinkers in depth through reading, communicate ideas with extraordinary teachers and like-minded fellows, and explore the problems that have long been haunting my mind. Throughout my three-year study here, I hope to improve academic and critical thinking skills, which I believe would be invaluable for my future career and lifelong development.

Oxford Qatar Thatcher Scholar
DPhil Engineering (2022)

My name is Sawsan and I’m a first year DPhil student at Somerville. I grew up in

Tripoli, a beautiful city in north Lebanon. Since I was a child, I always aimed to be the first in my class and I was eager to learn. With hard work and my parents’ encouragement, I succeeded to be one of the top five students in Lebanon with the highest scores in the official Lebanese baccalaureate and received the CNRS scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at the Lebanese American University (LAU).

During my years at LAU, I explored many fields and I was particularly interested in communications systems. My passion to research started when I worked as a Research Assistant with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at LAU and my love to research allowed me to pursue a Masters’ degree in Communications Engineering. I finished my Masters’ degree in June 2022 and now I’m ready to further expand my knowledge through a DPhil degree.

In my spare time, I enjoy walking and playing volley ball with my siblings and cousins. In addition, extra-curricular activities include the memberships to the IEEE club and the Artificial intelligence club. I was involved in different collaborative activities organized by these two clubs including tutoring sessions, introductory sessions to programming and artificial intelligence and research directing sessions to present research work to younger university students. Moreover, I volunteered to assist faculty members at LAU in proctoring students during exams and teaching the Control Systems laboratory course during the Fall 2021 semester. I am honoured to be in receipt of this scholarship and I am looking forward to the great opportunities that it offers me in the next years.