PBIS Alumna, Laura, on Her Journey through Biochemistry at King's College London

What motivated you to study biochemistry? 

I was inspired by a combination of the subject matter and the teachers at Prague British International School (PBIS). I always loved biology and chemistry. The teachers made these subjects interesting through practical experiments and went beyond the curriculum, giving me a sense of what I could study after completing my IB. Initially, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue. It was only in Year 13, as I prepared my UCAS applications, that I realised what I wanted to study. To be honest, I didn't fully understand what biochemistry was at first, but I was passionate about the sciences. 

Do you regret choosing a course of study without knowing everything about it? 

I don’t regret it at all. Universities offer a range of subjects more diverse than IB Diploma Programme, where you must focus early on. I was motivated to study and explore beyond what the IB taught us. If I could change one thing, I only would have spoken to more students who had gone through this process to understand what to expect and how to decide what to do next. I went into university life quite blindly, not knowing what it entailed. I recommend that students choose a field they’re passionate about, as university is intense, but it doesn’t mean you must remain in that field forever. 

Do you want to stay in science? 

Yes, I’m starting my PhD at the University of Oxford this autumn. I love science because you’re working in uncharted territory, collaborating with people worldwide, and publishing research. It’s exciting to find the structure of a protein and combine it with functional data. I enjoy being in the lab and presenting my research to people from different backgrounds. I skipped my master's to go straight into a PhD, which was a challenging decision. Throughout my degree, I was fortunate to have been accepted to various research internships including the Amgen Scholars Program and Vienna Biocenter Summer Programme, each of which I found incredibly rewarding.

What has been your favourite internship or project?

My favourite internship was last year at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich, part of the Amgen Scholars Program. The project focused on Alzheimer’s disease, specifically on Tau fibrils, which are self-assembled fibrous protein aggregates that are a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s. We discovered a potential protein that could break down these fibrils. During this internship, I was surrounded by 20 other students each dedicated to their own projects. It was inspiring to connect with like-minded individuals and build lifelong connections. At the end, we presented our work in Cambridge, which was nerve-wracking but built my confidence as a public speaker and scientist. I was honoured to win first place for the best scientific poster and presentation.

What has been your favourite internship or project?

My favourite internship was last year at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich, part of the Amgen Scholars Program. The project focused on Alzheimer’s disease, specifically on Tau fibrils, which are self-assembled fibrous protein aggregates that are a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s. We discovered a potential protein that could break down these fibrils. During this internship, I was surrounded by 20 other students each dedicated to their own projects. It was inspiring to connect with like-minded individuals and build lifelong connections. At the end, we presented our work in Cambridge, which was nerve-wracking but built my confidence as a public speaker and scientist. I was honored to win first place for the best scientific poster and presentation.

What has been your biggest challenge? 

Integrating into the university community. PBIS does an excellent job of fostering a sense of community and friendship through clubs and group work. University, on the other hand, felt like being a small fish in a big ocean. I was in a new country without the comfort of my parents. Joining societies and committees helped me make friends across different subjects and year groups. I progressed from a member to the President of my faculty’s society. I would encourage new students to join societies to meet people and gain leadership and organisational skills, which are valuable for applications. It’s crucial to have a support network to succeed academically and socially. 

What skills did you gain at PBIS that have helped you? 

PBIS prepared me for analytical thinking, which is essential in university. The biggest thing PBIS gave me was confidence in public speaking and not being afraid to ask questions, both of which helped me succeed at university. Expressing yourself and seeking answers is crucial. 

PBIS also taught me discipline and time management, which were vital during the demanding IB Diploma Programme. University professors don’t have the time to guide you as closely as high school teachers, so the ability to study independently is important. 

Which prize are you most proud of?

Receiving the Jelf Medal this year. It’s the highest achievement awarded by the Principal to one student from the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine for academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. I wouldn’t have received this if it weren’t for PBIS’ CAS system, which encourages leadership and skill development. Being well-rounded and contributing to your community is often more important than top grades. Being President of my faculty wasn’t just a CV item; I genuinely enjoyed helping lower-year students succeed academically and find internship opportunities. 

You described your academic journey as “complicated.” What do you mean by that? 

When I first came to university, I chose the UK because of its education system and the common language, which I thought would make integration easier. At school, I was used to doing well because I knew what was expected of me, thanks to my teachers at PBIS. However, at university, my first essay was a bit of a shock. I realised that moving from high school to university requires a significant adjustment, particularly in terms of independent study. I reached out to my personal tutor for advice on studying effectively and achieving higher grades. As for my PhD journey, the best advice I received—and would give—is that you can’t do everything alone. I applied to ten different places, and for each application, I contacted people who had gone through the same process to ask for advice.

What are your future milestones? 

Some people know exactly what they want to do, but I’m not one of them, and I think that should be more normalised. During my PhD, I hope to discover where my passion in science truly lies. I’m particularly interested in Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases. I dream of starting a company to develop therapies that could slow down the onset of these diseases. I’d love a dual career as a start-up founder and a professor.