Pearl Okungbowa

When you arrived on campus, what were your first impressions?

I loved how big the campus was and the greenery of it. It was a great change of pace coming from London and it definitely had a strong community vibe. I also loved that there were a range of facilities you could access for free, no matter what course you do. For example, you could book out a tennis court for a friendly game on any day of the week or just have some study time in a few lecture buildings with space to do so.

What part of the course most interested you?

I was drawn to Biomedical Science due to the actual content of the course. The first-year modules intrigued me the most, and learning about certain topics from experts in the field was just as interesting. Furthermore, a lot of emphasis was placed on Lab experience during first year, allowing us to learn about new equipment and gain new skills that you can use throughout the course and your career.

Third year gave us the opportunity to choose our modules. This allowed me to explore the scientific community and carry out a lot of my own research, behaving as a real research scientist.

What was your final-year research project about?

I wrote a dissertation comparing the Regenerative Potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in treating Spinal Cord Injury. I have always been interested in stem cells and their ability to differentiate into a range of cell types so I had my heart set on that. I was guided by my advisor to focus on Spinal Cord Injury which allowed me to explore the neurological side of the degree independently.

How do you think you have changed during your time at Kent?

During my time at Kent, I have definitely grown as a person. It has allowed me to become more confident as I converse with peers and academics from a wide range and variety of backgrounds. I have also gained a strong sense of independence as I learnt how to balance my time along with doing my degree and engaging with the content.

How did Kent help you with your career plan?

Kent offers career help to all students even after you graduate. This is incredibly helpful as there is no time limit on when you can ask for help. They gave me access to an online CV checker and a member of the Careers and Employability Service looked over my CV and gave me detailed feedback on it.

I will also be meeting with the Careers Advisor in the future. They are also always emailing about opportunities and things I can apply for that are relevant.