Saint Maur International School recently had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Janet Kumita, an accomplished scientist and expert in biochemistry and pharmacology, for an engaging lecture with Grade 11 IB students. Dr. Kumita, currently an MRC Career Development Award Fellow and Group Leader in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge, brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Dr. Kumita, who is also the cousin of our own Physics teacher Ms Kawamura, shared insights from her groundbreaking research, including her work on molecular chaperones, amyloid formation, and peptide structure control. She also recounted her academic journey, from her undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo to her postdoctoral fellowship with Prof. Sir Christopher Dobson. Her story highlighted the importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary connections in scientific discovery.

Students were captivated as Dr. Kumita discussed real-world applications of her work, connecting advanced scientific concepts to pressing global health challenges. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students asked thought-provoking questions about her research, career path, and advice for aspiring scientists.

Saint Maur is deeply grateful to Dr. Kumita for inspiring our students and looks forward to hosting more experts who can enrich their academic journey and broaden their horizons.