Our First ‘Aspiring Biologist’!

Principal Emma Young joined the Biology department in presenting the first ever Aspiring Biologist Award. This award is in memory of one of our beloved teachers, Jess Thomas, who sadly passed away in September 2024. Jess was passionate about scientific discovery, life sciences and inspiring a love of life sciences in future generations.

The Biology Team jointly decided that Molly Blackwell would be a worthy first recipient of the Award. Molly is an inspirational student, and we are very proud of her. She demonstrates a clear passion for Biology, a sensational work ethic and remarkable resilience.

The Award was presented to Molly in December, and she was clearly surprised to be invited into the Biology Office, especially when the College Principal, Emma Young, popped in to say congratulations. We caught up with Molly afterwards to find out more:

When did you realise that Biology was the subject for you?

It was when I started to understand how the concepts we learned in class connected to real life, making me excited to learn rather than seeing it as a chore. Topics like the nervous system and genetics fascinated me, and I enjoyed not just memorising facts but understanding how and why biological processes happen. That curiosity made Biology feel fascinating rather than just academic.

How did you feel when you found out you were the first recipient of the Aspiring Biologist Award?

I felt incredibly honoured and proud. It gave me confidence in my ability and motivation to continue pursuing Biology at a higher level.

What advice would you give younger students who might want to study Biology at Godalming College?

I would encourage them to stay organised, engage in lessons and overall be genuinely interested in the subject. Also, take advantage of the support from the teachers and resources available at Godalming College.

What made you decide to study neuroscience at university?

My interest in neuroscience grew from my fascination with how the brain controls behaviour and thought. Learning about the nervous system in Biology sparked my curiosity about how biological processes influence mental health, cognition, and human behaviour. Neuroscience felt like the perfect subject to combine my interest in Biology with psychology.

Thanks for sharing, Molly. We wish you the best of luck with your university path and look forward to hearing about your future endeavours!