Anna Drhovská

When I first saw tumor tissue under a microscope at my internship for a pharmaceutical company, I realized that each of our cells deserves the same care as patients in hospitals. Be able to heal with our cells and understand their complex world inside human bodies has become my vision and I am very grateful to The Bakala Foundation for allowing me to continue my life's journey by studying biomedical sciences at a top international university in the middle of London, a world-class science centre.

I came to the project on the behaviour of NK cells in the ovarian tumour microenvironment and their use in immunotherapy as a student at Nad Alejí Gymnasium in Prague. Besides the theoretical information gleaned through Olympiads, summer student conferences, genetics lab, and Honours Anatomy and Physiology courses abroad with successful AP Biology exams, I have always considered practical collaboration to be essential, which has brought me to the top of national group competitions several times outside of lab projects.

In my spare time I have been playing music, specifically the flute and piano. The variety of music, ranging from classical to jazz styles, has always brought me joy, as have the smiles of listeners with whom I have been able to share my tones not only at concerts, but also, for example, as a volunteer in homes for the elderly or in the palliative ward of the Central Military Hospital in Prague.

Also, science for me has always been about sharing knowledge with the environment. I have organized lecture days to develop general awareness of current advances, and I have been involved in debate events in English focusing on contemporary world issues. My dream is to continue to motivate students and expand the field for young Czech scientists full of curiosity, determination and potential.