Miss Dawson (Biology Teacher, CAS & Service Coordinator)

Lower Sixth IB student Sathmi Ambepitiya has been selected as Lead Advocate for a ground breaking clinical trial application into the development of a new eye drop to slow down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children.

If the application for funding is successful, Sathmi will spend her summer meeting with the doctors and scientists involved in the trial, finalising the protocol and preparing the required study material for the participants of the trial.

Dr Dahlmann-Noor, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, was impressed with Sathmi's work experiences, charity and service involvement. She particularly liked that Sathmi had reflected honestly about her own experience with myopia. It is hoped that, if the trial goes ahead, Sathmi will be able to present at medical conferences alongside the research team.

Sathmi said: “I'm grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning more about myopia and the management of clinical trials including the practical and ethical considerations that need to be taken into account when organising a trial. This will be a fantastic learning experience and is also a great thing to talk about at medical interviews and have on my CV.”