Desty scholarship supports future scientists

In 2019, six new Masters scholars were enrolled in our School of Life Sciences as a result of a £120,000 bequest from Doreen Desty, the wife of the late scientist and inventor Denis Desty. Her daughter, Christine, was a talented chemist, graduating from Essex with a BSc Biochemistry in 1975. She sadly passed away just a few years later, and the Christine Desty Scholarships have been set up in her honour. 

Christine’s cousin, Graham Martin, is the executor of Doreen’s estate. He says, "My aunt was predeceased by her husband and children, and so in the last years of her life we planned together how the funds from her estate could be used to create a fitting legacy for the Desty family. Part of this was to create a fund in Christine’s name so that future Essex scientists could fulfil their potential in a way that my cousin was sadly never able to."

Graham visited campus at the start of the year to meet the Desty scholars and to find out more about the research they are conducting as part of their Masters degree. Here is what some of them had to say about being awarded the scholarship:

"Being awarded the Christine Desty scholarship has allowed me to undertake a research masters that I wouldn't have been able to achieve without funding. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity that has allowed me to start my career as a scientific researcher."
Georgia Taylor

“This scholarship has allowed me to continue my studies and to gain a year's experience working in a research lab, which will be invaluable for the next step in my career. Without this, I would not have been able to undertake this Masters degree. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given this opportunity.”
Meg Downes

“I'm really grateful for this scholarship, and I would love to thank Graham. I was unsure about doing a PhD and having the opportunity to spend a year developing my skills in research is so valuable.”
Mia Hanlon

We wish our Desty scholars the very best as they embark on their future careers and thank the Desty family for supporting them on their journeys.