Co-curricular experiences in a team setting were powerful also , and I do think that there was an expectation that we all involved ourselves outside the classroom , which then led to stronger bonds with other students inside the classroom . Overall , the small classes , combined with the dedication to excellence , encouraged accountability to myself in every setting later in life , which has served me well in supporting my many dreams .
KATHARINE LEE ’ 18
Katharine Lee ’ 18 was recently selected as a recipient of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship : a full scholarship for her postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge , where she is studying for a PhD in pediatrics . Katharine shared some of her experiences .
Tell us about your path after CHS and how it led you to where you are ?
Following graduation , Katharine attended Johns Hopkins University , starting as a physics major before switching to computer science in her second year . With an interest in medicine and computer science , Katharine juggled both fields through her schooling and various clinically oriented internships incorporating computational skills and patient-facing opportunities .
“ I realized as I accumulated these experiences that there is a space for people who have the skill set of programming and computational skills , but with interest in applying it to medicine .” she explained . “ Not only did I want to do research in this computational medicine sphere , but I also really wanted to practice medicine and have a patient-facing role . I ’ m excited about this intersection because I think physicians are uniquely positioned to know the gaps and where we could do better .”
How did it feel to learn about your selection as a Gates Cambridge Scholarship recipient ?
Recipients of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship must have a strong sense of self , outstanding academics , leadership qualities and a commitment to improving the lives of others . So far , the scholarship is one of Katharine ’ s proudest personal and professional accomplishments .
“ As a woman in a male-dominated field like computer science , I think I ’ ve grown accustomed to feeling that some impostor syndrome is inevitable . Achieving something like the Gates Cambridge Scholarship helped me finally feel , “ perhaps I can do this ”,” she said . “ Especially telling my parents I was very proud to tell them because I owe them everything . They ’ ve been nothing but supportive , and to show them what I ’ m doing with the love they ’ ve invested in me — that was the moment I realized how important this was to me and my family .”
Tell us about your research .
Katharine ’ s work intersects computational analysis ( using computers and mathematical algorithms to study data ) and medicine , building the base for transformational clinical research in pediatric neurology . In particular , she is looking at the brain activity within newborns during sleep .
“ My goal is to try to shed light , literally and figuratively , on what the brain is doing to wire up basically during sleep and those early days of life ,” she explained .
Since October 2023 , Katharine has used functional near-infrared spectroscopy with high-density diffuse optical tomography technology . What does that mean ? A non-invasive , comfortable cap is placed on a baby ’ s head , and infrared light shows researchers which parts of the brain are active or inactive in different sleep states . With Katharine ’ s background and interest in computer science , she can take that work further .
“ I ’ m very interested in building computational pathways to analyse high-density diffuse optical tomography specifically for dynamic functional connectivity .”
How do you think your experience at CHS has influenced you ?
I am a ‘ lifer ’. I truly owe everything to Crofton House . Not only academically but also socially ; I am grateful for the environment I was given because it ’ s truly shaped who I am to this day , through learning but also play ,” Katharine said . “ I look fondly back on all my days in The Woods , learning to be tactilely involved in learning and my environment . It ’ s hard to pin down
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