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National Award Success for Sam!

Many congratulations to OB Sam Carling, who recently won a prestigious national award!

Sam, who is now studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, was awarded the Salter Nuffield A Level Award for his essay based on his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) entitled: ‘Could Carbon Quantum Dots have applications in Bioimaging?’.

Carbon dot technology can track the movement of molecules within cells and is being used in medical research.

“It’s a new field of nanotechnology, which I was introduced to at Barney,” said Sam, who joined Barney Sixth Form in 2018.

“The dots, which are particles mainly made from carbon, glow under ultraviolet light, so you can use them to track the movement of other molecules in cells. At the moment, radioactive markers are used to do that, but unlike them, carbon dots don’t damage the cell. I think in the future they could be used in cancer research and it was a great project to be involved with.”

Each year, the Salters’ Institute recognises students who show exceptional performance in their external examinations in Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology, Salters Advanced Chemistry and Salters Horners Advanced Physics. The awards are for £200 and all winners receive a certificate.

Sam added: “To receive such prestigious recognition of my work so early in my career really has spurred me on even more in my studies.  

“I was really keen to take five A Levels and that was a major problem for a lot of sixth forms I visited, but Barney was with me from the start.”

“It was a nightmare to put together my timetable, but the school bent over backwards to accommodate me. Everyone was incredibly friendly and supportive, and I am really enjoying my studies at Cambridge.”