Podiatry graduate is awarded a prestigious Carnegie Scholarship to study PhD

Podiatry graduate Benedictine Yen Chen Khor has been awarded a prestigious Carnegie Scholarship to return to Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to work on a PhD.

Khor, from Singapore, has been working as a podiatrist for NHS Dumfries and Galloway since graduating from GCU last year, and was nominated for the scholarship by the University’s Dr Ruth Barn, Professor Jim Woodburn and Dr Lisa Newcombe.

She said: “It feels unreal to have been awarded a PhD scholarship by The Carnegie Trust as it is such a competitive and prestigious scheme. I am incredibly grateful and I wouldn’t have been aware of or have been given this opportunity if not for my prospective supervisors at GCU. This award also wouldn't have been possible without the extraordinary efforts and dedication of everyone who guided me throughout my undergraduate training. It is a huge responsibility to live up to the opportunity to undertake this research and I will give it my utmost.”

Khor’s PhD will explore diabetic foot ulceration - a significant global health issue that can have devastating consequences including lower-limb amputation. 

Dr Barn said: “This study is of vital importance to advance our understanding of the causes of foot ulceration and addresses important features affecting ulceration including tissue stiffness, tissue stress and deformity. If the findings of the study identify altered tissue properties as a risk factor for ulceration then new targeted treatment opportunities will emerge. Khor was an outstanding undergraduate student and we look forward to welcoming her back to pursue her postgraduate studies. This is a fantastic achievement for Khor and a great success for the School of Health and Life Sciences.”

The prestigious Carnegie PhD Scholarship scheme supports a limited number of academically outstanding graduates through PhD studies at Scottish universities.

Khor will begin her PhD in autumn 2018.