Inaugural STEM Twilight Lecture: Professor Kim

We were proud to launch our new STEM Twilight Lecture Series with a visit from Professor Seung Kim of Stanford University, who captivated our pupils with insights from his groundbreaking research at the Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine.

The lecture focused on Professor Kim’s work with Drosophila Melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly. This humble insect has been the subject of over 100,000 academic papers and has contributed to five Nobel Prizes. Professor Kim explained how his laboratory is utilising fruit flies to make remarkable advances in Type I diabetes research.

His research is also at the core of the Stan-X Programme at Haileybury, which sees a select group of Sixth Form pupils contribute to Professor Kim’s world class scientific inquiry. Evidence collected in Haileybury’s dedicated Stan-X laboratory contributes to the investigation of diseases being completed by a global community of researchers. Research findings co-authored by pupils and teachers are published in peer-reviewed science journals and presented at international meetings, as has been the case in past programmes.

At last evening’s lecture, our pupils were particularly inspired by Professor Kim’s account of his own academic journey, which provided a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of a career in scientific research. The intimate setting of our STEM Twilight Series within Haileybury’s new SciTech Building allowed for extensive Q&A, giving pupils the chance to engage directly with a world-class researcher.

The event exemplified the enriching learning opportunities our partnerships provide. Pupils relished the chance to network with a Stanford professor, gaining valuable insights into the world of cutting-edge STEM research. We look forward to welcoming more prominent academics and industry professionals in future lectures, continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.