Student recognised for outstanding academic performance

News from our partners University Centre Shrewsbury

A second year Life Sciences student at University Centre Shrewsbury has been recognised for her outstanding achievements during her first 12 months at UCS.

Molly-Jane Watkins-Fruen, who is from the town, took her A-levels at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, before becoming one of the first intake of undergraduate students at UCS in 2015.

Molly-Jane Watkins-Fruen receiving her award from Professor Mike Davie at University Centre Shrewsbury

She is currently studying Genetics and Evolution, one of several popular BSc single honours programmes run by the Institute of Medicine at UCS.

Molly-Jane was presented with the Michael Davie Research Foundation Award for best overall accomplishment during the first year of studies. The accolade was presented to her by Professor Mike Davie, a consultant physician recently retired from clinical practice, but who is continuing his research into osteoporosis. He made the presentation on behalf of the trustees of the Foundation, which is a local biomedical charity that supports research into bone-related conditions. It has committed to funding an award of this kind to a UCS-based Life Sciences student for the next four years.

On completing her degree, Molly-Jane is keen to pursue postgraduate studies in palaeontology. She said:

“It was so unexpected, I never thought the Award would be for me. I feel really proud to have been given it, and it’s shown me what can be achieved through hard work and determination. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my lecturers at UCS, and I’d like to thank them all for a fantastic first year!”

Professor Davie added:

“It was a great pleasure to award Molly-Jane with a cheque to mark her achievement as the top student of her year, having secured very high marks in the First Year Biosciences course at UC Shrewsbury. This Centre has obviously filled a need and is attracting very able students, who are responding to the high quality teaching given by this new venture.”