Barbora
Černá

After graduating from the general education Gymnasium Česká 64 in České Budějovice, I completed a four-year bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences at The University of Sheffield in the UK. I am now starting a Masters in MRes Pharmacology at University College London. The 'Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology', under which the course is run, has particularly interested me with its research into understanding cellular receptors for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the nervous system.

I was convinced that I wanted to pursue a pharmacological career by completing a second and third year internship in the clinical trials laboratory of Hammersmith Medicines Research in London, where I was involved in research on the efficacy of new drugs for bleeding disorders. Subsequently, as part of my undergraduate thesis, I contributed to the testing of a chemical compound that may one day become a cure for a rare congenital lethal contracture syndrome affecting the skeletal and muscular systems. I was awarded the "Undergraduate Prize for Physiology" by the national physiological society, The Physiological Society (UK) for my outstanding academic performance during my undergraduate studies.

During my studies, I also actively contributed to the development of the local community, provided social and mental support to students living in the university halls of residence as a mentor, gave talks about my positive experiences from my laboratory internship during open days as an ambassador, and last but not least tutored students learning Czech as a foreign language.

Thanks to the generous scholarship from Krsek Foundation, I am able to gain valuable laboratory experience in the field I want to pursue as a career, while preparing myself for my PhD studies. After graduation, I would like to apply my deepened knowledge and experience in the academic or industrial sector, ideally in the Czech Republic.

How do I get a scholarship to study abroad?

Each year, the Krsek Foundation, will pay the tuition fees of 10 students admitted to master's degrees in engineering, natural sciences, economics, history and political science at one of the top universities listed below.

The scholarship is conditional upon confirmation of admission to a master's degree programme at one of the following schools. The maximum age of the applicant is 25 years.

Only students with Czech citizenship can receive the scholarship.

The application form includes:

• CV of the student in Czech language with information about his/her studies and experience so far
• portrait photograph in print resolution
• information about the school to which the applicant is admitted
• an essay (3,600 characters) in Czech describing why the applicant wants to go to the school, what he/she expects from it and what he/she wants to do after graduation
• proof that the applicant's and his/her family's financial circumstances do not allow them to finance their studies (e.g. copy of tax return)
• confirmation that the student has applied for a scholarship at the school of his/her choice but has not been awarded (or has only been partially awarded)

The Krsek Foundation will select the candidates according to the information provided in the application form and conduct interviews with the finalists (the interview includes a psychological-intelligence test)

Tuition fees will be paid directly to the school account.

The candidate will undertake to fulfil the following conditions:

• To hold at least three lectures for Czech high school and university students about their experiences, opportunities and advantages of studying abroad (the lectures will be organized by the Foundation) during the next 2 years.
• To produce an essay of 5,000 characters each year for five years on a topic assigned by the Foundation.

In general, the scholarship is awarded for the first year of the Master's degree.