Eighth Norman Lloyd Scholar report is in!

Martim Rodrigo (pictured below), the eighth recipient of a Dr Norman C. Lloyd Scholarship at Cardiff University has completed the first year of his MCheM degree in Chemistry at the university and he has submitted an end of year report. The Norman Lloyd Scholarship is given to a new student in the Cardiff School of Chemistry who is of high academic standing and resident in Wales. The ninth recipient of the Scholarship at Cardiff has also just been announced.

 What degree are you undertaking and why did you choose the course here?

I am studying BSc Chemistry at Cardiff University. I chose this course due to the excellent reputation of the university, the lecture and laboratory facilities and the opportunities that would be afforded to me once I have completed my degree.

What is the best thing about studying at Cardiff and how have you found your experience so far?

The best thing about studying at Cardiff was being able to leave the sixth form bubble. In high school, you are exposed to people living in the same part of town. In college, you are exposed to students from around the city. In university, you have the chance to meet other students from around the country and even abroad! I have had the most fantastic time at university, and I am certain that I am now ready for the next steps after graduation.

Do you have a career in mind after you graduate/what are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation, I will be reading Medicine at the University of Oxford. My goal is to pursue a career in Medicine and Education.

Achievements/what you enjoyed most and what have you found most challenging?

The transition from post-lockdown Year 13 to university proved to be difficult at first. I needed to develop healthy, yet effective study habits lost during lockdown and university has enabled me to achieve this. I have also been able to attend enrichment conferences in London which helped me to network with much more experienced professionals from all around the country.

Do you do anything extracurricular in your spare time/alongside your degree?

I tried many societies out during my degree ranging from sports, politics, debating, to religious societies. I was also able to try new sports out and broaden my horizons! I am also attempting to scale up both my business and my outreach work to the whole country.

What difference has this scholarship made to you? Has it enabled you to achieve anything that you would not have been able to before?

This scholarship was an opportunity that allowed me grow academically and as an individual. I have used the scholarship to invest in my soft skills which has led me to being shortlisted by Oxford Medical School to read Medicine in 2024. I have also contributed to widening access initiatives by running workshops which help students to polish their university applications. In addition to this, I have been able to spend more time studying for my degree as I was fortunate enough to not need to get a part-time job during my studies which I could not be more grateful for.

If you could say something to the donor who gave you this gift, what would it be?

I want to thank the donor for their generosity. It is so rewarding to be acknowledged for our hard work. The impact of the scholarship will be everlasting. When I started my course, I was less mature and had many goals. I can say that I look forward confidently and that being a scholar has played a major role in my achievements. I wish the donor a Merry Christmas and I would like to thank them for allowing students living in Wales to invest in their future and making the world a better place. I am proud to say that I have contributed to improving social mobility in this country and said volunteering work was done thanks to this scholarship.

We wish Martim every success for the future!

The scholarship

The Norman Lloyd scholarship was set up by RSC Belgium in collaboration with Norman’s family and Cardiff University in memory of our old friend and supporter Norman Lloyd. Norman was himself a student at an institution that is now part of the university. The funds raised provide an annual scholarship of £1,000 for an undergraduate student, usually in their first year of study, at the Cardiff School of Chemistry.