Westbourne School alumnus wins major science prize

Westbourne alumnus, Anthony Phung (Class of 2021), was part of a Cambridge University team who won a gold medal in this year’s International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition, known as iGEM.

Now in his second year, studying Natural Sciences, Anthony was part the winning Cambridge University Synthetic Biology Society (CUSBS).

The competition in synthetic biology sees students use bioengineering toolkits to solve a real-life problem, ranging from therapeutics to manufacturing to climate crisis.

Anthony said it was amazing to win the award and had some inspiring words for future scientists.

“I am very proud of this Gold Award,” said Anthony. “I learnt so much about the way of a synthetic biologist. One of my ultimate takeaways is: Don't be a stereotypical scientist who spends all their life in the lab. Be a communicator, an entrepreneur, a world-changer."

Anthony joined Westbourne School, on Hickman Road, from Vietnam.

He flourished as a student whilst studying in the Penarth, attaining an exceptional 45 Points in the IB Diploma - the very highest score available.

Lisa Phillips, Westbourne’s Head of Sixth Form, said Anthony was always a bit special.

"Anthony was an outstanding student whilst studying the IB Diploma Programme with us at Westbourne,” said Ms Phillips. “We knew then that he was destined to make a significant impact in the field of science.”

Westbourne School in Penarth where Anthony was a pupil (Image: Newsquest)

Anthony has kept in close contact with the Westbourne community whilst at university finding time to mentor current Westbourne students, helping with revision sessions, and coaching them for Olympiad competitions.

Next for him is the USA and California in 2023, studying at the Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Anthony added: “Next I will take on other challenges in the field and develop myself further as a researcher.”