Pritha Dasgupta, a Kolkata student, has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Tricia Cohen Prize PhD Studentship at the University of Dundee in Scotland. For the next four years, she will work alongside the University’s world-leading experts in protein ubiquitylation, a biological control mechanism that regulates most aspects of cell life and is an emerging field of drug discovery. This scholarship honouring a pioneering female researcher would enable her to pursue her dream of a stellar scientific career.
Pritha (25) was awarded the scholarship by the Tricia Cohen Memorial Trust from over 100 applicants, after impressing the Trust’s Scientific Advisory Board at the University with her aptitude and clear sense of purpose.
She said, “At that time I didn’t know how many other applicants there were, but I feel very privileged and grateful to have been chosen from such a wide field,” she said. Beating competition from a global field of talented young scientists and winning over a panel of distinguished experts has given her a huge confidence boost.
“It was intimidating to be interviewed by such successful scientists, but they all gave me very constructive feedback, and this support has continued. Now I am here studying for my PhD. Tricia was known for her contribution to biochemical research, and I feel inspired by her story and by the work she did. When I read about this Prize, I liked how innovative it was and how they are raising funds for students who want to contribute to the science that Tricia was very passionate about. This and the scientific excellence of Dundee’s world-famous researchers made me apply for this studentship.”
Tricia Cohen took up a position at Dundee in 1971 and went on to become Head of Molecular Biology at the University’s Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit (MRC-PPU). She was awarded an Honorary Professorship in 2001 in recognition of her achievements, which include publishing more than 120 papers and becoming the first person to clone protein phosphatases. Sadly, Tricia died in August 2020 after a battle with lymphoma.
The Tricia Cohen Memorial Trust, established to fund biomedical research PhDs, has raised £300,000 from 80+ donors. When its £500,000 target is reached it will fund six PhD studentships to run consecutively from 2022 till 2044.
“Tricia supervised about 20 PhD students and mentored many postdocs over the years,” said her husband, Professor Sir Philip Cohen, one of the UK’s most distinguished biochemists. “She was passionate about helping young scientists to make their mark in the world. I can’t think of anything she would have enjoyed more than Pritha coming here to start her research career. We are delighted to welcome her, but it is tinged with sadness that Tricia is not here to see this for herself. I have no doubt that the researchers who benefit from the Trust will go on to achieve great things and have a positive impact on the world.”
Pritha says she has had no trouble adjusting to life in Scotland despite having never lived outside of India before moving to Dundee. “When I got my interview for this studentship, I talked to different people who are doing their PhDs and postdocs at Dundee to ask them about life here and the differences from India,” she explained. “It’s difficult to guess what a place is like without visiting it, but I was reassured by what I was told. Adjusting to Scotland was not very difficult for me because I got support from Philip and others with everything that I needed for my transition from India and for settling in here. Away from the lab, I love discovering new places, so Scotland is perfect for me because there are plenty of options to explore. After finishing my PhD I dream of pursuing a postdoc and ultimately becoming an independent investigator using what I learn in Dundee.”
