25 August 2006
Iranian student wins prestigious prize from the University of Sheffield
An Iranian student studying at the University of Sheffield has been awarded the prestigious Valerie Broomhead prize for exceptional achievement in science. Koorosh Korfi, aged 19, is studying for a degree in Medical Genetics in the department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University. He received the award for outstanding laboratory work in his first year and for being ranked the number one performing student in his department out of 100 students.
Koorosh, who is from Mashhad in the Khorasan Razavi province of Iran, studied at the Mashhad Branch of The National Organisation for development of Exceptional Talents. It was here in Iran that he nurtured his interest in science and received the Iranian Award for Inventions and Discovery, known as the Khwarazmi Youth Festival.
As well as his academic achievements Koorosh is also president of the Persian Society , which organises activities for those interested in Persian culture , studying at the University . The society celebrates national and traditional Iranian events and promotes the values of Persian culture.
Koorosh said: "I feel very proud to have been awarded the Valerie Broomhead Prize. It is a very prestigious award and is recognition for all the hard work and time I have put into my studies over the past year. I chose the University of Sheffield because of its high national and international ranking and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. The academic staff are very friendly and supportive, the facilities are to a very high standard and the city is a great place to live and study."
Koorosh will start the second year of his undergraduate course at the University this October. He then hopes to stay on as a post graduate to undertake a PHD in the field of Oncology.
Head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Professor David Rice said: "We have been delighted to welcome Koorosh on to our course and to see him thrive in his studies. The award of the Valerie Broomhead prize is well deserved and indicative of his excellent academic ability".
Professor Bob Boucher, Vice –Chancellor of The University of Sheffield said: "The University of Sheffield has been welcoming Iranian students here for over forty years. In this time the University has developed close links with academic institutions in Iran and has greatly benefited from the knowledge and diversity Iranian students bring to the institution." He added: "We are very proud of Koorosh and I hope with our support and guidance he will go on to be successful both in his studies and in his professional career."
Notes for Editors: The Valerie Broomhead Prize was founded in 2002 by the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, to commemorate the contribution of Valerie Broomhead, a former member of the department, who died in 2002.
The University of Sheffield currently has active research links with several universities in Iran .These include Joint Location New Route PHD programmes with Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and joint research with the Avesina Research Centre, Tehran.
For further information please contact: Jenny Wilson, Media Relations Officer on 0114 2225339 or email j.c.wilson@shef.ac.uk
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