A Sutton student has reported directly to the Government on proposals for how nanotechnology could be used to help meet future healthcare needs, including tackling cancer.

Tharini Thirukkumar has worked on the nanotechnology in healthcare project, which involves researching the key areas in the health sector that need addressing.

The 15-year-old has just returned from a two-week placement at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Rutherford Appleton laboratory.

The Nonsuch High School for Girls GCSE student has worked with other students across the country to gather information from across Europe on trends in nanotechnology, with the ultimate aim of forming an international collaboration.

Countries would work together with the joint aim of meeting future health sector needs, with a particular focus on the treatment of diabetes, cancer and cardiology.

Tharina said: “It’s been good. It’s showed what we can actually achieve. I’d like to go back next year.”

Gareth Derbyshire, from STFC’s Futures Programme said: “These students are capable of having a real influence over the way science is developed in the future to meet the ever-changing demands of the health service.

“It is their future in their own hands.”

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