AN Aberystwyth University graduate has been awarded a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Melisa Basol graduated with a BSc in psychology from Aberystwyth University in July 2017 before going to the University of Cambridge to study for an MPhil.

She will start her PhD in psychology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, in autumn 2018.

Melisa is one of 92 students who will take up their scholarships later this year after being selected from a total pool of 5,798 applicants.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are award to the most academically exceptional and socially committed people from across the globe and is recognised as the University of Cambridge’s most prestigious international postgraduate scholarship.

Melisa said: “I feel very honoured to be entering a community of like-minded and ambitious individuals who are determined to make an impact. And whilst this fund is incredibly prestigious and generous, I am aware that this would have not been possible without the trust and unconditional support of my department at Aber.

“My accomplishments are a mere reflection of the guidance and encouragement I have received throughout my undergraduate degree and beyond.”

Prof Nigel Holt, head of the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University, said: “We all have students we will remember for ever, and who make our decision to work in universities even more worthwhile and Melisa is certainly one of those.”

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship aims to identify and select applicants who are academically outstanding and are likely to be transformative leaders across all fields of endeavour.