Maksim Dadonau, MEng Mechanical Engineering student here, at Warwick University, is among the 55 of the most academically exceptional and socially committed people from across the globe that have been selected as Gates Cambridge Scholars after interviews in Cambridge in March. The Scholars will join the 35 US Scholars selected in late January to form the class of 2016, all of whom will take up the most prestigious international postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge this October.

Competition for the Scholarships is fierce. The successful candidates were selected from a total pool of 3,730 applicants on the basis of their intellectual ability, commitment to improving the lives of others, leadership potential and academic fit with Cambridge. Departments in Cambridge nominated 242 candidates for the Scholarships and, of these, 101 were interviewed in Cambridge in late March by four panels of interviewers drawn from across the University.

Here is what Maksim says about his award:

“I am extremely excited by and grateful for this unique opportunity to pursue my PhD in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University, whilst being a part of a vibrant and dynamic Gates Cambridge community”

With regards to his academic interests, Maksim commented:

“In my doctoral studies I will be addressing the topic of double-diffusive convection. This fundamental phenomenon has a wide range of applications in various engineering and natural processes and holds particular importance in environmental studies, such as geology and oceanography. Through my research, I am hoping to contribute towards the development of our understanding of the global environmental processes and assist in tackling the challenges associated with climate change."