Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Trepte

I had a change of direction in my career in 2020 and started working as a Research Midwife. Since starting my career in research, I have delivered many different studies for academics and commercial partners. In 2022, I opted to take the next step and enrol on the Reproductive Science and Women's Health MRes Programme at UCL due to the content of the programme and the research reputation of the EGA Institute of Women's Health at UCL.

The programme had so much variety and also it was being taught by world leaders in their field. Another reason was the structure of the programme itself, I had never heard of an MRes. Enrolling on the programme allowed me to create my own project around a quality improvement project I had been delivering on the use of Virtual Reality and Miscarriage procedures. Being able to combine my passion with my academic journey felt really special.

During the programme I was promoted to Team Leader of the Women's Health Research Team at my Trust. Without enrolling on the programme this would not have been possible. Since completing the programme I have also been given further opportunities to develop professionally including an exciting endometriosis project with another academic institution.

I am so grateful for my time at UCL, as it taught me that you don’t have to fit the traditional mould of an academic to be successful. I am the first person in my family to study at university and have been self-funded. I applied to multiple charities to secure the funding for my place and I now assist my colleagues with applying for funding opportunities.

If you have passion, drive and dedication, then there is no reason not to undertake further study. My advice to anyone looking to enrol on a programme at UCL is to make sure its something you are passionate about and to look into all the funding opportunities available to you. 

Useful links

• Women's Health MSc
• Obstetric Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine MSc
• Reproductive Science and Women’s Health MSc
• Reproductive Science and Women’s Health MRes