Oxford scholarship follows career ‘punt'
From musician to neuroscientist, an Oamaru man's career change has paid off.
Former Waitaki Boys' High School student Joseph Balfe has been awarded the prestigious Clarendon Scholarship at the University of Oxford in England.
About 38,000 graduates apply each year for the fully funded scholarship at the collegiate research university. Mr Balfe was one of only 200 people selected worldwide.
Mr Balfe, 25, attended WBHS from 2012-16, and achieved his master's of science (with distinction) in neuroscience at the University of Otago last year.
He will undertake his PhD in psychiatry at Oxford.
Mr Balfe said he was astounded to receive the scholarship.
"I'm very surprised but absolutely grateful at the same time because it was definitely a lot of work to get to this point.
"I'm really looking forward to being surrounded by very like-minded people who are working very hard and excited and passionate about what they do."
After completing his bachelor's degree in music he was "at a bit of a crossroads" and said he "kind of fell into neuroscience".
"It was a bit of a punt because I wasn't really a science person, but I just gave it my best shot and now it's gone pretty far obviously, and my life has gone in a completely different direction."
WBHS rector Darryl Paterson said the school community was "incredibly proud of Joseph" as they were of "many old boys who are changing the world".
"To be recognised for such a prestigious scholarship is an amazing achievement and a tribute to his talents."
Being a prefect, Mr Balfe was an outstanding student as well as a talented musician, public speaker and sportsman, Mr Paterson said.
"Speaking with many of his former teachers, and having met him in 2017, he is a most humble and hardworking young man, highly respected by all."
After graduating, Mr Balfe completed an internship in cancer diagnostics at Pacific Edge Ltd, where he now works as a clinical trials associate in the Centre for Innovation.
He is also a part-time research assistant at the University of Otago.
Over the past two and a-half years, Mr Balfe has been working on developing a novel wearable smart device to detect and relieve asthma attacks by harnessing the interconnectivity of the nervous system.
"A lot of what has driven me forward academically has been what I've done with Otago through this device that I'm developing with my supervisor, Associate Prof Yusuf Cakmak, called the VentiMate," he said.
Mr Balfe will join Oxford's Translational NeuroStimulation Laboratory, where he will investigate a novel form of brain stimulation for the treatment of depression.
His concern for mental health sparked his initial curiosity for neuroscience, after he worked in a support role in residential colleges and met many young people with mental health issues.
He said it was a tremendous advantage to continue to work on novel technology that had the potential to make a difference for people who were suffering daily.
"That's an enormous privilege and I'm quite humbled to be a part of such an important mission."
Born in Portsmouth, England, Mr Balfe moved to Oamaru with his Filipina mother and British father at the age of 6.
He "owes everything" to his parents, who were excited for him to attend Oxford.
Mr Balfe said music would always be a part of his life.
He had a couple of "cool shows" coming up in Dunedin, before he moved to Oxford in mid-September to begin his scholarship course in October.
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