A STUDENT hopes to represent Callington on the international stage at a prestigious scientific conference.

Rachael Gump, a Year 13 pupil at Callington Community College, has been offered the chance to go to the London International Youth Science Forum in July.

She won the invitation for her work in science, including research into the nervous system for the Young Scientist of the Year competition and a runner-up spot in the school science Big Bang Competition.

Rachael said: ‘My interest in the nervous system comes primarily from personal experience with chronic illnesses affecting my nervous function.

‘This has forced me to become aware of the delicate structures that seemingly dictate all that we do, and I fell in love with trying to figure out how it all links together.

‘There is still so much about our own bodies that is a mystery, and the prospect of being a part of the community that solves these mysteries is what gives me my drive.’

The science forum is a two-week residential event where participants can network with universities and companies from around the world.

Rachael said: ‘This also affords me the opportunity to represent Callington Community College and Cornwall on an international stage.

‘This forum also allows me to experience several different perspectives of the world of research, by even having the opportunity to travel to CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.’

It costs an estimated £2,000 to attend the forum, and Rachael is seeking sponsorship and support through the fund-raising platform GoFundMe.

Rachael’s fund-raising page can be found at www.gofundme.com/mystem-journey-to-londoniysf