Gabrielle Sibbles wants to innovate solutions for amputees
Hampton School graduate among Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship recipients
Published:Wednesday | September 11, 2024 | 12:08 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
Gabrielle Sibbles knew from an early age that she did not want to become a doctor, yet she is eager to forge a career within the realm of medicine.
She has chosen to undertake studies in the emerging field of biomedical engineering, aiming to develop solutions for individuals across the island living without limbs.
“I chose my programme, biomedical engineering, because of my passion for medicine, technology and engineering,” the Hampton School graduate, who was recently awarded one of the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarships, told The Gleaner on Tuesday.
The scholarships, which were given by the Ministry of Health & Wellness at a combined value of $2.5 billion, were awarded to more than 600 students across 13 health-related fields. The scholarship is in support of undergraduate and graduate studies for the duration of study with a maximum award of $1 million per year.
“From as long as I’ve known myself, I’ve always had a passion for medicine, but I could not go the direction of a doctor outright. I knew that was something I was not exactly interested in, and I’ve always been a problem solver. I’ve always liked to look at things and break them down and even construct different items, taking things like watches and staplers apart, just to see how they work and putting them back together, so I knew that engineering was the discipline for me, and the combination of those two just happens to be biomedical engineering and, luckily for me, it was offered at UWI, Mona,” she said.
Last week, Sibbles began her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, in the Faculty of Engineering.
Her career choice and programme of study also fall in line with the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ new direction of moving away from having a disease-centred focus to having a patient-centred focus.
“I am very grateful for receiving a Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship. I was honestly in a state of shock when I got the email. It was surprising because I applied for a lot of scholarships since my tuition is quite high,” Sibbles said.
“Overall, I’m just grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship offers me,” she added.
Sibbles became aware of the scholarship through social media and her mother encouraged her to apply, given that the programme she intended to pursue was among those eligible for scholarships.
Her mother also had enough faith that she was capable of winning the award in the category, given that Sibbles passed 13 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level – social studies, electrical installation, additional mathematics, technical drawing, physical education, electronic document preparation management, mechanical engineering, biology, chemistry, English language, information technology, mathematics, and physics.
She was awarded the highest CSEC pass in mathematics at Hampton School.
CAPE PASSES
In the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), Sibbles passed communication studies, Caribbean studies, and two units each in pure mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology.
After completing her degree, Sibbles believes she will be able to assist the Government with providing affordable prostheses.
“I know quite a few both partial and full amputees and just people who have lost use over their limbs and were born with deformities and have not been able to adjust accordingly, whether it is being born without it or having lost it ... . Some people want for things like prosthesis and are not functional and it is just not readily available and it’s definitely not affordable, so if I can figure out a way to make that a reality, to make it affordable and available, that [would be great],” Sibbles told The Gleaner.
She also harbours dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
“I would like to have some more field experience before I start a business of my own. My first endeavour should be a foundation. I’d like it to be a non-profit before I start a profitable business,” Sibbles said.
Like many teenagers, Sibbles faced her share of challenges growing up, but she credits her parents, Seanah and Maceo Sibbles, for their support in helping her overcome them.
“My biggest obstacle while growing up was probably myself – my lack of confidence in myself. I know this sounds weird about an eight-year-old being crippled with self-doubt. At the time, I was heavily ostracised in school and it took a toll on my mental health. I think it caused me to mature quite early and it made it difficult for me to have personal connections at the time, and my parents were a big support to me in all aspects,” Sibbles told The Gleaner.
“How did I overcome it? One day, I woke up and I decided I did not want to be a pushover anymore. I wanted to be somebody different, and I just worked towards it,” said Sibbles, who is motivated by the ambition to become a better person and the desire to succeed.