Our warmest congratulations to Dr Fiona Cooke (Consultant Medical Microbiologist based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Girton Fellow in Medicine), who was awarded a Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence by the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Nominators commented:
"For over two decades, Dr Fiona Cooke has made an exceptional and sustained contribution to medical education and student welfare across the University and Clinical School. As a Girton College lecturer for 20 years, Fiona has provided outstanding teaching and mentorship. She has supported students across multiple Colleges, delivered outreach to sixth-formers, and co-founded the Girton Hammond Science Communication Prize, now celebrating its 18th year. Through initiatives such as the Girton Study Skills Seminar on reading scientific papers, she has consistently promoted both intellectual growth and professional development.
At the broader undergraduate level, Fiona regularly hosts Part II Pathology projects, with many of her students presenting their work nationally. In the Clinical School, she delivers the infection components of four clinic-pathological conferences, hosts students in Microbiology during Infectious Diseases weeks, and provides remediation teaching for Year 5 students who are retaking summative assessments (Final MB II). Student feedback consistently praises the quality of her teaching.
Fiona is also a senior member of the Clinical School’s Deanery Team, where she leads the student welfare programme. She has introduced and streamlined key processes such as file notes, intermission and the annual welfare plan, as well as contributing to wider curriculum review. Finally, Fiona makes substantial contributions to Final MB assessments in the Clinical School through question development, standard setting and marking."
The Pilkington Prize awards were endowed and inaugurated in 1994 by Sir Alastair Pilkington to acknowledge excellence in teaching. The prizes are awarded to individuals who make a substantial contribution to the teaching programme of a Department, Faculty. Twelve prizes of £1000 are awarded each year, with nominations made by each of the six Schools. The prizes are awarded annually by the Vice-Chancellor.