Pedro Checa Rifa Wins Head of School Prize at Warwick

The ABSPIE Lab is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Mr Pedro Checa Rifa, a current PhD student in the lab, who has graduated this week from the MSc in Digital Health, Data and Diagnostics with Distinction at the University of Warwick. In recognition of his exceptional academic performance, Pedro was also awarded the Head of School Prize, having achieved the best overall results in his cohort. 

Pedro’s success is the result of years of sustained commitment, curiosity, and hard work. His journey with the ABSPIE Lab began in Year 2 of his undergraduate studies, where he quickly distinguished himself through his dedication and ability to contribute meaningfully to multiple research projects. Over the years, he has been involved in a wide range of initiatives, including international collaborations with EAMBES and IFMBE, demonstrating both academic excellence and a strong capacity for teamwork across disciplines and institutions. 

Throughout his undergraduate studies, MSc, and now PhD, Pedro has been consistently supervised by Dr Davide Piaggio, under whose guidance he has continued to grow as an independent and impactful early career researcher. 

Commenting on the achievement, Dr Davide Piaggio said: 
“I’m really happy when these things happen: when one can witness the growth and success of promising and curious students, to whom a great deal of time and mentoring has been dedicated. Moments like these truly reward all the effort and dedication. Pedro certainly deserves this prize (as well as the awards he received over the summer from the IFMBE) and should be proud of his journey so far. Ad maiora! 

Reflecting on the milestone, Pedro Checa Rifa added: 
“Reflecting on my time at Warwick, from joining the lab in my second year to graduating now, I feel incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by such a supportive environment, especially my family and Dr Piaggio. Receiving the Head of School Prize is a proud moment for me, but it is also a testament to the guidance I’ve received along the way. I look forward to continuing this work and tackling new challenges during my PhD.” 

The ABSPIE Lab warmly congratulates Pedro on this significant accomplishment and looks forward to his continued contributions and successes as a PhD researcher.