Commemorating Savant Thakur one year on

Today we remember the beloved PhD candidate, who sadly succumbed to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) on 16 June 2019.

Savant Thakur was an inspirational School of Biomedical Sciences PhD candidate, who was driven to find a cure for the muscle wasting disease he had lived with since childhood.

The 27-year old was known and respected across the University as a talented scholar, who had faced considerable adversity from childhood as a patient suffering from DMD – the most severe of the muscular dystrophies.

Savant had completed his experimental studies and was in the final stages of his candidature when sadly he was hospitalised and died on June 16, 2019, from complications arising from his condition.

His death left family, friends and colleagues completely devastated. Emotional tributes flowed  for Savant and the School of Biomedical Sciences held a special memorial service in his honour.

Marking the anniversary of Savant’s passing, Professor Gordon Lynch, Director of the Centre for Muscle Research, said: “We remember Savant most fondly and remain inspired by his incredible fortitude and passion for research.

“His genuine warmth and compassion were very special. Savant’s doctoral research continues to generate important, quality publications informing the field of muscle biology.”

Savant’s legacy continues with the School having established the Savant Thakur Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship recognises a talented research scholar, who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity and provided leadership in the community – consistent with the attributes and achievements of Savant.

Applications for this special scholarship are now open until 30 November 2020.

Apply now

Donate towards the Scholarship

The Savant Thakur Memorial Scholarship supports students in their quests to uncover new treatments and cures for conditions we must learn more about.

If you are considering a donation before the end of the financial year, please consider contributing to the scholarship fund.

Donate today

*Donations of $2 or more to the University of Melbourne initiatives in Australia are tax-deductible for Australian tax payers. ABN 84 002 705 224. Funds will be held in the University’s short-term investment account while it is expended for the purpose described here.