Scientific mind Sam Carling A YOUNG scientist has won a prestigious national award for an A level project which looked at carbon dot technology in medicine. Sam Carling left Barnard Castle School this year with a string of top A level grades and has just completed his first term reading a degree in natural sciences at Cambridge University. He has now been awarded the Salters-Nuffield A Level Award for his essay – which was based on his Extended Project Qualification – entitled Could carbon quantum dots have applications in bioimaging? Each year, the Salters Institute recognises students who show exceptional performance in their external exams in Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology, Salters Advanced Chemistry and Salters Horners Advanced Physics. The awards are for £200 and all winners receive a certificate. This year, as external exams did not go ahead, they were based on an essay competition.