It was after experiencing trauma that left her comatose that Odessa Hamilton chose to study her BSc Business Psychology at Birkbeck. She overcame remarkable odds, learning not just the skills and knowledge required for her studies but also re-learning to walk, talk, read and write simultaneously. After graduating with first class honours, she became an alumni governor and has gone on to a successful academic career in behavioural science. 

Thrice accredited by the British Psychological Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the recipient of a full scholarship from the ESRC and BBSRC for her doctoral research in biobehavioural epidemiology and precision medicine, Odessa has credited Birkbeck with making her career possible. Upon her election to alumni governor at Birkbeck she said: “Having experienced the benefits of Birkbeck firsthand, I am truly passionate about advancing the College’s long-term mission to make education accessible for all.”