A FORMER Ryde School student, who headed Stateside at the conclusion of his university degree, is currently in lockdown in Boston.

Richard Henshaw completed his PhD in physics from the University of Warwick last year, subsequently relocating to Boston, Massachusetts.

Richard was educated at Ryde School, before graduating from the University of Warwick in 2015 with a first class masters degree in mathematics and physics.

During his graduate studies, he gained a postgraduate award in teaching, and was presented with the Warwick Teaching Excellence Award for Postgraduates.

Richard's passion for music was nurtured by the Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band, leading to him becoming the director of the University of Warwick Big Band and guiding them to multiple awards.

He has now secured a postdoctoral scholar position at Tufts University, and is training to compete in the Boston Triathlon in August.

Richard said: "I have to say a big thank you to all the friends and family who have supported me throughout nearly eight years of study. I'm excited to start the next stage of my career in Boston.

"In particular I would like to thank the Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band for giving me the opportunities and skills that equipped me for my university studies and fuelled a passion for music I'll carry forever."

Richard's latest work aims to uncover some fundamental biophysical processes driving nutrient recycling in the oceans, which sustain marine food webs as well as the single largest movement of carbon on the planet every day.