An 'exceptional' doctor has been granted a life-changing scholarship at the world's number one ranking university. 

Dr Jason Sarfo-Annin, 28, who grew up in Cranston Gardens, Chingford, where his family still lives, has been awarded the Fulbright Nursten Postgraduate Award to study public health at Harvard University.

His studies will focus on the sustainability and affordability of universal healthcare systems, particularly how the UK can continue ensuring the NHS is kept free at the point of use. 

The alumnus from Trinity Catholic High School in Mornington Road, Woodford Green, gained the qualifications he needed at Trinity to go on and study medicine at Oxford University. 

He beat off hundreds of entries to be granted the world-class scholarship named in memory of Reading University professor Dr Harry Nursten, who was a major force in establishing food science research in UK higher education. 

Dr Sarfo-Annin will travel to the Ivy League university in August, which is currently ranked number one according to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking list for 2015. 

The 28-year-old engaged to get married a month after starting his studies, currently lives in Bath where he met his wife-to-be and works at the Royal United Hospital in Bristol.

He hopes his journey will inspire young people in Waltham Forest. 

"I was surprised and incredibly honoured to be the first ever recipient of the Fulbright Nursten Award," he said. 

"I'm excited but also a bit apprehensive as I will apart from my other half for the first nine months of our marriage.

"If someone told me 15 years ago I would be in this position today, I would not have believed them. 

"When I first went to Oxford, people in my street would say they finally knew someone that went to Oxford University. 

"It wasn't as if there was someone else, who wasn't a sports person, to look up to in our neck of the woods. 

"My journey could be the little seed that goes on to inspire younger generations."

Penny Egan, executive director of the US -UK Fulbright Commission, said: "I know our 2015 cohort will do us great credit during their time in the US and beyond. 

"Only exceptional scholars and students win Fulbright awards, considered one of the world's most competitive merit-based international scholarships."