Alumnae Spotlight: Kaat Van Assche, Class of 2018

Kaat Van Assche, Royal High School Bath Class of 2018, is currently in her 3rd year of a PhD at the Robot Assisted Surgery (RAS) lab at KU Leuven in Belgium. 

Her research focusses on radiation free ultrasound-guided robotic spine surgery. After graduating from Royal High, she completed a Master’s degree in Electromechanics at KU Leuven and specialised in clinical engineering. She also completed her Master thesis at the RAS lab before starting her PhD in 2022.

What aspects of Royal High did you enjoy and find most rewarding?

I truly enjoyed the whole experience of my time at RHB, but what made it most rewarding was the people. The friendships I built were invaluable, and being part of the IB program meant I had a diverse group of friends with different backgrounds and perspectives. Our conversations—whether about our subjects or broader international topics—were always engaging and eye-opening.

I also appreciated the passion that our teachers had for their subjects. Their enthusiasm made learning exciting, and they created an environment where curiosity thrived. I genuinely looked forward to classes, not just to learn but to explore new ideas in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.

Another aspect I loved was the incredible range of opportunities we were given, both academically and beyond the classroom. I had the chance to take courses I might never have considered otherwise, like Computer Science, DT, and Mandarin. But it didn’t stop there—I even played sports I had never heard of before, like netball and rounders, and I ended up joining the netball team. If an activity didn’t exist, we had the freedom to create it ourselves, which led to initiatives like the robotics club and our participation in the Engineering Education Scheme (EDT). This environment of exploration and encouragement truly shaped who I am today.

Any key memories/ favourite teachers etc? 

I have so many great memories from my time at RHB that it’s hard to choose just a few. However, with everything happening in the world today, I often find myself thinking back to our IB Economics lessons with Mrs. Corrigan. She was incredibly passionate about the subject, and I still remember how enthusiastic she was when discussing Brexit and its economic implications. 

One core memory is the many hours I spent in the DT workshop during my GCSEs, working on my kitchen cabinet project. My idea was definitely ambitious—maybe even a little over the top—but I loved that there were no limits to creativity. Mr. Treacher and Sarah would allow me to come in before school, during lunch, and sometimes even after school just to bring my vision to life. The freedom to experiment and push boundaries made the whole experience incredibly rewarding.

IB Biology with Mrs Cowell and Mrs Haynes was another favourite. We often went beyond the syllabus simply out of curiosity, exploring topics just because we found them fascinating. They also always offered a listening ear, whether it was for subject-related discussions or conversations beyond the classroom.

What did you aspire to while at school? 

Before attending RHB, I hadn’t really considered engineering as a career path. I loved problem-solving, but I didn’t necessarily see it as a field for women. When I thought of engineering, I pictured careers in cars, bridges, and electricity—none of which particularly interested me. Instead, I was drawn to medicine and biology but missed the technical aspects. However, after an Inclusive Futures volunteering event with Kate Grey, advertised by RHB, I discovered the field of biomechanical engineering, which provided the ideal balance between both fields.

How did Royal High empower you for your future? 

RHSB empowered me to think big, set high goals, and realise I was more capable than I had imagined. Having strong female role models in STEM helped shift my perspective on what was possible. My peers and friends were especially my role models, with such amazing minds, showing me what was possible through their own determination and achievements.

The continuous support from teachers gave me the confidence to take initiative, whether it was setting up the robotics club, participating in the HiSPARC research project, or tackling engineering challenges with Mrs Williams. Studying Mandarin with Liu Lao Shi was another defining experience—despite having lived in China as a child, I started my GCSEs with very limited Chinese and was far behind my peers. But with her belief and support over four years, I reached a level where I can now have daily conversations with my Chinese colleagues, opening doors to future global opportunities and reconnecting with my childhood experiences.

The IB programme further strengthened my critical thinking and open-mindedness, encouraging me to question assumptions and explore new perspectives. This mindset still guides me today, whether in my PhD research or in the way I approach challenges beyond academia.

How did your studies at Royal High inspire you to follow your chosen career?  

RHSB helped shape my passion for using technology to make a positive impact on the world. The combination of my love for Medicine, Physics, and Maths naturally led me toward clinical engineering, and projects like those with Mrs Williams and my Physics EE with Mr Moyle solidified that interest. I never initially planned to do a PhD, but the IB programme and the different robotics and engineering hands-on projects at school set me on that path. 

What has been your proudest moment? 

I cannot define one exact moment because each milestone has been meaningful in its own way. I am very proud of myself when I look back at everything I've achieved, but also at the setbacks and milestones I didn't quite achieve, because those shaped me just as much. The journey certainly hasn’t always been smooth or easy, so I am especially proud of the work I put in and how I overcame those challenges to get me to where I am today. This is only the beginning of my career, but reflecting on how far I’ve come gives me confidence in everything still ahead.

What would you say to your 11-year-old self? 

I would mainly say: 

• Take every opportunity, especially if they scare you. Ambitious opportunities might be daunting at first, but you have all the skills necessary to tackle them.
• You don’t need to have everything figured out; the path will unfold as you go. Looking back, my most valuable memories come not just from achievements but from the experiences along the way—the challenges, the friendships, and the moments of curiosity that shaped who I am today.

What are your hopes for the future? 

I am keeping all options open for future opportunities. I am currently focusing on my PhD and hope to learn as much as possible within the surgical robotics field. My goal is to continue making a positive impact through technology and, in the future, lead my own medical engineering projects in an international context. However, the top priority would be to visit RHSB, because I haven’t been back since the May Ball in 2018.