My Summer Studentship: “It’s an invaluable chance to learn about CF”

Saidi took part in a Summer Studentship in 2022 at University College London (UCL) and is now an early career researcher (ECR) at the same lab. As our latest crop of students hang up their lab coats for the summer, we chatted to Saidi about her studentship, what she loves most about working in CF research, and her advice for others. 

I applied for my Summer Studentship in March 2022 and spent eight weeks of the summer working in the Physiology Department at UCL. I’m now a PhD student in the same lab, as part of the Trust-funded ‘Restoring the Fizz’ Strategic Research Centre (SRC). The SRC aims to better understand the flow of bicarbonate in different organs affected by CF. The hope is this research could inform future treatment choices and help us understand more about CF outside of the lungs. 

My Summer Studentship with Cystic Fibrosis Trust changed everything. I uncovered human stories hidden behind the data, and that’s when I realised science is a bridge between experiments and lives waiting to be changed. This Studentship started my passion for CF research, and now I’m pursuing a PhD to keep building that bridge.  

There were so many highlights, including: 

• Seeing my own lab results addressing important questions in CF research. It is not just about experimenting, but also about trying to make a meaningful contribution for people with CF.  
• Using an advanced form of microscopy for the first time. The ability to measure mucus rheology precisely helped me understand why coughing and clearing mucus is so hard for people with CF.  

It was my first time finding out about cystic fibrosis and it came at just the right time when I was struggling to decide my future research path. I started to realise the practical challenges faced by people living with cystic fibrosis. Their resilience and optimism brought my scientific curiosity to life, together with a strong desire to contribute to research into CF.  

My advice to others thinking about applying for a Summer Studentship is go for it! Science often starts smaller than you expect. The summer studentship scheme offers an invaluable chance not just to study CF, but to truly get to know the people living with it. It’s an incredible opportunity to see how your work can make a real difference! 

Applications for Summer Studentships for 2026 will open in the Spring. Find out more  here.