Student and supervisor testimonies
Every year since 2014 we have offered researchers the opportunity to host students for a summer placement in their lab. For us, it is the opportunity to sow the seed of developing a career in cystic fibrosis research with undergraduate scientists.
When surveyed, all of the respondents said that completing a Summer Studentship was worthwhile, and that they were more likely to consider a career in research as a result.
Read about some of the experiences of the summer students below.
Saidi
Saidi took part in a Summer Studentship in 2022 at University College London (UCL) before the final year of her BSc Pharmacology degree. She is now a PhD student in the same lab.
“My Summer Studentship 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. The studentship started my passion for CF research, and now I’m pursuing a PhD to keep building that bridge.
“One of the highlights was 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.”
Simran
“I started my Biological Sciences degree knowing that I wanted a career doing microbiology research in a university. I applied for a Summer Studentship to get laboratory experience in an active research group without worrying about finances,” said Simran, who studied at Imperial College London.
"I especially wanted to research CF because chronic lung infections affect so many people, and my small project could make a big difference. The Trust’s scheme also gave me the chance to share my results with other researchers at what would be my first academic conference.
“I would, without a doubt, recommend Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s Summer Studentship to anyone. If you’re successful, have as many conversations with academics as possible during your placement. Being in a researcher’s shoes for eight weeks was eye-opening, and it gave me a visible, tangible dream to work towards for the rest of my degree.”
Robbie
In his fourth year of his medical degree at Newcastle University, Robbie applied for a Summer Studentship. It was in the spring of 2020, and like many other workplaces in the COVID-19 lockdown, university and hospital research labs were closed. When they re-opened, access to the labs was very limited, so he couldn’t do the planned project.
“I was offered the opportunity to work on a remote-based research project instead, helping to analyse data and draft research papers on children with CF who had been infected with COVID-19. These skills will be transferable to all aspects of my career going forwards,” said Robbie.
“Working with data from children and young people with CF and with inspiring paediatricians was a phenomenal experience. I was thrilled when the results of my analysis were published.”
Hafssa
“I really enjoyed the summer studentship. I felt like a fully-fledged scientist for two months. It pushed me to seriously consider pursuing an MRes or PhD focused on CF research in the future,” says Hafssa.
“I was interested in research from the work that I completed in the lung physiology labs for my BSc dissertation under Professor Baines, who then suggested that I apply for the Summer Studentship. It gave me even more reason to work towards a career in research, and I have both Cystic Fibrosis Trust and my supervisor to thank for guiding me towards that decision!”
Jacob
In 2019 Jacob became the first person with CF to take part in our Summer Studentship programme.
“I actually first read about the studentships when I was a sixth form student and then when I was in my second year of university. I was reading stuff about CF and thought, ‘this is something I’m passionate about and want to do next summer’,” Jacob explains.
“I’ve learnt a lot of techniques that I’ve never done before. And being around academics and seeing what a PhD is like for six weeks and just spending time in that environment has been a really positive experience.
“It’s made me realise that doing a PhD is three years of really hard work, which is a good thing to realise now. But it has made me also go: ‘Wow, this is really, really satisfying, and something I’m really interested in,’ even more than I already realised.”
We also spoke to supervisors about their experience of having a summer student.
“I often have bright and enthusiastic students asking to spend time in the lab. While I can provide access to a lab, training and my expertise, it’s important to have a means by which students can support themselves financially,” explained Dr Andrew Edwards, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and one of Simran’s supervisors.
“The support from Cystic Fibrosis Trust was invaluable in enabling Simran to learn important research skills and help her develop her career. She was able to move our work forward in a couple of important directions, and we’re already building on her findings.”
“I am extremely grateful to Cystic Fibrosis Trust for supporting the summer students that my colleagues and I have hosted,” says Professor David Sheppard from Bristol University. “All have helped our research greatly by testing new ideas and / or working with us to establish new techniques in the lab. I recommend strongly the scheme to undergraduates to gain valuable research experience and to colleagues seeking help with their research.”
Applications for our Summer Studentship scheme should be submitted by an established researcher within a UK university or research institute, with a named student in mind. Please visit the Summer Studentship page to find out how to apply.