The Unit once again took part in the Aspiring Scientists Training Programme (ASTP), a work experience scheme for high achieving STEM studying students from state schools. Three Year 12 students from around the country joined us as researchers for the week, doing everything from running flow cytometry experiments to making RNA.
The first iteration of the ASTP was in 2018 at the Gurdon Institute. It has since expanded to include multiple departments due to the efforts of the Gurdon Institute public engagement team and generous funding from the Isaac Newton Trust Widening Participation and Induction Fund. Cambridge University's St Catharine's, Pembroke and Newnham colleges have also been supporting the scheme and providing accommodation.
The ASTP program is designed to give A-level biology students a chance to experience what a career as a biologist entails, from bespoke workshops with experts in the sector, to networking opportunities with scientists and the chance to explore life at a world-renowned research university. This popular scheme allows 16+ state school students who may not ordinarily have access to opportunities like this, the chance to gain valuable experience that will support their future career aspirations.
From 7th-11th July 2025, high achieving young scientists joined the Willis, Thaventhiran and Sawarkar groups to try out their lab skills side-by-side with our researchers. During the week, the students conducted their own mini scientific project with guidance from their lab hosts, gaining hands-on experience with research techniques and learning about the scientific method. Through discussions with lab members and at our student coffee and donuts they got a sense of what life is like as a research scientist. In conjunction with ASTP students from other departments, they also attended bespoke workshops with experts in presentation skills, proteomics, microscopy and more, as well as learning about Cambridge University student life and admissions.
At the start of the week, the students said that they were most looking forward to doing the lab work. By the end, all of them said they had gained confidence in different techniques, especially pipetting! To finish the week, the ASTP students delivered presentations about the science they had been working on, techniques they used and some reflections on their experience. This was something that most of the students were new to, but all of them did an amazing job, speaking clearly and showing understanding of their chosen topic. They shared data they had generated including flow cytometry plots and immunofluorescence images. Some students even conducted experiments that hadn't been done before, revealing new results that will inform Unit research.
We were extremely impressed by how engaged the ASTP students were, asking lots of questions and quickly learning lab skills. We are incredibly proud of our students and wish each of them a hugely successful future.
Thank you to everyone who supported the students during the week including Christo Christov, Brain Bassey, Hashem Ahmed Nur, Odara Medagedara, Joanna Salmon, Ed Simmons Rosello, Sandip Kumar Patel, Anjelika Galapon and the rest of the Willis, Sawarkar and Thaventhiran Labs.