From 8th-12th July 2024, we welcomed budding young scientists to the Unit to try out their lab skills side-by-side with our researchers as part of the Aspiring Scientists Training Programme (ASTP) where Sixth Form students can gain invaluable work experience.

During the week, the students spent a significant amount of time with their lab hosts gaining hands-on experience with experiments and research techniques, as well as getting a wider sense of what life as a research scientist is like day to day. In addition to the hands-on experience, the students attended bespoke workshops with experts in presentation skills, flow cytometry, science communication and more, as well as getting a chance to learn more about Cambridge student life and university admissions. To finish the week, our ASTP students delivered presentations about the work they had been doing during the week as well as some reflections on their experience.

We were extremely impressed by all of our ASTP students and their achievements. We are incredibly proud of our students and wish each of them a hugely successful future. Thank you to all our colleagues in the Aitken lab, MacFarlane lab, Mennella lab, Patil lab, Willis lab, Flow Cytometry and Histopathology facilities who supported our students this week, especially our lab hosts.

The Aspiring Scientists Training Programme was launched in 2022 by the Gurdon Institute. It has expanded each year due to generous funding from the Isaac Newton Trust Widening Participation and Induction Fund and support from St Catharine's and Pembroke Colleges at the university. This unique scheme allows students aged 16+ who attend state (non-fee paying) schools, who may not ordinarily have access to opportunities like this, the chance to gain vital experience that will support their future career aspirations.