Feedback from participants in the 2011 Summer programme

Experience in the lab: My lab was fantastic. They were really friendly and welcoming from the first day and I always felt as though they were more than happy to drop whatever they were doing and help me if I needed it. Thankfully I didn’t require nearly as much help after the first couple of weeks, which were a steep learning curve, and it was satisfying to see myself improve at the techniques which were initially a challenge. Although I did learn some very specific techniques that were almost unique to the lab I was in, I think they also gave me a good wider-background training in good lab practice. Little things that wouldn’t make much of a difference in a university practical, such as correct and extensive labeling, were absolutely crucial over an eight week project. The experiments didn’t all work all the time, but I think that I managed to see for myself whether or not I could cope with that. I also got an inkling of what drives scientists to persevere as even if it doesn’t work for a couple of tries, once it does start working it feels incredible. Your supervisor is very important and luckily Gildas, my supervisor, was very good at explaining and patient. I don’t think that without having had these eight weeks of training I would have been in a position to know whether research is something I want to pursue. Although the eight weeks flew by (time flies when you’re having fun) I feel as though I packed a lot of learning into that time and would strongly recommend getting lab experience during your summer. 

Training events: These were hugely varied and you never quite knew whether you’d be making art, puzzling over computers or learning new techniques. They were all worthwhile though and a real bonus of this scheme over other possible summer placements. It gives you practice in skills that will be useful no matter what you decide to do. Not only this but it made all the undergraduates on the scheme very close. We were not only living together but also working on projects together. Having talked to other friends on placements without this structure I can see how good it was to have a ready established network from which you can branch out. Rico is incredible too and having someone like that around who is always willing to put in the extra effort to make sure that you are having a good time is invaluable.

Emily Seward, University of Cambridge, UK

I arrived at JIC apprehensive about my ability to perfrom laboratory techniques but my supervisor explained each technique multiple times and gave me protocol sheets to refer to. By the 8th week I knew PCR and agro-infiltration inside out! My advice would be don't hesitate to ask any question, however silly you may believe them to be! Also as you are working in a lab full of post-docs and PhD students, quiz them about PhDs and working in labs, especially if you are considering doing a PhD yourself.

On Friday afternoons we had workshops that were a fun way of getting to know the other interns better as well as expanding our knowledge in modelling, plant physiology, bioinformatics etc. These workshops are mainly led by other PhD students which make them more relaxed and they welcome any questions relating to the content or about research in general. These are then followed by an organised evening (by Enrico Coen) such as making your own pizzas! This is great fun and a great way to spend time with other interns and employees at JIC.

I thoroughly enjoyed my 8 weeks at JIC and I enjoyed myself due to the enthusiatic and lovely people who were always there to help and answer questions. I have left with a greater understanding of what goes on in a research lab and with new friends. I would recommend this internship programme to anyone wanting to discover what laboratory work is really like.

Gina Webster, Durham University, UK

The summer programme for me has done all that I had hoped it would and more. Nearly every person I have met in the institute had words of guidance and experience to lend.  It was not just a research experience but a social one; talking to so many students at the same stage of their lives, working in different labs on such varied projects, made me feel like I was doing a dozen different research projects at the same time.  The environment helped me to think like a scientist without even having to try.

The experience has also helped me get a new view on the process of learning and I am sure that what I have learnt here will play a major role in the rest of my undergraduate studies. Talking with all the different researchers at the labs and looking at how different labs collaborate to carry out different aspects of cutting-edge research was a thrilling experience as it made me realise how science as a whole can move forward significantly through scientific collaboration.

The experience has helped me realise that research is done best when someone works in what interests them the most, and I hope to do the same with my PhD. Living with all the other summer students has been an educational experience in itself; the experience would not have been the same if each student had acquired a placement separately and had not been a part of the programme. Seeing how quickly each student started taking pride in their lab’s research was definitely a proof of the impact the programme has had in all of the students who were part of the programme.

For anyone who is not sure of whether to take up a PhD and also for someone who is not sure which area of research they might be interested in, this programme is a boon as you not only learn about research and your project you learn pretty much everything about all the other student’s projects and experiences as well.

Guru Vingesh, National Institute of Technology, India

The undergraduate summer research and training programme has shown me the real life of a research scientist. It has definitely opened my eyes to a career in research and what it will entail. I was part of a lab group within the Sainsbury laboratory working on interactions between pathogens (oomycetes) and plants. My project was introduced to me before I arrived and I did some research into it. I would definitely recommend asking your supervisor as many questions as you need to in order to understand the project. In the first week, I was shown the lab and began to start on my project. My supervisor was so supportive and gave me any help I needed. The other members of the lab were also really helpful and made me feel really welcome. My lab skills have improved dramatically and will help for my project at the end of my course.

The training sessions on the Friday afternoons were really useful to see the whole area of plant science and how varied it can be. There were sessions ranging from plant pathology to modelling plant development. There was lots of group work and interaction with PhD students. They were really good to talk to as they gave an insight into being a student at JIC. After the training sessions, there was a social put on for us. They were thoroughly enjoyable and it gave us a chance to talk about our weeks and to get to know each other better. It also provided the opportunity to talk to other staff members outside of the lab.

The accommodation in UEA was just like being back in halls. It allowed us all to socialise together. I didn't have the chance to get bored at all this summer. As a group we went out in Norwich at the weekends. We also went to Cambridge for the day and to the north Norfolk coast. Before coming on the programme, I was worried that I would have nothing to at the weekends; this was definitely not the case! I have had an amazing summer and would recommend this programme to anyone considering a career in research.

Caroline Telford, University of St Andrews, UK

The JIC Summer Undergraduate Training Programme provided a real insight into how working labs operate and the skills required to plan and carry out research. By assigning a different project to each student, we were able to become fully immersed within our respective labs and have a task we could take real ownership of. Being able to freely engage with PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and lab group leaders allowed us to appreciate the many options available within a scientific career. The varied programme of Departmental Seminars and Talks occurring on the site, to which we were freely invited to attend, also gave us the opportunity to observe how research is communicated and what constitutes an effective presentation. The Friday workshops covered a brilliantly diverse range of topics, including designing experiments and a mini Biotech enterprise competition. The PhD students were very effective in demonstrating how to use some incredible software packages (none of which have appeared on my degree course so far) but also introduced elements of fun. The social occasions afterwards made us feel really included within the centre with the staff taking much interest in our activities. The trouble that the staff took to welcome us to the site and the additional workshops really made this training programme distinct from other placements.

Caroline Wood,

I recommend this scheme to anybody interested in a career in Plant Research. It has given me great insight into day-to-day life completing my own project which just cannot be felt from University studies alone. This gave me the opportunity to learn important lab skills and become an independent member of the lab - making my own decisions and thinking carefully about experimental design. The lab I worked in also gave me the opportunity to extend my experience with a  field trip to Sweden! The Friday afternoon sessions are designed to develop skills in important arising aspects of Biology, modelling and bioinformatics for example, of which I had little experience but were useful to incorporate into my project. The retreat at the end of the scheme was beautiful and allowed all students to report on their project and communicate what they'd learnt. Another vital skill for a career in Science!

Kellie Smith, University of Leeds, UK

The undergraduate summer research and training programme at the John Innes Centre is a great way to spend the summer. Its combination of lab work, social activities and discussion provided the ideal opportunity to explore the prospect of further study. The lab aspect exposed me to the level of independence required for PhD study as well to the processes of scientific thought and vitally developed the practical skills that it is almost impossible to acquire at undergraduate level.  The members of my lab were really friendly and supportive so it wasn’t overwhelming at all.  Friday training sessions were great for broadening my scientific horizons and introduced us to people using science in ways other than just academic research. They also developed loads of “transferable skills”, I am much more confident presenting to a group than ever before. I feel the opportunities we had,  to speak to so many people about all aspects of science, are unique to the John Innes Centre and its friendly atmosphere.

During the 8 weeks I felt we were a highly valued part of the community whilst living together as an undergraduate group meant I made some great friends. I could not recommend the USTRP more highly to any undergraduate who is considering (no matter how many doubts) a career in research.

Madeleine Last, University of Birmingham, UK