Research experience for college students
Alaa Abdeen, a third-year student at Newcastle University in the UK, learned key lab skills this summer on WCM-Q’s Research Internship for College Students program.
College students with ambitions to pursue careers in biomedical science were welcomed to WCM-Q this summer to learn essential research skills.
The Research Internship for College Students program, administered by WCM-Q’s Research Division, gives students aged 18 and over the opportunity to join working laboratories and learn from senior biomedical researchers in a challenging and dynamic environment.
Each of the students learned practical laboratory skills, as well as completing modules focused on a set of key research management competencies, including research operation, laboratory management, grants management, research compliance, clinical management, and professional skills.
Students can choose to take a four-week internship or an intensive eight-week internship; those who complete all of the taught modules and practical training elements on either internship are awarded a certificate of complete.
This year three students completed the program. Alaa Abdeen, who is in her third year studying biomedical genetics at Newcastle University in the UK, spent four weeks at WCM-Q working in the lab of Dr. Khaled Machaca, professor of physiology and biophysics & associate dean for research.
Alaa said: “I have had a fantastic experience and wish I could stay longer. The most valuable thing is that I have been able to spend a lot of time actually working in the lab and helping with a real research project. It has been very hands-on and I feel it has given me a really good boost for starting my career when I graduate.”
Christy Poppe, senior research training specialist at WCM-Q, said: “The internship gives college students a solid grounding in research skills and an understanding of research management. More than that, it gives them an insight into the life of an employee who works day-to-day in the laboratory, which many interns find to be extremely inspiring, as well as helping them to work out what sort of position will suit them best when they graduate.”
The Research Internship for College Students program targets students who are 18 years old and above.
For more information about WCM-Q internships and training programs visit: https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/research/research-training-programs/overview