Summer research internships enrich undergraduate experience

By Krista Davidson | July 22, 2015

This summer Memorial undergraduate students are stepping out of the classroom and taking on a new adventure that immerses them in exciting research.

Fifteen students from the faculties of Arts, Science and Medicine and the School of Pharmacy are participating in the University Student Summer Internship Program (USSIP). The program, made available through the Office of the Vice-President (Research), is one of the outcomes achieved from the first year of the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-20.

The program is intended to give undergraduate students research experience through 13- and 16-week full-time internships, and provide them with valuable research skills and guidance from faculty members and graduate students.

Andrew Hogan is one of the students participating in the program. Originally from St. John’s, Mr. Hogan is entering his fourth year as a biochemistry honours student. His internship with Dr. Sherri Christian includes examining the process that regulates the maturation of fat cell precursors into mature, lipid-laden fat cells.

“I’d like to think I’m going to grad school… so this internship is a stepping stone,” he said of the experience.

Mr. Hogan’s supervisor, Dr. Sherri Christian, an assistant professor with the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, and cross-appointed with the Faculty of Medicine, says the program is advantageous to both herself and her students.

“They learn critical thinking skills and develop themselves as scientists. That opportunity just doesn’t exist in a course. And for me, it’s valuable because we actually get publishable data from the time we spend in the lab.”

Bethany Downer, another USSIP student, is on location in Alaska for her internship developing a wood bison restoration project under the supervision of Dr. Alistair Bath, a professor with the Department of Geography. 

“There have been many memorable experiences from this adventure so far,” said the fourth-year science student. “This includes being immersed in the Alaskan wildlife, making fish ice cream with Aboriginal communities and being part of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre float in a parade on the Fourth of July.”

Both students will be named co-authors for their research contributions. Mr. Hogan is co-author of Dr. Christian’s recently published research in the journal Immunology; Ms. Downer, who will travel to Kenya to present at an international conference in January 2016, is co-author for two presentations.

“Providing undergraduates with valuable research skills and an opportunity to work with graduate students and faculty is exactly what the USSIP program is all about,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president (research). “This program not only serves as a remarkable opportunity for students considering careers in research, it provides them with the core skills required to establish themselves as talented researchers capable of making a real impact on our society.”

“The recruitment team is hearing more and more from prospective students asking about research opportunities available at the undergraduate level,” said Shona Perry-Maidment, director, Office of Student Recruitment. “To get this exposure and to be a part of the exciting research that is already taking place here at Memorial is an incredible opportunity. It certainly makes their time here as an undergraduate more fulfilling and provides a solid direction to their future career goals.” 

Every Thursday until Aug. 20 a USSIP student will be featured on Memorial’s Student Recruitment Tumblr blog, which can be accessed at memorialfutureu.tumblr.com.


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