Proserpine State High School student James Beckett has swapped the classroom and books for a cutting-edge research lab and multi-million-dollar microscopes.
The 17-year-old spent a week gaining an insight into life in a lab at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland in Brisbane.
James worked with a scanning electron microscope to study the crystal structures of a meteorite to determine it was a chondrite.
Working alongside Professor John Drennan, James used X-ray diffraction to identify the composition of the chondrite.
“It was incredible to see what it is really like in a research situation. It is not often you get to be around such interesting people,” he said.
James was one of 12 students from three Queensland schools given a chance to spend time in the labs working on experiments under the guidance of AIBN researchers.
They learned about bacterial cultivation, mammalian cell culture, transmission electron microscopy, solar cell electrodes and chromatography.
The students also gained a better understanding of the breadth of research conducted at AIBN, with presentations from researchers about work in biologics, nanoparticles and scanning electron microscopy.
James said AIBN had a friendly atmosphere and researchers were willing to help each other, making for a pleasant placement in the labs.
“I want to do a Bachelor of Science at UQ. My time in the lab just confirmed it. Research is now a lot more appealing than it was before,” he said.
The placement is part of a close relationship between AIBN and schools around the state, which has also involved presentations at the schools and guided tours of the AIBN building.
AIBN has research groups working at the interface of the biological, chemical and physical science to alleviate problems in human health and environmental issues. Visit www.aibn.uq.edu.au
