More than 170 university students from 18 countries are using their semester break to work on research projects at The University of Queensland, on topics ranging from vaccine delivery to paternity leave.
The UQ Winter Research Program gives students the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ research and work with some of UQ’s most talented researchers.
UQ Advantage Office Director Dr Dino Willox said the program was open to undergraduate and masters by coursework students from around the world.
“The students will spend their winter break contributing to research discoveries at UQ,” Dr Willox said.
The winter researchers include 134 UQ students, seven from other Australian universities and 31 from overseas.
Master of International Studies student Libby Feeney said she encouraged all students to give research a go.
“During my undergraduate degree I found research really intimidating, and not giving the research programs on offer at UQ a go at that stage was one of my biggest regrets,” Ms Feeney said.
“I applied to the summer program while in my masters, and found my supervisor to be incredibly supportive and a great mentor.
"I always envisaged myself working either in the public service or the private sphere. The research program opened up the entirely new possibility of a career in academia for me.”
Bachelor of Nursing student Meg Richters began as a UQ Winter Research Scholar in 2014, working on a preconception app, and has continued working on the project since as a research assistant.
“Participating in the research program was such a great experience,” Ms Richters said.
“To see the project develop from a simple idea into something that has the potential to change people’s lives for the better is amazing.”
The UQ Winter Research programs runs for four to six weeks, and all students are assisted with scholarships.
Undergraduate or masters by coursework students are encouraged to apply for the UQ Summer Research Program. Applications open on 1 July at http://www.uq.edu.au/uqadvantage/summer-research. Contact Jodie De Daunton at j.dedaunton@uq.edu.au or on +61 7 3365 2954 for more information.
Media: Brittany Macdougall, b.macdougall@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0655.
