2024 Alumnus - Nayia Kechagia

Like a lot of people who took part in Science Insights, I came across the programme while searching for work experience that was related to biomedical science. I wanted to gain in depth knowledge about the field and learn more about the subject area. 

Going into the programme, I was really excited about taking part but also a bit nervous about meeting new people. I soon realised that there was nothing to worry about. Before starting the programme, I had a rough idea of what we would get to do, I knew that I would get the opportunity to be in a proper lab and to witness real scientific research. I was also looking forward to the talks by students and professionals. 

From lab taster sessions to speaking to researchers and people working at the university, the variety offered in the programme was quite vast. There were so many activities to participate in, like talks and lab sessions. 

In the lab taster sessions, I got to use and see different equipment and techniques like micropipettes, centrifuges, NanoDrop spectrophotometers, microscopes, staining and electrophoresis. These are equipment and techniques that I would never get the chance to use in a standard high school lab. My favourite lab taster session was the one where I met Dr Jill Fowler in the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences. She talked about her current work in Alzheimer's research using mice as a model organism and her journey to getting to work at the university. 

We were shown different facilities at different campuses at the University like the zebrafish facility at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, the large animal facility at the Roslin Institute and the surgical robotics facility at the Institute of Regeneration and Repair. 

There were talks on ethics from Dr Sarah Chan and John Meredith, and from Faye Watson who works in public engagement. These talks showed me that there is more to biomedical science than just research. Another part of the programme which I found really useful was speaking to university students; this gave us insights into student life and what various biomedical science university courses entail. All the activities that I took part in during the programme allowed me to get a good understanding of the many different fields and areas of biomedical and animal science.

Coming into the programme, I had a vague idea of what I would like to do after High School. I was thinking that I would like to study Biomedical Science as I am interested in research. Having talked to many different people during the programme, I realised that there are many careers you can have with a degree in biomedical science and there are a number of different paths that can open for you.

The sessions that made me really think about what I may like to do in the future were those by Louise Williams, who talked about the work done at the Lothian Health Service Archives, Karissa Patton who talked about her work at the Centre for Centre for Biomedicine Health and Society and Dr Jill Fowler who talked about her research at the Discovery Brain Sciences. Taking part in the programme reassured me that biomedical science is what I want to study at University and made me start thinking about future career paths.

I would definitely recommend this programme to anyone who is thinking about studying biomedical or animal sciences. Even if you’re not sure that that is what you want to do, it doesn’t hurt to apply. It is a fantastic opportunity that allows you to meet new people and dive into the world of biomedical and animal sciences. You learn so much in just 5 days that you can use for future university and job applications. It is a truly eye-opening experience that gives you information that you probably wouldn’t get from school. Taking part in Science Insights was a fantastic opportunity and I would really recommend people to apply for it.