The BSID Undergraduate Research Experience offers one BSc undergraduate student interested in skin research the possibility to spend 6 weeks over the Summer in the laboratory of a BSID member to carry out a skin focused project. The scholarship includes a £1500 stipend for the student and £500 towards consumables for the hosting lab.
At the BSID meeting 2024 in Southmapton Ms Kalsuma Rahamn, a Biomedical Science BSc student from Anglia Ruskin University, was announced as the 2024 awardee to carry out a project on “Filaggrin deficiency disrupts desmosomal protein expression: A Potential mechanism for epidermal barrier disruption in Atopic Eczema” under the supervision of Dr.Ryan O’Shaughnessy at Queen Mary University of London.
Kalsuma spent the summer in the lab learnig about and performing western blot and immunofluorescence on human primary keratinocytes and skin sections from eczema samples. We recently heard from her, as she commented on her first taste of research :” Working on this project has allowed me to perform key laboratory techniques, my favourite being immunofluorescence. This experience has significantly broadened my understanding of dermatological research and has further strengthened my passion for dermatology, a field I am excited to pursue in the future. I am particularly motivated by how this research has the potential to benefit people by improving the understanding and treatment of skin conditions, such as atopic eczema“
She is convinced that this experience will shape her future career : “I would like to thank the BSID for giving me the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience during my placement at the Blizard Institute. I am also deeply grateful to my supervisor Dr Ryan O’Shaughnessy for all the support and guidance throughout this journey which has been crucial to my professional and academic growth. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained towards my future career in dermatology“.
The BSID Undergraduate Research Experience scholarship returns this year to select a new BSc student who will spend time in a skin research lab in Summer 2025. The Call is OPEN until Monday 2nd December 2024 for UG students to select a project among the 12 on offer.