The first time I set foot in a laboratory was during university welcome week, not in school or college. (Admittedly, I use this as my excuse for missing the world’s highest score in Human Biology at IGCSE by one mark and for resitting AS Biology Unit 3 (Practical) in IAL.) I was handed a lab coat, though not the ‘white coat ceremony’ I had once imagined.

Following two gap years, moving to this country was a daunting transition. I was lost and without a clear career path after my plan to become a doctor ended when I fell short in the medical entrance exam (long story short!). While other freshers explored their modules and the campus, I was using Google Maps to find my way home and adjusting to a city where I knew no one.

Writing my career reflection for the Professional Skills module helped me realise that research could be a promising path. I enjoyed reading scientific papers and wanted to experience the work behind them, so that summer I undertook my first research internship with Dr Berna Sayan on the Analysis of the effects of natural products on breast cancer cells . I enjoyed it so much that I pursued a second internship the following summer.

Applying for Summer Research Internships

My search for a summer internship began with disappointment when I discovered that, due to visa restrictions on term-time working hours, I was not eligible for the popular Oxbridge programmes. This pushed me to apply widely to every opportunity I could, from university-hosted programmes like the Wellcome Trust Scholarship to research institutes such as the Francis Crick Institute, the Institute of Cancer Research, and the Babraham Institute. While some had centralised applications, others required emailing group leaders or PIs directly.

During applications, candidates usually have only first-year and first-trimester second-year results. Although first-year results do not count towards the final degree, they are considered, as most programmes require candidates to be on track for a first-class degree, and a higher percentage can help a candidate stand out. Each application had different questions and word limits, but structuring responses well and highlighting relevant science extracurriculars demonstrated enthusiasm for research. For example, as Co-Editor-in-Chief of BioScientist , I showcased my engagement with scientific studies, scientific communication, and critical thinking. Strong references were also essential, and I am grateful to Dr Sara Namvar and Dr Berna Sayan for their support.

Many internships involved interviews of different types, from one-to-one to panel and multiple-stage formats, all scheduled during the second-trimester exam season (I even attended one immediately after leaving the exam venue!). Since there is no standard guide for internship interviews, I practised PhD and research assistant questions online and found many were surprisingly similar.

I would say this was an experience in itself, from being shortlisted and facing rejections to ultimately choosing among offers, which gave me a glimpse of what postgraduate applications or future job searches might be like.

Integrated Cell Mechanisms (iCM) Summer Internship

The iCM Summer Internship Programme, funded by the Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarship (BVS), gave me the opportunity to spend eight weeks at the University of Edinburgh, gaining practical lab training in an interdisciplinary research environment. Out of more than 300 applicants, 8 students were selected across the UK, and I was placed in Crosby’s Lab . I was the only intern supervised directly by the PI, Dr Priya Crosby, and I am truly grateful for her guidance and mentorship.

Research Project

Living organisms possess internal timekeeping systems, known as circadian rhythms, which operate on an approximately 24-hour cycle and synchronise biological processes with environmental light–dark patterns. The kinase GSK3β is a key regulator of circadian timing across species, but its direct binding partners in plants remain unknown. The project aimed to identify potential GSK3β interactors in the unicellular green alga Ostreococcus tauri , focusing on the core clock genes TOC1 (TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1) and LHY (LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL).

Through my training, I gained experience in molecular biology techniques, including primer design, protein structural visualisation, molecular cloning, and PCR optimisation, among others. I began by learning each method step by step under guidance and gradually developed the confidence to perform them independently.

Hands-on work showed me that real experiments are often more complex than textbook examples, and that problem-solving and resilience are essential parts of the process. For instance, when genome sequencing results repeatedly showed no inserts after weeks of work, I had to troubleshoot the experiment multiple times. My supervisor encouraged me to analyse possible causes, research alternative approaches, and propose methodological changes. We only moved forward once I was confident in my understanding and approach, rather than simply following instructions.

An important lesson I will carry into my final-year project is the value of keeping a detailed and well-structured lab record. Rather than copying protocols, I learnt to document my work as a narrative, noting every small change and the reasons behind it. This proved essential, as weeks later, it is easy to forget what was done and why. I also learnt the importance of thinking and planning outside the lab, so that once inside, I could focus fully on execution rather than deciding what to do.

Experience outside the lab

I felt as though I was living in a village of scientists, spending 9 to 5 alongside postdocs and PhD students in both the lab and office. I made the most of this environment by asking questions about their research, attending networking events, and building connections. Each week we had lab meetings where members presented their work and received feedback, as well as a journal club to discuss recent papers and results. A seminar titled “How NOT to Apply for a PhD” was especially eye-opening, addressing myths about the application process, offering practical advice on reaching out to labs, and revealing the competitiveness of academia beyond the rose-tinted view many interns begin with. The programme concluded with the submission of project summaries and peer review of one another’s writing, and the editor in me was pleased that my feedback was well received by my peers.

I encourage anyone considering a career in research, but not taking a placement year, to apply for a summer internship. These programmes provide formative experience for aspiring PhD students. They are full-time, paid, with accommodation and travel covered, and if it happens to be in a city like Edinburgh, all the better!