Back to the Future: Summer Research Program open for applications

The Centre for Future Materials’ SIMPLE Hub’s Summer Research Program is set to return for a third year, with seven student scholarships up for grabs.

The program provides undergraduate and master’s students the opportunity to work with experienced researchers to gain new skills through an intensive research and development project, preparing them to become industry-ready researchers. You can choose from 13 different projects focusing on sustainable materials, renewable energy, or sustainable medical technologies.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biomedical Sciences) student Aaron Palmer and PhD student Steven Perren both completed the Summer Research Program. We caught up with them to ask about their experience.

Tell us about your study journey. What are you studying and why, and why UniSQ?

Aaron: I initially chose to study biomedical sciences as a pathway into medicine and because I have always had an interest in research. Throughout the SIMPLE Hub Summer research program, the opportunity presented itself to continue the research I had started in that program into an Honours year. I chose to pursue an Honours year as I was interested in this research area and believed that having more experience in research would benefit me in my career of medicine

Steven: I decided to get off the tools and started studying. After completing an Advanced Diploma in Engineering, I opted to continue and applied at UniSQ. I am now in the first year of my PhD and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey with an interest in civil engineering.

Why did you decide to apply for the SIMPLEHub Summer Research Program?

Aaron: I chose to do the SIMPLE Hub Summer Research Program as part of my work integrated learning and as an introduction to research. Although I have had some experience in laboratories as part of my undergraduate degree, I wanted to gain some more experience in a longer-term research project. This was particularly inviting because I was contemplating whether I should do my Honours at the time and was hoping to make a more informed decision based on my experience during this program.

Steven: I wanted to get more involved in research, gain experience, and engage with experienced researchers, which inevitably aided me in making an informed decision on whether to pursue a PhD.

What lessons/takeaways did you get from the research program?

Aaron: The biggest takeaway for me from this project was that it gave me more experience in research, which informed my decision to continue with an Honours year. It made me realise that I not only enjoy research in theory, but I also strongly enjoyed it in practice. Because of that realisation, I decided to continue the same research project as my Honours project. Since I had already started the research project during the SIMPLE Hub Summer Research Program, it gave me a head start as I had already completed many of my laboratory and safety inductions, I had already performed some background research and I had performed some preliminary experiments, all before starting my Honours year. I also learned valuable skills during this project, such as how to write a research paper, many practical skills in the lab and how to present a seminar.

Steven: Effective time management and credit is given, when credit is due. I was able to hand over a manuscript to my supervisor which will in the near future be submitted for publication

Would you suggest that other students apply for the program?

Aaron: I would recommend other students apply for this program as it gives students an introduction to research, which they will not get in their undergraduate studies to the same extent. This can be valuable when deciding what to do after your undergraduate degree, as this experience can inform your decision. And for students who want to do research, this can be a good way to get a head-start on an Honours project and meet potential supervisors for your research. The projects within the SIMPLE Hub Summer Research Program all aim to solve real-world problems, so contributing to these projects is worthwhile and highly rewarding.

Steven: Definitely, the experience is certainly valuable both academically and financially.

Learn more about how you could benefit from the SIMPLE Hub’s Summer Research Program. Applications close September 13.