Our next interview is with Qize Yan, a recent starter
Hi Qize, can you give a brief background of yourself?
I’m with the Howarth Group, which I started with on the 31st of July. I will be with them for seven weeks. I’m a current Cambridge student, but my summer internship expenses are covered by a grant from the Singaporean Institute A*STAR.
Are you working on a specific research project with the Howarth Group?
I will be working on a range of synthetic biology projects with the group, with oversight from a DPhil student Claudia Driscoll. Unfortunately, I can’t go too deeply into my work – I only started last week.
Have you used any protocols yet?
I’ve done a bit of bacterial transformation, but not much else so far.
As a new starter, how was your experience with our onboarding process?
The introduction to the lab and the Department was very nice and very efficient. I came in on my first day, did the necessary health and safety and IT stuff and managed to start much sooner than expected. I was able to start with the lab on the same day!
How would you describe the atmosphere and culture of working with the lab?
Oh, it’s very relaxed. I felt that if they had an intern with no lab experience at all, they would be very accepting. It would be a pleasant experience for a brand-new starter.
What do you plan on doing after your internship?
I’m planning on doing a PhD after my undergraduate studies. This will also include a one-year attachment with my funding body.