In August, the Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) welcomed four enthusiastic students for a week of work experience, in collaboration with In2Science – a UK-based charity that empowers young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering equal opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Through its strong partnerships with colleges and outreach via social media, In2Science provides hands-on learning experiences, allowing students to gain invaluable insight into various STEM fields. The work experience at the MRC CMM gave the students an in-depth look into cutting-edge research and careers in medical mycology, fostering both their curiosity and confidence in pursuing STEM-based career paths.
The students had the unique opportunity to dive into the world of mycology – a subject not typically covered in their college studies. One of the highlights of the experience was working in the labs, where students prepared slides for Aspergillus fungus and learned about curing bacteria. They were also introduced to the exciting and flexible career paths within mycology.
One of the students explained of their time in the centre “This experience helped us discover the abundant roles in mycology, including the travel to other countries. This helped us to broaden our knowledge on different degrees and levels throughout university in academia, and to help us understand what to do at university.”