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UCL scientists have volunteered their skills for a project to support A-level students selected from London schools with historically low rates of university admissions.

The Science Training for Aspiring Research Scientists (STARS) programme, which ran from 15-19 July, sees teenagers gain hands-on experience in a working laboratory and gives them the opportunity to meet researchers and find out about their career paths.听

Thirteen PhD students at UCL volunteered to deliver the programme, teaching participants how to carry out techniques being used in real-life cancer research projects. The volunteers were supported by supervising post docs and principal investigators.

Gonzalo Mercado, a PhD student in immuno-oncology at the UCL Cancer Institute, said:

鈥淧articipating as a volunteer in the STARS programme has been very rewarding, providing me with a unique perspective on the importance of education and mentorship in science. It's inspiring to see these young minds engage with cutting-edge techniques, potentially sparking their interest in a future scientific career.鈥�

The volunteers are members of the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre, which exists to support ground-breaking research into new cancer therapies, and foster collaboration among scientists at UCL, Queen Mary, KCL and the Francis Crick Institute.

The STARS programme was developed at the Barts Cancer Institute at Queen Mary, University of London in 2013. This year is the first time that STARS has come to UCL, thanks to 拢20,000 funding from the City of London Centre to expand the programme.

Veronica Dominguez, Cancer Research UK City of London Centre Coordinator, said:

鈥淪TARS has an extraordinary impact on the future of its participants, many of whom go on to study science and medicine at Russell Group universities. The City of London Centre is proud to fund the programme, and so grateful to all the volunteers who made it possible by giving their time, expertise and enthusiasm.鈥�

Among the supervisors was听Dr Simone Zaccaria, Group Leader of the UCL Computational Cancer Genomics Research Group, who taught a session on bioinformatics.听Dr Ivana Bjedov, a Principal Research Fellow in the Research Department of Oncology, presented a masterclass on researching with flies as a model organism.听Dr Priyanka Tibarewal, a senior postdoctoral research fellow in Bart Vanhaesebroeck鈥檚 lab, played an instrumental role in designing many of the program activities.听Dr Lucia Cottone听and听Professor Richard Jenner听led the UCL STARS programme.

Gina Stavrou, a PhD student in oncology at the UCL Cancer Institute, said:

鈥淚t was such a highlight to see STARS students evolve during the week, from being brand new to the lab to having complex discussions with the City of London Centre鈥檚 Director. I also really enjoyed using examples from my work to help them address their own questions.鈥�

This year, nearly 50 A-level students took part, ten of whom were hosted by UCL. Previous participants have highlighted how valuable it is to undertake practical laboratory work, giving them a deeper understanding of research as a career.听For the volunteers, STARS is a chance to improve their teaching and science communication skills, and to see their work from a new perspective.听

Further information

Cancer Research UK City of London news: