Junior ISBUC gives local gymnasium students insight into life in the lab
is an innovative research mentoring program connecting academically curious high school students with the vibrant world of university research. The program, running from September to November, invites motivated second- and third-year students from Nørre Gymnasium and Christianshavn Gymnasium to collaborate with researchers and PhD students from the University of Copenhagen.
Forskerpraktik and ISBUC
This year, three groups of students worked on ISBUC-related projects. Across four sessions, students had the opportunity to participate in workshops, lab visits, data analysis sessions, and research presentations, allowing them to gain unique insights into the life of a researcher. The program concluded with a poster presentation, where students showcased their findings to peers and mentors.
One of the ISBUC projects explored the potential for ancient retroviruses as innovative drug delivery systems. Under the guidance of PhD candidates, Arriën Symon Rauh and Annette Juma Skæfergaard Nielsen, the students investigated how structures, such as GAG proteins and capsid formations, could be repurposed for medical applications. Their work demonstrated how interdisciplinary studies, such as virology, structural biology, and biomedical engineering can be used to enhance drug delivery systems, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among the high school participants. It also offered a valuable learning experience for the mentors, Arriën and Annette, who gained insights into both the rewards and challenges of supervising young researchers. Reflecting on their experience, the mentors expressed excitement about refining and expanding their project in future years.
A Mutually Enriching Exchange
By offering high school students a hands-on introduction to the academic sphere, Forskerpraktik provides an invaluable opportunity to expand horizons beyond their regular curriculum. As one former participant from Nørre Gymnasium reflected, “It was super fun to do a project together with some nice people and to get some more in-depth thoughts on some subjects that are not found in the gym.”
For researchers, Forskerpraktik offers a unique platform to inspire the next generation of scientists while fulfilling the university’s commitment to teaching and outreach. PhD students, in particular, benefit from honing their communication skills by engaging with an attentive and eager audience. As one researcher put it, “Forskerpraktik was an opportunity to share the joy with others by constantly pushing the limits of how we understand the world.”
After the success of this year, Junior ISBUC will again participate in Forkserpraktik in 2025. If you want to join, please contact the Junior ISBUC Chair, Ciara Frances Pugh: ciara.pugh@sund.ku.dk
Author: Leyla Meharg