College students with ambitions to pursue careers in biomedical science were welcomed at Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar (WCM-Q) this summer to learn essential research skills.

WCMQ Research Internship
Alaa Abdeen

The Research Internship for College Students programme, administered by the WCM-Q Research Division, gives students aged 18 years old and older the opportunity to join working laboratories and learn from senior biomedical researchers in a challenging and dynamic environment.

Each of the students learned practical laboratory skills, and completed modules focused on a set of key research management competencies, including research operation, laboratory management, grants management, research compliance, clinical management, and professional skills.

Students can choose between a four-week internship or an intensive eight-week internship; those who completed all of the taught modules and practical training elements on either internship are awarded a certificate of completion.

This year, three Qatari nationals completed the programme. Alaa Abdeen, who is in her third year studying Biomedical Genetics at the Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, spent four weeks working in the laboratory of Dr Khaled Machaca, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics and Associate Dean for Research at WCM-Q.

She said she had a fantastic experience and actually wished to have stayed longer.

The most valuable thing is that I have been able to spend a lot of time actually working in the lab and helping with a real research project. It has been very hands-on and I feel it has given me a really good boost for starting my career when I graduate.’

Christy Poppe, a senior research training specialist at WCM-Q, said the internship gives college students a solid grounding in research skills and an understanding of research management.

It gives them an insight into the life of an employee who works day-to-day in the laboratory, which many interns find to be extremely inspiring. It helps them work out and choose what sort of position will suit them best after they graduate.’

Check out this link for more information about the WCM-Q internship and training programmes.