Tissue Repair student Niya Aleksieva gets grant for Summer Program in Japan

Niya Aleksieva attended Summer Research Program 2018 at the University of Tsukuba, Japan.

Third year Tissue Repair student Niya Aleksieva, who is undertaking her PhD in the lab of Prof Stuart Forbes at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine,  attended the Summer Research Program at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, in August. She received funding from the Wellcome Trust, the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and the University of Tsukuba.

Niya said of her experience:

'Doing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh not only provides excellent scientific training, but also numerous opportunities for professional development outside your home institution. In the summer, I attended the annual Summer Research Program, organised by the University of Tsukuba, Japan. This 2-week course brings together students from various countries and education levels. Students are assigned mini-projects in a lab of their choice.

I chose to join a lab focused on a different field compared to my area of expertise. It helped me to broaden my perspectives and to think about my own research from angles I had not explored before. Moreover, working abroad showed me the differences in lab and research cultures and how they are primarily impacted by societal norms and customs.

The aim of the programme was not only to provide scientific training, but also to introduce students to the Japanese culture through various workshops and activities. Overall, this programme was a great opportunity for me to expand my scientific knowledge as well as personal perspectives. I would like to thank the University of Tsukuba, the Wellcome Trust and the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine for this opportunity.'