Last summer, third-year Churchill medical student Joshua Sebastine embarked on a research internship funded by Churchill College’s Summer Opportunities Bursary Scheme.
Joshua joined the MacDonald Lab at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology – a world-leading centre for eye research – and took part in a unique project investigating retinal degeneration. His experience in the lab not only deepened his understanding of cutting-edge science and research careers, but it also highlights how the scheme is helping students bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
The MacDonald Lab focuses on understanding how glial cells support neuronal function in healthy eyes and what happens when this relationship breaks down due to aging or disease. Josh worked under the guidance of Dr Nicole Noel on a project using killifish, a rapidly aging model organism, to study gene expression during retinal degeneration. Killifish are particularly suited for this research as their short lifespan – six to eight months – allows researchers to observe natural age-related vision loss within a compressed timeframe.
Joshua’s role involved working with killifish embryos and performing experiments such as in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. As he explains, “these techniques helped us study changes in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium over time.” Day-to-day tasks included caring for fish embryos, preparing tissue samples, and staining microscope slides for analysis using advanced imaging techniques. Through this work, Joshua developed technical skills crucial for lab-based research, such as handling specimens, using confocal microscopes, and performing RNA and protein visualization techniques.
However, the internship wasn’t solely about technical skills – it was also an opportunity to engage with the lab’s collaborative culture. “The team was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Although everyone worked on individual projects, we frequently exchanged advice and techniques. Participating in journal clubs improved my ability to critically read scientific papers, and the experience broadened my understanding of what it means to be part of a research team.”
As well as providing a glimpse into the world of research, the opportunity also sparked reflections on future career paths. “Before this internship, I hadn’t fully appreciated what a research career involved,” he noted. “Working alongside PhD students gave me valuable insight into the challenges and rewards of pursuing a PhD.”
Joshua is hugely thankful to the Churchill’s Summer Opportunities Bursary for making the experience possible. Reflecting on the overall experience, Joshua emphasised the broader impact of such opportunities. “Not only did I gain technical and interpersonal skills, but I also gained insight into what a career in research may look like. I would encourage other Churchill students to apply for this funding and make the most of the incredible opportunities it provides.”
Without this funding, I wouldn’t have had the chance to undertake this internship. External funding for such opportunities can be difficult to secure, so having support directly from the College is invaluable. It’s crucial for students to be able to explore their interests and develop new skills in this way.
As a third-year medical student currently intercalating in engineering, Joshua has plenty of options for future plans. Primarily, he would like to become a doctor, potentially a GP or a surgeon. He also has the option to pursue a PhD and become a clinician / researcher, perhaps researching the use of AI in medicine or tissue engineering, or exploring roles in MedTech or consultancy, blending his medical and engineering expertise.
Photos below via: Welcome to summer students Kristen, Matias and Joshua! — Zebrafish UCL
The Summer Opportunities Bursary Fund
This was the third year that Churchill College offered a number of ‘Summer Opportunities Bursaries’ to support Churchill undergraduates pursuing a summer project outside of their academic course. These sought-after bursaries cover a period of up to 8 weeks, during which bursary holders are also entitled to subsidised College Accommodation.
The scheme, which was first conceived and launched by the College’s Senior Tutor Dr Rita Monson, is open to any Churchill College undergraduate student who is not a finalist. Project ideas can span any area of interest, from working in a historical archive or exploring an artist’s catalogue to developing robotics in an engineering lab or working on comparative bioinformatics in a research group. The only requirements are projects must be unconnected to the applicant’s academic course, no other funding source should be available and students must be supported by an appropriate supervisor throughout the project.
Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in the Lent term.