Paul Armstrong: From Summer Studentship to Young Researcher
Paul Armstrong, Lecturer in Pharmacology at Queen Mary University of London, Chair – Executive Committee of The Platelet Society, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“This summer, my lab was lucky to host Rithika Penugonda for an 8-week research placement.
Rithika is a Queen Mary University of London Biochemistry undergraduate, and she joined us thanks to a Summer Studentship grant from The Platelet Society.
Together we investigated the interface between endothelial function and immunothrombosis (how blood vessels and clotting go wrong together in disease).
Throughout her time with us, Rithika demonstrated energy, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to understand the science and learn every technical skill she could.
She applied herself so diligently to our experiments, with an attention to detail that is invaluable when troubleshooting experiments that don’t go as planned.
The resulting data is highly valuable and gives us a solid platform to build on.
In her final report, one line has stuck with me: ‘I leave this studentship having learnt new technical skills, but also a greater confidence in thinking critically, working independently in a laboratory environment and approaching scientific questions as a researcher.’
Rithika, thank you for all your hard work and best of luck with your placement year at MSD.
I hope you’ll consider returning to the lab when it’s time for your final year research project.
Regardless, I have no doubt you have a bright future ahead.”
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