Laboratory knowledge and skills help a student secure a prestigious PhD place
Third year undergraduate Joshua Cox has secured a place to study for a PhD in immunology at Oxford, thanks to his eight week summer project in the University of Southampton laboratories.
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The Biochemistry student was quick to sign up to the paid opportunity to work with researcher Salome Murinello on an experiment she designed as part of her PhD into age-related macular degeneration.
"I was investigating whether infection elsewhere in the body affects the eye condition," says Joshua. "It was definitely worthwhile to learn the realities of lab research, understanding how systems work. Salome was very helpful and encouraging and I learned a great deal. I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy being there every day but I liked it so much, I decided I would like to study a PhD."
Dr Jessica Teeling was so impressed with his work, she suggested he should apply for a place to carry out doctoral research at Oxford. Joshua is also using his laboratory experience to help him with his final year dissertation.