Mike Allwright Biochemistry

3rd year undergraduate

Hi, I'm Mike Allwright and I studied Biochemistry within Centre for Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton.

The paid placement has given me the knowhow to tackle my third year project with more confidence.

A summer studentship in the Biological Sciences labs at Southampton has helped me decide on my future career.

I spent seven weeks working with Dr Mark Coldwell on a project to investigate how cells make proteins, gaining valuable and intensive experience of practical research work.  I really enjoyed carrying out the experiments in the lab and have decided I want to stay on in research and do a PhD.

I found I already knew my way around the laboratory and got a head start over my fellow students. In fact, I decided to chose the same subject for my final dissertation.

I would recommend all students should investigate what opportunities are open to them in the long vacation between their second and third years of study. You can learn a lot in seven weeks and there's still time for a holiday before the academic year begins.