University of Salford Student Science Video Helps Youngsters on BBC Bitesize

A Biomedical Science student's research into heart cells is to feature on the popular study website BBC Bitesize.

Zahra Alhumaidi began her professional learning journey last summer when she was one of the first people to carry out experiments in the Translational Medicine lab on campus, sparking her interest in a career in research. 

Since then, her passion led her to a funded internship where her findings are filmed for BBC Bitesize. 

The 20-year-old from Swinton, Manchester said: “After my previous experience I started researching the different summer internships around the UK. I came across The Physiological Society summer internships by a coincidence and approached Dr Dave Greensmith, a human biology lecturer here at Salford and a rep for the Society. He was very supportive and guided me with the application."

Cardiac and cancer research

Zahra, an undergraduate on Biomedical Science, is focusing her research on heart cells and cancer drug discovery, but has also worked with school students on Dementia and Alzheimer’s research.

“I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to the lovely bunch of kids about their elastic brain, making mistakes, taking up challenges and about dementia. 

"The children were very enthusiastic. Some asked me to come back and teach them and said it had been the best science lesson ever.“

Alongside filming a STEM video on her current research for BBC Bitesize, with the intention of inspiring younger students to enjoy studying science subjects. The internship has opened other doors and new opportunities for Zahra such as being asked by The Physiological society to feature in a video for their website too.

Super clever?

Her advice for students coming to Salford in September would be that you don’t have to be super clever to succeed. "All you need is a combination of persistence, hard work and the right support to learn as you go along your journey.”

The Physiology Society has funded only 40 internships across the country for students with a passion for research but has also worked with Salford students on dementia and Alzheimer's research via Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan.