Talented undergraduates try life as a researcher in summer science program

Alongside 25 elite institutions across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia, the University of Melbourne is the only institution in Oceania delivering the intensive, summer program funded by the Amgen Foundation.

This year’s cohort of 11 students – from eight institutions – was hosted in labs across the University, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, and The Florey. They undertook diverse research projects over seven weeks and presented their findings at a symposium on 19 February.

Miyoshi Diniyal is studying applied chemistry in her third year at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. She was hosted by the Plant Natural Products group in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences.

“Our project involved profiling flavonoids – a group of organic compounds found in plants that may have medicinal properties – in the Australian species Eucalyptus subcaerulea,” Ms Diniyal said.

“This is strongly aligned with my interests. I've seen my grandmother use plants in traditional medicine. For example, instead of paracetamol, she uses the ‘headache plant’ to reduce pain. I want to understand why that works.

“This is my first time in Melbourne and I’ve loved it. On the weekends, all the scholars explored the city together, which I really enjoyed. We’ve built a valuable friendship, and a professional network too. My supervisors and the lab team are great, patient teachers who helped me hone my laboratory skills.”

Ms Diniyal is planning to do a Masters in Biochemistry.

“My dream is to build a research team in Papua New Guinea,” she said. “We have unique biodiversity, but little research has explored it, and I’d like to change that.”

University of Melbourne Research Fellow in Plant Natural Product Biosynthesis Dr Guillermo Garcia Gimenez co-supervised Ms Diniyal in her project, alongside Dr Jason Goodger.

“This is the first time I have supervised an Amgen Scholar, and it’s been an excellent experience,” Dr Gimenez said. “The program is well organised. It’s a challenge to formulate a short-term research project, but it’s great for exploratory work. Miyoshi was highly engaged and did a wonderful job.”

Miyoshi Diniyal (left) and Dylan Dickson (right).

Dylan Dickson, a third-year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Melbourne, undertook research in the Michell Hydrodynamics Laboratory.

“My project was about replicating sea ice within a laboratory, to help improve predictions about sea ice loss with climate change, which has implications for our whole planet,” Mr Dickson said.

“This experience has increased my interest in continuing along the research pathway, but I’m also considering a role in industry. I’m passionate about working at the forefront of technology and addressing climate change.

“The Amgen Scholars program has developed my problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and persistence. Learning more about other disciplines, countries and cultures has been great too.”

Global Director of the Amgen Scholars Program Gregory Llacer travelled from the US to see the students present their work to members of the Faculty of Science and partner institutions involved in the program.

“The University of Melbourne is a vibrant research hub with unique facilities, and I am thrilled that Amgen Scholars can experience some of the exciting work happening here,” Mr Llacer said.

“Increasingly, new knowledge is coming from interdisciplinary research. The scholars live together during the program and discuss their projects and interests, and this opens potential new paths for interdisciplinary collaborations.

“I congratulate this cohort for their tenacity – they have learnt that high quality research takes patience and persistence. They are also impressive science communicators, which the world needs.

“The Melbourne Amgen Scholars program has come of age since 2020. Some former scholars are now finishing their doctoral studies here. I look forward to seeing how the pipeline of talented researchers continues to grow and feed supervisors back into the program.”