Original Research in Science (ORIS) is an RGS initiative where students complete a minimum of two weeks of original research in any area of science at a university or in industry. This year, 14 Sixth Form students carried out ORIS projects. The work was undertaken at a number of universities including Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, KCL, York, Glasglow, Warwick Bristol, Manchester, Surrey and Reading. The breadth of research was impressive and included everything from computer and political science to neurodegenerative diseases.
Please see feedback from the research institutions and one of our ORIS students below:
“Alexander is a highly intelligent student and has an aptitude for biological science and scientific research. Much of Alexander’s understanding of molecular biology, protein folding, and protein misfolding is at an advanced undergraduate level.” Owen Morris, Cambridge University.
“[Fin’s] work has caught the interest of several members of our Centre for Complexity Science, to the extent that he has been extended an invitation to give a talk about his project in the coming term.” Dr Pedro Mediano, Imperial College London.
Shrey Bijlani carried out a four-week project “Pain Processing in the Spinal Cord” under the supervision of Professor Tony Pickering:
“In August, I spent four weeks at the University of Bristol working in a pain neuroscience research lab. Over the course of my project, I worked alongside scientists and doctors to explore the control and perception of pain in the spinal cord of rats. I learnt a range of experimental techniques in histology and bioimaging, used vector graphics software to create fluorescent images, perform mathematical calculations, compared my results with electrophysiological data and documented my findings in a scientific report. The data I collected and analysed will be included in an overarching publication in the future and provide the groundwork for developing novel analgesic drugs aimed to improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic pain conditions. Altogether, this was an eye-opening experience for me, which helped to build my independence and enhance my passion for science. I would like to thank Mr Lau for advertising the ORIS project and my supervisors at the University of Bristol for this unique opportunity.”
