Funded by Amgen Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the global biotechnology company Amgen, the Amgen Scholars Programme gave 77 undergraduates, representing 42 universities from across 21 European countries, the opportunity to spend the summer gaining first-hand experience of working in a laboratory and conducting research in some of Europe’s most prestigious universities, including the University of Cambridge.
The programme is one of the only pan-European undergraduate research experiences open to students across multiple European countries and for many participants provides the opportunity to learn research techniques that are not available at their home institution.
Queen’s University of Belfast student, Helen McKinstry, said of the experience: “The Amgen Scholars Programme was unique in that it provided me with research experience as an undergraduate student in a very specific area of Medical Physics. Having the chance to work in a research group at the University of Cambridge this summer has helped me to develop the skills and attitudes to seriously consider a career in research science. What is more, it has also given me the opportunity to combine my passion for cancer research with my background in physics. The whole experience has been incredible.”
The Amgen Scholars Programme also forms part of Amgen’s commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Patrick Baeuerle, vice president of Research at Amgen, said of the initiative: “The Amgen Scholars Programme challenges undergraduates beyond the scope of their studies and gives leading academics the opportunity to pass on their passion for research to a new generation. We are delighted that 77 undergraduate students are participating in this year’s European programme. In its seventh year, 2,132 Amgen Scholars have now participated across the U.S. and Europe, with 85 per cent of alumni who have completed their undergraduate studies now pursuing an advanced degree or a career in science or engineering, with many in scientific PhD programmes at top universities across the world.”
Natural Sciences student Helena Francis said of the experience: "Beginning university as a mathematics student, I did not initially have access to laboratories as part of my course and since deciding instead to pursue science, I have not seen anything beyond the assigned practicals for my subjects. The Amgen Scholars Programme has helped to open up a whole new side of science for me and has given me the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and meet other people who are also passionate about science!"
Amgen is a biotechnology company with offices in Cambridge which leads in the discovery, and development of innovative human therapeutics.
The Amgen Scholars programme is a $34 million, eight-year initiative, launched in 2006 in the U.S. and 2008 in Europe.
Participating students spent a total of 8-10 weeks at either the University of Cambridge, Karolinska Institute or LMU Munich.
Key facts and figures for the 2013 Amgen Scholars Programme in Europe:
- The 77 selected Amgen Scholars represent 42 universities across 21 European countries
- 57% of participants are female and 43% are male
- Locations of home universities include: Austria, Croatia, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the Ukraine.
A total of 33 different nationalities are represented:
Ø 22% of participants are British
Ø 9% are Serbian
Ø Nationalities at 6% each are German and Spanish
Ø 5% are Singaporean
Ø Nationalities at 4% each include Italian, Lithuanian, Russian, Swedish and Turkish
Ø Nationalities at 3% each include Austrian, Estonian, Hungarian and Irish
Ø Nationalities at 1% each include Bulgarian, Finnish, Greek, Polish, Romanian and Swiss.
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For more information about Amgen Scholars or an application, please visit www.amgenscholars.com
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