Student research programs

Benefits

Summer research at UQ provides a range of benefits, including:

• experience to ‘test-drive’ research before embarking on future research studies, such as Honours or Higher Degree Research projects such as Master’s, MPhil or PhD
• enhance your employability through opportunities to develop new academic and professional skills
• access to research networks and the opportunity to build connections with staff and postgraduate students;
• supervision by world-class UQ researchers
• access to world-class facilities 
• the possibility of obtaining credit towards your degree or the UQ Employability Award
• a scholarship for qualifying students to receive an allowance of $3,000

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate and receive a grant you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You are enrolled in an undergraduate, honours, or postgraduate coursework program at UQ at the time of application (internal or external study options apply); and
• You will maintain ongoing enrolment in a program at UQ for the entirety of the Research Experience Program (graduation will affect this, please check the FAQs for clarification); and
• Your area of study is relevant to the research project you apply for; and
• You have a high level of academic achievement during your degree; and
• You have at least 20 unused days of Unpaid Work Experience if applying for the Winter Research Program and 30 unused days of Unpaid Work Experience if applying for the Summer Research Program**

If you are due to graduate from your current program of study and will be commencing further undergraduate or postgraduate coursework study the following semester, you may be eligible to participate.  This will depend on whether you can demonstrate enrolment in your new program of study prior to the Summer or Winter Research Program commencing.  You may be asked to provide evidence of enrolment by providing an Enrolment Status Report, available through Si-Net

Students may be eligible to participate in the Program and receive a scholarship more than once at the discretion of QBI. However, if the number of applicants exceeds available places and funding, preference will be given to first-time applicants.

Assessment and selection

You will be assessed by QBI staff who will determine your suitability. Placements will be awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account:

•  eligibility
•  availability of projects and supervisors
• quality of the project
• academic merit 
• reasons provided for wanting to participate in the Program
• skills and attributes of applicants to meet project requirements
• available funding.

Scholarship support

All applicants will be automatically considered for a Summer Research Scholarship. If you qualify you'll receive funding of AUD$3000, paid jointly by QBI and the UQ SEC.  

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are eligible for an additional scholarship. To apply for the additional Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander scholarship, please email collaborators@qbi.uq.edu.au indicating your interest, after following the how to apply instructions. Only some of the projects listed below are eligible for this additional scholarship. Check the details of the project you're interested in to see if the additional scholarship is included.

No scholars are permitted to participate in the program in a voluntary capacity.

If you withdraw from the Program, or your placement is terminated, your scholarship will need to be returned for the equivalent full weeks remaining unworked.

Time commitment and obligations

It is expected that you will be available and make a commitment to work on a full-time basis between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (up to 36 hours each week) during the Program.

You're expected to actively participate in an ongoing research project or to undertake a substantial piece of supervised research work. Where appropriate to the project, additional discipline-/project-specific obligations may also be required, such as training in research safety and ethics.

The research period is normally offered in two parts to allow for the Christmas/New Year holidays when the University is officially closed.

Summer research project work should not conflict with teaching weeks and should not commence prior to completing assessment or semester examination requirements.

If you're accepted to participate in the Program at QBI, you'll be asked to complete a Student Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Deed (SIPCA) for your research project.

Towards the end of the Program, you may be requested by your supervisor to prepare and provide either a short-written report or oral presentation during a lab group meeting, about their summer project work.

Welcome event and student induction

Scholars accepted for the program at QBI are strongly encouraged to participate in the compulsory UQ SEC Summer Research Welcome event and QBI’s compulsory student induction activities and requirements organised for that day including OHS training.

How to apply

You can only submit only one application but you can specify a second preference in your application.

Step 1 - Choose a project from the list of available projects listed below.

Step 2 – Check your eligibility.
Carefully read through all of the UQ SEC Summer Research Program information on the UQ Careers and Employability website. 

Step 3 – Email the relevant project contact person to express your interest in the project to ask if they will support your application. In this email, attach your detailed academic CV and complete academic transcripts. If they support your EOI you'll need to include their supportive statement in your application.

Step 4 – Submit an online application via UQ Student Hub and upload supporting documentation by 11 October 2024.

This should include your:

• complete academic transcripts
• personal statement explaining why you wish to be considered for the project
• resume
• supporting statement from the project supervisor (this may be a copy of any email correspondence)

All applicants will be notified if they will be invited to participate in the Program.

Have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the Summer Research Program at QBI, please email collaborators@qbi.uq.edu.au.

Available projects
 

Prof Thomas Burne: Modelling decision making on a dynamic strategy shifting task in rodents

Description

Cognitive dysfunction is prominent in the elderly and many patients with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, yet current treatments have little effect on these symptoms. We need better treatments, but this requires better testing protocols. One of the key reasons we have not been able to develop medications to treat these symptoms is that new ideas are typically first tested in rats and mice. However, using the tests we currently have available has led to expensive clinical trials for drugs that appeared to work in rodents, but then were not effective in people.

This project aims to improve translational research between animal models and people with cognitive symptoms. We have recently designed a novel cognitive flexibility task that allows rodents to dynamically shift between different strategies. Using this task, we can investigate similarities shared with human cognitive tests by looking at performance deficits in rodents that reflect physiological changes that have been observed in patients. In this project we would like to develop computational methods to better understand different aspects of cognitive performance in rats and in mice examining the dynamic behaviour of the brain. Ultimately, we would like to test the biological plausibility of the model by comparing simulations with behavioural data.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

The expected outcomes are to gain a better understanding using computational models of operant behaviour in rodents to better understand learning, cognitive performance and decision making. We anticipate designing models to describe different aspects of the rodent’s performance on instrumental learning, cognitive flexibility, visual signal detection and response inhibition.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisor 

Prof Thomas Burne

Contact

For further information, please contact Prof Burne: t.burne@uq.edu.au

Professor Jürgen Götz: Using low-intensity ultrasound for gene delivery

Description

The laboratory explores low-intensity ultrasound for the treatment of brain diseases, spanning preclinical and clinical studies. One of the projects is to use ultrasound to deliver genetic material into the brain. This is not trivial, and therefore we are currently establishing the conditions in cell culture. The summer student will be involved in experiments that explore different formulations of cargo, and different ultrasound parameter sets and protocols, to assess the uptake and expression of the genetic material in different cell-types by means of using fluorescent markers.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Using low-intensity ultrasound for the delivery of cargoes;
Tissue culture experimentation;
Histology and microscopy;
Insight into basic and translational research and what it takes to take a laboratory discovery to the clinic.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors

Prof Jürgen Götz, Godfrei Nkajja

Further Info

j.goetz@uq.edu.au

Professor Jürgen Götz: Restoring functional impairments caused by the microtubule-associated protein Tau

Description

The microtubule-associated protein Tau (Tau) is a key driver of more than 20 neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. We have shown that Tau contributes to neurodegeneration by impairing several neuronal processes, such as axonal transport, mitochondrial function and protein synthesis. Our laboratory also has a long-standing program focused on developing anti-Tau antibodies as therapeutic agents for these disorders. This project aims to investigate the efficacy of these Tau-targeted antibodies in restoring functional impairments in cellular models of tauopathy.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Tissue culture experimentation
Molecular biology techniques
Immunofluorescence and microscopy
Click chemistry and immunoblotting
Insight into basic biomedical research

Suitable for: Any engaged student with an interest in translational Alzheimer's research. 

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors

Prof Jürgen Götz, Dr Esteban Cruz

Further Info

j.goetz@uq.edu.au

Professor Jürgen Götz: Developing cellular assays to monitor Tau clearance

Description

The aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau is a pathological hallmark and key contributing factor in over 20 neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Our laboratory investigates various therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological (monoclonal antibodies) and non-pharmacological (therapeutic low-intensity focused ultrasound) approaches, aimed at alleviating Tau burden. This project aims to establish fluorescence-based cellular assays for real-time monitoring of Tau clearance, to be employed as screening tools in the development of therapeutic interventions targeting Tau.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Tissue culture experimentation
Molecular biology techniques
Immunofluorescence and microscopy
Click chemistry and immunoblotting
Insight into basic biomedical research

Suitable for: Any engaged student with an interest in translational Alzheimer's research. 

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)  

Primary Supervisors

Prof Jürgen Götz, Dr Esteban Cruz

Further Info

j.goetz@uq.edu.au

Professor Jürgen Götz: Enhancing cellular uptake of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

Description

Several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease and Motor Neurone Disease, are characterised by intraneuronal protein aggregates that contribute to disease progression. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer a therapeutic strategy to specifically target proteins involved in these pathological aggregation processes. However, mAbs are not efficiently taken up by neurons, resulting in only a small fraction of systemically administered mAbs reaching their therapeutic targets. This project aims to develop strategies to enhance the cellular uptake of therapeutic mAbs targeting Tau, a key intraneuronal protein implicated in AD, by employing antibody engineering techniques to modify mAb structure and target specific cellular pathways to increase internalisation.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

In silico protein structure analysis and modelling
Molecular biology techniques
Recombinant protein expression and purification
Tissue culture experimentation
Immunofluorescence and microscopy
Immunoblotting
Insight into basic biomedical research

Suitable for: Any engaged student with an interest in translational Alzheimer's research. 

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au) 

Primary Supervisors

Prof Jürgen Götz, Dr Esteban Cruz

Further Info

j.goetz@uq.edu.au

Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan: Pathomechanisms in Alzheimer's disease

Description

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by the loss of synaptic connections, neuronal death, and neuroinflammation. However, the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms driving these pathological changes remain poorly understood. The summer student will be involved in the ongoing advanced imaging experiments and computational analysis in the laboratory to understand the Pathomechanisms underlying AD.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

You will work with a highly interdisciplinary team of neuroscientists, biochemists, and mathematical biologists. You will gain experience in advanced imaging and data analysis.

Suitable for:

-Experience in cell culture techniques
-Data analysis experience is desirable
-Ideal for students considering an Honours or PhD in the lab

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

20-36 hours per week. Applicant will be required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)  

Primary Supervisors

Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan

Further Info

Please contact Dr Pranesh Padmanabhan (p.padmanabhan@uq.edu.au) before applying.

Prof Elizabeth Coulson: Investigating the mechanism by which p75 neurotrophin receptor modulation protects against hypoxia-induced cell death

Description

Hypoxia-mediated cell death is emerging as a major cause of cholinergic neuron death in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This susceptible neuronal population expresses the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor (p75NTR), modulation or inhibition of which has been shown to protect following hypoxia in vitro and in vivo. Reduced degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is key to the cell death response to hypoxia. The Coulson group has shown protection of a neuronal-like cell line, PC12 cells, following inhibition of HIF-1α (resulting in degradation), knock-out of p75NTR and pharmacological modulation of p75NTR. This project will utilize molecular and cell biology techniques in PC12 cells to characterise the interplay of p75TR and HIF-1α in the hypoxia response and investigate the mechanism by which the modulators offer protection.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Students will learn a suite of molecular biology skills including cloning, tissue culture and associated techniques (e.g. transfections), western-immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and acquisition of images by fluorescent and confocal microscopy. The project contributes to a publication which is close to submission and as such the student will be expected to present their results in lab meetings as they progress.

Suitable for:

This project is open to applications from 3^rd year students with experience (either through courses or previous lab experience) and foundational knowledge of molecular cell biology.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement
This project will be for the duration of the Summer program: 13 Jan – 21 Feb 2025.  The successful scholar will be expected to engage for 20-36 hours per week, with flexibility possible in the actual hours worked. The project will be in a the Coulson lab space, which is a PC2 facility in the School of Biomedical Sciences building (#64).

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors
Professor Elizabeth Coulson

Further Info

Please send your CV to Bree Rumballe b.rumballe@uq.edu.au prior to applying for the project if you are interested.

Dr Matthew Kenna: Active neuronal ensembles that underpin the formation of emotional memory

Description

Despite the necessity of memory to the human experience, we are still yet to understand the neurological basis of memory formation and storage. This project will aim to track and analyse the neurons across the brain that play a role in the retrieval of a memory. The objective will be to identify active neuronal circuits that could constitute a locus for memory storage, particularly those in connection with the prefrontal cortex.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

In this project, scholars can expect to gain skills in the processing of brain tissue, fluorescence imaging and image/data analysis. Furthermore, the project will also feature exposure to techniques such as learning/memory behavioural paradigms, electrophysiology and optogenetics.

Suitable for:

This project is open to students with a strong biology background. Skills in data analysis and coding an asset.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

For the Summer program, students will be engaged for 6 weeks only.
Hours of engagement must be between 20 – 36 hrs per week and must fall within the official program dates (13 Jan – 21 Feb 2025).
This project is possible to be a hybrid arrangement with some hours on-site for gaining laboratory experience, as well as the ability to perform data analysis remotely.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors
Dr Matthew Kenna

Further Info

Please contact matthew.kenna@uq.edu.au for more information.

Prof Gail Robinson: The cognitive and neural bases of creative thought: an aging study

Description

Expected outcomes and deliverables

The scholar will learn about current theories of the neurocognitive mechanisms of semantic cognition, controlled episodic memory retrieval, and executive control functions. He/she will gain skills in collecting behavioural and neuropsychological data, and will be involved in functional neuroimaging data collection. He/she is also asked to produce written report and oral presentation at the end of their project.

Suitable for:

This project is open to applications from students with a background in psychology only. Limited to 3^rd – 4th year students.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

For the Summer program, students will be engaged for 6 weeks only.
Hours of engagement must be between 20 – 36 hrs per week and must fall within the official program dates (13 Jan – 21 Feb 2025).
This project is possible to be a hybrid arrangement with some hours on-site for gaining laboratory experience, as well as the ability to perform data analysis remotely.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors

Prof Gail Robinson

Further Info

For further enquiry, please contact Prof. Robinson via email (gail.robinson@uq.edu.au). Prof. Robinson wishes to be contacted by students prior to submitting an application.

Dr Zhaoyu Li: Generation of a Huntington’s Disease Model in C. elegans

Description

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Scholars may gain skills in imaging and data processing and have an opportunity to generate publications from their research.  Students may also be asked to produce an oral presentation at the end of their project.

Suitable for:

We invite applications with a background in biology and are interested in neuroscience to join our project. We are seeking 2 motivated and dedicated students to contribute to our research team.

Positions Available: 2

Qualifications: Background in biology

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

6 weeks during Summer Vacation,
Monday, 13 January until Friday, 21 February
Hours of engagement: ~36hrs per week
Applicant will be required on-site for the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors

Dr Zhaoyu Li & Man Pok Lu

Further Info

For further information or to discuss the project, please contact Dr Zhaoyu Li, zhaoyu.li@uq.edu.au

Prof Barry Dickson: Cryptic female choice- Investigating sperm ejection behaviour of Drosophila females

Description

Expected outcomes and deliverables

Drosophila genetics
Behaviour tracking and analysis
Optogenetics
Histology and microscopy

Suitable for:

This project is open to any student with an interest in neurobiology/animal behaviour.

Duration

6 weeks during the period of Monday, 13 January - Friday, 21 February 2025. 

Hours of engagement

6 weeks during Summer Vacation,
Monday, 13 January until Friday, 21 February
Hours of engagement: ~36hrs per week
Applicant will be required on-site for the project.

Reminder: the UQ SEC Summer and Winter Research Programs are only open to UQ students - with regard to student eligibility, please refer to Research Experience Program - How to Apply - Careers and Employability - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Primary Supervisors

Prof Barry Dickson

Further Info

b.dickson@uq.edu.au
d.ertekin@uq.edu.au