IoPPN Youth Awards: From strawberry DNA to human brain samples

Over the three days at the IoPPN, we were able to take part in a variety of activities ranging from a Thematic Analysis data coding session to practical workshops, like DNA extraction from strawberries and creating our own models of the brain. We were always learning something new! Each session was led by different academics from the Institute, giving us the opportunity to ask specific questions depending on our interests. We heard about current research taking place and the processes involved behind such large-scale studies. 

The opportunity to have a tour of the SGDP Centre itself meant we could see the laboratories and had a chance to understand how the specialist equipment was used for different research purposes. The London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank was most notably the favourite part of the tour for everyone! We were lucky enough to be shown around by research assistants who explained the process for storing donated brain samples. As research requirements vary, we were shown multiple ways the brains are stored and how ethics are valued throughout the process. Seeing the human brain in real life and how even the smallest of changes can cause the onset of many degenerative diseases makes you realise how vital the research is.

We were also shown the EEG testing rooms and had the experience of having one done ourselves. Seeing the EEG caps, the gels used and how all this data is visually displayed gave us a greater understanding of the role of technology in such research.

Interviewing a variety of staff from different research disciplines catered for our individual interests. Hearing from professors about their current research and the different routes they took before being part of the IoPPN was so interesting to hear about. Many had studied abroad, and we got to learn about their previous education and work experiences. The diversity in journeys was reassuring and showed us there is no one set route into research or academic positions.

The staff at the IoPPN were all absolutely amazing! From day one, they greeted us with big smiles and made us feel comfortable and welcome. The ice breaker sessions were so fun, and we could clearly see how much effort they had all put in to make the Youth Awards a great experience for everyone. They showed such enthusiasm when answering our interview questions and really showed their passion towards the work they do as a department. Every day was so carefully organised for us to get the most out of the experience, with time for a lovely group lunch every day! 

We spent the last day working on our individual projects - creating a presentation for a piece of published research we had chosen ourselves. This really helped us see each other's academic interests and views towards our chosen research. Being in mixed year groups, it was so nice to see how well we collaborated and the shared excitement we had when presenting our projects. From creating information posters to speeches, we presented to an audience of postgraduate students and various members of the IoPPN. It wasn't as daunting as it first seemed as they were all very encouraging!

After completing our presentations, we were presented with our certificates and vouchers and congratulated on our work over the past few days. The Youth Awards gave me such a great experience from meeting various academics to seeing the facilities on site that allow such impactful research to take place. It has made me consider multiple routes I can take to do something similar as a future career and how there are so many opportunities out there for your own interests. I have left having gained a new perspective of how much teamwork is required for research, the people involved and collaboration from other research institutions too. From qualified clinical psychologists to medicine students, there is such a huge diversity of interests at the IoPPN that you will always find someone to share your interests with and make many friends in the process!

Everyone involved went above and beyond to make it an enjoyable experience and before we knew it, we were on the steps outside the SGDP Centre taking our group photo. It feels great having met so many people in such a short period of time. I would say it's the perfect experience for anyone interested!

About the IoPPN Youth Awards

Launched in 2013, the IoPPN Youth Awards take place annually across the four departments in the School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences (Biostatistics & Health Informatics; Health Service & Population Research; Psychology; and Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry) and the Departments of Neuroimaging and Psychological Medicine. They allow young people (aged 15-18) from local schools to have direct experience of research at the IoPPN.