UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science Announces Details of the Summer Student Research Awards 2012 Initiative

The UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science has announced details of its Student Summer Research Awards (SSRA) 2012 Initiative.

 
SSRA 2012 participants with members of the adjudication panel

Now in its 5th year, the SSRA demonstrates the School’s commitment towards the on-going development of an internationally recognised reputation in the areas of research and innovation.

Each summer, approximately 60 undergraduate students, from the School’s five degree programmes undertake eight-weeks of supervised laboratory or clinical-based projects in Ireland or overseas at one of the partner institutions, charities or NGOs. Participating NGOs include the Irish Cancer Society, Migraine Ireland, RISE, Bodywhys and the Dublin Simon Community. The patient-advocate aspect of the SSRA programme exposes students directly to issues that affect patients, and builds awareness of social responsibility and the role of voluntary organisations in advocacy and health research.

Participation on the initiative, which is entirely voluntary, provides students with invaluable experience in the area investigative medical science, and is consistent with the School's ambition to produce not just exceptional healthcare practitioners, but also life-long learners and world-class medical researchers and innovators.

In September 2012, participants will showcase their research at a high-profile adjudication event, at which a team of more than 30 senior academics, consultants, clinicians and researchers will interrogate the quality of students’ projects. Six students will then be chosen as finalists and will go forward to present their projects at the SSRA 2012 Awards night, which takes place on the 4th October in UCD’s Debating Chamber, located in the new UCD Student Centre.

The finalists will be judged by a panel of clinicians, researchers and professional communicators, who will award gold, silver and bronze medals in recognition of research excellence. A special commendation award will also be presented for excellence in research communication.

ENDS

1 August 2012

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712.