MBI Opens Its Doors for The 2023 MUST Programme

At MBI, there is no brighter indicator of Summer than the appearance of the new, gleaming and excited MUST interns.

From 22 May to 21 July, MBI hosted 13 inquisitive local and international undergraduate and master’s students, for its 3rd iteration of the annual MUST Programme. Each intern (or “MUSTie”) was tasked to undertake their own unique research projects in different labs and learn the ropes to becoming a mechanobiologist. They had two months to familiarise themselves with interdisciplinary subjects and cultivate both the lab skills and analytical acumen of a scientist.

The interns were thoroughly supported by their mentors and lab members who provided them with close and critical guidance on their research. They also received assistance from the personnel of the core facilities, who imparted their specialised, technical knowledge, as well as from the Ph.D. students and postdocs, who dispensed to them some indispensable advice from their academic experience.

This year, the interns embarked on a weekly quest to discover the Mystery Scientist. The interns were given daily clues to help them identify the featured Scientist of the week. Once identified, the interns were encouraged to get to know the scientist and take a selfie with them. This exercise prompted the interns to get to know more of and more about the members of the MBI, which helped to better integrate them with our community.

Beyond the lab, the interns enjoyed social events such as Salsa classes (special thanks to Ph.D. student, Ranmadusha Hengst), hiking and dinner, giving them a chance to spend time with the MBI family in a more relaxed and fun setting.

To ensure that their research was on track, a presentation session was organised for the interns before the end of their first month of internship to share the early details of their project and provide a chance to practise their presentation skills. This was also to prepare them for their final poster presentation session culminating at the end of the programme.

As the grand finale after nine rigorous weeks of training, experimentation, and application under the tutelage of their mentors a­­­nd lecturers, the MUST interns showcased the fruits of their labour through their research posters and presentations to the MBI community. Tan Tai Lon from the Holle Lab and Pratiman De from the Hirashima Lab each clinched a Best Poster Award.

It was a heartening sight, to see these bright, young scientists being so open to learning and discussing about research with their peers and seniors. MBI is glad to have a part in supporting their ambitions and wishes them all the best for their future endeavours.

A huge thanks to all the MBI members on board the programme, the PIs for opening up their labs, the mentors for their constant guidance, the Cores for facilitating with the training sessions, the Mystery Scientists for being a good sport with the interns, MBI-YSG for befriending and organising activities for them and Dr. Tee Yee Han for taking the helms of the MUST Programme and the MUSTies under her wing.