We are excited to introduce you our BiPS Summer Students for 2024. These talented undergraduate students have been awarded funding to undertake a summer internship in a UK research lab. Poppy’s placement was made possible thanks to the support of the The Plant Journal and the Gastby Foundation. Brandon, Lyea and Damilare’s placements were funded by their host labs at the University of Oxford. Thank you to every that applied and to all the labs that offered to host students.
Poppy Isabella-Nana Akua Sarpong Cann
My name is Poppy Isabella-Nana Akua Sarpong Cann and I study Plant Sciences BSc at the University of Bristol. I first got into studying plant sciences due to an interest in ethnobotany, where traditional knowledge and modern science overlap. I’m inspired by the vast potential of plants to solve global challenges, from medicine to sustainable agriculture, and the complex relationships they form with other kingdoms. The intricate ways plants adapt and evolve has driven my curiosity to uncover more, with seemingly insignificant plants like the ivy-leaved toadflax thriving in urban environments, showcasing nature’s resilience and adaptability. Outside of my studies, I love to immerse myself in anything creative. From poetry and textiles, to meditation and cooking, I love to try anything to increase self-expression and mindfulness. In the future, I would love to merge my interest in plant science with these hobbies to further explore methods of science communication.
Poppy will be supervised by Dr Natasha Yelina, Head of Crop Breeding Technologies Group at the University of Cambridge. This placement has been made possible thanks to the support of The Plant Journal and the Gastby Foundation.
Brandon Hinds
I currently study Biotechnology with Enterprise at the University of Leeds, and I am extremely excited and grateful to be undertaking a studentship with BiPS. What really inspires me about plant sciences is the scope within them for discovering creative solutions to several of the challenges we currently face and will face in the future. Whether it’s engineering extreme-climate-resilient cereals, disease-resistant plants, cereals with increased nutritional value, potatoes specialised for use as biofuels, or culturing exotic plants and seeds ex situ to aid conservation efforts, there is so much potential for advancements to be made across agriculture, energy, and health/wellbeing through plant science.
Outside of biotechnology, I enjoy making and performing music with my friends in our band, watching live gigs, graphic design, and skating.
Brandon will be supervised by Dr Carmen Sánchez Cañizares at the University of Oxford.
Lyea Rivers
I am studying BSc Earth & Environmental Studies at Lancaster University. I watched documentaries as a child with my twin sister and this sparked my interests in life & nature including plants and the ecosystems they live in. Learning the biology of plant growth and the ecosystem services they provide inspires me the most! Outside of plant science, I enjoy spending time around pets & wildlife, hiking & swimming in the ocean in my free time.
Lyea will also be supervised by Dr Carmen Sánchez Cañizares at the University of Oxford.
Damilare Shodeinde
Hi, my name is Damilare Shodeinde. I’m a student at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, studying for my bachelor’s in molecular biology and genetics. Plant science and genetics has always appealed to me since I began to pursue a scientific career.
I believe the science of plants provides vital support to deficient areas of the world such as those undergoing droughts or flooding and also areas experiencing nutrient deficiencies. Plant science is viewed as a smaller area of research in the scientific community, and I hope to not only provide my knowledge to the field but one day inspire others to uptake plant science in their careers.
Outside of science, my favourite activity is cooking (especially desserts), before I began to study science I originally went to culinary school and still love to improve my skills, although I’ve decided to pursue a career in science, cooking will always provide me with a fun and interesting hobby to be improved on.
Damilare will be supervised by Professor Francesco Licausi at the University of Oxford.
We would like to thank everyone that applied to this year’s studentship and all the labs that were willing to take part and host a student.
Thank you to our supporters The Plant Journal and The Gatsby Foundation.
