BIOTEC is the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, and part of Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency. My role as a research intern is predominantly lab based and focuses on shrimp health and pathogen interactions. I work closely alongside a small team of fellow researchers, masters and PhD students, as well as my supervisor.

During the first part of my internships, I spent a lot of time collecting samples, working with both DNA and RNA: extracting, purifying, testing purity, performing PCRs and running gel electrophoresis. As well as molecular biology, I also gained experience in microbiology, culturing and selecting bacterial colonies, producing competent cells and engineering recombinant plasmids for bacterial transformation and protein production.

During the next part of my internship, I gained a lot of experience in data analysis, using R to analyze the datasets produced from the above activities, and Linux when working with BLASTN and BLASTX search results. Data analysis went hand in hand with interpretation of results and report writing.

During the final portion of my internship I had the opportunity to work with the EVE group, getting experience isolating viral DNA using sucrose gradient centrifugation, qPCR and analysis of BLASTX and BLASTN results using Linux.

 

 

When did you start thinking about work placements?

I was initially on the biological sciences pathway but changed to professional studies just before second year began. I used the typical methods to search for placements such as LinkedIn and other job advertising websites but found these applications very competitive and more luck based. I also did not want to spend the whole year in 1 placement, so I began to look for more short-term internships instead and found the most success through the careers center. The school of Biological Sciences careers department and the global opportunities team were extremely helpful, they are very well organized and provided me with a list of connections the university had with other organizations, including many international ones. Two of the international placements I ended up securing including the one in Thailand, were with companies that Queen’s have sent students to previously. Having direct communication with the companies made the application process a lot simpler.

 

What was the application and interview process like? 

For my placement in Thailand, after submitting my CV and cover letter, I was first interviewed by Queen’s staff, to make sure I was suitable for the role and would be competent moving abroad alone. After passing this stage, I had a second interview online with the company BIOTEC itself with my current supervisor. In this interview I faced more technical questions specific to the role I applied for and was asked about previous experience.

 

Have you enjoyed your placement?

Living in Thailand for 3 months has been extremely enjoyable, I have had plenty of opportunities to travel and explore during weekends and national holidays. The placement itself has been an amazing learning experience. On top of learning and practicing many procedures and techniques in the lab, and practicing data analysis/report writing, I have gained an invaluable insight into what working in the research world is like. From day-to-day work, to planning projects, interpreting results, networking and keeping up to date on the latest studies, it consists of a lot more than just following instructions. I have been able to follow along and help in multiple projects, get experience in multiple fields using different equipment, and talk with many different scientists working in different areas that interest me. My favourite moments have been when the team has left the lab for field visits or conferences, as I have been able to see Thailand from a perspective that most tourists do not get the chance to.

 

 

What insights have you gained from this placement? 

I have gained insight into working abroad, which has reinforced my future plans to travel for work and be a researcher in different countries. This experience has definitely helped to narrow down my future plans in terms of what kind of research I want to do, where and how I want to work.

 

Could you give advice to students who are considering applying to similar work placements? 

I would tell any students applying for placements to consider applying for an international one. A short 3-month international placement over summer is the perfect amount of time to discover what it is like to live abroad alone, but short enough that you will not be overwhelmed. It has also been a great way to start a long year of placement, a good way to break up the year and keep yourself fresh and excited for what is coming next. I suggest anyone applying for a placement in a country they haven’t been to before to try and find someone to talk to that has at least been there before, preferably someone from the place or who has lived there. Talking over your plans with someone is very helpful and can stop any worries you may have. Also when abroad, joining sports teams is a great way to meet people, Bangkok has teams for football, rugby, basketball and even a GAA team.

 

Lucas Morgan

BSc Biological Sciences