Cambridge – one of the oldest universities in the world – recently played host to the fifth annual Amgen Scholars European Symposium. 77 Amgen Scholars, selected from an all-time high of nearly 600 applicants and representing 42 colleges and universities across 21 European countries, gathered at the historic Clare College by the river Cam to network with one another, share the results of their summer research, meet eminent scientific leaders, and discuss their future scientific careers.
Amgen Scholars had the opportunity to hear from Patrick Baeuerle, vice president of Research at Amgen, who gave the Opening Keynote on the impact of biotechnology on drug discovery and development. Several leading faculty from Cambridge also addressed the Scholars, including Professors Margaret Stanley and Ken Smith.
Queen’s University of Belfast student, Helen McKinstry, said of the experience: “The Amgen Scholars Programme was unique in that it provided me with research experience as an undergraduate student in a very specific area of Medical Physics. Having the chance to work in a research group at the University of Cambridge this summer has helped me to develop the skills and attitudes to seriously consider a career in research science. What is more, it has also given me the opportunity to combine my passion for cancer research with my background in physics. The whole experience has been incredible.”
Amgen Scholars is considered one of the only pan-European undergraduate research programs open to students across multiple countries. Established in 2006 in the U.S. and 2008 in Europe as a result of Amgen’s commitment to inspire the next generation of scientists, the program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on summer research at 13 of the world’s leading universities.
There are now approximately 2,100 Amgen Scholar alumni across the U.S. and Europe. 85 percent of program alumni who have graduated from college are now pursuing an advanced degree or a career in the sciences, with many in scientific PhD programs at top universities across the world.
To learn more about Amgen Scholars Europe, please go to www.amgenscholars.eu