Opening doors to the next generation of young scientists

Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst welcomed two local sixth-form students, Grace and Blake, for an immersive five-day Work Experience Programme, offering a rare insight into the breadth of science and innovation taking place across our campus.

Chosen from more than 100 applicants, Grace and Blake secured their places following a competitive selection process, with eight students shortlisted for interview and just two selected.

The year 12 A-level students, from Nobel School and St John Henry Newman School, spent time with five organisations across the SBC community: LifeArc, Autifony Therapeutics, Tessellate BIO, Isoform Oncology and Unravel Health.

Across the week, they encountered a remarkable range of science, from drug discovery and the development of new treatments for neurological conditions to precision cancer medicine, identifying and targeting vulnerabilities in cancer cells, and innovative approaches to women’s health, including hormone monitoring. Through laboratory visits, hands-on experiences and conversations with scientists, they also discovered the variety of careers and routes into the life sciences.

Grace, who wants to study Biosciences at University, said:

“I found the work experience programme at SBC extremely inspiring and insightful into the world of scientific research and the ways modern healthcare problems are being confronted through innovation. Shadowing incredible scientists at a number of different companies was such a valuable and rare opportunity.”

Blake, applying for Biology at undergraduate level, was equally struck by the breadth of work taking place across the campus:

“It has been a privilege to gain an insight into the amazing work done here, from precision cancer medicine to monitoring hormone levels in saliva and women’s health. These companies strive to develop new medicines to help beat these deadly diseases. I would say that SBC is a wonderful place to advance science and enjoy your working life.”

The students also joined SBC Lab Technician Apprentice Maisie Main for a tour of the Community Lab, where she introduced them to key laboratory equipment, including the autoclave, -80°C freezer and centrifuge.

Maisie said:

“I had the pleasure of giving our students and interns a tour of the Community Lab, introducing them to some of the key equipment used in the laboratory.  To make the session more interactive, the students had the opportunity to load the centrifuge buckets themselves, giving them some hands-on practical lab experience to take away.”

For the SBC team, it is a privilege not only to see potentially world-changing science being developed right under our noses in Stevenage, but to be able to share it with the next generation of local talent. By opening up the campus to budding A-level scientists, the programme aims to give young people access to the scientists, facilities and innovation on their doorstep, and inspire them to explore where a future in life sciences could take them. We look forward to hearing what comes next for Grace and Blake!

Applications are now open for the 2027 SBC Work Experience Programme, with candidates shortlisted in June before selected applicants are invited to interview for one of the places available.

Apply for the 2027 SBC Work Experience Programme⁠ via the button below.