Submitted by S. Di Eleonora on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 16:54
After a three-year funding gap, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of a fresh cohort of DTP students, generously funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Building on last year's successful securing of funding for DTP3, this October marks the commencement of the first cohort, with another set to follow next year.
A lively and informative induction meeting took place on Wednesday 4th October in Pembroke Room at 4 Mill Lane. At this gathering, our incoming students had the opportunity to engage with members of the DTP core team, which included Professor Chris Smith (DTP Director), Dr Matt Castle (Chair of the DTP Training Committee), Dr Sam Byers (Training and Inclusive Support Manager), as well as Sandra Di Eleonora and Yoli Lopez from the DTP office. Adding to the inspiration of the day, Prof. Matthias Landgraf (Deputy Head of School - Postgraduate Strategy) delivered an engaging talk. Moreover, representatives from Agri-TechE and One Nucleus, our two new associate partners, were also present to connect with our enthusiastic students.
Our new cohort, comprising 24 talented individuals, will embark on their research journeys in various Departments and Partner Institutes. The initial six months will see standard students undergo two laboratory rotations, a crucial step in helping them make informed decisions about their eventual PhD projects. Furthermore, four of our students have been awarded the iCase studentship, entailing them to undertake placements with their respective project's industrial partners.
To foster a sense of community among our new students and to strengthen their cohort identity, Dr. Sam Byers organised a guided tour in the Botanical Gardens on Friday 6th October, where they had a chance to learn about the Gardens and networking. Students from previous DTP cohorts join the new cohort to share their invaluable experiences as PhD researchers at Cambridge. Early feedback from the attendees revealed that the induction meeting was highly informative and engaging, and they greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect with their peers at the ‘walk and talk’ event at the Botanic Garden.
We would like to wish good luck in their studies to our new students and we look forward to hearing about their progress in the coming years!