1 Offered Project Summaries
The table below lists PIs who have actively indicated they would welcome SIPBS internship applicants for project work in Summer 2026.
Some projects may only proceed if suitable funding is obtained, or other conditions are met.
| PI | Topics | Project Title | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr M Feeney | Microbiology, sustainability, plastic use | Greener Microbiology | 1 |
| Dr S Humphrey | Microbiology, phage | Investigating phage-host interactions in Enterococcus spp. | 1 |
| Mr P Kearns | Learning outcomes, student feedback, changing EL | Qualitative assessment of student feedback on Experiential Learning in the MPharm at UoS | 2 |
| Dr I Oswald | Solid-state, polymorphism, mechanochemistry | Investigation of mechanochemistry to explore pharmaceutical materials | 1 or 2 |
| Dr Z Rattray | Antibody stability; Analytical sciences; Formulations | Developing bioanalytical assays for profiling antibody formulations | 1 |
2 Project Descriptions
2.1 Developing bioanalytical assays for profiling antibody formulations
Keywords: Antibody stability; Analytical sciences; Formulation
2.1.1 Brief Overview
Antibody-based therapies are frequently grossing in the top ten therapeutics globally, and there is a sharp rise in the emergence of antibody based new modalities for treating cancer and autoimmune disease. In this project, in partnership with the Rattray lab you will develop a proposal to study the formulation stability of antibody and antibody-drug conjugates to develop novel next-generation approaches for early derisking and triaging of antibody formulations.
2.2 Greener Microbiology
Keywords: microbiology, sustainability, plastic use
2.2.1 Brief Overview
Students will analyse the microbiology practical lab curriculum (BM110, BM214, BM327) to quantify the amount of plastic consumables that are used and to identify any potential areas where plastic use can be reduced, or any other sustainability improvements.
2.3 Investigating phage-host interactions in Enterococcus spp.
Keywords: Microbiology, phage
2.3.1 Brief Overview
Work in our lab focuses on unravelling the genetic mechanisms underpinning bacteriophage biology in Gram positive pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus. We are particularly interested in characterising the roles that temperate phages play in mediating changes in their host bacteria to alter bacterial virulence profiles, susceptibility to further phage infection, and interactions with other mobile genetic elements. Given the breadth of current work in our lab, the scope of this specific project can be flexible to fit the interests of the student, but it would best suit a student with an interest in bacteriophages, bacterial genetics and molecular biology.
2.4 Investigation of mechanochemistry to explore pharmaceutical materials
Keywords: solid-state, polymorphism, mechanochemistry
2.4.1 Brief Overview
Mechanochemistry offers a solvent-free approach to drug processing, where grinding, milling, or compression can induce polymorphic transformations, amorphization, or co-crystal formation. This project will seek to link the mechanochemical result to the high-pressure science by firstly undergoing a literature search of high-pressure transformations and following up with practical assessment using mechanochemistry on selected materials highlighted from the search and/or those provided by the group. Each student will assess one API under different conditions and link to the observations in the literature.
2.5 Qualitative assessment of student feedback on Experiential Learning in the MPharm at UoS
Keywords: Learning outcomes, student feedback, changing EL
2.5.1 Brief Overview
All students in all years in the MPharm have to undertake experiential learning placements. Since 2019 students have had to complete questionnaires at the end of their EL to let us know about their EL. This is one of the quality management tools used to assess whether the Learning Outcomes of the EL are being met and if the site they were at is meeting expected standards also. Since 2019-2020, EL has expanded as a result of Additional Costs of Teaching funding being made available from the Scottish Government to support it. EL has progressively increased from 4 weeks in the university of Strathclyde to 9 weeks at present with an aim to get to 11 weeks eventually. In 2020-21 (EL at 4 weeks) and 2023-24 (EL at 7 weeks), Y5 student projects were undertaken to do thematically analyse the student feedback and relate it to the learning outcomes. This is being done again this year (EL at 9 weeks). It would be very useful to undertake a more comprehensive summative content analysis using all the data from all 3 projects to examine if the learning outcomes are being met and to gauge the impact of the increase in EL. Undertaking this analysis would be the role of the students.