UNSW Science Vacation Research Scholarships (SVRS) 2024 - 2025
THIS ROUND HAS CLOSED (applications closed on Monday 16 September 2024 at 11:59 PM).
2025-2026Ìýinformation will be addedÌýto this page once known (usually announced in July/August each year).
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Are you a science student who would like the opportunity to experience the real world of scientific research first-hand?
Put your summer holidays to good use with a six-week Summer Vacation Research Scholarship. You’ll gain valuable research experience working with our renowned supervisors to participate in a research project. If you’re a talented undergraduate science student enrolled in your second year or above, it’s an opportunity worth applying for.
Students currently enrolled in second-year or above of an undergraduate program in the Faculty of Science or a science-related discipline at UNSW or another Australian university are invited to apply for an SVRS to join a BABS research team and participate in research over the coming summer.
Each SVRS scholarship is valued at $3,800 and students will participate in a six-week research project.Ìý
The school facilitates collaborative research efforts across discipline boundaries for fundamental discoveries, generation of commercial opportunities and clinical research. BABS has key strengths in environmental microbiology, genetics and cellular biology, molecular medicine, and associated technology development in the areas of functional genomics and many facets of biotechnology. The school has a unique strength in combining fundamental biological and biomolecular sciences with strong applied biotechnology and medical focus. 
Eligibility
To be eligible:Ìý
- You must be currently enrolled in second-year or above of an undergraduate program in the Faculty of Science or a science-related discipline at UNSW or another Australian or New Zealand University.Ìý
- You must be ableÌýto be engaged in a project on a full-time basis (35 hours/week for six weeks during normal working hours unless advised otherwise by the supervisor).Ìý
- Projects mustÌýfocusÌýon research-based activities (administration tasks are not regarded as research) and should be completed by the end of February.Ìý
- Each successful candidate can hold only ONE such scholarship at a time.Ìý
- Students who were previously awarded a UNSW Science Vacation Research Scholarship are not eligible to apply.Ìý
How to apply
The first step of the application process is to contact the supervisor of your chosen project to discuss the project's requirements. When you have decided on your project preferences, please submit the application forms by the closing date listed above.
Full details (including how to apply) are provided on the website and enquiries can be directed to ²õ³¦¾±±ð²Ô³¦±ð.²¹»å°ù³Ù°ª³Ü²Ô²õ·É.±ð»å³Ü.²¹³Ü. Note:ÌýStudents are required to submit 2 applications - a scholarship application (attaching their CV and academic transcripts as one PDF file) and theÌý
SVRS Projects 2024 - 2025
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Fatemeh Vafaee
Email:Ìýf.vafaee@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýNew sequencing technologies enable the comprehensive analysis of various molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) efficiently and affordably, generating vast amounts of omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) from patient samples or individual cells. This data, alongside wearable sensor readings, electronic health records, and medical imaging, offers significant potential to advance personalized medicine and precision therapy. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming challenges through sophisticated AI models and big data analytics for effective data interpretation, prediction accuracy, and decision reliability. At the Biomedical AI Laboratory, we focus on improving disease diagnostics with generalizable models, enhancing non-invasive cancer management via better liquid biopsy tests, and increasing test sensitivity by incorporating multi-omics data and other patient information.
Experience required:ÌýCompetent in R or Python, former exposure to bioinformatics or machine learning.
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Fatemeh Vafaee
Email:Ìýf.vafaee@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýThe advent of single-cell multi-modal omics (scMulti-omics) technologies has revolutionized our ability to measure diverse molecular features—like DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, RNA expression, and protein levels—in individual cells, enabling a comprehensive understanding of cellular functions. Recognized by Nature Methods as the 2019 Method of the Year for its groundbreaking insights into cell functionality, novel cell-type discovery, and cross-omics relationships, the scMulti-omics field has rapidly grown. Despite this technological progress, the field faces significant computational challenges in integrating and interpreting the vast, complex datasets generated, hindering the accurate prediction of biological phenomena. Issues such as data heterogeneity, noise, systematic biases, and the curse of dimensionality are prevalent. At the Biomedical AI Laboratory, we employ AI to navigate these obstacles, enhancing the utility of single-cell data in life science research and clinical application.
Experience required:ÌýCompetent in R or Python, former exposure to bioinformatics or machine learning.
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Fatemeh Vafaee
Email:Ìýf.vafaee@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýAI is transforming drug discovery and development, offering a revolutionary approach to the pharmaceutical industry. By analyzing complex datasets, including clinical, biological, molecular, and genetic information, AI algorithms enhance the precision and efficiency of drug development from drug target identification to toxicity assessments and compound design optimizations. Accordingly, AI facilitates the streamlining of research processes, from preclinical to clinical study designs, and supports the repurposing of drugs for new therapeutic applications. We leverage advanced AI techniques to mine and interpret vast molecular, structural, and clinical datasets. This aids in repurposing drugs, identifying effective drug combinations, elucidating drug targets and mechanisms, and forecasting drug interactions and side effects, streamlining the path to novel therapeutics.
Experience required: Competent in R or Python, former exposure to bioinformatics or machine learning.
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Emily Wong
Email:Ìýe.s.wong@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýData analyses of mouse datasets generated by the lab.
Experience required:ÌýExpertise in R and statistics & molecular genetics.
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Emily Wong
Email:Ìýe.s.wong@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýData analyses of mouse datasets generated by the lab.
Experience required:ÌýExpertise in R and molecular genetics.
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Supervisor:ÌýA/Prof Emily Wong
Email:Ìýe.s.wong@unsw.edu.au
¶Ù±ð²õ³¦°ù¾±±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýHelping to culture cell lines for studies on understanding non-coding variation.
Experience required: Some wet lab experience.
Roy and Lois Tirrell Award (UGCA1213)
Amount: $5,000
The purpose of the scholarship is to support UNSW students studying an undergraduate degree program within the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science.
Eligibility
The recipient must be currently enrolled in any full-time undergraduate degree program within the UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science including, but not limited to, the following programs*:
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (International)
- Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
- Bachelor of Advanced Science
*Enrolment in a dual degree is also permissible.
Selection
Applicants will be considered based on their UAC Equity Scholarship or UAC Educational Access Scheme application, or another appropriate UNSW admissions pathway program.
Scholarship Availability
One recipient will be awarded this Scholarship. The Scholarship will be reoffered once the current Scholarship holder ceases to receive benefits. The last open round for applications was in 2019. See 'How to apply' below to confirm if applications are open.Ìý
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