Opening doors to STEM: In2Science students explore research at the Birmingham BRC

From 21-25 July 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the University of Birmingham welcomed a group of sixth-form students from disadvantaged backgrounds for a week-long immersive STEM experience as part of the national In2Science initiative.

Hosted by researchers and clinicians across the BRC and the University’s College of Medicine and Health, the programme aimed to showcase the breadth of scientific careers and provide hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research. Students, all studying STEM subjects at A-level or equivalent, were given a unique opportunity to explore career pathways, engage with professionals, and gain insight into university life.

“By providing an opportunity for one-to-one discussions with researchers from all sorts of career backgrounds, we hope to support and inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds and illustrate how they could become the next generation of translational researchers.”

Professor Patricia Lalor, University of Birmingham

A week of discovery

The week began with an introduction to liver pathology, where students conducted practical histology sessions using donated human tissue samples. Led by Professor Patricia Lalor and Research Manager Janine Fear, this hands-on experience demonstrated how disease is diagnosed and initiated discussions about the spectrum of careers in pathology, medicine and biomedical science.

On Tuesday, the Liver Team hosted lab tours and meet-the-researcher sessions, giving students the chance to interact with early career researchers and hear personal stories about their journeys into science. The afternoon was spent at the Clinical Research Facility, where students learned about the design and conduct of clinical trials and met nurses and practitioners working at the forefront of patient care.

Wednesday brought a shift to advanced therapy and virtual reality technologies. Students explored how computational tools are used in medical education through a VR cleanroom training experience, gaining insight into the future of healthcare innovation and alternative research careers.

Thursday’s programme focused on translational research with the Inflammation and Acute Care team from the Birmingham BRC, followed by a visit to the Birmingham Tissue Analytics Facility. Here, students learned about transcriptomics and gene expression, and how human materials are used for high-throughput genetic and proteomic analysis. This spotlighted emerging career pathways in disciplines such as bioinformatics and technical roles, introducing students to fields previously unfamiliar to them.

The week concluded on Friday with a session highlighting the vital role of patients in shaping and supporting research, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of how public engagement drives meaningful healthcare outcomes.

Building futures

Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing increased confidence in pursuing STEM careers and a stronger desire to attend university.

One student shared: “I really enjoyed just being able to see the immense passion from so many different specialists in their fields… It was really encouraging to hear from people who love their jobs and feel they make an impact on society.”

Another commented: “Getting to talk to people in different STEM careers was the best part. I wouldn’t change anything about the experience.”

Patricia Lalor, Professor in Experimental Hepatology at the University of Birmingham and Academic Career Development Lead for the NIHR Birmingham BRC, who coordinated the programme, reflected:

“It was a privilege to host such enthusiastic students. Their curiosity and engagement reminded us why outreach is so vital – not just for them, but also to ensure the future of translational science. By providing meaningful engagement with research and showcasing the diversity of scientific careers, we help bridge the gap for students from underrepresented backgrounds and inspire the next generation of scientists.”