Successful first edition Hubrecht Talent Program – applications open for next year

The Hubrecht Talent Program (HTP) was established in 2022 to support underrepresented groups of students in the Netherlands in pursuing a scientific career in molecular life sciences. In accordance with the guidelines of the NWO Mosaic 2.0 Program, Dutch students with a migration background from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America or Turkey are invited to apply. During the academic year 2022-2023, the first group of students has completed the Bachelor’s (BSc) HTP. From September onwards, a Master’s (MSc) HTP will start as well.

Promoting diversity

Marvin Tanenbaum, group leader at the Hubrecht Institute and initiator of the HTP, explains the aim and necessity of the program: “Our overall goal is making science a more diverse place where everybody has the chance to succeed and shine, independent of your background. There’s a really strong underrepresentation of minority groups in biomedical sciences in the Netherlands, especially at the group leader stage. We often hear that academic research in biomedical sciences tends to be rather uninviting for minority students if there are few other students or professors with the same background that can act as role models. But it would be a shame if talent for academia goes to waste, if we would lose out on people who would be great scientists. In the long term, we hope that the HTP will help to create role models for minority students in research. As one of the leading biomedical research institutes in the Netherlands, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to use our knowledge and our network for the better. Things that are a small effort for us, like giving advice on a motivation letter or practicing an interview, can be hugely helpful for students.”

A year at the Hubrecht Institute

On July 5, the first round of third-year Bachelor’s students celebrated the completion of the BSc HTP. Three students from the Bachelor’s program Biomedical Sciences at Utrecht University were enrolled. Eirini Kyriakopoulou, a PhD student involved in the HTP committee from the very beginning, explains: “Each student was assigned two mentors: a group leader and a PhD student from the institute. The mentors guided them through any questions or concerns they might have during the program. We also organized meetings focused on getting into Master’s programs, which have become very selective recently. For example, the students talked to members of Master’s program selection committees, as well as other students in these Master’s programs. Another important part of the program was an internship in one of our labs. The students first did short lab rotations in three different labs, before selecting their preferred lab for the internship, which helped them find the right lab for them and thus made the internship more exciting. They have just finished their internships in the Bakkers, Van Rooij and Tanenbaum labs.”

Valuable experiences

Looking back on the past year, Soumaya Robdon, one of the students enrolled in the BSc HTP, says: “I think the program is an admirable initiative, for which I really see the need. It was a very valuable experience for me and my mentors helped me a lot. It’s a good opportunity to ask questions to the people working in science. They also helped me to apply for a Master’s program, for example writing the motivation letter, and that was very helpful. I am happy to start the Master’s program Cardiovascular Health and Disease next year.” Fellow student Zhi Hui Zhou also appreciated the mentoring very much, as well as the lab experience: “It was very useful to get help with my Master’s application. Next year I will start the Infection & Immunity Master’s program, because I would love to continue in science. The talent program has made me even more enthusiastic about doing research and has also changed my perception of it quite a bit. I really enjoyed working in the lab myself, for example seeing living cells with live imaging under the microscope, instead of just reading about it in books.” Anjelie Kisoensingh, who also completed the BSc HTP this year, enjoyed the lab work and the atmosphere at the Hubrecht Institute: “I worked in the lab for seven weeks and did thirteen weeks of literature study. That was a whole new experience for me, that I enjoyed very much. What I really liked about the Hubrecht Institute is the diversity. There are people of all nationalities here and everyone just interacts with everyone. I really liked that open environment.”

Talent Program for Master’s students

The Bachelor’s students currently enrolled in the BSc HTP now have the opportunity to apply for the MSc HTP. “From September onwards the first round of Master’s students will start this program, which includes a long internship in one of our labs, mentoring meetings, a recommendation letter from the institute and help with job applications. Students also get the opportunity to visit an international conference, which is such an exciting event and will hopefully stimulate the students to choose a career in biomedical research,” Tanenbaum explains. More information about the MSc HTP can be found here.

PhD mentors wanted

For the next round of HTP students, new PhD mentors are welcome. Maaike Lambers, one of the current mentors, would definitely recommend other PhD students to join: “I enjoyed being a mentor very much. I sat down with my student once a month to discuss how things were going. I think that really helped her and she appreciated it a lot. It’s a small time investment, just half an hour, maybe an hour a month, but it really makes a difference for the students.”

Students interested in applying for the HTP can find more information here or contact the coordinators of the program at HTP@hubrecht.eu for any questions. Applications for the academic year 2023-2024 will be accepted until 18 September 2023.

Hubrecht PhD students who are interested in being a mentor for HTP students are also welcome to get in touch through HTP@hubrecht.eu.