Intern Alumni Champion
Edward Mbanasor (Intern 2019)
What are you studying/ what did you study at University?
I'm currently a medical student (MBChB Enterprise) at Leeds School of Medicine. I previously studied MSc Exercise Physiology at Loughborough University and BSc (Hons) Clinical Sciences at the University of Bradford.
Why did you apply for the internship?
I applied for the internship scheme because I saw a fantastic opportunity to get research experience in a combination of my interests: sport and exercise medicine and osteoarthritis - it was a perfect match. I never knew such research opportunities were available to medical students - it was like a dream I never had. As soon as the flyer caught my eye I jumped at the opportunity and, to this day, I'm glad I did.
What was the Project you were involved with when attending the internship scheme?
I was involved in a project called: 'An exploration of the clinical and functional characteristics of a thumb base osteoarthritis cohort' based at the University of Southampton. It was a project derived from the Osteoarthritis of the thumb therapy trial II (OTTER II): a multicentre, single blind, randomised controlled clinical effectiveness and efficacy trial.
What stood out to you the most as an intern?
What was surreal about the internship were the opportunities to have a real taste of what it would be like to be an academic researcher over an eight-week period. I was registered as a 'Visting Academic' and given my 'University Visitor' ID badge. I had an assigned desk with my name on it. I travelled across the country to the Centre-member universities. I had the chance to work with world-leading academics, researchers and clinicians and experience state-of-the-art research facilities. I was fully integrated into the research team and had the chance to attend a Steering Committee meeting. I worked on an independent project and presented my research at a dissemination event at the Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Depart of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford. I had continuous support from my supervisor and mentor. I felt like a real researcher and loved the fact that I carried out research that will benefit patients. It was truly a privilege that I will always be grateful for.
Also, I really liked the multi-disciplinary aspect of the internship; this was reflected by the rest of the like-minded interns in my close-knit group being from other healthcare courses/professions. At medical school, I barely get the chance to interact with non-medical students, so the internship was an enriching and thoroughly insightful experience; I learnt a lot from other allied-healthcare students/professionals and I'm still in touch with my internship group and supervisor today.
What skills did the internship equip you with?
Key skills I gained from the internship covered project management, complex statistical analysis, multi-/inter-disciplinary team collaboration and the ability to communicate research findings to a diverse audience.
Why would you recommend the internship?
I would highly recommend this internship to students or graduates who would like to get a real taste of the MSK researcher lifestyle and have ambitions to go into academia. You become part of a highly supportive team, gain confidence in research and greatly enhance your CV by working with a prestigious centre. You gain great opportunities during the internship and are supported with further opportunities after you complete the internship - you become a highly valued alumnus!
What are your achievements since the internship scheme?
My abstract poster, based on my internship research project, was presented at the British Society of Rheumatology 2020 Annual Conference and I gained a Rheumatology Journal publication as the first author. My research was the first to describe the most prevalent signs and symptoms of thumb base osteoarthritis (this was a proud moment). I'm currently serving as Co-President of Leeds Sport and Exercise Medicine Society 2020/21. I'm looking forward to hopefully many more achievements because of the internship.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In the next 5 years, I hope to have graduated as a medical doctor, be admitted onto an Academic Foundation Programme and be running a successful online personal training business, which I launched recently.