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Supporting Medical Research Since 1963

Lions Medical Research Foundation (LMRF)

has a commitment to the SPARQ-ed (Students Performing Advanced Research Queensland) program which is a unique educational facility founded as a partnership between the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and the Department of Education and training located within the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Brisbane.

Students from around Queensland are offered opportunities to participate in week-long programs that allow them to conduct an experimental project in conjunction with one of TRI's world renowned biomedical research groups.

This flagship service offered by SPARQ-ed is open to all senior year 10, 11 and 12 students and teachers throughout Queensland. Student participants are selected through an application process via their school. Applications consist of a section where the applicant writes to stated criteria (interest in science and previous experience working on science related projects) and consideration of the applicant's academic performance. All applications are verified by a school staff contact.

For each research immersion program, a project is designed which can be carried out by the participants over the course of five consecutive days. The project aim is normally to perform research to answer a question which is connected to the work of the contributing group. If all goes according to plan, the work done by the participants should be able to contribute to the work of the research group. These programs are conducted in a dedicated teaching laboratory on the ground floor of TRI, under the supervision of a Coordinator (an experienced registered science teacher) and tutors drawn from TRI's post-graduate students.

In past projects, participants have used advanced cell and molecular biology techniques to create gene constructs used in research into metabolic disorders and prostate cancer, create libraries of mutated versions of genes important in molecular virology and cancer research, cloned segments of genes involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and observed the localisation and function of important proteins within cancer cells. The techniques used included the polymerase chain reaction, site-directed mutagenesis, genetic recombination and transformation of bacteria, DNA sequencing and fluorescence and confocal microscopy. In carrying out these techniques, participants learn how the theory they learn in the classroom is put into practical use.

For more information visit - https://di.uq.edu.au/sparq-ed/research-immersion-programs

To encourage participation across Queensland, Lions Medical Research Foundation, offers scholarships to students from regional and remote Queensland designed to assist in costs associated with travel and accommodation.

The Lions Medical Research Foundation has a long history of supporting scientists in the important work that they do. To foster the next generation of medical researchers, the LMRF and SPARQ-ed provide travel scholarships for students from regional and remote Queensland participating in SPARQ-ed research Immersion programs. These awards, of up to $750 per recipient, are paid directly to the families of student participants to help defray the costs in travelling to and staying in Brisbane during the program.

"I would like to say a big thank you… to the Lions Medical Research Foundation for my daughter's wonderful opportunity to attend the SPARQ-ed immersion program. Her time there confirmed that this is her chosen career and she has now decided on her university course for next year."

Eligibility

  • Be willing to provide an estimate of travel and accommodation costs on application and provide copies of receipts once available
  • Have been accepted into a SPARQ-ed research immersion program through the normal application process
  • Be enrolled in Year 10, 11 or 12 at the time they participate in the research immersion program at a Queensland school (state or non-government sector- NOTE year 12s cannot participate in the Nov program as they are no longer enrolled in school)
  • Have as their principal place of residence a location which is at least 56km from the SPARQ-ed facility (in Woolloongabba, Brisbane) by the local transport service or at least 3 hours total travelling time per day from the SPARQ-ed facility by the local transport service
  • Be willing to stay at a location other than their principal place of residence during the duration of the SPARQ-ed Program. This may be alternative accommodation with friends or family or other accommodation organized by their family.
  • Be achieving at least a B average in science related subjects at school (students must be studying Biology and/or Chemistry)
  • Be prepared to appear in publicity materials for and engage in negotiated promotional activities organized by SPARQ-ed and the LMRF which clearly identifies them as LMRF SPARQ-ed Scholarship recipients
  • Funding available for scholarships is limited to a total of 40 per year. Scholarships are awarded based on time of application to students who are attending their first research immersion program
  • Scholarship funds will be made available to parents or nominated guardians of the students following successful completion of the research immersion program
  • LMRF SPARQ-ed Scholarships are awarded to students who have successfully applied for and placed in a SPARQ-ed research immersion program. Students should consult with their teacher and then complete the online application form found here.
  • Once the application and approval process has been completed eligible students will be contacted with further information about applying for the scholarship. Successful scholarship recipients will be notified prior to the commencement of the program and provided with the necessary forms to complete
  • Scholarship funds will be transferred to the nominated bank account following completion of the required forms and successful engagement with the research immersion program.

For more information about these scholarships, please view our brochure or contact the SPARQ-ed office on (07) 3443 6920, or at sparqed@uq.edu.au.