Hear from our Science Scholars

Our students share what it's like to be a Science Scholar. Read their stories below.

Nina de Jong

Science Scholar Nina de Jong standing on a gravel road in a rural area
Science Scholar Nina de Jong

Being part of Science Scholars has been a fantastic experience for me. Through Science Scholars I was able to make friends with people who are just as passionate about their chosen field as I am with mine, and gave me a sense of community within the wider science faculty.

The programme gave me the opportunity to explore my interests in science in creative ways, and in class the questions posed to us made me think differently about many aspects of science, and its place in society. 

Through Science Scholars I was able to make friends with people who are just as passionate about their chosen field as I am with mine.

Nina de Jong Science Scholar

Each year of the programme gave us a better idea of what a career in research would be like, which is something often very mysterious to undergraduate students. I’ve really valued the Science Scholars programme and would strongly recommend it to any enthusiastic science student!

Matt Illing

Science scholar Matt Illing standing against a pastel sunset background.
Science Scholar Matt Illing

Joining Science Scholars was one of the best decisions I made entering university. Unlike standard classes where you disband after one semester, having a class with the same people across three years allowed me to make close friendships and provided a great support system. Being around a group of like-minded people kept me motivated at university.

The Science Scholars programme gave me a greater appreciation of the softer skills needed to be an effective scientist moving forward. Workshops, speakers, and projects on topics such as science communication and project design all benefitted me immensely with my research.

Being around a group of like-minded people kept me motivated at university.

Matt Illing Science Scholar

Science Scholars encouraged me to pursue my passions in science and was by far the most valuable programme I was involved with during my undergraduate study.

Tristan Pang

Science scholar Tristan Pang standing against a whiteboard background covered in mathematics equations.
Science Scholar Tristan Pang

Being a Science Scholar has helped confirmed my future goal of being an academic. Not only did the programme offer useful lectures, activities and mentorship, it has highlighted the process involved in doing research. I feel that now I have completed the Science Scholars programme, I am well equipped to pursue my postgraduate studies.

I feel that now I have completed the Science Scholars programme, I am well equipped to pursue my postgraduate studies. 

Tristan Pang Science Scholar

The three-year Science Scholars programme is well structured and has helped me understand what's going on around our world and what needs to be done. It has inspired me to contribute to the world from a scientific perspective by educating future generations, increasing public awareness of the problems we are facing, and ultimately make a difference in the world.

Joni White

Science Scholar Joni White wearing a graduation cap and gown, standing against a grey brick background.
Science Scholar Joni White

Science Scholars encouraged me to pursue a PhD and gave me the critical thinking skills that I use every day. The programme taught me to think 'outside the box' when presented with new research, to ask questions that haven't been asked yet, to discuss science... The list is endless.

The critical thinking skills I gained from Science Scholars have been essential to my daily life as a PhD student.

Joni White Science Scholar

Science Scholars got me SO excited about science, and the prospect of doing real research was extremely motivating, and now I'm doing my PhD in Molecular Medicine at the University of Auckland.

The programme gave me friends who have the same interests as me, who encouraged me to think deeply and work hard. Science Scholars also gave me exposure to other areas of science that I'm less familiar with, which is awesome. Like I said, the critical thinking skills I gained from Science Scholars have been essential to my daily life as a PhD student!