A physiotherapy graduate said taking part in a research internship at the Royal Free Hospital has been a ‘brilliant experience’.

Ime Umoabasi, who graduated from the University of Leicester this summer with a physiotherapy degree, has spent the last five weeks working alongside Stephanie Mansell, a consultant physiotherapist based at the Royal Free Hospital who specialises in sleep and ventilation. Ime and Steff website.jpg

Ime said: “I saw the advert and it really appealed to me as in my final year at university I developed a passion for research. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to contribute in lots of ways, from helping in the 3D printing laboratory to running my own project speaking to the patient advisory group about the impact of patient involvement and engagement in research.”

Stephanie successfully applied to the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) for their Undergraduate Internship Programme, enabling her to offer a paid Allied Health Professional (AHP) research internship.

Stephanie said: “When I saw this NIHR programme I knew I had to apply because I wish something like this had been on offer when I was a student. The idea is to support someone early on in their career to be research active. It’s a competitive scheme and I found out in April I’d been successful. Ime’s enthusiasm and preparation really stood out during the recruitment process.”

The internship itself was designed to give Ime as much experience of research as possible. She also spent time assisting with data collection in clinics and met with staff from the research and development team.

Stephanie urged others to follow suit: “I’m so grateful to NIHR that we have had the opportunity to support the next generation of researchers much earlier in their careers and I hope to be able to offer this scheme again in future years. If anyone else is thinking about doing the same, then I’m really happy to discuss the logistics and share my learning with you. I’m passionate about creating the right environment for others to follow in our footsteps.”

Ime added: “It has been a brilliant experience. It’s been so beneficial for me as it’s shaped the way I think about my future and the career I want to pursue.”