Join as the next generation of experts meet the Faculty of Pharmacy

Sometimes the step from upper secondary school to leading research is surprisingly short. On Tuesday 21 April, the Faculty of Pharmacy welcomed 30 students from Rosendalsgymnasiet’s Natural Science programme for a morning filled with engaging discussions about drug and the conditions of scientific research.

“Rosendalsgymnasiet contacted us with a request for a meeting between the students at their Biotechnology profile and our researchers – and the response from our Department of Pharmacy was overwhelmingly positive. Today we have 15 researchers here presenting their work, and it is inspiring to see the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity,” says Mats Karlsson, Professor of Pharmacometrics.

This spring, the students have studyied pharmacy, focusing on mechanisms of action, development of new compounds, and ethical questions regarding access to pharmaceutical drugs. After meeting the researchers, each student is assigned to write a popular science article about the topic they discussed.

“I am speaking with Maria Lampinen, who researches methods for eliminating cells that can cause allergic reactions and inflammation. Even though some of the terminology is new to me, I already have a good overview, and it is especially interesting to see Maria’s research images, which make everything more concrete,” says Sara Persson, a student at Rosendalsgymnasiet.

Rosendalsgymnasiet has previously visited the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with a focus on sustainable development, an experience that was equally successful. In preparation for the meeting with the researchers, the students read a selected scientific article, providing a solid foundation for the discussions.

“For me as a researcher, this is an extremely rewarding event in every way. The students are well prepared, curious, and enthusiastic. They are also aware that I serve as Vice Chair of the Swedish Pharmaceutical Benefits Board and want to know more about that, so these are truly dedicated students. It will be very interesting to read the articles they produce,” says Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong, Professor of Social Pharmacy.

The visit to the Biomedical Centre was initiated by Sofie Mellberg and Emma Larsson, biology and biotechnology teachers at Rosendalsgymnasiet, who aim to give students the opportunity to get closer to higher education, science, and research – and the format clearly delivers results:

“I am speaking with Milena Boczar, a PhD student in Pharmacometrics for global health, who talks about her work on tuberculosis and resistant bacteria, and it is truly fascinating. It is also rewarding to be able to ask questions about life as a researcher – and today, I can definitely imagine a future in biotechnology and medicine,” says Vincent Pelling, who graduates from Rosendalsgymnasiet in June.

At the Faculty of Pharmacy, which each year educates more than 1,000 future pharmaceutical experts, efforts continue to inspire young people’s interest in knowledge and education. The faculty is currently preparing its participation at SciFest, and will in November welcome Uppsala's upper secondary school students to the third edition of “Kunskap För Livet.”

“We consistently prioritise our outreach activities, where school visits are an essential component. I know that today’s meeting is highly appreciated by our researchers, and we truly hope that both Rosendalsgymnasiet and other upper secondary schools will return for more visits – and not least that we will welcome these fantastic students back as students in our programmes,” says Anja Sandström, Deputy Dean for First and Second Cycle Education.

text & photo: Magnus Alsne