The project is the first of four taking place at ENU as part of the Nuffield Research Placements & Experiences Programme
A new project to assess a test for a genetic risk factor associated with heart disease and stroke has provided a unique research opportunity for young students.
An Edinburgh Napier University research team led by Professor Lis Neubeck from the Centre for Cardiovascular Health has recruited more than 50 participants to validate a new near-patient test for Lipoprotein(a), known as Lp(a), which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
The project is the first of four studies taking place at ENU this summer as part of the Nuffield Research Placements & Experiences Programme.
The initiative provides more than 1,000 young people each year with the opportunity to work on research projects in professional environments, with a particular focus on supporting students from low-income households and those without a family history of university attendance.
Two Research Placement students worked with Professor Neubeck as part of the study, while two others are working with Dr Coral Hanson on research examining Physical Activity Referral Scheme data.
Students can use their placement project as the basis of qualifications, while growing their confidence, developing research skills and inspiring future career plans.
In this work, students Freya Robertson and Lisa Ojemudia, who are aged 16 and 17, helped collect data from participants – including a health questionnaire, finger-prick test, and blood samples. They have also taken part in laboratory work to separate blood into its components and store plasma for analysis.
The study will compare a rapid point-of-care test with a laboratory blood test to assess the accuracy and reliability of the new testing method. Researchers hope that simple, accessible testing could help identify cardiovascular risk earlier.
Lisa Ojemudia, who is from Edinburgh, said: “I’m really interested in pursuing biochemistry as a career and I feel like this gives me a lot of relevant skills and experience to be able to go into that pathway.
“The experience has been amazing. I think it’s been really worthwhile and even more hands-on than I expected.”
Freya Robertson, from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, said: “I wanted to go a bit further beyond our school science curriculum, learn new things and get involved in real world research.
“I’m really interested in science – I want to do medicine – so this has been an amazing experience to give me an insight into what research is like beyond my science assignments at school.”
Professor Lis Neubeck, Head of ENU’s Centre for Cardiovascular Health, said: "It has been fantastic to support Lisa and Freya as they take their first steps in research.
“With aspirations to pursue careers in biochemistry and medicine, this placement has given them first-hand experience of how research is conducted and the potential it has to improve people's health.
“I hope it inspires them to become the next generation of researchers, helping to advance science and improve care for future patients."
Dr Iain Gillingham, Programme Lead for Adult Nursing at Edinburgh Napier University said: “We all have Lp(a), but most of us don’t really know what that level is because we don’t test for it as part of our normal cholesterol panel.
“It is recommended we get tested once in a lifetime, and if we know that number it gives us a really good indication of cardiovascular risk.”
This part of the study will run at ENU for the rest of this week, before the results are analysed.
The Research Placements & Experiences Programme is a UK-wide initiative funded by STEM Learning.
In Scotland, the programme is coordinated by SSERC as part of its STEM Engagement team, which also delivers the STEM Ambassador Programme and the Young STEM Leader Programme.
Together, these initiatives inspire and support young people to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing meaningful engagement with industry, research and education.