QUBIC’s inaugural Undergraduate Summer Internship Program culminated in a fantastic series of final presentations on Friday 7 February, where the interns showcased the impressive projects they undertook throughout the four-week program.  

Developed by QUBIC’s Mentoring, Training, and Development Portfolio (MTD), the program offers the next generation of researchers a valuable hands-on experience in quantum biotechnology research. Participants worked alongside experienced academics in the lab on real-world projects with genuine outcomes. 

Alex Wright (left) who is studying a B. Advanced Science / B. Creative Intelligence and Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney focused on the detection and quantification of Amyloid-β biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in plasma, supervised by Chief Investigator A/Prof. Jiajia Zhou. 

“I’ve learned so much this past month, especially about the precision required in lab work”, says Alex. “Observing and conducting new processes with an amazing team has been incredibly rewarding. A key takeaway for me is the importance of perfecting protocols to achieve the best results while minimizing costs. A highlight was preparing LFA strips, which was fascinating after using RAT tests during the COVID pandemic without understanding the underlying process.” 

Laz Ashcroft (left), a B. Biotechnology student from the University of Wollongong, analysed neuronal function using novel quantum tools with Chief Investigator Professor Lezanne Ooi, and Dr Dzung Do-Ha. 

“This internship was a fantastic experience” says Laz. “It has given me a taste of culturing cells, running assays, and analysing results. It boosted my confidence as a scientist, especially with the autonomy to plan and execute experiments. I also enjoyed learning to use GraphPad Prism and improving my presentation skills with feedback from my supervisors. Overall, it was a rewarding and empowering journey.” 

The final presentations were inspiring, emphasising the importance of the program in nurturing the up-and-coming generation of scientists in quantum biotechnology. The interns’ dedication and passion for their projects was evident as they shared their findings and reflected on the skills they had learnt throughout the experience. Each presentation was a testament to their hard work, and highlighted the diverse research being conducted:

• Anthea Sun, UQ – Explored the challenges in public engagement with quantum technology under the guidance of Allison Fish. 

• Alex Wright, UTS – Focused on the detection and quantification of Amyloid-β biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in plasma, mentored by Jiajia Zhou. 

• Laz Ashcroft, UOW – Analyzed neuronal function using novel quantum tools, with support from Lezanne Ooi and Dzung Do-Ha. 

• Nicholas Fantham, UOW – Conducted molecular dynamics simulations of the secondary structure propensities of the conserved region in TDP-43, supervised by Haibo Yu. 

• Lianne Lay (above), Uni Melb – Developed cheap and flexible quantum measurement platforms for spin relaxation measurements of defect centers in nanodiamond, guided by David Simpson. 

“QUBIC’s inaugural summer internship was an exciting opportunity to engage the next generation of scientists in the rapidly evolving field of quantum biotechnology” said Dr Dzung Do-Ha, program coordinator. “Seeing these bright students explore cutting-edge concepts, develop hands-on skills, and contribute fresh perspectives has been truly inspiring. We are proud to support their growth and look forward to the impact they will make in the future.”

About the Program 

The MTD Portfolio Undergraduate Summer Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for current domestic undergraduate students to engage in hands-on quantum biotechnology research projects. Over the course of four weeks, interns gain exposure to the world-class research being conducted within QUBIC laboratories. Hosted by our Chief Investigators at four of QUBIC’s nodes—University of Melbourne, University of Wollongong, University of Queensland, and University of Technology Sydney—the program provides: 

• Hands-on experience to develop essential research skills 

• Exposure to cutting-edge research at the interface between quantum technology and biotechnology 

• Access to world-class researchers and facilities 

• Networking opportunities with fellow interns and researchers across our nodes 

The program will be offered again in 2026. If you would like to know more, please contact program coordinators, Professor Haibo Yu or Dr Dzung Do-Ha.