Sunderland student lands summer internship | The University of Sunderland

Published on 13, May, 2025

A fourth-year Sunderland medical student has been selected to be part of the prestigious Experience Postgrad Life Sciences internship programme, offered by the University of Cambridge.

Mohammed Saif Farooq is one of 15 students to have been offered a paid eight-week internship to work in one of the UK’s top laboratories.

Mohammed Saif will complete his placement at the Department of Medicine at Cambridge, from 14 July 2025 until September 2025, where he will be part of a research team, getting hands on research experience as well as meeting and interacting with fellow interns, postgraduate students and research staff.

The scheme is highly competitive, receiving hundreds of applications from students across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Mohammed Saif, 25, from Accrington, Lancashire, whose ambition is to become a clinical academic, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am excited to be working with world-class researchers at one of the world’s most renowned universities.

Student sat at desk

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the support of the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine, especially Dr Clair Preece, Dr Mia Holley, Dr Ellen Tullo and Professor Scott Wilkes. I cannot thank them enough for their expert guidance and for continuously making opportunities possible.”

In August 2024, Mohammed Saif presented his research looking at the consequences of over-diagnosing hypothyroidism in an aging population at the annual Society for Academic Primary Care conference in Bristol.

This research was later published by the National Library of Medicine.

Professor Scott Wilkes, Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Sunderland, said: “Mohammed Saif will be gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge research alongside world-renowned academics.

“It will allow him to experience student life at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, including the unique traditions of Cambridge, staying at Corpus Christi College during the internship and immersing himself in its vibrant academic and social community.

“Mohammed Saif is very hard working, clearly has a talent for academia and richly deserves this opportunity. I am truly delighted for him, and I am sure he will be flying the Sunderland flag in Cambridge.”

For more information on studying Medicine at the University of Sunderland, click here.