A day in the life of a neuroscientist - Ayska Putri

I was honoured to be selected as a Brain Bee 2025 intern and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend a day at the Centre for Brain Research. The highlight was performing a mouse-brain dissection — a delicate, surgery-like procedure that gave me practical insight into the precision, discipline and careful observation required in research. Entering the animal facility and learning to don PPE and maintain strict sterile technique before handling mice and rats was especially memorable; it impressed on me the ethical responsibility central to good science.  

This experience has reinforced my dedication to pursuing medicine, driven by a genuine desire to apply scientific knowledge to improve lives. I aspire to train as a surgeon because I am deeply drawn to the precision, problem-solving, and hands-on impact that surgery offers. At the same time, I hope to integrate research into my future practice, translating scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in patient care.  

I leave this internship inspired and grateful to the Neurological Foundation for such an invaluable opportunity. The lessons I have gained motivate me to create meaningful change both locally and globally, and to pursue further study — ideally at Oxford. 

Ayska Putri, Wakatipu High School, Queenstown  

I was honoured to be selected as a Brain Bee 2025 intern and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend a day at the Centre for Brain Research. The highlight was performing a mouse-brain dissection — a delicate, surgery-like procedure that gave me practical insight into the precision, discipline and careful observation required in research. Entering the animal facility and learning to don PPE and maintain strict sterile technique before handling mice and rats was especially memorable; it impressed on me the ethical responsibility central to good science.  

This experience has reinforced my dedication to pursuing medicine, driven by a genuine desire to apply scientific knowledge to improve lives. I aspire to train as a surgeon because I am deeply drawn to the precision, problem-solving, and hands-on impact that surgery offers. At the same time, I hope to integrate research into my future practice, translating scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in patient care.  

I leave this internship inspired and grateful to the Neurological Foundation for such an invaluable opportunity. The lessons I have gained motivate me to create meaningful change both locally and globally, and to pursue further study — ideally at Oxford. 

Ayska Putri, Wakatipu High School, Queenstown