A day in the life of a neuroscientist -

As a Year 11 student, it’s not often that you get to hear about the diverse and incredible applications of science, let alone experience ‘a day in the life’ of someone researching a scientific discipline in the real world! As such, the opportunity to visit the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research and experience ‘a day in the life of a neuroscientist’ was one not to be missed.  

Touring the CBR lab and facilities with postgraduate researchers, visiting the AMRF Medical Sciences Learning Centre, and the Human Brain Bank - complete with a fridge full of cubes of brain(!) – as an intern for the day was a real privilege. We also learnt about the incredible research of the University neuroscientists, and I was amazed by the depth and importance of the research conducted – such as differentiating oligodendrocytes from skin cells for use in combatting MS.  

Science and scientific research have always been areas of interest for me, so this experience was invaluable as an example of the crucial and varied research conducted within the scientific community, and in helping to inform what I might like to study in the future. 

Juliet Grotrian, Queen Margaret College, Wellington 2025