InSPIREd: Stories from WEHI’s InSPIRE program
The InSPIRE Program
The International Student Program in Research Experience (InSPIRE) is a competitive internship program that facilitates exchange and collaboration between Australia and Asia.
Established by WEHI in 2016, the transformative 10-week internship is currently available to students from universities across China, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea:
- Tsinghua University
- Nankai University
- Nanjing University
- Fudan University
- Zhejiang University
- Jinan University
- Ehime University
- Indian Institute of Science
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Osaka University
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Students are awarded an InSPIRE Scholarship, which provides them with the opportunity to experience Australian culture and world-class biomedical research experience across an array of critical research areas including cancer biology, genetics, structural biology, medicinal chemistry and bioinformatics.
The InSPIRE program aims to strengthen Australian medical research ties throughout Asia, encourage and reinforce interaction and long-term collaboration with the brightest minds at top universities across Asia, engage and inspire the next generation of scientists and promote the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct as a leader for cutting-edge biomedical research.
InSPIRE students are hosted by WEHI, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, the University of Melbourne, the Peter Doherty Institute and CSL. They are assigned specific research projects in allocated labs, attend weekly lectures given by scientific leaders, and develop valuable peer support networks with other students and scientists. They also participate in social activities and experience life in Melbourne and Australia.
InSPIRE Scholarships are primarily funded by generous donors. WEHI is grateful to the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the Bodhi Foundation, China Construction Bank, Australian China Education Foundation and Skysea Home Loans for their generous support in making these inspiring experiences possible.
The following are stories of some of the bright young minds who have participated in the InSPIRE program to date.
Weiyu Peng
2023 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: Molecular control of cell death in Treg cells that reside in tissue
Hometown: Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, China
University: Zhejiang University
Degree: Biomedical Science
Weiyu Peng has a passion for immunology
Weiyu is originally from Jiaxing, a city in the Zhejiang province of China. She pursued her studies in biomedical science at Zhejiang University. Eager to join an overseas internship, and after learning that WEHI is renowned for its strength in immunology research, she was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the InSPIRE program.
Beyond her academic pursuits at WEHI, Weiyu has ventured into the vibrant city of Melbourne to discover its hidden treasures. She's explored renowned destinations like the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and St Kilda Beach.
What truly fascinates Weiyu about Australian culture is the balance between life and work. For her, the InSPIRE program is not just about cutting-edge research it’s also an opportunity to immerse herself in the diverse and dynamic world of Australian life.
“To sum it up in one word is ‘inspiration’. All the staff, supervisors, and officers (at WEHI) are doing their best to support you to do your research. They encourage you to think more and do whatever you think is right.”
Minyi Qin
2023 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: The “unconventional T cell” of Immunology
Hometown: Dongguan, Guangdong province, China
University: Nanjing University
Degree: Life science
Minyi Qin was thrilled to study in Australia
Minyi Qin’s InSPIRE research was focused on the ‘unconventional T cell’ of immunology. Minyi chose to participate in the InSPIRE program to gain insight into the research culture in Australia, helping her make informed decisions about her postgraduate plans and explore the breathtaking Australian landscape.
Her homestay experience in Melbourne was wonderful, thanks to her kind Chinese hosts. They prepared delicious Chinese meals for her and engaged in daily conversation which brought great comfort to Minyi during the initial weeks when she was feeling homesick.
She values the diversity and inclusivity WEHI offers and is eager to share the knowledge and life experiences she has gained during her time in Australia and as a student in the 2023 InSPIRE program.
“As a student, I was really happy and fortunate to study at WEHI. The study culture at WEHI was supportive and I always felt encouraged in the lab.”
Jinxuan Su
2023 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: The cloning of combinatorial barcoded plasmid library for multi-omic readout
Hometown: Shjiazhuang, Hebei province, China
University: Jinan University
Degree: Clinical medicine
Jinxuan Su plans to return to WEHI to complete her PhD
Jinxuan loves exploring various research fields, and genomics has consistently piqued her curiosity due to its relevance to understanding various diseases and their treatments. Although this was Jinxuan’s first visit to Australia, she intends to return to complete her PhD in clinical medicine at WEHI.
During her time in Australia, Jinxuan had the opportunity to explore both Melbourne and Sydney. She admires the exotic scenery that Australia has to offer and describes Melbourne as friendly and Sydney as energetic.
When asked about her favourite aspects of WEHI, Jinxuan explained that a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration stood out. She is appreciative of the opportunity to study and acquire knowledge in various research areas.
Jinxuan encourages anyone thinking of applying to the InSPIRE program not to hesitate.
“The study areas at WEHI showcase remarkable diversity, and each lab is conducting outstanding research. WEHI is well-known for its work on cancer, immunity and infectious illnesses and has many top-notch bioinformatics labs.”
Ziyan Liu
2019 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: Cell death and cell signalling
Hometown: Yinchuan. Ningxia region, China.
University & Degree:
Undergraduate: Jinan University, Pharmacy (2016 - 2020).
Masters: King's College of London, translational cancer medicine (2020 - 2021).
Ziyan Liu is a former InSPIRE student currently undertaking her PhD at WEHI
Ziyan’s decision to join InSPIRE in 2019 was driven by her interest in gaining international experience and greater understanding of disease mechanisms, and it acted as a crucial stepping stone in her academic journey. Ziyan dived headfirst into researching cell death and cell signaling, fueling her passion for biomedical research.
While Ziyan first visited Australia in 2018, she was drawn back by the exciting research opportunities at WEHI. During her 10 weeks in the program, she resonated deeply with the collaborative and innovative environment at WEHI, where free thinking was celebrated. The captivating research project she embarked upon, alongside world-class scientists, cemented her decision to begin PhD studies at WEHI in 2022 under the supervision of Professor Grant Dewson.
Ziyan exemplifies the spirit of InSPIRE—a journey that has not only enriched her academic and professional aspirations but also her appreciation for the beauty of Australia.
She encourages other students to “delve into the field that truly ignites your passion, regardless of whether you have prior experience or not, as this is a chance to explore uncharted territories.”
Jiyi Pang
2019 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: Cell death mechanism of macrophages
Hometown: Guiyang, Guizhou province, China.
University: Nankai University
Degree: Life science
Jiyi Pang, 2019 InSPIRE student now at WEHI completing her PhD
Jiyi stumbled upon the InSPIRE program on her college website. She has a profound interest in immune system research and hopes to someday treat immune-related diseases. WEHI, known for its excellence in the field of immunology, sparked her excitement to apply.
During her time as an InSPIRE student, she had a wonderful experience with her host family – they would go grocery shopping at the Queen Victoria Market every weekend and enjoyed several hiking adventures together. The InSPIRE program provided Jiyi with support and the opportunity to learn a multitude of new experiments in the lab.
Upon returning to WEHI to pursue her PhD in cell death signalling, supervised by Associate Professor James Vince, Jiyi has transitioned into independent living and embraced Melbourne’s vibrant hospitality scene.
“What I like most about WEHI is the strong support that covers almost all aspects for a scientist. Students can always ask help from their committee and mentor. We also have student association groups to organise activities and promote communication.”
Jinjin Chen
2018 InSPIRE student
InSPIRE research project: The effect of experimental conditions on the extraction of phosphorylated proteins
Hometown: Nanchang, Jiangxi province, China
University: Nanjing University
Degree: Biological sciences
Jinjin Chen, 2018 InSPIRE student now studying for her PhD at WEHI.
When asked what she has learned about Australia, Jinjin shared her perspective that the nation stands out as one of the world’s most ethnically diverse. She admires Australia’s natural landscapes, native wildlife and the diverse cuisines celebrated in the country.
Jinjin believes the InSPIRE program is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to broaden their horizons, offering students the ability to conduct scientific research with great support.
Her decision to return to WEHI to continue her studies, under the supervision of Professor Melissa Davis and Dr Belinda Phipson, was driven by the collaborative environment fostered at the Institute, where researchers from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle complex health challenges.
She admires WEHI’s commitment to diversity and the resources available for student wellbeing, ensuring a positive and enriching learning experience.
Three words Jinjin would use to describe WEHI are “collaborative, innovative and supportive.”
2019 InSPIRE student cohort
2019 InSPIRE student cohort
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