We are delighted to announce that Ms Umaiza Bhatti, a second-year Biomedical Engineering student currently serving as Development and Engagement Lead at QMCUR, has been awarded the SEED Award in recognition of her contributions to enhancing the learning environment and supporting tools for undergraduate researchers.

During her tenure, Umaiza has developed several high-impact resources that are now integral to the Centre's operations, including:

1. Induction Package: a detailed document that introduces newly enrolled students to the philosophy, operational procedures, and resources available at QMCUR, alongside a “learning agreement” that sets mutual expectations and commitments.
2. Structured Logbook and Opportunity Tracker: these tools support students in managing their research projects and professional development. Both facilitate systematic activity tracking and navigation of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, regarded at QMCUR as the current gold standard for researcher development. The Structured Logbook provides a streamlined way to document progress, focusing on key aspects while maintain high-quality records. The Opportunity Tracker helps students identify and pursue a wide range of additional opportunities, including bursary applications, research internships, and placements. The QMCUR core team will explore the use of these tools in partnership with the students in appraisal-like process to oversee development and co-design potential future growth pathways.
3. Tools for Managing Complex Schedules: these instruments were developed to empower students to balance QMCUR research projects with curricular and other extracurricular commitments. These resources include time management strategies, prioritisation techniques, task-switching methods, and guidance on preserving leisure time and personal well-being. The content was originally developed for a series of in‑person workshops and was then adapted into a dedicated QM+ module, to widening participation, allowing for a deeper, more structured engagement with the material, and offering a more immersive, self-paced learning journey. All new QMCUR members are required to complete this module within their first month of enrolment. The module includes a range of quizzes, exercises, and assessed tasks, with a certificate awarded upon successful completion, subject to Umaiza's approval.

This SEED award reflects Umaiza's dedication, creativity, and strong commitment to improving the undergraduate research experience at QMCUR. We believe her work will influence and benefit all students who encounter these tools, helping them not only at QMCUR but also in other contexts, as lifelong skills.

Umaiza is currently undertaking her placement year at Unilever, working within the R&D team. She will be stepping down from her QMCUR role but will remain available in an advisory capacity to support her successor, who is currently being recruited.