A March student has enjoyed a four week placement at Cambridge University to give her an insight into working as a professional scientist.

Ruby Baxter, of the Neale Wade Academy,spent a month there thanks to the Nuffield research placement scheme for budding scientists.

A spokesman for the Surgical Discovery Centre at Cambridge University said: “We have been delighted to welcome Ruby Baxter from Neale-Wade Academy, who won a four week research placement here, organised with the Nuffield Foundation.

“This has provided an insight into working as a professional scientist, and opportunities to learn new skills.

“With supervision from Charlotte Palmer, Ruby has been working hard investigating the characteristics of four different canine osteosarcoma cell lines from different tumours.

“She is comparing their ability to grow and migrate in order to understand how the cell lines behave differently, and how these differences may affect the prognosis for canine patients.

“Thank you for all your hard work Ruby and good luck for the future.”

Nuffield Research Placements provide more than 1,000 students each year with the opportunity to work alongside scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.

Students in the first year of a post-16 science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) course are eligible to apply.

Placements are available across the UK, in universities, commercial companies, voluntary organisations and research institutions.

A Nuffield placement spokesman said: “We particularly encourage students who don’t have a family history of going to university or who attend schools in less well-off areas.

“We make sure no-one is excluded on a financial basis by covering students’ travel costs. Some students may also be eligible for a weekly bursary in addition to travel expenses.”

Applications for 2018 will open later this year.