Systemic Metabolic Adaptations to Cold Acclimation in Humans Using Total Body Dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your summer research project?

Hi, my name is Qianrou Wang, and I’m a fourth-year Medical Sciences student. This summer, I investigated how cold acclimation affects glucose uptake across different organs by analysing whole-body PET/CT scans collected before and after a 10-day cold acclimation intervention, looking at both changes in individual tissues and metabolic relationships between organs.

What was the most rewarding part of your summer research?

For me, the most rewarding part was seeing myself become much more independent as the project progressed. By the end of the summer, I was much more comfortable checking the data critically, noticing when something did not look right and working through possible explanations myself.

I also really enjoyed seeing weeks of image processing and analysis come together into a final poster. It was satisfying to step back from all the individual stages and finally see the project as a whole.

Why should students get involved in a summer research project?

I think a summer research project is one of the best ways to find out what research is actually like beyond lectures and practical classes. Things do not always work as expected, and sometimes your results are not as clear as you hoped, but learning how to work through that is part of what makes the experience so valuable.

How has this research experience influenced your future study and career paths?

Before this project, I was already interested in cardiovascular and metabolic research, but it made me realise how much I also enjoy the data and imaging side of biomedical science. It also gave me a much clearer sense of the direction I’d like to take in postgraduate study.

What advice would you give future students applying for summer research scholarships?

I would say don’t be afraid to apply just because you do not have all the skills yet. Focus on what interests you about the project and be open to developing new skills along the way.