Sabine Lapointe recently completed her first year at the University of Otago, studying Neuroscience and Science Communication. She sees the Mātai student internship as a gateway into meaningful scientific research and an avenue to further explore the space of science communication. She hopes to come away with practical skills and knowledge in research procedures, biotechnology and medical imaging while forming new connections with other students, researchers and members of our community. She believes that this internship will hugely valuable as a way to link her learning at university to a project that will benefit the Tairāwhiti community.