Two undergraduate QUT students get a taste of what it’s like to be a research scientist as they tackled problems at the intersection of statistics and biology with the help of MACSYS.

Monique Soth and Phuc (Leon) Vo, both Bachelor of Data Science students, took part in QUT’s Vacation Research Experience Scheme (VRES) over the summer. Their projects were proposed and supervised by MACSYS–QUT Chief Investigator Professor Chris Drovandi, with additional mentorship from collaborators at UNSW and the University of Melbourne.

For Monique’s project, Chris collaborated with MACSYS Research Fellow Dr Vinz Hofferek and Dr Eleanor Saunders at the University of Melbourne to obtain metabolomics data generated using high‑throughput, cutting‑edge sample preparation. This modern technique allows for huge sample preparations in a 96‑well format.

In this experiment, each well ideally holds an independent sample, and Monique’s statistical task was to assess whether the laboratory methods actually achieved that independence.

“My project involved doing statistical analysis to determine whether the experimental methods used in the lab were effective in making independent samples,” Monique explained. “It felt meaningful to be working on something that could directly help researchers refine their experimental processes.”

Leon’s project drew on challenges arising from analysing biological data, as encountered in research by MACSYS Chief Investigator Professor Adelle Coster (UNSW) and PhD Candidate Brock Sherlock. Leon developed computationally efficient methods for estimating model parameters even when the timing of experimental measurements is imperfect – something that frequently happens in real lab settings. By accounting for these timing errors, his techniques allow researchers to recover the true biological dynamics with greater confidence.

For Leon, this was an eye‑opening introduction to interdisciplinary science.

“I was surprised by how I could apply statistics to biology,” Leon said. “It’s something I never thought about in high school or when I first started university, but now it’s an area I’m excited to explore.”

Both students said their projects gave them a genuine sense of what it’s like to be a researcher.

“The whole experience was interesting and fun,” Monique said. “But also, I felt that what I was doing was meaningful and could be helpful down the road for the researchers who worked with me.”

“It was great to meet and work with people like Chris and Adelle,” Leon added. “They’ve motivated me to follow mathematics and statistics and maybe apply them in areas like biology.”

Chris said both students were a pleasure to supervise.

“They went above and beyond what might be expected of an undergraduate vacation research student and produced genuinely useful outcomes that will spark further research,” he noted.

Monique and Leon presented their findings at the VRES Showcase Day, where, according to Chris, “both delivered outstanding presentations.”

Chris said both projects were inspired by discussions at MACSYS workshops and retreats in 2025, demonstrating the capacity of MACSYS to generate new research opportunities for students and investigators alike.

Feature Image (L-R):  Monique Soth, Prof Chris Drovandi, Phuc (Leon) Vo