Students from the five regional high schools arrived at Lund University’s Faculty of Medicine building, Forum Medicum, for a full‑day programme designed to open the doors to research and give them a behind‑the‑scenes look at what scientific research looks like in practice.
At the same time, similar activities were taking place at 93 universities and research centers across 12 countries and two continents, making UniStem Day the world’s largest international outreach event dedicated to high school students. Coordinated by the University of Milan in Italy, the event connected more than 30,000 students worldwide, from Australia to Hungary, from Norway to Spain, and here in Sweden, in Lund.
“Science is for those who choose it”
Welcoming the students to Lund University, Göran Karlsson, associate professor at Lund University and Deputy Coordinator of the Lund Stem Cell Center, highlighted why the day matters: “Today is about showing that a career in science is not reserved for a select few. No matter your background, there is a place for you in science, if that’s what you choose.”
Later, he reflected on the long-term impact of events like UniStem Day, highlighting Tyra Bremborg, now a doctoral student at Lund Stem Cell Center in the Stem Cell Regulators research group, who took part in UniStem Day in Lund ten years ago. “It’s especially rewarding to see students like you, who once sat in these seats during UniStem Day, return to join the Center as researchers,” he said.
A Day When Science Opens Its Doors
The morning session introduced students to how diverse, creative, and wide‑ranging stem cell research can be. Pia Johansson, Director of the Cell and Gene Technologies Core Facility at Lund Stem Cell Center, introduced what stem cells are and how they can help researchers understand disease and develop new treatments.
“Stem cell research and stem cell therapies are topics frequently discussed in the media, with a lot of misinformation floating about. We want to provide the students with an accurate and nuanced picture of both the potential and limitations of stem cells and their use in the clinic” said Maria Jassinskaja, researcher at Lund University and administrator for UniStem day at the Lund Stem Cell Center.
Afterward, several researchers presented short summaries of their work from "Why can't humans regrow their arms?," and “Chickens and Childhood Cancer - How are they Connected?,” to "From Code to Cell: The Role of Bioinformatics in Stem Cell Research," and “Advanced Therapeutic Medical Products (ATMP)- A New Chapter for Medicine History.” The talks illustrated how science is creative, interdisciplinary, and driven by curiosity.
Science is something to try, not just learn about
In the afternoon, students spread out across the Center to join hands-on workshops led by close to 70 researchers, bioinformaticians, technicians, and student volunteers. Here, science became something students could see, touch, and try for themselves.
“The students were incredibly engaged. They came well prepared and asked sharp questions, especially during our flow cytometry workshop. It was one of the best groups we have had,” noted Anna Hammarberg, a workshop leader from the FACS Core Facility.
They learned how cells are studied in the lab, tried hands‑on techniques, peered into microscopes, and analysed real data used in ongoing research projects.
“It’s genuinely inspiring for me to work with students. It reminds me of my own journey into science,” describes Fereshteh Dorazehi, doctoral student at Lund Stem Cell Center and one of the organizers behind UniStem Day 2026. “Being able to share how exciting science is and hopefully spark that same curiosity in young students is incredibly rewarding for me. I’ve enjoyed being involved in UniStem Day, both helping with organising it this year and running a workshop in previous years.”
Many Paths, One Choice
A highlight of the day was the session on how to become a scientist, led by Marie Jönsson, Grant Manager at Lund Stem Cell Center, together with student ambassadors from the Faculty of Medicine and the Molecular Biology Programme at the Faculty of Science. They spoke openly about university life, study choices, and the unexpected routes that lead to careers in science.
“We wanted to highlight that there is no single way to become a scientist,” says Marie Jönsson. “There are many career paths, and students are free to choose the one that feels right for them.”
Leaving with New Possibilities
As the day came to an end, students left with new questions, new ideas for the future, and, for the quiz-winning team from Malmö Latinskola, a well-earned bucket of candy.
“UniStem Day is one of the highlights of the year for Lund Stem Cell Center. It is a pleasure bringing the center together to host curious and excited high school students. We hope that today made clear that science is a potential, and attractive career, for all who want to pursue it,” Nichloas Leigh, associate professor at Lund University and coordinator of UniStem Day at Lund Stem Cell Center.
Lund Stem Cell Center looks forward to welcoming a new group of students for UniStem Day 2027, and to see where today’s young explorers choose to go next.
