Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42261112›Full record

ArticleFEBS open bio2026

Pathways and pitfalls: a qualitative study of student experiences in biomedical science education.

Olivia J Russell, Cassy Ross, Panagiota S Filippou, Bruno Silvester Lopes, Dominic Gilchrist, Paul Dean, Kamar Ameen-Ali, Tora K Smulders-Srinivasan, Ahmad A Khundakar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in FEBS open bio, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Olivia J RussellPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, UK.
Cassy RossSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Panagiota S FilippouSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Bruno Silvester LopesSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Dominic GilchristSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Paul DeanSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Kamar Ameen-AliSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Tora K Smulders-SrinivasanSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
Ahmad A KhundakarSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4835-5359

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Innovative pedagogies and support systems are critical for engaging diverse students in biochemistry and molecular biology education. This qualitative study explored biomedical science students' experiences of teaching, learning and support at a UK post-92 university through surveys and focus groups (n = 15). Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three themes. Students' motivations were shaped by scientific curiosity and career aspirations in bioscience. Barriers to progression included financial strain, pandemic-related disruption to laboratory access and cultural exclusion. Support and belonging were mediated through peer networks, while institutional support was inconsistently accessed and curriculum gaps limited experiential skill development in practical laboratory work. The findings underscore the need for pedagogies that blend active, experiential learning with codesigned curricula and integrated support. Such innovations are crucial for creating inclusive bioscience learning environments, improving retention and addressing structural inequalities in science education. These insights provide actionable guidance for biochemistry and molecular biology educators seeking to enhance student engagement and success.

Indexed as

biomedical scienceEducationqualitative researchstudent experiencewidening participation

Identifiers

PMID42261112
PMCPMC13398928

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.