How to start abstract of previous research activities for a PhD position
Don't overthink things here. I recommend something like the following:


  I began my research in this field by investigating bla bla bla (refs).  discovered that bla bla bla (refs), leading to our research on bla bla bla (refs). At this point, I was awarded a research grant with Dr. Bob to investigate bla bla bla  (grant ref), and we discovered that bla bla bla (refs).


Concise and full of as many refs as you can cram in. If you won any grant awards, mention it, unless you're out of space, in which case get rid of some of the other text and mention it. Short and sweet is key here.