<link>/</link> <description/> <language>en</language> <item> <title>A Principled Stance /news/principled-stance <span>A Principled Stance</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-08-28T16:41:11-04:00" title="Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 16:41">Thu, 08/28/2025 - 16:41</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>On the 18th floor of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court&nbsp;of the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, tucked behind a wood-paneled courtroom, Judge William Vodrey ’87’s office faces the hazy Cleveland skyline. Outside, the late afternoon heat swells to nearly 90 degrees, although it feels hotter thanks to a close, sticky humidity.</p><p>Vodrey,&nbsp;who serves on the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, slides stacks of manila folders aside on a conference table to make room for a conversation with me and his summer intern, Matthew Grogan ’27.&nbsp; Deep into the fourth week of a lengthy and challenging criminal trial, the duo remains upbeat.</p><p>"A lot of what I've been interested in [at 91ֱ] has been social change and social movements," says Grogan, a&nbsp;<a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> major who organizes with the ACLU Campus Action Team. “One thing that I’ve always noticed is that, in underlying social movements towards justice, towards restoration, you have these big movements that occur outside of the courtroom, and they eventually blossom up into the courtroom.”&nbsp;</p><p>Part of the appeal of interning with Judge Vodrey, he adds, is the chance to see how these movements play out in the courts. In addition to observing trial proceedings, Grogan supports jury members, talks to both prosecution and defense teams, helps with legal research, and asks&nbsp;about the impact of the law he sees in the courtroom each day.</p><figure role="group" class="image_resized align-left"> <div class="media-embed-resized" style="width:313px;"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/cke_media_resize_medium/public/2025-09/Grogan-Vodrey.jpg?itok=NXuDD2MV" width="500" height="751" alt="a student wearing a suit coat and tie stands next to a judge wearing robes in a courtroom"> </div> <figcaption>Credit: Yevhen Gulenko</figcaption> </figure> <p>Vodrey appears comfortable as a mentor and teacher—a role he’s also taken on at 91ֱ as an adjunct professor in legal advocacy through the politics department. "I have found the law to be an enormously rewarding profession,” he says. “And where I can encourage Obies to enter the law, to play an important role in our society, I'm happy to do it. I’m pleased to see young people like Matthew who are interested in the law and want to make it a profession.”</p><p>In at least one respect, Vodrey's legal career offers law school hopefuls like Grogan a unique path to study. Throughout terms as both a municipal court magistrate and a judge, Vodrey has submitted and published more than 20 opinions as legal precedent in the state of Ohio. One judgment, in a case about taxation, was even cited by the Solicitor General of the U.S.&nbsp;</p><p>“That was very gratifying for me, to have this tiny little bit of legal immortality,” he says, the respect for his profession audible. His office also reflects this respect: Behind Vodrey's desk, the built-in bookcase is filled from top to bottom with law books. Countless cards and photos, including a thank you note from 91ֱ, perch before the serious titles.</p><p>Ultimately, Vodrey remains deeply connected to 91ֱ because the college’s students are like Grogan: “smart, well-prepared and concerned about the world.” He also feels it's important to give back and, in 2018, received 91ֱ's Alumni Medal. “My four years at 91ֱ were some of the best years of my young life,” Vodrey says. “It's good to be back on campus and to be trying to repay in some way the debt that I owe to 91ֱ for all it taught me, and how much of a difference it made to me.”</p><p>Like Vodrey before him, Grogan feels his time at 91ֱ is putting him on the path to law school. “This internship has made me a lot more confident in my ability to learn about the law,” he says, noting he also interned for the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs over Winter Term.&nbsp;</p><p>“I think [this internship] and [being involved in] my other law-related experiences at 91ֱ, have all demonstrated to me that there are these immediate impacts of law,” Grogan adds. “By being a practitioner of the law, [your impact] ripples out in ways determined by how you want the world to change.”</p><p>To Vodrey, Grogan’s conscientiousness reflects the Obie spirit. “Obies understand the need for our country to be true to its principles, especially in these troubling times, and to live up to its potential [and] its promise.”</p><p>Throughout their lengthy conversations about legal proceedings, Vodrey occasionally puts Grogan to the test with an important question: What would Judge Grogan do? "Being an Obie, [Matthew] has the eyes of an aspiring lawyer, he sees both sides of the issue," Vodrey says. “But it falls to the judge to decide.”</p><hr><p><a href="/career"><em>Career Exploration &amp; Development</em></a><em> helps 91ֱ students find summer internships and professional opportunities aligned with their career goals by offering one-on-one advising, on-campus panel discussions and networking.</em></p><p><em>Kristen Evans is a culture writer and critic who has written for BuzzFeed,&nbsp;</em>The Boston Globe,&nbsp;The Los Angeles Times,&nbsp;LA Weekly,&nbsp;NYLON, <em>and</em>&nbsp;The New Republic.<br><br>&nbsp;</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Judge William Vodrey ’87 and his summer intern, Matthew Grogan ’27, find common ground in justice, integrity, and the power of the law. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-09-15T12:00:00Z">Mon, 09/15/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kristen Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Matthew Grogan ’27 talks to Judge William Vodrey ’87&nbsp;in the latter's downtown Cleveland office.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yevhen Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/2025-08/Judge-Vodrey-and-Matthew-30%20-%20REsize.jpg?itok=NbPTkouX" width="760" height="506" alt="a student wearing a suit coat speaks to a judge as the Cleveland skyline is visible behind them"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">1</div> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:41:11 +0000 azaleski 750568 at Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action /news/aahil-singh-26-turns-inspiration-action <span>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T11:11:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:11">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 11:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="Student selfie and computer screen." height="355" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/as_internship_2_for_drupal.jpg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>I spent this summer working on a transportation research paper under Professor Josh Davidson. My focus has been on measuring and improving accessibility to the transportation network, making it more equitable for people across different demographics. In particular, we looked at the concept of ‘Intercity Buses’ (imagine a bus running from Cleveland to Chicago, or from Boston to New York), and how likely people would be to take this bus instead of a flight, given that there are improvements in the current infrastructure that surround intercity buses.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>91ֱ is quite active in involving students during its faculty hiring process, so I had the opportunity to meet <a href="/node/414931">Professor Davidson</a> during his research presentation back in 2022, before he officially joined 91ֱ. Having already taken a few quantitative classes in statistics, math, and computer science, I was fascinated by how concepts from these disciplines came together in his work, and the impact it had on urban planning and transportation research. Despite not being able to take a class with him since he joined, 91ֱ’s intimate size made his office hours very accessible, helping us keep in touch over the course of the academic year. Our ongoing relationship made it possible for us to talk about research topics that had scope for further analysis, and thus came about this project to examine intercity buses.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"><img alt="Student poses with professor while holding computer." height="367" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/as_internship_3_for_drupal.jpg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>Pursuing this internship aligns perfectly with my post-college goals, as I'm potentially aiming to go to graduate school in economics and/or data science. I’ve always enjoyed examining issues from a quantitative lens, and my work in data science this summer deepened that passion. The interdisciplinarity of the field not only sharpened my technical skills, but also reinforced my commitment to using data to tackle complex economic problems, bringing me closer to my career aspirations.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>91ֱ’s liberal arts education, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking, has deeply shaped how I approach science and research. This summer, my research exemplified this mindset. Instead of viewing the idea of ‘accessibility’ to transport systems (in this case, intercity buses) purely through the technical lens of data analysis, my research integrated insights from economics, psychology, urban planning, and other disciplines to inform my analysis and methodology. This approach has not only enriched my research but also allowed me to address the problems I’m studying in a more holistic and innovative way.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a> team&nbsp;to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-14T12:00:00Z">Mon, 10/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After being fascinated with the research of <a href="/node/414931">Assistant Professor of Statistics and Data Science Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a>, Aahil Singh ’26 decided to pursue a similar project. As a double major in <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> with a <a href="/node/84821">statistical modeling</a> minor and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a> concentration, Aahil appreciates how concepts can cross disciplines. Through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>, over the summer he worked on a research paper with Professor Davidson on the subject of transportation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=84821">Statistical Modeling</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joshua-h-davidson" hreflang="und">Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Aahil Singh ’26 presents his summer research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/as_internship_1_for_drupal.jpg?itok=CvWt1Eli" width="760" height="570" alt="Student presents research on large screen."> </div> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:11:35 +0000 lcurtis2 477464 at Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 Had an Out-Of-This-World Summer /news/abby-tejera-rocha-25-had-out-world-summer <span>Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 Had an Out-Of-This-World Summer</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-30T11:46:44-04:00" title="Friday, August 30, 2024 - 11:46">Fri, 08/30/2024 - 11:46</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="Student shows off research bulletin board." height="216" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/atr_internship_2_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>This summer I was doing research in the area of astrophysics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP). There, I’m a member of the research team called "Cosmic Dawn Group" led by Dr. Anna-Christina Eilers in the Physics Department at MIT.</p> <p>As part of this team, my research focuses on measuring the clustering properties of quasars observed with the Gaia space satellite, in order to study the properties of the dark matter halos that host these luminous quasars across cosmic time. As a brief explanation, my research is mostly about quasars. Galaxies have super massive black holes at their center, and during the time that these grow by accreting matter, such as stars, dust, and gas from their surrounding environment, these galaxies are extremely luminous and we call them quasars. For this research I use data from the Gaia space mission, through the Quaia catalog, which is the largest collection of quasars to date.</p> <p>This research work allows us to know more about objects in our universe such as quasars and the dark matter halos that host them, and allows us to learn about the clustering properties of these objects. In the future and through the data that can be calculated and found from this research, we will be able to understand on what timescales supermassive black holes form and grow.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>91ֱ has opened the doors of knowledge and opportunities throughout my college experience. At 91ֱ, I had my first research experience in my first year, when I joined <a href="/node/49421">Dr. Jillian Scudder’s</a> lab in the Physics and Astronomy Department, doing research on metallicities in different nearby galaxies. This experience taught me about what it’s like to do research in an academic setting, and it made me realize that I want to continue my academic training in the astrophysics area and continue doing research. This also prepared me to apply to summer research opportunities. In addition, being a student in the <a href="/node/47691">STRONG Program</a> (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) at 91ֱ College prepared me to face the responsibilities and challenges that one can encounter in the process of doing science. During the summer of 2023 I had my first research experience outside of 91ֱ, joining the LIGO Scientific Collaboration under the mentorship of Dr. Gabriela Gonzalez, doing research on gravitational waves. This team was awarded the 2017 Physics Nobel Prize for making the first detection of gravitational waves, proving Einstein’s General Relativity Theory. This research and networking opportunity led to this research team inviting me to continue my research with them which has allowed me to keep on learning from them. Now in the summer of 2024, I was selected to join the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP), and do research in the Physics Department at MIT under the mentorship of Dr. Anna-Christina Eilers. This experience has been amazing and I’ve been able to continue developing my research skills.&nbsp;</p> <p>The academic community of 91ֱ, the Physics &amp; Astronomy Department, and the Computer Science Department have prepared me and provided me with knowledge to be able to do research and successfully collaborate in teams, making me be able to participate in these experiences that have allowed me to keep on learning, gaining experience, networking, collaborating, and setting my goals for the future.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"><img alt="Group poses in front of window." height="154" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/atr_internship_3_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>During this internship, I’ve been able to do research while also learning about graduate school. I believe that the early experiences and information students like me receive from experiences like this one are important in our motivation and training as future professionals. I want to pursue a PhD and contribute as a researcher while supporting other students that share this dream of becoming a scientist and researcher, in the same way that these great women that I have had the honor of having as mentors have supported me. I want to continue my academic training and work towards achieving greater inclusion, diversity, and equity in STEM, to shorten gaps and make a positive impact in society. As a student in the <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholars Program</a> at 91ֱ College, where I do community service, I’ve been able to learn that science has to be at others’ service to achieve developed and equitable societies.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>I consider that having a liberal arts education at 91ֱ College has prepared me to look at things from different lenses, and this can be really helpful when doing research. When doing research, often we encounter more questions than answers, and our main job is to think of hypotheses and possible ways of finding the answers to our questions. In this process, being able to think of different solutions is key to having more chances of getting to the answer. In my case, I find myself combining my two majors a lot when doing research. I think of code I can write to help me analyze the astrophysical data I have, or tools I can use or develop to make my code faster or more efficient. I also consider that, thanks to having a liberal arts education, I have been able to keep practicing my science communication skills. These are key to making STEM accessible to everyone, and to achieving greater inclusion of minorities in these areas, while also shortening the gender gap in some of these areas, as there’s still lots of work to do towards these goals.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the&nbsp;<a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a>&nbsp;team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 is a <a href="/node/472437">physics</a> and <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> double major, with an astrophysics concentration here at 91ֱ. This summer, she took her skills up to Massachusetts to do research at MIT. Here, she discusses what led her there, her innovative project, and where she plans to go next.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4152">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jillian-scudder" hreflang="und">Jillian Scudder</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 outside of an MIT building in Cambridge, MA.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/atr_internship_1_for_drupal.jpeg?itok=ejtAZ7Ra" width="760" height="570" alt="Student stands in front of academic building."> </div> Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:46:44 +0000 lcurtis2 477611 at Elsa Faulders ’26: Lofty Aspirations, Grounded Principles /news/elsa-faulders-26-lofty-aspirations-grounded-principles <span>Elsa Faulders ’26: Lofty Aspirations, Grounded Principles</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-20T16:22:23-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - 16:22">Tue, 08/20/2024 - 16:22</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer I worked at the Penn Medicine BioBank, helping with research outreach and coordinating study visits. The Biobank holds blood, saliva, and tissue samples that have been genetically sequenced to help Penn researchers with their work to improve healthcare. I conducted saliva samples on patients to add to the biobank data, and I helped a physician with his study on a specific genetic condition. For the study, I reached out to potential participants and scheduled study visits, as well as conducted the study with informed consent. Finally, I shadowed genetic counselors from Penn Medicine in several areas, such as cancer, hearing loss, and general medical genetic clinics, learning what it means to be a genetic counselor. I learned so much about different genetic conditions and how they manifest themselves.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>In the spring of my freshman year, I took a course on Medical Ethics. I fell in love with the discussions surrounding so many different topics and the ambiguities that came with them. This summer allowed me to apply some of the principles I learned, as I administered informed consent and discussed ethics of medical research. Working in the field directly allowed me to put to use the knowledge and perspectives I gained from that class. Furthermore, my advisor <a href="/node/6061">Gunnar Kwakye</a> has encouraged me to pursue the field of genetic counseling, encouraging me with the fact that many people in the field are very happy with their position.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>After 91ֱ, I plan to continue working in a research setting, whether that be through research coordination or directly working with samples. I enjoyed working towards the goal of discovery. I also plan to pursue a master's in genetic counseling, in order to work as a pediatric genetic counselor. After this summer, I am more confident in my interest in working in this field. I loved being able to talk to people and help them directly, something a genetic counselor must do. Finally, I plan to pursue a PhD in a related field to boost my ability to conduct research.</p> <p><strong>Is there anything you’ve learned this summer from your internship that has been particularly noteworthy or surprising?</strong></p> <p>From this summer, I’ve learned that even those working in the medical field are learning something every day. It is easy to assume that physicians know everything, but it was refreshing to see that learning never stops after school. I want to be in a field where I keep learning and uncovering new information, because then I will never be bored!</p> <p><strong>How has your internship deepened or changed your love for healthcare?</strong></p> <p>From my internship, I have learned how much people in healthcare care about their patients. I want to work in a field where the main goal is to help those most in need of it. Health can be such a scary thing, so I am inspired by those who try to make it a little less scary. I am intrigued by the opportunities to connect and learn from patients. This summer, I got to see the amount of gratitude some families had for genetic counselors and geneticists. When it comes to complex genetic conditions, families are grateful to have someone who understands the illness completely, which many physicians do not. To see how thankful these families were is reason enough for me to pursue working in healthcare, specifically as a genetic counselor.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with&nbsp;<a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a>&nbsp;team to learn more about&nbsp;exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A <a href="/node/3411">neuroscience</a> major with a concentration in <a href="/node/322311">global health</a>, Elsa Faulders ’26 has lofty aspirations. She thanks 91ֱ for her grounding principles. Learn more about how she applied these with her internship at the Penn Medicine Biobank through&nbsp;<a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4075">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Elsa Faulders ’26.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Elsa Faulders ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/dsc_0273.jpg?itok=pbFKP3UK" width="760" height="509" alt="Headshot of a woman."> </div> Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:22:23 +0000 lcurtis2 476719 at Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25 /news/get-down-business-cole-tashjian-25 <span>Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-30T14:28:57-04:00" title="Friday, August 30, 2024 - 14:28">Fri, 08/30/2024 - 14:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="Sunset outside skyscraper window." height="190" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ct_internship_3_jpg.jpg" width="250"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I was a fixed income trading intern at Invesco. A majority of what I learned was from shadowing fixed income, foreign exchange, and alternatives traders. However, my projects revolved around providing analytics and insights to the team. Throughout the course of the internship, I developed an in-house app using Python, SQL Server, and Streamlit for FX trade analysis reporting and re-architected a dashboard for the global capital markets team to track trade efficiency and revenue generation.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>The 91ֱ Finance Club was instrumental in solidifying my interest in finance. Surrounding myself with like minded peers meant I could continue learning outside of the classroom through the clubs weekly meetings. Academically, <a href="/node/417886">Professor M. Udara Peiris</a>&nbsp;has been an extremely valuable resource for me. His improvement of the financial economics curriculum and embracing of students' questions/thoughts has benefitted the school as a whole.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>This past summer, I wanted a markets-based role. Invesco provided the opportunity to experience this with the backing and support of a great team. I have been able to leverage the experience into a full-time job offer I accepted as a Global Investment Banking Analyst at UBS in New York City upon graduation.</p> <p><strong>What business-related opportunities have you had at 91ֱ that you’ve found to be unique or helpful?&nbsp;</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"><img alt="Group poses in field." height="274" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ct_internship_2_jpg.jpg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>Outside of the extracurriculars and coursework I have completed, the <a href="/node/54566">Ashby Business Scholars Program</a> was an important piece of my time at 91ֱ. The program offered me the opportunity to go through intensive coursework surrounding finance topics for 4 months and culminated in meeting alums in the field in Cleveland, Boston, and New York City. The major takeaway from the program that I got was, all Obies are willing and happy to help one another. This provided me with further confidence to reach out to alums and learn about their careers paths/current roles.</p> <p><strong>Knowing that you’re interested in pursuing business/finance, what made you choose 91ֱ to help you reach that goal?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>When applying to colleges, I knew that I wanted a liberal arts education. 91ֱ provides the emphasis on the creative thinking, problem solving component of liberal arts whilst embracing alternative routes toward finance with specific Wall Street programs like the Ashby Business Scholars. This mix of liberal arts and finance focus played extremely well into my interests and attracted me to the college.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a> team&nbsp;to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Cole Tashjian ’25 knew what he wanted when he came to 91ֱ College, and got down to business to achieve it. As an <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> major with minors in <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> and <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a>, he set himself up well to go into finance. This summer, he interned at Invesco, and used it as a stepping stone to set up his future career. Here, Cole talks about his role and successes.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4147">91ֱ Finance Club</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/m-udara-peiris" hreflang="und">M. Udara Peiris</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Cole Tashjian ’25 and other interns show their completion certificates at Invesco.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/ct_internship_1_jpg.jpg?itok=Afe-_epQ" width="760" height="570" alt="Group poses in front of window."> </div> Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:28:57 +0000 lcurtis2 477627 at Kayla Elias ’25 Conducts Research at the Elahi Lab /news/kayla-elias-25-conducts-research-elahi-lab <span>Kayla Elias ’25 Conducts Research at the Elahi Lab</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T13:58:03-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 13:58">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 13:58</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>I am researching how brain vascular pathology can contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia. The Elahi lab investigates how core features of vascular pathology potentiate or accelerate neurodegenerative disease pathologies. For my project, we are focusing on the pathogenesis of a monogenic form of disease called CADASIL which is caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. People affected can suffer from migraines, ischemic strokes and cognitive impairment.&nbsp; I am growing and differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells with the goal of modeling the blood brain barrier and how it can be compromised in disease. In addition, I am learning in silico bioinformatics techniques to analyze dysregulated gene expression in CADASIL based on transcriptomics data.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="Person uses scientific instrument. " height="413" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ke_internship_3_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Todd France</figcaption> </figure> <p>In Spring 2023, I took Neurobiology of Disease and Neurotoxicology and Neurodegeneration Lab with <a href="/node/6061">Professor Gunnar Kwakye</a>, as well as Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry with <a href="/node/5206">Professor Laura Romberg</a>. I loved these three classes, especially in tandem, because they inspired me to think about how a biochemical interaction can cause a series of molecular biological events leading to macroscopic symptomatology that impacts a patient’s quality of life. Therefore, they inspired me to pursue research questions such as those being addressed in the Elahi Lab about how molecular biological signaling pathways can be targeted to understand and treat neurological diseases.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>This is the exact kind of research I aspire to pursue in my own career. I hope to study the molecular pathogenesis of neurological disease, neurodegeneration and/or cancer, while pursuing Neurology or Neurosurgery as a physician-scientist. Dr. Elahi is a physician-scientist with an MD/PhD and I have been able to witness how she balances research and clinic. I’ve performed research, shadowed patient visits, and witnessed how the lab has set up an observational study of CADASIL patients, both remote and in-person, to assess samples for possible diagnostic biomarkers, while in parallel building mechanistic models to identify therapeutic targets.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"><img alt="Two scientists use microscope." height="183" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ke_internship_2_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Todd France</figcaption> </figure> <p>Medicine and research are, by nature, interdisciplinary, combining numerous approaches and perspectives to problem-solving. Medicine alone combines STEM and social science with communication skills, emotion and empathy with strength and resilience, and studied knowledge with adaptability. The cornerstones of research are also communication and organizational skills culled in multiple subjects, as well as creativity in developing an approach to a research question. For example, it is best to think about organizing research in terms of a story with a beginning–research question, middle–organized experimentation, and end–results and conclusions. 91ֱ’s liberal arts education encourages a breadth of training, preparing students to acquire these useful transferable skills. Also, science and medicine are both team sports and involve working with others who may think differently, and each contributes a unique set of ideas to problem-solving. 91ֱ is certainly an environment where unique individuals with their own sets of interests and backgrounds merge to create a multifaceted community which thus exposes students to different perspectives.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the&nbsp;<a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a>&nbsp;team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Kayla Elias ’25 knows exactly what she wants to do after college, and is setting herself up perfectly via her <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> program placement at the Elahi Lab at the Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. At 91ֱ, Kayla is on the <a href="/node/322681">pre-medical</a> track, majoring in <a href="/node/3411">neuroscience</a> and <a href="/node/25246">biochemistry</a>. As an aspiring physician-scientist, she is following Dr. Fanny Elahi, who does just that, and is learning how Dr. Elahi balances research and clinic work.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4265">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4075">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3830">Pre-Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/laura-romberg" hreflang="und">Laura Romberg</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/pre-medicine-and-health-careers" hreflang="und">Pre-Medicine and Health Careers</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Kayla Elias ’25 at her internship at the Elahi Lab in New York City, NY.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Todd France</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/ke_internship_1_for_drupal.jpeg?itok=Be42Ylk9" width="760" height="570" alt="Woman in lab coat."> </div> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 17:58:03 +0000 lcurtis2 477473 at Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology /news/moe-ariyoshi-26-morals-and-technology <span>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-04T10:35:36-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 10:35">Wed, 09/04/2024 - 10:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer at Carnegie India, I am working as a summer assistant to provide senior research analysts with briefings on various topics including international trade and technology corporations, border conflicts and infrastructure, multilateral relationships with India, India's political economy, and other international think tank organizations.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="View of mountain road." height="155" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ma_internship_2_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>In the Spring 2024 semester, I took <a href="/node/6201">Professor Marc Blecher's</a> POLT 212 Political Economy of Development in Asia, in which we discussed the development of 5 main Asian economies: Japan, India, China, South Korea and Taiwan. In a different class offered by Professor Rudabeh Shahid, I examined the politics of citizenship in India, Myanmar and the United States. The two classes captured my interest to take a closer look at India to experience how the nation with a history and culture over 4000 years, the largest population on Earth, and a world class military, is growing its international presence. My professors at 91ֱ have taught me how to look at the world in a greater context, but in this summer assistantship at Carnegie India, I wanted to learn from watching closely what analysts at the frontlines of the foreign policy research experience.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>As a computer science major, my career goals focused mainly on the development of technologies. However, at Carnegie India, I was able to see how policy studies perceive and attempt to govern technology, an important aspect for both private lives but also national power. This summer assistantship has allowed me to become aware of the consequences of development and its impact on the prosperity of the international community.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach research?</strong></p> <p>The liberal arts education and way of thinking helped me better understand the role and implications of technology development, whether it is to empower individuals or secure national power. The liberal arts education has equipped me with the right moral responsibility as an engineer with good goals and intentions for development that will enable individuals mobility while ensuring its right use.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a> team&nbsp;to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 had a meaningful summer&nbsp;at Carnegie India through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>. At 91ֱ, she is a <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> major with a double minor in <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a>, and concentrations in <a href="/node/245971">international affairs</a> and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a>. Here, they reflect on how 91ֱ shaped their morals.&nbsp;</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marc-blecher" hreflang="und">Marc Blecher</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The view from Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, where Moe Ariyoshi ’26 was able to travel during her summer at Carnegie India.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/ma_internship_1_for_drupal.jpeg?itok=6kQqe3G2" width="760" height="570" alt="View of flags and mountains."> </div> Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:35:36 +0000 lcurtis2 477699 at Riley Eaton ’24 Hones her Interests at Life Biosciences /news/riley-eaton-24-hones-her-interests-life-biosciences <span>Riley Eaton ’24 Hones her Interests at Life Biosciences</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-29T14:35:35-04:00" title="Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 14:35">Thu, 08/29/2024 - 14:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="Computer screens." height="367" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/re_internship_2_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Riley Eaton ’24</figcaption> </figure> <p>This summer, I am interning at Life Biosciences where I am involved in the Discovery and Development of cellular rejuvenation therapeutics for age-related diseases. I attend and contribute to several weekly meetings including Epigenetic Reprogramming and Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Program meetings with the Research and Development team, where I assist in keeping track of key notes and action items. I am gaining hands-on experience in day-to-day operations, project management, and shadowing key personnel to understand their roles. The company is supporting me to complete a Discovery project that involves identifying a new human aging disease that may benefit from their therapeutic approach. I am doing this by reviewing scientific literature, understanding the disease, and evaluating the feasibility and practical steps towards implementing a new therapeutic program. This work culminates in a presentation of my findings and a recommendation to the company. My primary goals of the internship have involved educational readings and shadowing as well as practical learning through experience.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>In my studies of <a href="/node/3346">biology</a> at 91ֱ and during my <a href="/node/73561">abroad</a> program, I have been most interested in evolutionary genetics and conservation. And while this internship involves different topics than my main interests, 91ֱ has inspired me to keep an open mind and explore diverse opportunities. The environment at 91ֱ has already supported me in exploring my diverse interests (from <a href="/node/472145">engineering</a>, to <a href="/node/3366">psychology</a>, to <a href="/node/3386">economics</a>, and finally to <a href="/node/3346">biology</a>), and has led me to (sometimes unexpected) experiences that I have loved, including this internship.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>Pursuing this internship has been an invaluable experience that has connected me with inspiring scientists who have helped me to envision my own future as a biologist. The hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge research and development practices at Life Biosciences have provided a solid foundation for my future academic and professional pursuits, including getting a PhD and conducting research as a geneticist. This opportunity has allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, develop essential skills, and build relationships with professionals in the industry.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>The liberal arts education at 91ֱ has taught me to approach scientific problems with interdisciplinary perspectives, and to think critically and contextually. This holistic approach has been invaluable in my internship, where understanding the broader context of drug discovery and development is essential (especially when I am working with a team of PhD scientists with years of experience in this field). The emphasis on communication skills and collaborative learning at 91ֱ has also equipped me with the ability to effectively convey and question complex scientific concepts. These skills have been instrumental in navigating the interdisciplinary nature of my internship as I explore various fields within biology.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the&nbsp;<a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a>&nbsp;team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Riley Eaton ’24 is a <a href="/node/3346">biology</a> major, with minors in <a href="/node/3196">environmental studies</a> and <a href="/node/472259">French</a>. She has a wide variety of interests, but after settling on biology, she found her way to Life Biosciences, Inc. Here, she discusses the value of this <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> program placement and having 91ֱ as a foundation.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4064">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Riley Eaton ’24 at a Life Biosciences team-building event at a food distribution center.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Riley Eaton ’24</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/re_internship_1_for_drupal.jpeg?itok=aFw8Sl0k" width="760" height="570" alt="Group poses in kitchen."> </div> Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:35:35 +0000 lcurtis2 477583 at What Healthcare Means with Lucy Lee ’25 /news/what-healthcare-means-lucy-lee-25 <span>What Healthcare Means with Lucy Lee ’25</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-03T11:25:12-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - 11:25">Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:25</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="People pose outside building. " height="183" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ll_internship_2_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Daniel McGarrity</figcaption> </figure> <p>In my summer internship I was working as a Research Program Assistant in the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center. In this position I assisted the Research Program Coordinators with the collection and maintenance of the data. This included escorting patients to study activities and collecting and entering data. In the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center, I observed the day to day happenings of a clinical research setting. Here, I learned how to take medical histories and visual acuities of patients involved in clinical studies.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>I started doing research at 91ֱ at the beginning of my junior year (fall 2023) with <a href="/node/6081">Professor Tracie Paine</a> in the neuroscience department after taking her neuropharmacology course. Taking Professor Paine’s neuropharmacology course and <a href="/node/6061">Professor G. </a>Kwakye’s Neurobiology of Disease courses have been influential in my interest in the brain/nervous system.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>Pursuing this internship aligns well with my post-college life and career goals as I am currently completing the <a href="/node/322681">pre-medical</a> track at 91ֱ with the goal of attending medical school to become a doctor. This internship was my first window into a clinical patient care setting where I was able to interact with the patients as they were receiving care and also learn from their physician. This internship also expanded my knowledge of research, as the wet lab research I do at 91ֱ is very different from research that happens within a clinical setting.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Is there anything you’ve learned this summer from your internship that has been particularly noteworthy or surprising?&nbsp;</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"><img alt="Two women in medical building hallway. " height="183" src="/sites/default/files/content/news/images-2024/ll_internship_3_for_drupal.jpeg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo credit:&nbsp;Daniel McGarrity</figcaption> </figure> <p>I learned a lot about multiple sclerosis this summer while in the clinic, but I also learned a lot from my coworkers and the patients. I learned about the diagnostic tools used in multiple sclerosis and how it can present or not present itself in different patient populations. I also found it so interesting that MS is a disease where its course in an individual can change so much over time. I learned how important clinical research like what is happening in the MS center at Hopkins is, because the more we understand about a neurological demyelinating disorder like MS, the better we can treat the condition.</p> <p>Another noteworthy aspect is that I mainly interacted with Dr. Calabresi’s patients. Many of them have been patients of his for over 20 years, and have followed him many times when he has moved to different hospitals. They had such amazing things to say about him. I think that is the ultimate goal; to become such a great provider and someone that your patients trust so much that they fly in for an appointment because the level of care is so good.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How has your internship deepened or changed your love for healthcare?</strong></p> <p>My internship solidified that going into healthcare is something I want to do. It is a big decision to pursue medical school in many ways, so I always thought I wanted to do it but was never at the 100% mark. Now, I am. I really enjoyed working with both the team members in the center and with the patients and seeing just how positive people with neurological autoimmune disorders are, even when they have the ability to take away so much quality of life. It is very inspiring and makes me want to be a part of the care they can receive.</p> <hr> <p><em>If you’re interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a> team&nbsp;to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Lucy Lee ’25 is a <a href="/node/3411">neuroscience</a> major with a minor in <a href="/node/3436">anthropology</a> and a concentration in <a href="/node/322311">global health</a>. This summer, through <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a>, she interned at the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center. Here, she reflects on her experience and what she ultimately hopes to achieve.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4075">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/tracie-paine" hreflang="und">Tracie Paine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" hreflang="und">Global Health</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Lucy Lee ’25 at her internship at the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center in Baltimore, MD.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Daniel McGarrity</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/ll_internship_1_for_drupal.jpeg?itok=XLm2pMqo" width="760" height="570" alt="Student in medical office."> </div> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:25:12 +0000 lcurtis2 477665 at Wyatt Frame ’25 Talks to Whales with Project CETI /news/wyatt-frame-25-talks-whales-project-ceti <span>Wyatt Frame ’25 Talks to Whales with Project CETI</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-22T12:03:53-04:00" title="Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 12:03">Thu, 08/22/2024 - 12:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>I have had the pleasure of being the summer intern for Project CETI, a nonprofit research organization based in the United States and Dominica that is using cutting edge data collection and processing techniques to listen to and translate communication with sperm whales. Under CETI, I have worked closely with the nonprofit team to help develop collaborations, social media posts, internal memos, and have conducted research on upcoming publications &amp; press.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"><img alt="People gather outside store." height="206" src="/sites/default/files/content/wf_internship_2.jpg" width="275"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wyatt Frame ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>Getting the chance to supplement my mathematics and statistics courses with sociology, philosophy, history, computer science, and more has consistently motivated me to appreciate the types of research that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration in the way that CETI does. Since working with CETI, I have learned a considerable amount about linguistics and marine biology, fields that I had never been exposed to in the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>I have been looking for an involved experience in the professional world throughout my time at 91ֱ, and my leaders at CETI have done a great job mentoring me through my first time with daily operations, communication, and organization in the workplace. I feel strongly that what I have learned this summer will carry over following graduation into whatever workplace I experience next.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>Coming from a mathematics background, working with and learning about the processes of a large-scale, long-term scientific project has been considerably different compared to the theoretical mathematics that I have studied. Seeing the number of moving parts and involved parties working under Project CETI is something that I had not gotten a close look at in my studies leading up to this. In that sense, I’ve gained a genuine appreciation for dedicated research and how a broad inquisitiveness can become a greater whole through collaboration. I hope to take what I’ve learned in my work studying mathematics and one day bring that to the table in an interdisciplinary project like CETI.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the&nbsp;<a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a>&nbsp;team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Wyatt Frame ’25 is a <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> major, but this summer with <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> he expanded his horizons into communications and worked with Project CETI, a nonprofit research organization that communicates with sperm whales.&nbsp;</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration &amp; Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Wyatt Frame ’25 holds "Let's Dive," a perfume collaboration between Project CETI and fragrance brand DS &amp; DURGA, which was named by whales. He attended the launch event and was the photographer for the day.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Wyatt Frame ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/width_760/public/content/news/image/wf_internship_1.jpg?itok=cF0AQSF9" width="760" height="570" alt="Student holds perfume."> </div> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:03:53 +0000 lcurtis2 477192 at