91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute Partners with Career Exploration and Development, Expands Capacity</h1> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute Partners with Career Exploration and Development, Expands Capacity</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:08:55 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute Partners with Career Exploration and Development, Expands Capacity</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-01-13T15:08:55-05:00" title="Monday, January 13, 2025 - 15:08">Mon, 01/13/2025 - 15:08</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>For almost 20 years, <a href="/node/62841">91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute</a>, or OSRI, has been fostering community and the development of 91ֱ�� students. Now, beginning in summer 2025, the program will offer exciting new opportunities. The original idea for the program stemmed from Professor Emeritus of Biology Yolanda Cruz, who had the desire to bring together a community of researchers over the summer. Over the past years, OSRI has evolved into an immersive, intensive, faculty-mentored research experience—and that research spans across many disciplines.</p> <p>The program lasts eight weeks, and can look different ways for each student, depending on the style of their project. They might be in a research lab, working on faculty research. Or, they could be working on their own research project, but still being guided by a faculty member. Each week, all students come together for workshops about research themes, professional development, and more. At the end of the program, OSRI hosts a research symposium where students can present their work and hear about others’ projects. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Dae Williams ’20</figcaption> </figure> <p>“It's a super supportive community and very interdisciplinary. It's an exciting space to learn from one another, and to learn to communicate your research to folks across different disciplines,” says <a href="/node/49256">Abby Aresty, interim director of Inclusive Excellence in STEM Pedagogy and Undergraduate Research</a>.</p> <p>OSRI is not just limited to STEM subjects, which is what one often associates with the concept of research. Rather, it has long had a commitment to supporting a diversity of projects across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Projects can range anywhere from critically evaluating AI-produced survey content to investigating and problematizing the historically white racial frame of music theory and classical music. </p> <p>The integral aspect of the updated OSRI experience is a new collaboration with <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development (CED)</a>. This partnership will allow rising third- and fourth-year students to apply for an OSRI Fellowship for on-campus research; if their application is successful, <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> funds will be allocated to support their OSRI experience. What this means is that 91ֱ�� is increasing the funding available for students to participate in summer research on campus. This, in turn, increases not only the general capacity of the program, but the ability to support students at a wider variety of stages in their research. </p> <p>“Some may be starting out as an assistant on a research project,” Aresty explains. “Other people may be working towards their honors project, or thinking about applying for Research Fulbright. We're making the programming more targeted and flexible. We will have opportunities for research foundations workshops for folks who are earlier in their journey, but we will also have programming and space for advanced students to come together to learn from one another. We are designing the program in a way that is conducive to everybody's individual research journey.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Lucy Curtis ’24</figcaption> </figure> <p>Research at 91ֱ�� is a unique and special experience, set apart from others for a few reasons. Undergraduate students often work on graduate-level research, tackling real-world issues with their faculty mentors. </p> <p>“Students are working on research questions that may shape the trajectory of their careers,” Aresty says. “Because of our outstanding faculty mentors, they have both a lot of support and agency in this process.” </p> <p>As a campus, 91ֱ�� is creative, engaged, and community-focused. This overall character permeates into the research world, and leads to a vibrancy amongst students and their various projects. </p> <p>“I deeply cherish and value the opportunity to conduct research here, as it has provided me with invaluable connections, essential skills, and remarkable personal growth,” Andrea Romero ’27 reflects on her research experience. “This experience makes me feel truly alive and constantly grateful to be part of such a wonderful community and to explore another world through the lens of a microscope.” </p> <p>By collaborating with CED and expanding OSRI, <a href="/node/4236">91ֱ�� Undergraduate Research</a> will be even better able to meet the demand of students wanting a summer research opportunity.</p> <p>“We are excited about our expanded capacity since it will allow us to better support 91ֱ�� students working across disciplines and at different phases in their research journey,” Aresty says of the new program developments. </p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><em>Want to pursue your own summer research? <a href="/node/478948">Apply to OSRI</a>, and learn more about <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> funding opportunities.</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="2025-01-17T12:00:00Z">Fri, 01/17/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Lucy Curtis ’24</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=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & 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="/abby-aresty" hreflang="und">Abby Aresty</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">A group of student researchers pose outside the Science 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">Dae Williams ’20</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Kayla Elias ’25 Conducts Research at the Elahi Lab</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 17:58:03 +0000</p> <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. 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? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <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> </p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals? </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"> <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 <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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> </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 & 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"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Riley Eaton ’24 Hones her Interests at Life Biosciences</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:35:35 +0000</p> <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"> <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? </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. </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 <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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 & 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"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>What Healthcare Means with Lucy Lee ’25</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:25:12 +0000</p> <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"> <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. </p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </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. </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. </p> <p><strong>Is there anything you’ve learned this summer from your internship that has been particularly noteworthy or surprising? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo credit: 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. </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 & Development</a> 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>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 & 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"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Wyatt Frame ’25 Talks to Whales with Project CETI</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:03:53 +0000</p> <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. </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 & press.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <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. </p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals? </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 <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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. </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 & 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 & 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"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Zooming in on Zoey Olson Brown ’25 at Vitalant Research Institute</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:00:25 +0000</p> <span>Zooming in on Zoey Olson Brown ’25 at Vitalant Research Institute</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T10:00:25-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 10:00">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 10:00</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"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Zoey Olson Brown ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I am working at Vitalant Research Institute in San Francisco, CA as an intern. I am working in Dr. Satish Pillai’s lab and I am shadowing Dr. Mohamed Bouzidi. Specifically I am working on a project with Dr. Bouzidi in which we are trying to determine the effects of methylation on the HIV genome. At the beginning of my internship, I completed tasks such as splitting cells and watching my post-doc do the more complicated things. I’ve progressed to doing additional lab work like western blots (so many western blots), working with bacteria, protein extractions, etc. </p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>I gained an interest in more small-scale biology through my molecular biology and genomics classes at 91ֱ��. I enjoyed <a href="/node/5176">Professor Goldman’s</a> genomics course. </p> <p> </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"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Zoey Olson Brown ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I am interested in pursuing a career in research, but haven’t been able to participate in a professor's lab at 91ֱ��. This internship allows me to see what the typical day in a molecular biology-focused research lab is like and if it is something I would like to pursue after college. Also, this internship allows me to gain research experience and learn how to carry out experimental techniques that I have read about in my classes, but have never done before. </p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>I try not to focus too much on the “hard science” of what I’m doing, and try to think how this relates to the real world, which may be the result of liberal arts education. In this internship, a lot of what we’re doing is in relation to the HIV virus, so I try to think about the social impact of HIV as well (e.g., how HIV is characterized, where are the current hotspots, and where HIV still progresses into full blown AIDS). Also, I don’t want to think with a “science brain” because I feel like only focusing on the procedures and what's directly in the textbook can limit one's thinking.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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>A <a href="/node/3411">neuroscience</a> and <a href="/node/3346">biology</a> double major, with <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> Zoey Olson Brown ’25 has furthered her skills and gotten to apply her knowledge at Vitalant Research Institute over the summer. </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=2403">Career Exploration & 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="/aaron-goldman" hreflang="und">Aaron Goldman</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/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">Zoey Olson Brown ’25 at her internship at Vitalant Research Institute in San Francisco, CA.</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 Zoey Olson Brown ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Maya Denkmire ’25 Shares Love of Writing at The Telling Room Internship</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:34:09 +0000</p> <span>Maya Denkmire ’25 Shares Love of Writing at The Telling Room Internship</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-07-31T13:34:09-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - 13:34">Wed, 07/31/2024 - 13:34</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 am interning at The Telling Room, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Maine, whose mission is to “empower youth through writing.” Throughout the school year, they conduct residencies within schools as well as many after school programs that give kids the chance to learn new literacy skills and encourage them to share their stories with the world. For my internship, I am working in their summer camps (with themes ranging from world building and map making in sci fi and fantasy to comic making to essay writing). With the guidance of The Telling Room’s Teaching Artists, I am able to plan and teach writing-based lessons, exercises, and games, as well as help kids prepare for an end-of-week performance of the writing they have generated during camp for their families.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship? (For example – was there a particular class you took or a professor that inspired you? Did you discover a particular area of study you didn’t realize before?) </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maya Denkmire '25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I have always known that I wanted to study creative writing at 91ֱ��, but it was my experience in my Teaching Imaginative Writing class with <a href="/node/361186">Professor Rogers</a> that encouraged me to explore ways I could combine my love of writing with my love of teaching and working with children. During my residency for this class, I was given the opportunity to teach the practice of poetry to the middle schoolers of Langston Middle School. This experience not only inspired me to pursue my internship, but gave me the skills and confidence that have allowed me to feel successful and prepared in the internship thus far.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>After college, I would love to pursue a career that engages with both my love of creative writing and my love of working with children. The Telling Room does exactly that by allowing children to use the art of writing to express themselves!</p> <p><strong>Is there anything you’ve learned this summer from your internship that has been particularly noteworthy or surprising?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maya Denkmire.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Having begun this internship, I feel like I have a much better idea of the philosophies I want to bring to working with children in the future. The Telling Room has provided me with invaluable examples of how play can be intertwined with learning, imagination can be fostered, and children can be met where they are in order to encourage growth.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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="2024-08-26T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/26/2024 - 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>Maya Denkmire '25 is a <a href="/node/3221">creative writing</a> major with a concentration in <a href="/node/25226">education</a>. She has spent the summer working at The Telling Room in Portland, ME, to assist with their summer youth writing programs. Here, she discusses her experience and how her interest in writing evolved to include education.</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=4148">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4149">Education Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & 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="/elizabeth-rogers" hreflang="und">Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers ’07</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/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Maya Denkmire '25 at her internship with The Telling Room.</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 Maya Denkmire</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Kelig Ngabo ’27 has an Awesome Internship</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:53:50 +0000</p> <span>Kelig Ngabo ’27 has an Awesome Internship</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-14T10:53:50-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 14, 2024 - 10:53">Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:53</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 am interning at Awesomity Lab as a back-end developer, working on the Provigator API. My role involves designing and implementing RESTful APIs to manage and oversee current projects within the lab. I focus on creating endpoints for CRUD operations, integrating OAuth2 authentication, and implementing pagination and search functionality. This project aims to enhance project management efficiency and streamline bug reporting processes.</p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Kelig Ngabo ’27</figcaption> </figure> <p>91ֱ�� has played a significant role in shaping my pursuit of this internship. The Data Structures class, in particular, equipped me with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for handling complex backend development tasks. Additionally, the supportive faculty and collaborative environment at 91ֱ�� encouraged me to explore and apply my learning in real-world scenarios.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>This internship aligns perfectly with my career goals of becoming a cybersecurity specialist or software engineer. It provides me with valuable experience in a tech company, allowing me to understand the industry better and gain practical skills. Working on the Provigator API has given me insights into the real-world applications of my studies and has been a crucial step towards achieving my long-term career objectives.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>My liberal arts education at 91ֱ�� has broadened my perspective, enabling me to approach science and research with a holistic mindset. It has taught me to think critically and creatively, to consider the ethical implications of technology, and to communicate my ideas effectively. This well-rounded approach has been instrumental in my internship, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to my team and the projects we undertake.</p> <p><strong>How has your internship deepened or changed your love for computer science?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Kelig Ngabo ’27</figcaption> </figure> <p>My internship at Awesomity Lab has significantly deepened my love for computer science. Awesomity Lab provided the perfect environment I was looking for in a company. The supportive and understanding team made it easy to work on my projects and reinforced my passion for technology. The environment fostered creativity and innovation, making it an ideal place to grow and develop my skills. Working at Awesomity Lab has truly been an inspiring experience, further igniting my enthusiasm for the field of computer science.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kelig Ngabo ’27 has been interning at Awesomity Lab, an IT and software development company.</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="2024-08-20T12:00:00Z">Tue, 08/20/2024 - 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>Kelig Ngabo ’27 has been interning at Awesomity Lab, an IT and software development company. At 91ֱ��, Kelig is a <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> major and works at the CIT Help Desk. Learn about how he put those skills into practice over the summer.</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=2403">Career Exploration & 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/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">Kelig Ngabo ’27 at his internship at Awesomity Lab in Kigali, Rwanda.</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 Kelig Ngabo</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Noah Hamaoui ’25 Plans Solar Development at AC Power Internship</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:54:11 +0000</p> <span>Noah Hamaoui ’25 Plans Solar Development at AC Power Internship</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-07-30T11:54:11-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 11:54">Tue, 07/30/2024 - 11:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Todd France</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer, I am working on the Business Development Team of AC Power, a solar developer that specializes in previously disturbed land — this can mean former landfills, sand pits, closed mines, quarries, Superfunds, etc. One of the biggest problems with developing solar energy is the lack of space, since it requires acres of flat land, which are usually required for agriculture. AC Power only develops solar on sites that are too "destroyed" to become anything else, therefore eliminating the land competition aspect of the project. This way, they are also bringing obsolete land back to good use and working on a transition to renewable energy. Being on the Business Development side of things means that I help out with the first processes that are in place around a new site: I have learned how to screen potential sites to see if they meet the physical and regulatory criteria to have solar built on them, how to digitally model solar arrays, how to calculate the financial feasibility of potential projects, how to write business proposals and maintain contact with clients, and more. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Todd France</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <p>91ֱ�� was the main driver of my interest in working with renewable energy. In the fall of 2022, I was one of the 25 students on the <a href="/node/64856">91ֱ��-in-London</a> program focused on climate resilience. That semester and its weekly field trips were key to my understanding that everything in the field of sustainability is directly or indirectly connected to energy infrastructure, and that, therefore, one of the most important measures towards the climate neutrality goals that cities and institutions have issued around the globe is a transition to renewable energy sources. I then knew I wanted to explore this industry further and declared my pathway within the <a href="/node/3196">environmental studies</a> major in urban sustainability. I learned more about the challenges associated with a renewable energy transition this past spring semester, when I took Professor <a href="/node/5706">Md Rumi Shammin</a>'s Energy and Society class, a course designed for third-years that culminates in a consulting project for the City of 91ֱ��. My project was to conduct a feasibility study for the installation of wind turbines at the College, which was tremendously helpful when I got to AC Power and had to conduct those studies again. </p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>Pursuing this internship was a way of testing if I could see myself working in the renewable energy industry, and, more specifically, if I could see myself working at a solar company. I have always wanted to work in the third sector, maybe for a non-profit, but decided to investigate what working at a for-profit environmental company looked like. After being at AC Power for nearly two months, I can say that I understand and appreciate the value of working at a small, mission-driven company. I genuinely appreciate the essential role developers like this have in shaping the future of the electrical grid in the United States. One of the coolest things about working with renewable energy right now is to see firsthand the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. The incentives I learned about in class are actually a big part of making or breaking some projects, and I get to see all of that happening with a backstage pass. Moreover, this internship has given me a better idea of what type of role I can see myself having within the vast world of renewables. It gave me clarity that maybe I don't want to be a business analyst, but to work with community engagement within the renewable energy industry. Now I have a direction of fellowships and jobs to look for as I enter my last semester of college. </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"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Todd France</figcaption> </figure> <p>I believe the environmental studies major, at least in the way it was designed at 91ֱ��, is one of the most interdisciplinary majors in the College. To me, that is liberal arts at its core. I find myself switching between disciplines all the time; bringing scientific topics for projects in non-science classes, or wanting to talk about environmental justice in science classes. To me, the liberal arts way of thinking translates to not putting limits on specific fields and projects. Everything is connected, and, especially when it comes to the environment, everything truly has to be connected if we want to work on the climate crises in an intersectional way. I have this 'no limits' approach so ingrained on my brain now that I will definitely take it with me wherever I go next. </p> <p><strong>What drew you to environmental studies?</strong></p> <p>What drew me to environmental studies is the idea of how circular the work is. Sometimes a sustainable alternative to something will also be easier, cheaper, bring about local jobs, etc. I say it is circular because everything is interconnected — you can't think of renewable energy without thinking of energy justice without thinking about environmental justice in general, for example. I love how broad the field is and how much it welcomes (and demands) creativity. I wanted to work for a cause that felt urgent, and the environment was a good place to start. </p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> 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="2024-08-12T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/12/2024 - 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>Noah Hamaoui ’25 spent the summer interning at AC Power, a solar developer. Learn about her role at the company, and how her 91ֱ�� experience as an <a href="/node/3196">environmental studies</a> major shaped her ideals and future.</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=2403">Career Exploration & 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=25351">Environmental Studies and Sciences</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="/md-rumi-shammin" hreflang="und">Md Rumi Shammin</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/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Noah Hamaoui ’25 in New York City, where her internship took place.</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"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Karishma Kesapragada ’26 on the Journey of Writing at Midstory</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:31:12 +0000</p> <span>Karishma Kesapragada ’26 on the Journey of Writing at Midstory</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-07-31T16:31:12-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - 16:31">Wed, 07/31/2024 - 16:31</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"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Karishma Kesapragada</figcaption> </figure> <p>At Midstory, a non-profit thinkhub and literary publication, I spend my time writing and editing articles! An article starts with a pitch that is then thoroughly researched and outlined — think interviews, databases, and long first drafts. This summer I have been working on an article that centers Cleveland’s iconic West Side Market. I have interviewed vendors at the market and sifted through numerous articles and city pledges regarding the management and future of the market — including a 90-page ledger of the market’s past, present, and future. In addition, I also curate social media posts on historic landmarks and cities of the Midwest and <span style="color: var(--barelynotblack); font-size: 1rem; font-family: var(--mercury-stack);">helped organize an exhibit on Asian identity in the Toledo Public Library.</span></p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship? (For example – was there a particular class you took or a professor that inspired you? Did you discover a particular area of study you didn’t realize before?) </strong></p> <p>After taking the <a href="/node/25451">Writing & Communication</a> class, Literary Journalism, with <a href="/node/70591">Professor Hal Sundt</a>, I fell in love with creative nonfiction. The class represented a personally unexplored written world that felt truly memorable. Literary Journalism sharpened my research skills, which have become invaluable at a literary publication that often takes a historic lens to its articles, and gave me confidence in my writing which has served me well through what can often be long editing processes. That attitude of being open to edits and learning and changing when it comes to writing is the greatest insight 91ֱ�� has given me. It’s very easy to shut down during the writing process when we see a wall of edits on our words, our hard work. Literary Journalism was a class firmly rooted in optimism: a first draft is a wonderful thing and so are its edits. I feel so lucky to have both a school and an employer that champions optimism in writing.</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"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Karishma Kesapragada.</figcaption> </figure> <p>In my post-college life, I want to work for publications centered around culture and history as I feel we have the most to learn from those areas. Midstory’s commitment to telling the stories of the Midwest, to giving back to its community, is a core value of mine that I want to carry with me into my career. In addition to appealing to personal values, Midstory has also given me the space to get the hang of more journalistic writing. I’ve spent a lot of time honing my writing skills in analytical and creative writing so expanding my writing repertoire has been such an interesting learning experience.</p> <p><strong>Is there anything you’ve learned this summer from your internship that has been particularly noteworthy or surprising?</strong></p> <p>A huge part of my internship has been about exploring Toledo: its lush Metroparks system, its Picasso-laden art museum, and its humming coffee shops that are perfect for young writers. I find my love for a city where I’ve only spent a summer to be quite pleasantly surprising.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with</em> <em><a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a><em> t</em>o 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="2024-07-31T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/31/2024 - 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>Karishma Kesapragada ’26 recognizes the importance of process, even when it’s messy. As an intern at Midstory, she has spent a lot of the summer in the process of writing and editing; she attributes her comfort level with this to 91ֱ��.</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=2403">Career Exploration & 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=25451">Writing and Communication</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="/hal-sundt" hreflang="und">Hal Sundt ’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/writing-and-communication" hreflang="und">Communication Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Karishma Kesapragada '26 at her internship at Midstory in Toledo, OH.</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 Karishma Kesapragada</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>