MIT Biogen Internship
"Biotech in Action"
This virtual research internship introduced me to real-world applications of biotechnology, especially in the innovation of new drugs as potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Through seminars and lectures, I learned about the neurobiology and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Along with the medical view of the disease, I also gained clinical insight from family member testimonials on how the disease has impacted the lives of their loved ones. Understanding both medical and patient perspectives opened my eyes to the significance of breakthroughs in the medical field, as well as the importance of utilizing the new technology at our disposal.
Another component of the internship consisted of developing a research proposal on a neurodegenerative disease. As the elected team leader, I was responsible for managing our time, planning meetings, and leading discussions. I collaborated with my teammates to gather scientific literature on Parkinson's disease and brainstorm the methodology of our project. On the last day of the internship, we presented our research poster at the MIT Biogen Research Symposium.
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This experience introduced me to the basics of the research process, pushing me to critically think about the benefits of potential treatments for devastating neurological diseases. My leadership role sophisticated my communication skills and showed me the benefits of teamwork.
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*Due to the virtual nature of the internship, the research proposal below was not carried out in a laboratory setting.*
