A Summer of Polymer Physics Research at the University of Freiburg with Linnea Siderhurst ‘27 


Name: Linnea Siderhurst
Class Year: 2027
Major:  Mathematics

Internship Organization: livMatS Cluster, University of Freiburg
Internship Title: Research Intern
Location: Freiburg, Germany

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

I am interning at the livMatS cluster of the University of Freiburg, which is a part of the department of engineering. This research cluster takes inspiration from the natural world to create bio-inspired technology and engineering solutions. One current research area at livMatS is hygromorphic actuation: an energy-free technology with applications in sustainable architecture. Under the supervision of my mentors, I am working on a simulation which will hopefully provide insight into the chemical physics driving hygromorphic actuation. So far, I have been doing literature reviews on topics such as polymer physics and molecular dynamics simulation, and have used Python and LAMMPS to investigate the effects of various parameters on my simulation.

Why did you apply for this internship?

This internship is run through the Innovation Academy summer internship program, which provides the opportunity for students to live in Germany and participate in sustainability-focused internships. I was drawn to this because of the opportunity to travel and because I saw that doing research at the University of Freiburg was one of the internship options. I am hoping to continue doing research in some capacity in graduate school, so this program seemed like the perfect way to try out research and get to experience a new place! I would definitely recommend this program to students who have not gotten the chance to study abroad and are passionate about climate justice and sustainability.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has been the location and my lovely fellow Innovation Academy interns. Freiburg is a beautiful city with so many fun summertime events such as festivals, flea markets, and pride events! I’ve also loved being in a place with so much access to history. I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing all the historical architecture around Freiburg and have gotten to explore some amazing art and history museums. In our first week here, we even had the opportunity to visit the reconstructed Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg castle in Alsace, France. And, of course, I have to shout out the friends I have made here for adding so much to this experience. The simple moments of sitting outside and chatting about life and getting to know new people might even beat out the breathtaking views and castles.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?

I expected to be spending most of my time working in a laboratory setting and completing mostly experimental work. However, my research project is entirely theoretical and simulation-based. This was definitely an interesting adjustment, and it was stressful at first because I felt like I didn’t really know what I was doing, and it was different from what I had envisioned. Now that I have gotten a bit more comfortable, I have realized just how much this project has been teaching me. I have gained computing skills such as coding with Python and tuning LAMMPS simulations, and I have learned the importance of adaptability in a research environment. Things almost never go the way they do in our heads, and it is so important to learn how to handle changes (and maybe even enjoy them, but I’m not quite there yet).
 

Finally Making a Decision with Aleydis Barnes ‘27


Name:
Aleydis Barnes
Class Year: 2027
Major: Mathematics, Minor: French and Francophone Studies

Internship Organization: Research Institute for Migration and Forced Displacement Management (FORM)
Internship Title: Copy-Editor, Event Summary-Writer
Location: Vienna, Austria

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

At my internship, research is completed covering migration policy and the realities of migrant experiences. The institute publishes articles, attends events, and participates in the development of articles for specific journals. Throughout my internship, I acted as a representative of the institute, being present at talks about the circumstances of Yezidi refugees as a result of Germany asylum policy changes, and a debrief with stakeholders about the consequences of the recent EU Asylum Reform. I copy-edited articles from the institute, found potential peer-reviewers for research authors, wrote summaries for the events that I participated in, and assisted with technical problems.

Exploring the Business and Economics University of Vienna! 

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied for this internship because I was interested in working internationally, and hoped to gain experience in fields that I was considering to enter following graduation from Bryn Mawr. As a result, I applied for the internship abroad at Vienna, and detailed how I wanted to explore law and justice, as well as statistics, in my work.
 

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?

Working remotely taught me a lot about self-direction. I learned that I really appreciated getting to decide for myself the most effective manner of working on tasks, with less hand-holding and assistance. Unlike in school, where we are given rubrics and assignments delineated with clear specifications, at my internship, tasks were largely left up to me to figure out. I could make my work as in-depth as I wanted, and I really enjoyed getting to do my best, without worrying about grades or meeting extremely rigid expectations. Instead, I learned to answer questions that I posed to myself about my goals and my beliefs about my skills. I do think that I should have explored Vienna more, potentially, as working remotely, I stayed inside for much of the internship, avoiding the heat wave as much as I could.

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

The three adjectives that I would give this internship are Interesting, Hopeful, and Dedicated. Interesting because I found myself diving deep into the field of research, fascinated by all of the work behind the scenes of policy that I hadn’t been aware of before. Hopeful, since, in seeing people’s steadfast commitment to human rights and uplifting marginal voices, I was reminded of the positive powers that exist in the world. Dedicated because the people doing the work were so passionate and determined, that they left a mark on me. I hope that I can do similar in the future. The three nouns that I would use are research, policy, and human-rights.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part of my internship has been getting to feel like I’ve learned more about what I want to do in my life, and my skills. I wasn’t sure what field I really wanted to enter into following graduation, but throughout my time here in Vienna, I have learned that I have a real passion for working quantitatively on analyzing policy decisions and implications. This has been a huge positive part of my summer, and I’m so glad that I had this opportunity to participate.

Audrey Pfister ’28 Reflects on Summer in the Engert Lab


Name: Audrey Pfister
Class Year: 2028
Majors: Neuroscience, German Studies

Internship Organization: Engert Lab, Harvard University
Internship Title: Research Assistant
Location: Cambridge, MA

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

This summer, I am working in the laboratory of Professor Florian Engert at Harvard University, under the supervision of Research Fellow Dr. Christophe Dupré, to map the neural circuitry underlying somersaulting behavior in the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris. My work builds on the electron microscopy (EM) tracing I completed last summer, in which I mapped synaptic connections between sensory neurons, interneurons, and glue nematocytes involved in tentacle attachment during summersaulting.

My primary tasks include tracing individual cells in electron microscopy (EM) data using the VAST software platform, slice by slice, to identify synaptic connections; producing 3D reconstructions of traced cells using MATLAB and 3ds Max; and augmenting an existing connectivity matrix. I am particularly focused on two sensory neurons, SN5 and SN6, which converge onto many of the same downstream glue nematocytes, and whose coordinated role in tentacle attachment during somersaulting is a central question of this project.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I first applied for this internship in the spring of 2025 because I knew I wanted to work in a biology lab, as I was interested in STEM. I chose the Engert lab specifically because I am interested in their research on brain circuits, as they allow me to better understand complex behaviors. Dr. Christophe Dupré’s research on the Hydra vulgaris stood out to me because it was a model organism I had not heard of before, and there was not as much research on its neural circuit as other model organisms like C.Elegans and zebrafish.


Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?

I am learning both my technical skills and my conceptual understanding of neuroscience research. On the technical side, I will continue to develop proficiency in electron microscopy data analysis and in VAST, a specialized software platform for tracing and reconstructing neural structures. I will also gain experience with MATLAB and 3ds Max to produce 3D reconstructions of traced cells, building skills in scientific visualization that are broadly applicable in biological research. Additionally, I will gain experience constructing and interpreting connectivity matrices, which is a vital tool in connectomics for representing synaptic relationships across a neural circuit.

More broadly, I expect to develop a stronger understanding of how individual synaptic connections scale into circuit-level function, and how a simple organism like Hyrda can serve as a powerful model for studying fundamental questions in neuroscience. Working with Dr. Dupré in an active research environment will also give me insight into the day-to-day practice of scientific inquiry, from forming hypotheses about circuit organization to working through data in EM slices.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part of my internship is knowing that by studying simple organisms like the Hydra vulgaris, I am working to further the field of Neuroscience. As I am interested in working in the research field post-grad, I know how important it is to get hands-on experience, and I am grateful for this opportunity. Being my second summer working under Dr, Dupré, it is especially exciting to be continuing the same research and building my experience and interest in the field. The tools I am using are ones that will be useful in future research, and to those I would like to conduct on my own. 

Chloe Buka ’28 Works with the Petey Greene Program to Help Educate Justice-Impacted Individuals 


Name: 
Chloe Buka
Class Year: 2028
Major: Sociology, Minor: Psychology

Internship Organization: The Petey Greene Program
Internship Title: Summer Intern
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

The main part of my internship is going in person to a local correctional institute twice a week to provide individualized tutoring to men currently located there who are studying for their GED. In addition, I help to virtually coordinate a series of STEM demonstrations in youth facilities in DC, as well as help to provide backup for Eastern University’s higher education program, also located in the aforementioned local institution.

Why did you apply for this internship?

As a sociology major who recently took Punishment and Social Order, a course focusing on the United States’ carceral system, I have had the chance to learn all about the flaws of our current “justice” system, and I realize that this is an area that I want to focus on. The PGP came up in one of my discussions with my mentor after I had mentioned this interest, and I was instantly drawn to the hands-on aspect, specifically that I would be able to go in person and have face-to-face interactions with the people I am trying to help.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has definitely been the amazing people that I’ve had the chance to meet, not just my coworkers, but also the incarcerated individuals that I have had the opportunity to work with so far. It’s amazing being around people who so genuinely want to learn and put such an effort in, and also to just experience people that I would have never had the chance to interact with if not for PGP.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part has definitely been connecting with the students. As important as education is, the times when I have been able to sit down with someone and just learn their favorite music, the books that they like, their motivations to study, etc., have been the best moments for sure. Seeing how hard people have worked to be where they are has encouraged me to look further at my own motivations and push myself to do better.
 

Summer at the Everywhere Project with Michelle DeMilia ’28

Name: Michelle DeMilia
Class Year: 2028
Major: Growth and Structure of Cities       

Internship Organization: The Everywhere Project
Internship Title: The Everywhere Project Student Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA

CBS News Report of Everywhere Project FIFA food recovery donation pickup

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

The Everywhere Project is a Harm Reduction organization helping communities all around the Philadelphia area. A major aspect of this work which I have been particularly involved with is food recovery, recovering food items which otherwise would be thrown away and distributing them out to folks in need. This work has certainly been physically demanding, including having to load and unload mass quantities of food and other items, but has also been extremely rewarding and has allowed me to engage with all sorts of people I wouldn’t have otherwise. During an average workweek, I’ve also helped with acquiring food and clothes, making harm reduction kits and more to prepare for our biweekly outreach sites in Love Park and Kensington.

Everywhere Project distribution site giving out fresh fruit in Kensington

Why did you apply for this internship?

A friend of mine volunteers at for Everywhere Project’s Saturday outreach sites in Kensington and, already familiar with some of the team, put me in contact with them. I really wanted to spend my summer working directly with the community, rather than in an office, and the Everywhere Project provided a really great opportunity for that.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of working with the Everywhere Project has been the people. Everyone I’ve met has been so kind and generous, and it has been such a privilege getting to know my fellow colleagues and volunteers and community members that we serve. I’ve met some of the best people in the world doing this work, heard some of the funniest and wildest stories about their lives and experiences and gained a few of my own in turn. The people and community of it all really just makes every task I’m given, big or small, feel rewarding and enjoyable. I’ve found this internship to be so meaningful and eye-opening and fun. There’s a lot of love all around and that’s really special.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

For me, some of the most rewarding moments of this internship has been seeing the sheer output of our big food recovery pickups. One of these moments I’d like to highlight is when we picked up over 500 full cases of fruit from a food processing plant out in Hatfield. Me and my supervisor had to drop all our prior plans to go out to the plant and pick up the fruit, and had to distribute all of it by the end of the day due to a lack of refrigeration storage space. It was a long day, and took a lot of coordination other organizations, distribution sites and volunteers, but we managed to get all of the fruit distributed by the end of the day. It was so rewarding seeing our truck, stuffed to the brim when we started the day, emptied out by the time I went home. It was also lovely to take some of that fruit back home with me and share it with friends after a hot day.

Goat a Load of This by Jeanne Hardy ‘27 


Name: 
Jeanne Hardy
Class Year: 2027
Major: Mathematics

Internship Organization: Philly Goat Project
Internship Title: Farm Hand & Operations Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

Me and Ivy, the matriarch of the herd

Tucked away on the quiet and picturesque acres of Awbury Arboretum, thirteen charming, playful, and delightful goats live, eat, and play. These goats belong to the Philly Goat Project, a non-profit organization that strives to create an environment where community members can foster a connection with nature and improve their well-being. This summer, I am lucky enough to be one of PGP’s volunteers where I help with morning care, barn cleaning, trick training, goat events, and more. My favorite part of my internship so far has been the time I have spent working alongside my fellow volunteers and coworkers as well as getting to know each and every goat! I would highly encourage anyone interested to visit Philly Goat Project’s farm at Awbury Arboretum or to attend any of their upcoming events!

Teddy (left) and Ray (right) are half-brothers. Ray is a three-legged goat!

Why did you apply for this internship?

When thinking about where I wanted to volunteer this summer, I knew I wanted to be outside and do something that would allow to explore areas of Philadelphia that were new to me. When I found the Philly Goat Project, I knew it would be a great fit as it also provided me with an opportunity to work with animals! Now, over halfway through my internship, I am confident I could not have chosen a better organization to volunteer with and am so glad to have gotten to know the people and goats that keep the organization running!

Goats on a grazing site at Awbury Farm

What is most rewarding about your internship?

Seeing the goats happy and well-fed is one of the most rewarding parts of my day. During my internship, I have helped build multiple grazing-sites where to goats spend a couple hours of the day eating anything and everything in their path. Food is the key to any goat’s heart, so seeing them gleefully chowing down thanks to my and my coworker’s hard work worth it. Additionally, I find that many of the events I have helped with have been rewarding experiences. Many of these events have been at libraries where children and their families are encouraged to interact with the goats and do activities such as walking the goats, reading a story with the goats, and playing games. These events have shown me first-hand how spending time in nature with animals brings communities together and can provide a calm and fun environment for people of all ages to enjoy.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?

I certainly did not expect to be in a full Gritty costume playing the troll in PGP’s production of Philly Goats Gruff for a couple dozen of elementary schoolers on a hot day in center city Philadelphia when I began my internship. With that said, I have been pleasantly surprised with how my internship has turned out. I certainly expected to interact with goats (which I have done a lot of), but I did not expect the goats to be as intelligent and, at times, compassionate as they are. I have found myself grown quite attached to them and plan to continue volunteering at Philly Goat Project in the coming semester!
  

Eleanor Kimball ’29 Explores Art and Science


Name: 
Eleanor Kimball
Class Year: 2029

Internship Organization: Amherst College
Internship Title: Sculpture Studio Assistant
Location: Amherst, MA  

Welding in the metal shop

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

I’m working with working artist and professor Lucia Monge as she prepares for a large sculpture installation in the fall. I’m helping her to plan, create, and assemble all the pieces needed for the installation. The project examines the relationship between GMO crops and an invasive species known as Palmer’s amaranth, or more commonly, Palmer’s pigweed. The final installation involves many “clones” of a single larger sculpture, so my main focus has been the creation of these clones.

I’ve been using a variety of materials and methods throughout this process, such as welding metal stands for the pieces, using wire wrapping and plaster bandages to create vine-like structures, and sewing pieces of tarp together to form makeshift bean pods. The work I’ve been doing this summer has been incredibly valuable to me, as it has given me the opportunity to work in a studio filled with passion for art, as well as see (and appreciate) the less glamorous side of these projects – the emails, planning, and coordination that goes into every moving piece of an art installation.

Making identical cardboard accordions for sculpture clones

Why did you apply for this internship?

I’ve always been interested in both art and science, two subjects that seemingly conflict with each other, but this internship perfectly blends the two together. Much of the art Professor Monge creates is very much based in environmental science. Many of her past projects have involved working with the biological components of various materials to create her pieces. Specifically, she has spent many years creating her own biopolymers – plastics made entirely out of natural materials. She uses various plants, foods, and even fungi to create these polymers, which she then uses in her own projects. This made working with her particularly appealing to me, as it meant I could also learn how to view my work through both scientific and artistic lenses.

Planting potatoes at the farm for an ongoing project

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?

Most artwork I’ve done in the past has been painting and ceramics, so I wasn’t expecting how physically tiring some of the sculpture work is. Especially when working with materials like metal, we’re doing a lot of physical labor that may not feel very difficult in the moment, but can take a toll on your body long-term. This meant I had to work hard to remember this, and make adjustments to my normal routines to take care of my body. This of course is not a challenge that would immediately come to mind when you think of an art internship, but it was one of the main things that myself and other interns learned to manage!

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

Adjectives: Creative, engaging, dynamic
Nouns: Community, growth, passion 

Mia Rey ’27 Explores Summer Internship in Berlin

Name: Mia Rey
Class Year: 2027
Major: Growth & Structure of Cities     

Internship Organization: Berlin International University
Internship Title: Research Assistant
Location: Berlin, Germany  

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

This summer I am working as a research assistant at Berlin International University under Professor Yüksel Pöğün-Zander. The research project explores how different forces interact to redefine contemporary architectural curricula and teaching methods in relation to technological advancements and globalization.
My role consists of synthesizing and organizing data, literature reviews, and designing data visualizations.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I was drawn to this internship because of the unique experience to conduct research abroad about a topic that deeply fascinates me. I really enjoyed the social approach to architectural questions. Additionally, the opportunity to live and work in Berlin was incredible.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship was the opportunity to work primarily remotely and have a lot of autonomy in the research project. Since the team was only three people, I got the opportunity to work in a tight knit atmosphere where all input and decisions were able to be discussions. We would come together multiple times a week to brainstorm and crosscheck work. When I worked independently, I got to explore different Berlin public libraries and cafes.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

It was very rewarding to see the project progress and evolve as we took new approaches and explored new ideas. Additionally, this experience gave me a lot of insight into how I envision my post-college life and what I desire in a grad school program.
 

My Time in Austria by Susan Robinson ‘27 


Name: 
Susan Robinson
Class Year:  2027
Major: Anthropology, Minor: Museum Studies

Internship Organization: Technisches Museum Wien
Internship Title: Archival Internship 
Location: Vienna, Austria

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern in the Archives and Conservation Department at the Museum of Science and Technology in Vienna, Austria. It also gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the work that makes museums more than just places to view history, they are places where history is actively preserved. Most of my work focused on protecting historical collections for future generations. I digitized archival documents, photographs, and other historical materials to improve accessibility while reducing the need to handle fragile originals.

I also assisted with preventive conservation by carefully removing metal fasteners, such as staples and paper clips, that can rust over time and damage important records. Although these tasks may seem small, I quickly learned that every detail matters when working with irreplaceable historical materials. Accuracy, patience, and careful documentation are essential parts of ensuring that collections remain available for future researchers.
   
Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied for this internship to gain a global perspective in museum work.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?

One of the biggest surprises during this internship has been how much care, precision, and documentation are required for every task, even something as simple as removing metal fasteners from historical documents. I also did not realize how much planning goes into preserving both physical and digital collections, including video game materials. I have handled these challenges by paying close attention to detail, asking questions whenever I need clarification, and taking the time to learn the reasoning behind each conservation practice so I can perform my work accurately.

Working alongside archivists and conservation staff has helped me recognize that I enjoy collaborating with professionals who are passionate about preserving history. I have learned that I communicate well, accept constructive feedback, and work carefully as part of a team. Observing experienced staff has also shown me the importance of patience, organization, and shared responsibility when working with fragile and historically significant materials. These relationships have strengthened my confidence and reinforced that I work well in professional museum environments.

Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?

During my internship, I have developed valuable archival and conservation skills, including digitizing historical documents, photographs, and ephemera, handling fragile artifacts using professional preservation standards, and assisting with preventive conservation by removing metal fasteners that could damage materials over time. I have also gained experience maintaining accurate documentation, organizing collections for future research, and learning strategies for preserving digital media.

In addition to these technical skills, I have strengthened my attention to detail, organization, and ability to work responsibly with irreplaceable historical collections. I am making the most of my internship by taking every opportunity to learn from the archivists and conservation staff, asking questions about their techniques, and gaining experience with as many different preservation tasks as possible. Because this is the department I have wanted to work in, I have been fully engaged in every assignment. 

Finley Waits ’27: Vienna Proved Me Wrong. I’m Glad It Did.  


Name: 
Finley Waits
Class Year: 2027
Major: International Studies, Minor: Data Science

Internship Organization:
SCI Austria and The EU Research & Development Agency
Internship Title:   Project Management Intern & Research Assistant (Respectively)
Location:  Vienna, Austria

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

At SCI Austria, I support the administrative and operational side of running an NGO. This means I am working with platforms like ERAMUS+ and YouthPass, adding and tracking participants for volunteer camps. It means I spend a fair amount of time in Excel, but I am also on-site and help prepare the host location for these camps. An example of one of these camps is Clown For Peace, and it is all about how clowning can be used as a form of peaceful protest to make a political statement. Just hearing about this camp exposed me to new ideas. Both organizations are incredibly international, and I have learned to navigate environments where people bring very different ideas about how work gets done. I have gotten to learn more about project management and realize that it is definitely something I want to consider for my professional future. Helping SCI Austria prepare for incoming volunteer groups has given me a personal look at how the camps I see on their website actually come together.

 At my second internship, The EU Research and Development Agency, I review and format learning documents that are used for projects. Like one of the projects, Eco Vogue, where participants learned about sustainable fashion and shared their own sustainable-designed outfits. During my time here, I have been able to learn how EU-funded organizations operate day to day, including the gap between how things look on paper and how they actually run. One of their projects, Sky Harvest, which is all about transparent land use when it comes to sustainable agriculture, is something I want to explore more in my academics, with my focus on food systems.

Why did you apply for this internship?

My major is International Studies with a focus on global systems, trade, and cross-cultural exchange. I applied because I wanted to understand what international organizations actually look like from the inside. I wanted to experience the operational reality of how people coordinate across cultures, languages, and funding structures to get things done. Not only did I want to learn how an NGO operates from day to day, but I wanted to be uncomfortable. Bryn Mawr has given me a strong academic foundation, but there is a specific kind of learning that only happens when you are the newest person in the room, in a city where you don’t speak the language, trying to figure out what you can contribute. I am living through so many firsts, and it forces me to grow at a rate that comfort doesn’t accommodate.

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

Adjectives: Unexpected, in all the different experiences I’ve had. Clarifying, in understanding who I am in a professional setting. Immersive, in new cultures and languages.

   Nouns: Patience, with myself, and learning. Epiphany, in what I am capable of. Agency, I have over my work life.    

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The work I have been doing is quiet and behind the scenes. While that is rewarding, what has really stood out and shaped me is the experiences I have had along the way. I am working with a lot of different people and nationalities, and I’m learning that small talk is different for everybody.

Most of my conversations come down to discussing differences in languages or cultures. One that stood out to me was a conversation about learning German. My coworker is Armenian and was talking about how hard it was for her to grasp the gendered words because in her language, there is just one option they use for both male and female, whereas I was having trouble with pronouncing the German words, but she found that easier because her language has so many more letters. The conversation demonstrated how two people trying to learn the same language can still have so many different experiences because of their native language; it is just one example of the many interesting conversations I have had. It is one example of how many of my expectations about Vienna, and about what a global workplace looks and sounds like, have been quietly reshaped.