Author Archives: Sydney Robertson

From Everyday Technology to Alzheimer’s Prevention by Richemie Chery ‘27

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Name: Richemie Chery
Class Year: 2027
Major: Neuroscience

Internship Organization: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Anatomy & Neurobiology Department
Location:  Boston, Massachusettes

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

When I switched my major to neuroscience at Bryn Mawr College, I knew I wanted to learn more about the field, but I wasn’t entirely sure what neuroscience research actually looked like. That curiosity led me to apply for an internship in Dr. Rhoda Au’s lab at the Anatomy & Neurobiology Department at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine last summer. I pictured researchers in white lab coats surrounded by sophisticated equipment, running experiments in a fast-paced laboratory. Instead, I walked into a welcoming office where collaboration, conversation, and participant care were just as important as the science itself.

In this lab, I found collaborative teammates, participant technology, and researchers united by a common goal: finding better ways to detect Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear. I enjoyed the experience so much that I returned this summer, taking on greater responsibilities while continuing to learn from an incredible team.

One of the most fascinating things I learned was that Alzheimer’s research doesn’t always rely on expensive equipment or invasive testing. The lab studies how everyday technologies, such as smartphone sensors that measure typing speed, wearable sleep rings that monitor sleep quality, and cognitive games, may reveal subtle signs of cognitive decline years before traditional symptoms appear. I was amazed that researchers could learn so much from behaviors most of us rarely think twice about.

Throughout the summer, I organized and maintained the technology inventory used by participants, monitored device usage to support data quality, attended research meetings, and contributed to a project examining why participants withdrew from the study. These responsibilities showed me that even behind-the-scenes work plays an important role in advancing research.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was interacting with participants. I shadowed study visits as participants came to the office for cognitive assessments and informed consent appointments, and I accompanied researchers and participants to the hospital for MRI visits. Watching researchers answer questions and build trust reminded me that every data point represents a real person volunteering to advance science. Although I wasn’t able to independently make participant phone calls because my system access wasn’t finalized in time, I learned how essential communication and empathy are in clinical research. The lab even emphasized customer service skills during hiring because making participants feel comfortable is central to successful research.

Reading scientific papers throughout the internship also changed how I think about Alzheimer’s disease. I was surprised to learn how everyday lifestyle factors, including sleep, exercise, diet, and social engagement, can influence brain health. I left the experience not only with a deeper understanding of neuroscience but also with a greater appreciation for how our daily habits may shape our cognitive health over time.

As a Bryn Mawr neuroscience student hoping to become a Physician Assistant, this internship connected what I learned in the classroom with real-world clinical research. More importantly, it showed me that meaningful scientific discoveries depend not only on innovative technology, but also on teamwork, organization, and compassionate relationships with the people who make the research possible.

Interested in neuroscience research? Learn more about Bryn Mawr’s Department of Neuroscience and the opportunities available for students to engage in meaningful research on and off campus.

Faiqah Oladejo ’28: Research Internship with University of Pennsylvania Neuroscience Department

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Name: Faiqah Oladejo
Class Year: 2028
Major: Neurosicence

Internship Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Internship Title: Research Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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

This summer I worked as a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania in the Neuroscience department. During my time there, I helped with an ongoing project that deals with determining the novel roles of the Prostaglandin D2-PTGDR pathway in migraine pathophysiology. At the beginning of my summer, I began quantifying stained neurons. As time went by, I learned to genotype mouse samples and perform PCR, gel electrophoresis, and gel imaging, as well as to read and interpret the results.

In addition, I assisted with mouse dissections and learned how to cryosection tissue samples, including the nodose and trigeminal ganglia, which were later stained for observation.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied for this internship because I wanted to learn more about neuroscience beyond the classroom. As a visual and hands-on learner, I wanted to apply the concepts I learned in class through hands-on research.

Was there anything special about how you found this internship?

Earlier in the semester, I was unsure of what I wanted to do over the summer, but I knew I wanted to conduct research. After speaking with a Haverford alum, I was encouraged to reach out to faculty members at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania who lead research labs and express my interest in conducting research in their labs over the summer.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part of my internship was being able to contribute to the lab. My mentor was often busy, and it was rewarding to know that I could perform tasks that helped her and took some of the burden off her shoulders.

Ludology! By Cee Jaklevic ‘27

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Name: Cee Jaklevic
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Creative Writing, Classical Studies

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr College Department of Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies | Social Sciences/Humanities Summer Research Program
Internship Title:  Student Researcher
Location: Virtual

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

Ludology (Game Studies) is not a field strictly relegated to the world of programming, rigging models, or debugging code. It is in actuality an academic field that is, in my estimation, emblematic of the liberal arts education experience. Studying games requires peering, however briefly, into fields that are not one’s own.

This summer, I and another student researcher were granted the opportunity to scratch the surface of ludology under the guidance of Bryn Mawr’s own Professor of Classics, Dr. Benjamin Eldon Stevens. While this research was done under the umbrella of the Classics department, and I myself am a Classical Studies major, classical receptions in games ended up being a jumping off point for my work.

We conducted our research virtually, meeting weekly to discuss our findings, and where the research might take us next. I ended up following a non-linear path, bouncing from game to game and discipline to discipline. In the beginning of the summer, when I was still getting my sea legs, so to speak, with regards to ludology, my sights fell on Horizon: Zero Dawn, a game that I had played upon its release in 2017 and now wanted to re-visit. Horizon is a game with fairly clear ecological themes, and articles concerning it were rife with discussion about the game’s approach to ecofeminism, it’s very warped representation of Indigenous people, and, of course, the classical receptions in the game. Horizon is a fascinating game, and I would love to someday return to further study of it, but at the time I felt as if to do it justice, I would need to replay at least the main storyline (which, given my slow play style, would likely take upwards of thirty hours), and it did not necessarily seem like an achievable goal.

Instead, I pivoted both games and modes of study. My fellow researcher had recommended the game Outer Wilds at the beginning of the summer (thank you!!!), and once I completed the game, I felt called to write about it for the culmination of my research. Outer Wilds hinges upon a 22-minute time loop, and because of this, I paired it with Hades II, a game that while not on as strict of a time crunch as Outer Wilds, is a Roguelite that necessitates cycles to end for narrative progress to be made. Through this (perhaps tenuous) connection, I spent the rest of the summer finding similarities and meaningful differences between the game, and tying these aspects back to some point in ludology. The micro-field that I ended up relying on the most was that of archeogaming, which is exactly what it sounds like. The part of archeogaming that was most applicable to my work was that of the game world as an archeological space. Andrew Reinhard’s book Archeogaming was an invaluable source during this process, and I would recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in the field!

I will sign off with this: there is a field of study for any hobby you could think of. Look into it, and see what you can find!

Why did you apply for this internship?

I love the Classics department, and I love games, so this felt like kismet!

Interning in Santiago, Chile: Exploring democratic education alongside complex histories by Lila Chanas ‘28

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Name: Lila Chanas
Class Year: 2028
Majors: Political Science, Spanish

Internship Organization: Momento Ciudadano
Internship Title: Intern
Location: Santiago, Chile

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

This summer I worked with Momemto Ciudadano, an NGO formed in Santiago, Chile, dedicated to providing research, strategies, and workshops for democratic and civic education across the country. The organization collaborates with local schools to implement gamified lessons that promote collaboration, critical thinking, democracy, human rights, and citizenship. Momento Ciudadano also focuses on professional development and educational instruction, teaching the importance of participation and agency in education, conflict and dialogue, human rights, and the application of democracy from both historical and civic perspectives in Chile.

Attending the exposition at the Museum of Human Rights in Chile titled Un Siglo de Voces: Juveniles de scouts, cristaleros, y pingüinos curated by Momento Ciudadano

Recently, Momento Ciudadano curated an exposition for the Museum of Human Rights in Chile titled Un Siglo de Voces: Juveniles de scouts, cristaleros, y pingüinos, which examined the long history of youth activism in Chile. As an intern, my role involved surveying current publications related to Momento Ciudadano’s mission and pedagogical tools. I provided updated articles for them to use in their mission statement, educational models, and further research. By the end of my two-month internship, I had drafted several comprehensive briefs in professional Spanish, each over 10 pages long, to support Momento Ciudadano’s future endeavors.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied to intern with Momento Ciudadano because I was invested in their work on democratic education. I have always found myself drawn to the more tangible side of political science and how it is experienced by the masses every day, and I believe MC’s focus is on just that. Additionally, I was interested in exploring non-profit work and my potential future career interests in the field.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has to be collaborating with my coworkers at Momento Ciudadano. The work culture in Chile feels much more approachable than traditional American workplaces. Here, relationships at work are meaningful and significant, and there is a genuine effort to connect, which is often lacking in many American companies. I hope to bring this mindset back to the US as I pursue more professional opportunities, allowing me to build more meaningful relationships with my coworkers and, hopefully, making my work more fulfilling. I have also learned how my coworkers discovered their passions, which will help me as I enter my junior year and further refine my professional interests for the future. For my first experience in the professional world, I am incredibly grateful for the kindness and support of my wonderful coworkers and friends at Momento Ciudadano.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part of my time with Momento Ciudadano was gaining hope and learning about models for change. Chile, with its complex history of dictatorship, has since felt a strong urgency to implement equitable political representation and strengthen its democracy. In our current political moment in the United States, my hope for politics as a force for good and my role in it has been fading. Since arriving in Chile and engaging with its political and academic spheres, I feel a renewed sense of hope and progress. Witnessing the incredible work that is being done here has been eye-opening.

One of the many mantras I’ve heard from colleagues and at events is that “the youth are not just the future but the present,” and that “discomfort is the sign of progress.” I certainly did not expect my time in this country or at my internship to instill a sense of purpose in me, but I am eternally grateful. Not only have my feelings changed, but I also believe we can look to Chile as a model for protest and progress in our own democracy in the United States. While their politics are far from perfect, their long history of youth activism is powerful. It serves as an important lesson to the youth of the US about their power, role, and significance in politics.    

Semiconductors, Trade Compliance, and La Vie en Rose: Charlotte Kimmerling ’28

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Name: Charlotte Kimmerling
Class Year: 2028
Major: History of Art
Minor: Museum Studies

Internship Organization: MACOM European Semiconductor Center
Internship Title: Global Trade Compliance Intern
Location: Paris, France

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

I am working on a variety of projects centered around global trade compliance. This includes reviewing classification records, customs recordkeeping, performing deny party screening, and creating communications both for Global Trade Compliance and in collaboration with the Information Technology team. The Trade Compliance Team at MACOM is relatively new, so they were working on fixing the older customs and classification records in preparation for an audit.

I helped them go back and find misplaced files, or contact DHL and Fedex for the missing records. In addition to this, I worked on three communications projects which are being shared and displayed globally. Each was done in both English and French and centered around education. I worked with Information Technology and Information Security on the content for one, and I worked with Engineers and the other people in Trade Compliance for the other.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied to this internship for the opportunity to experience a corporate environment and improve my French. After studying French for six years now, I really wanted to expand my French vocabulary and conversational skills while living in Paris and experiencing French culture. I had done a month abroad in Southern France before my Junior year of High School, and I knew this would be very different. Not only is Paris very culturally different from the south, I would be learning French in a business setting. I also knew that getting some experience working on customs projects and gaining familiarity with export and import law and processes as a History of Art major would be useful for my future career in the art world. 

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

It has been interesting getting used to a corporate environment. Every communication I created had to go through several people before it was ready to be put on the screens around the office, meaning I had to get used to constructive criticism quickly. I was always proud of the end result, and I am glad for the input I received because it ensured the right message got across. By the end, I felt my communication skills improved immensely.

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

I have had to do a lot of my own research and I’ve had to figure a lot of things out on my own and through that, I have gained a lot of confidence in my own problem-solving skills. I also feel I have improved upon and developed some practical skills. I have gotten better at writing emails, Microsoft Powerpoint and Excel, and using industry-specific programs like SAP and Agile to perform denied party screening. Working on these different programs for the various projects has shown me the value in being easily adaptable. Before this internship writing emails was very difficult for me, so I am very grateful that I was able to use this opportunity to improve my email skills.

Last Summer Internship at Google NYC by Khanh Ha Nguyen ‘27

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Name: Khanh Ha Nguyen
Class Year: 2027
Major: Computer Science, Mathematics

Internship Organization: Google
Internship Title: Software Engineer Intern
Location: New York, NY

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

I am currently interning on the Google Drive team, where I am working on frontend development and making changes to improve the user experience. It has been really exciting to work on a product that I’ve used for years and get to see how a large-scale product like Google Drive is built and maintained behind the scenes.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I have been applying to Google since my freshman year of college, so finally getting the opportunity to intern here has been incredibly meaningful to me. Google has always been my dream company because I’ve grown up using and loving its products, from YouTube to Google Drive and Maps. Being able to contribute to products that have been such a big part of my everyday life is something I’ve always wanted to experience.

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

One thing I have learned is how important context is when communicating technical ideas. I used to sometimes jump straight into the details, especially in design docs, without providing enough background. Through this internship, I’ve learned that explaining the “why” and giving enough context upfront makes it much easier for others to understand and give useful feedback.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part is being able to see my frontend changes become part of a real product and eventually roll out to enterprise customers. It’s exciting to know that something I built will be used by real people at scale.

Madeleine Piersol ’27: A Summer of Discovery

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Name: Madeleine Piersol
Class Year: 2027
Major: History
Minor: Peace, Conflict, and Social Justice Studies

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr College, Department of Sociology
Internship Title: Summer Research Assistant
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA

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

I am a summer research assistant for Nora Taplin-Kaguru, a Bryn Mawr Sociology professor, and we are working on a literature review exploring the paradox of housing as a human right and housing as an asset. My days are largely filled with research! My responsibilities include conducting literature searches, reading and taking-notes on relevant books and articles, writing short memos on key topics, and drafting sections of the paper. Even though this internship is remote, it is highly collaborative. I meet with Professor Taplin-Kaguru and my co-research assistant everyday to discuss our progress, make decisions about next steps, and engage in group writing sessions. Before starting this internship, I was unsure what the process of writing an academic paper for publication looked like, so being able to not only see a researcher’s methods in action but also participate in writing the paper has been very insightful.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied for this internship because I have always enjoyed the research and writing process as a college student and was interested in the opportunity to learn from a professional in the field and hone my skills. I was also deeply interested in Professor Taplin-Kaguru’s research question: What are the contradictions of housing as an investment and housing as a right? I am passionate about social justice and human rights and was excited by the opportunity to conduct research on a related topic and learn more about the social justice issues underlying housing access and affordability, or more accurately the lack thereof.

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

I have been able to gain valuable skills throughout my internship experience that will prepare me for future academic and professional work. The key skills I am gaining are: research, writing, editorial, and analytical skills; organizational skills; and collaborative skills. First, I see my experience throughout this internship helping me conduct stronger research and write clearer, better organized, and more insightful papers throughout the rest of my time in college. I don’t think research tasks will feel as daunting or academic literate as intimidating because I will have gained so much experience conducting research and reading academic papers/books throughout the summer. Moreover, the project management and organizational skills I have learned throughout my internship will be applicable for both my academic work and my future professional endeavors. I will be better prepared to tackle complex projects (such as my senior project for the History department), adapt to challenges or changes, and remain dedicated and focused on my goal. Finally, as I move throughout the rest of my time at Bryn Mawr and into grad school or the professional field, I am certain I will encounter group work or collaborative projects, and I believe I will be able to navigate these experiences with a more open-mind, greater confidence, and clearer communication.

An unexpected impact of this internship is that it reshaped the way that I go to museums. There is even more for me to see now that I have learned about the many components that go into making an exhibition. The selection of paint colors, the readability of object labels, loans from other institutions, and more offer insight into the subject itself and how the exhibition was put together.

It was especially interesting to see the celebration of the country’s semi-quincentennial across the city and how different institutions interpreted and presented it. Thinking about, for instance, the APS’s exhibition about the reproduction of the Declaration of Independence alongside the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts’ thematic overview of both historic and contemporary art brought up questions about how ideas of freedom have been understood and carried on. This was a useful exercise in how to get the most out of museum visits.

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

Three adjectives to describe my experience are: Pertinent, Insightful, and Rigorous.

Three nouns to describe my experience are: Growth, Perseverance, and Discovery.

An Historic Summer in Philly with the American Philosophical Society by Maya Schindler ‘27

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Name: Maya Schindler
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Political Science, Spanish
Minor: Latin American, Iberian, and Latino/a Studies

Internship Organization: American Philosophical Society
Internship Title: Curatorial Intern
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

As a curatorial intern at the American Philosophical Society (APS), most of my time was spent working on the very early stages of the museum’s 2028 exhibition, which will be centered around the Arctic. The time frame gave me the freedom to do exploratory research in the APS’s collections and beyond that were guided by my interests. I focused primarily on photography and art related to the Arctic in the mid to late 19th century and saw it connect through a range of materials and topics.

A photograph from the APS collections from painter William Bradford’s 1869 expedition taken by John Dunmore and George Critcherson

At the same time, the 2027 exhibition about Indigenous communities working with the APS collections has more moving parts at the moment and I had a chance to see how they all start to come together. I worked closely with my supervisor on archival and secondary research, collaboration with community partners, and the process of curation. Throughout all of this, I had opportunities to learn more about research institutions and museums through conferences, meetings, and field trips.

Why did you apply for this internship?

A sketch of an iceberg by anthropologist Franz Boas from the APS collections

My interests in and out of the classroom often connect to public history and I love exploring the ways that stories are collected and shared. I was really excited to finally have the chance to dive into this in a museum context and learn more about the intricacies of what is seen as a more “traditional” form of sharing knowledge and history. This internship was a unique chance to combine my experience in research and more public facing community programming, which is important as I start to think about where my academic and professional experience will lead me after graduation. 

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

An unexpected impact of this internship is that it reshaped the way that I go to museums. There is even more for me to see now that I have learned about the many components that go into making an exhibition. The selection of paint colors, the readability of object labels, loans from other institutions, and more offer insight into the subject itself and how the exhibition was put together.

“Whalers Trapped in the Arctic Ice” by William Bradford at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts

It was especially interesting to see the celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial across the city and how different institutions interpreted and presented it. Thinking about, for instance, the APS’s exhibition about the reproduction of the Declaration of Independence alongside the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts’ thematic overview of both historic and contemporary art brought up questions about how ideas of freedom have been understood and carried on. This was a useful exercise in how to get the most out of museum visits.

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

When I applied to this internship, I knew it would involve archival research. Without experience or much exposure before, I quickly realized I had a lot to learn about what it actually entailed and how to do my own. Having access to the APS’s extensive collections allowed me to immerse myself immediately. With a broad guiding theme of the Arctic, I saw how easy it was to get overwhelmed, but then find my way by following topics in unexpected directions.

At times, challenges like hard-to-decipher handwriting and uncatalogued collections made the process even more confusing, but I came to understand that the process of navigating these obstacles offers its own unique findings in archival research. The freedom that came with my internship structure and being in an expansive archive taught me how to develop my own research structures and collect information in a way that could then be shared with my coworkers and possibly eventually the public.

Embracing a Bigger Mission Through Finance by Quynh-Chi Tran ‘27

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Name: Quynh-Chi Tran
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Mathematics, Economics

Internship Organization: Options for All
Internship Title: Financial Analyst Intern
Location: San Diego, CA

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

When I started my internship at Options for All, I expected to spend most of my time behind a computer working with spreadsheets, financial data, and forecasts. While that is definitely a big part of what I do, my experience has become much broader than just the day-to-day responsibilities

At Options For All, I support financial planning and analysis for a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My work includes analyzing revenue, expenses, cash flow, and financial performance, while also finding ways to make reporting processes more efficient through automation and data analysis.

What has made the experience especially meaningful, though, is getting to see beyond the numbers. I have had opportunities to interact with clients and better understand who Options For All serves and how its programs impact their daily lives. That first-hand experience has given me a different perspective on my work. Instead of viewing a budget or forecast as just numbers in a spreadsheet, I can better understand the people and programs behind those numbers and why effective financial planning matters.

The internship has also provided opportunities to learn and connect outside of the office. Through company activities, I have had the chance to visit Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo, watch a Padres game, and even go surfing with my coworkers. These experiences have been a great way to get to know the team outside of work and experience more of San Diego.

Another highlight was having lunch with the executive team. It was a valuable opportunity to hear about their career experiences, learn more about Options for All from a leadership perspective, and better understand how different teams contribute to the organization’s mission.

Overall, this internship has taught me that seeing the purpose behind my work helps me do it better. Understanding what problem each task is helping solve and how it supports Options For All gives me more context when approaching my work. Instead of simply completing a forecast, report, or analysis, I can better understand why it matters, what decisions it supports, and how it contributes to the organization’s mission.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I was initially searching for opportunities in finance and came across Options For All. I had mostly been exposed to finance in a traditional business setting, so I was curious about what finance looks like in a nonprofit organization and how financial planning supports a different type of mission. I wanted to gain hands-on experience in areas like budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis while learning how those skills apply in a nonprofit environment. That curiosity about the organization and the opportunity to see a different side of finance is what led me to apply. 

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

One of the biggest things I have learned during this internship is that the most valuable skills go beyond technical knowledge. I have developed stronger problem-solving skills by learning to look at a process and ask critical questions: Why are we doing it this way? Is there a better way? What problem are we actually trying to solve?

Through my work, I have been able to identify inefficiencies and find ways to improve processes rather than simply completing tasks as they were given to me. This has taught me to be more proactive and think critically about my work. These skills are important to me because I want to be someone who does not just complete a task, but understands the problem behind it and looks for ways to make the process more effective.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?

Not exactly, but in a better way than I expected. I originally thought the internship would be mostly technical work, focused on financial analysis, reporting, and learning new tools. While I have gained a lot of that experience, I did not expect the internship to be such a well-rounded experience.

I was initially a little intimidated by the idea of interacting with the executive team, but I quickly realized how approachable and supportive everyone was. I also learned that an internship does not have to be limited to completing assigned work. The people you meet, the conversations you have, and the experiences you share with your team can be just as valuable in shaping your professional growth.

Overall, the experience has shown me that an internship can be both a professional learning experience and an opportunity to build genuine relationships, step outside of my comfort zone, and enjoy the experience along the way.

Exploring Dizziness Through History, Medicine, and Society by Theresah Tawiah ‘27

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Name: Theresah Tawiah
Class Year: 2027
Major: History
Minor: Biology, Health Studies

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr College, Department of Anthropology

Internship Title: Summer Research Assistant
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA

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

This summer, I have been working with Professor Melissa Pashigian on interdisciplinary research about dizziness. I explore biomedical, historical, and social science literature, organize research findings, and help develop interview and survey questions. My research also examines how dizziness affects people’s everyday lives and how individuals with symptoms that are not always visible seek understanding and legitimacy.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied because I wanted to strengthen my research and analytical skills while exploring the relationship between medicine, history, and society. As a History major interested in medical history and public health, this internship allows me to examine a health experience from several perspectives rather than viewing it only as a medical condition. 

Was there anything special about how you found this internship?

I found this internship through Professor Melissa Pashigian after taking her classes on illness narratives. Those courses deepened my interest in how people understand and communicate their health experiences, which made this research opportunity especially meaningful to me.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part has been discovering how interdisciplinary research can reveal different sides of the same health experience. I began by examining the medical and historical dimensions of dizziness, but I have especially enjoyed exploring questions about invisible illness, identity, and how people communicate experiences that others may not easily understand.

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

I did not expect to learn how deeply dizziness can affect a person’s identity, relationships, and everyday life. The internship showed me that dizziness is not only a medical symptom; it can also be an invisible experience that shapes whether people feel heard, understood, and believed.

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

My internship was hybrid, and on the days I worked remotely, I learned to manage my time, stay organized, and work independently. Regular meetings with Professor Pashigian also gave me opportunities to discuss my findings, ask questions, and receive helpful guidance.

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

I am strengthening my literature-search, critical-analysis, and qualitative-research skills. I have learned to use databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Tripod, while organizing sources and findings through Zotero and research databases. I am also learning how to develop thoughtful interview and survey questions that help people describe their experiences in their own words. These skills are important to my future interest in public health because they will help me understand health experiences through both research evidence and patients’ perspectives.

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

The biggest challenge has been finding reliable and accessible sources, especially because research on dizziness spans many disciplines. This taught me to refine my search terms, explore different databases, and make thoughtful decisions about which sources were most relevant.

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

Adjectives – Interdisciplinary, Insightful, Rewarding

Nouns – Discovery, Growth, Research

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part has been contributing to research that may help others better understand the experiences of people living with dizziness. I have also enjoyed creating interview and survey questions that allow people to describe their experiences in their own words.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?

The internship went beyond what I expected. I initially expected to focus mainly on the medical and historical aspects of dizziness, but I also explored its social dimensions, including invisible illness, identity and legitimacy.