Author Archives: Sydney Robertson

Drug Discovery and Anti-Platelet Therapies: Naomi Oliver ‘27

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Name: Naomi Oliver
Class Year: 2027
Major: Biology
Minor: Health Studies 

Internship Organization: University of Michigan Medical School
Internship Title:  Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Location: Ann Arbor, MI 

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

The Holinstat Lab at the University of Michigan focuses on developing novel anti-platelet therapies to combat America’s leading cause of death: heart disease. Currently, I am testing a new drug that was developed in the lab that will hopefully be an efficient treatment for thrombosis. 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I wanted to be fully immersed in a research program that would help me gain valuable skills to bring back to Bryn Mawr. At the same time, being involved in life-saving medicine was a big deal when deciding on this internship.  

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

I didn’t expect to gain such a deep understanding of platelets and inhibition pathways! This program involves so much more than lab technique. Before learning any new assay, I learn exactly what the experiment means and why we are conducting it.  

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

So far, I have learning platelet prep, aggregometry and western blot. Platelet prep converts whole blood from a fresh sample into washed platelets of a certain concentration. This is how we prep the cells for experimentation, and it will be an important foundational skill in any future platelet work. Aggregometry measures platelet function, and can tell us whether a donor’s platelets are fit for experimentation. Western blot is a much broader assay, and is used across several scientific disciplines. It is used to detect and identify specific proteins, and in my project, tells me if the platelet inhibition pathway has been activated.

My Freiburg Summer: Sofia Bella Huie-Pasigan ‘27

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Name: Sofia Bella Huie-Pasigan
Class Year: 2027
Major: Economics
Minor: Data Science 

Internship Organization: zuka solicafé – zusammen leben e.V.
Internship Title:   Sommerpraktikantinnen
Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

Liebe Freund*innen, Ich bin Sofia Bella Huie-Pasigan (sie)! In other words, dear friends, I’m Sofia Bella (she/her). I’m a rising a junior at Bryn Mawr majoring in Economics with a minor in Data Science. This summer I’ve been interning at zuka solicafé a part of zusammen leben e.V. in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany to help support their mission of living and growing together. zuka solicafé focuses on providing meals with seasonal and local produce at three different solidarity prices to provide an inclusive environment for everyone. We also provide free meals or drinks through our Sospesos “coupon” system, which is open all the time for anyone to access and is funded by customer donations! We host free events like KiKaffe, with different stations for all children regardless of ability, to play and even read from our worldwide library which has diverse children’s stories in all languages from all countries. Another event is CineArab, which showcases contemporary Arab cinema films in their original version with subtitles, including shared food and conversation, it is one of our most popular events!

Why did you apply for this internship?  

Being an economics major, a summer internship in Freiburg, the “Green City” known for its environmental and sustainable practices, at first sounded pretty unconventional. However, food security and sustainability education have always been great passions of mine which has driven many of my projects and papers both in and out of Bryn Mawr. As I go deeper into my major curriculum taking classes like Developmental Economics have greatly shaped my view of the world and how economics can be used as a tool to better promote cultural competency and community. Pairing that with my involvement in community belonging through the Enid Cook Center and the Intercultural Learning and Living Center makes this the perfect way to spend my summer. Especially considering Vauban, the communal district where many homeowners actually took part in the planning of the city in late 1990’s, happens to be where zusammen garten, our community garden is located. It’s a great intercultural meeting place where around 250 people from 16 different countries regularly garden here together: whether on monthly action days or in their own garden plots it’s where I’ve also been working and spending much of my free time!
 
What has been your favorite part of this internship?

Helping the organization run and plan all these events while being able to connect with so many different people has been really rewarding! This was my first time in Germany and the first time I’ve ever lived by myself! Despite my initial nerves, I’ve had an amazing time. I really love the community I’ve found here, and I am so grateful to have this experience with such amazing people by my side. 

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

Reflective, Immersive, Grateful  

Community, Connection, Fulfilment

Ocean Carter ’28 Interns at Disability Rights New Jersey 

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Name: Oceana Carter
Class Year: 2028
Major: Sociology
Minor: Education
 
Internship Organization: Disability Rights New Jersey
Internship Title:  Communications and Outreach Intern
Location: Trenton, NJ 

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

I’m lucky enough to be doing a little bit of everything at my internship! Most of my work has involved helping design a funding campaign for Protection and Advocacy organizations like DRNJ across the country, but supervisors have given me a chance to experience every aspect of DRNJ’s work! So far, I’ve also gotten to accompany our investigation and monitoring team on visits to residential centers for adults with intellectual and developmental disorders (IDDs) to learn about their experiences and investigate allegations of abuse, and I’ve been learning about accessible technology and design from the technology team. 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

While looking for summer internships, I knew I wanted something in disability activism, because I’ve loved being part of the Students for Disability Justice SGA Committee at Bryn Mawr. I wanted to return to school in the fall with more knowledge of how to make our civil rights and how to make spaces more accessible, as well as a better understanding of what a future career in disability advocacy could look like for me. 

Working with DRNJ in particular has been great for me, because they are a governmental organization that does everything from litigation and campaigning for disability rights on capitol hill, to investigating residential health and wellness facilities to prevent abuse. I entered this internship wanting to understand what a career in disability rights law could look like, and it has taught me that there are countless ways to contribute to the cause. 

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

From taking actual courses offered to DRNJ employees to learning from experience working in an incredibly accessible office with a variety of (dis)abilities represented, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about how to ensure both online and physical spaces are accessible, and developed skills like website auditing for accessibility, which has unexpectedly taught me coding skills too. This experience was exactly what I hoped to gain over the summer. I’m excited to bring this knowledge back to my leadership roles on campus and anywhere else I go! My time at DRNJ has also helped widen my focus within disability issues. Because my personal experience and knowledge have been more centered in chronic illness and physical disability spaces, I’ve loved working with people who are so educated on subjects I know less about, like IDDs and the issues that face elderly patients in particular. This internship definitely opened my eyes to how much I have to learn about the experiences of people with IDDs, and I can’t imagine a better place to begin that journey! 

Personally, professionally, and academically, the policy and campaign work that I’ve been doing has probably had the largest impact on me. Contributing to a campaign to stop government funding cuts to advocacy organizations has taught me so much about communication, tenacity, budgeting, data analysis, and most of all, strategy. Communicating with politicians is definitely a different skillset than what I’m used to, so I’m grateful to be learning such an empowering skill! 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

It’s incredible to see the numbers and statistics of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been positively impacted by DRNJ’s work, but it’s even better to experience the impact that this work can have firsthand. One of my favorite parts of my experience has been visiting residential centers around New Jersey and getting to see the decades-old friendships that have formed between DRNJ staff and residents. Seeing how a room full of residents would light up when they saw that we were visiting was really inspiring. 

Reproductive Healthcare Advocacy at the Northwest Abortion Access Fund: Leila Brown ‘27 

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Tabling in Moscow, Idaho

Name: Leila Brown
Class Year: 2027
Major: Political Science
Minor: Data Science 

Internship Organization: Northwest Abortion Access Fund (NWAAF)
Internship Title: Data and Organizing Intern
Location: Pullman, WA 

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

I’m working in three different areas- getting trained on case management for NWAAF’s funding hotline, performing outreach to Idaho residents, and analyzing volunteer data. So far, I’ve completed a weeklong shadow shift on the hotline, tabled at a local fair in Northern Idaho, and worked on data projects including a organizational survey and a map of contacts throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I grew up on the Washington-Idaho border, so I’ve seen the importance of abortion access firsthand. After the 2024 election, I wanted to engage in direct action and discovered that abortion funds play an important role in breaking down barriers to reproductive healthcare. I first started working with NWAAF through a Praxis self-designed independent study in Spring 2025, where I combined my internship with academic work on the history of 21st century reproductive healthcare activism. I wanted to continue working with NWAAF this summer so I could contribute to local outreach in Idaho and make progress on the case management training process. 

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

I especially enjoyed representing NWAAF at the Health and Wellness for All Fair in Moscow, Idaho. Many people came up to my booth and shared personal reasons that they were grateful for NWAAF’s work, especially as Idaho residents living under restrictive abortion laws. At the fair, I was able to connect with other local organizers and spread awareness about the resources that NWAAF provides. I was also interviewed on the local radio! 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

I find it incredibly rewarding to know that my work is having a direct impact on the lives of people across the Pacific Northwest. NWAAF’s purpose of making abortion more accessible, regardless of statewide legislation or healthcare coverage, is incredibly important right now. Contributing to this work helps me feel hopeful and engaged in a difficult time for abortion rights in America. 

Exploring Philadelphia History through Media and Community: Maya Schindler ‘27 

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Name: Maya Schindler
Class Year: 2027
Major: Political Science
Minor: Latin American, Iberian and Latina/o Studies

Internship Organization: Scribe Video Center
Internship Title: Summer of Service Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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

Flyering for the North Philadelphia History Festival

Most of my work has been centered around Scribe’s North Philadelphia History Festival – a celebration of the rich culture and history of Black and Puerto Rican communities in the area. Working on the promotions and community outreach team, I have helped develop strategies to generate interest and attendance through social media and relationships with local partners. I have also worked with the artists and cultural workers participating in the festival to ensure that we accurately communicate their visions. 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

Having worked on oral history projects in DC, I knew that this kind of communal storytelling is a unique way to get to know and support a community. Scribe has been doing this kind of work throughout Philly for decades, so I knew I would be able to engage with diverse networks of artists and cultural workers. With programming ranging from workshops, to interviews, to film screenings, and more, I was excited by the opportunity to figure out what mediums I might want to pursue and how to use them to uplift others. 

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

Behind the scenes photo at shoot for “My Story, My Block” project for the North Philadelphia History Festival

I did not go into this internship expecting to work on promotion and marketing as much as I have. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’ve had to use my creativity in new ways creating promotional material and I’ve also seen everything that goes into authentically connecting with the community. By intentionally building relationships with other organizations, we are able to support each other’s work and reach parts of Philly we might not have otherwise. I’ve seen just how interconnected the many arts, culture, and history organizations in the city are. The way they intentionally support one another reflects their goals of connection and the nature of Philly’s communities. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

While on-site taking photos during a “My Story, My Block” (a project for the North Philadelphia History Festival) interview, I saw family members and lifelong friends quietly sneak in to watch the interview with looks of pride and joy on their faces. I could see, and later heard from them, what it meant to be part of the project in some way and see a voice that is so important to them be shared with a wider audience. Scribe does this in so many ways and I’m excited to be a part of it. Through workshops offered, local filmmakers learn valuable skills to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard. Power Politics is an ongoing effort to create an archive of the many community members who have shaped Philly and fought for its people. Being able to contribute to these growing and vibrant archives and seeing what it means to people to be a part of these stories shows the importance of the work Scribe does. 

Nora Hugo ’26 Interns with Mother & Child Education Center 

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Name: Nora Hugo
Class Year: 2026
Major: Sociology
Minor: Spanish 

Internship Organization: Mother & Child Education Center
Internship Title:  Summer Intern
Location: Portland, OR

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

Mother & Child aims to support all families with children under 5 years that come to us. From diapers and wipes to maternity clothes to carseats, we receive and give out donated items, hoping to fill in the gaps for families who may not be able to afford these needs. Being a no-barrier organization means that, as long as we have the items they need, we are able to materially support anyone who comes to our door, regardless of their situation. More than the supplies we give out, we support clients with empathy and knowledge–aiming to give them information about local resources along with skills to help them raise their children. As an intern, I work alongside a small team, learning from them every day about the ways we can support our clients.  

Why did you apply for this internship? 

I applied for this internship because I wanted to do work that felt meaningful, and day-to-day tasks that felt fulfilling. I wanted to learn more about the Portland community and its needs, and I wanted to work with families and children. This internship has provided me with opportunities to meet these goals and learn more about what kind of work I want to do. Not only do I think the mission of Mother & Child is important, but I enjoy the work that I do every day and directly see its impact on clients.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I wanted to do work that felt meaningful, and day-to-day tasks that felt fulfilling. I wanted to learn more about the Portland community and its needs, and I wanted to work with families and children. This internship has provided me with opportunities to meet these goals and learn more about what kind of work I want to do. Not only do I think the mission of Mother & Child is important, but I enjoy the work that I do every day and directly see its impact on clients.  

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

We try to schedule appointments primarily, but we do receive a lot of walk-ins as well. This means that we never know what a day is going to look like, and I have had to learn to balance my time very intentionally. Choosing which projects to work on during downtime, managing a rush where we have clients walking in and phones ringing, and knowing when to ask for help and when to figure something out myself has been a continual challenge–but one that I have been able to meet so far. Having to think about the way I use my time is an important skill, and one that I continually work on–at my internship and in the rest of my life. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

Mother & Child is a nonprofit organization, funded by grants and stocked with donations. The nature of being completely donation-based is that often, we do not have the exact items that people are looking for. So, I get excited when someone wheels in a new stroller for donation, or when we receive hygiene items that we have in stock less often, or find the perfect toy for a kid who comes in with their parent. Those moments when we don’t have certain items make me appreciate them even more when we do have them, and being able to give someone an item that is hard to find feels so rewarding, even more so when I realize how much stress is alleviated just by not having to look for an item elsewhere. 

Jiya Iyer ‘27 Interns at Drexel College of Medicine 

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Name: Jiyer Iyer
Class Year: 2027
Major: Biology
Minor: Spanish
 
Internship Organization: Drexel University College of Medicine
Internship Title:   Drexel Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, SURF Fellow
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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

Western blotting

This summer, I have been interning at Drexel College of Medicine through the Drexel Summer Undergraduate Fellowship program in a lab studying Parkinson’s disease. I have learned so much about scientific research, including techniques for cell culture, quantifying protein expression and western blotting. My day-to-day work includes running experiments to study expression of cell survival proteins in a Parkinson’s cell model. I have also been shadowing Drexel grad students to gain exposure to other fields and techniques of lab research. It’s been really cool seeing real-life applications of topics that I learned about in my biology classes and translating previous knowledge I’ve gained into the work that I’m currently doing.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I’m really interested in doing research as a career, and I wanted to gain more experience in a lab. I’m particularly interested in neurology and immunology research, which is why I was so excited to be matched with Dr. Sandhya Kortagere’s lab that does neuroimmunology work.  

What has been your favorite part of the internship? 

So far, aside from the really cool science I’ve been doing, my favorite part of this internship has been the people I’ve gotten to work with. The grad students in my lab are some of the smartest and coolest people I’ve ever met, and they’ve really solidified my desire to pursue a graduate degree in science as well! I know the connections I’ve made here will be so beneficial to me in the future, and I’m so grateful to have learned from such wonderful humans. 

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

Adjectives: interesting, challenging, exciting  

Nouns: gloves, gels, cells

Sam Wagner-Robertson ‘26 Interns at Dr. Anguera’s UPenn Laboratory

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Name: Sam Wagner-Robertson
Class Year: 2026
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry

Internship Organization: Biomedical Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine 

Internship Title:  Undergraduate Researcher
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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

Human T cell nuclei I treated with RNA FISH to detect specific molecules

My internship is at Dr. Anguera’s research lab, where we examine various genetic mechanisms that contribute to a female bias in autoimmune diseases, including lupus and scleroderma. Although our lab is located at UPenn’s veterinary school, our research and lab members expand beyond the veterinary field. Our work involves analysis of both mouse and human samples, studying the inactive X-chromosome and sex differences in immune responses.   

Why did you apply for this internship? 

Pachi, Dr. Anguera’s dog

At Bryn Mawr College, I work in Dr. Williamson’s lab researching Batten disease, a fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disorder. This experience launched my love for immunology, solidified my goal of pursuing a career in research, and sparked a curiosity of how research is conducted in other environments and BMC’s summer funding allowed me to do just that. Knowing about BMC’s funding opportunity, I reached out to different labs whose work I wanted to be a part of over the summer. Fascinated with Dr. Anguera’s blend of genetics and immunology, I was ecstatic to hear there was an opening in her lab as an undergraduate researcher. After a few emails and meetings with Dr. Anguera, we built an internship founded on my career goals and interests, allowing me to be a part of every stage of the research process.

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

Truly every aspect of this experience has been incredible, and I’m not sure if I can pick just one to be my favorite. Maybe it has been becoming a part of the lab: learning about our lab members’ research journeys and even their favorite TV shows. Maybe it has been working full time in a laboratory setting and getting to experience different aspects of research and new protocols. Or maybe it’s the benefit of working at UPenn Vet, where so many people bring their dogs to work. Overall, I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from such amazing people, and I am very excited to return next year!    

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

A lab outing to Ben & Jerry’s (some members not pictured)

Dedicating these past 10 weeks to research has strengthened my laboratory skills tenfold. I have learned procedures for mouse care and research, advanced my skills in imaging and data analysis, studied recent papers, and gained insight about different research paths. The skills I have gained this summer will act as a pivotal foundation for my work this upcoming senior year for my thesis, as well as later pursuing a PhD. Additionally, I will be continuing to improve these skills and more when working in the Anguera lab after graduating from Bryn Mawr this spring. 

 

The Behind the Scenes of an Inventive Local Nonprofit: Winona Wardwell ‘28

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Name: Winona Wardwell
Class Year: 2028

Internship Organization: Boston Debate League
Internship Title:  External Affairs Intern
Location: Boston, MA

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

At my internship, I am working on a variety of projects centering around communications and marketing. I am helping promote the Boston Debate League’s new podcast as well as creating promotional videos for the organization. Finally, I am developing a social impact report on the BDL as the nonprofit approaches its 20th anniversary.  

Why did you apply for this internship? 

I applied for this internship because of my experience with the organization. This nonprofit was one of the few initiatives in my public school that I felt like was making a difference for students, so when I saw there was an opportunity to get involved, I took it. 

Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

My boss, Jackney Joseph, went to Bryn Mawr and also my high school! 

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

My favorite part has been creating connections with the people I work with and seeing my work help the company grow its reach. 

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

I have learned more about how to interview people, and how to prepare for interviews so that you can gain all the information you need. 

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

I am learning communication and marketing skills which are important to me because I think they are applicable to many different career paths. 

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

The biggest challenge I have faced at my internship is balancing my tasks. It is sometimes difficult when entering a new company, to anticipate which tasks are the most important or a top priority to get done. 

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

Three adjectives I would use to describe my internship experience is dynamic, educational, interesting. 

Three nouns I would use are community, outreach, engagement. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding aspect of my internship is the fact that I can see how the work I do helps the organization run smoothly. 

Lily Fromal’s Blog

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Name: Lily Fromal
Class Year: 2028 
 
Internship Organization: Mighty Writers
Internship Title:   Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

At my internship with Mighty Writers in South Philadelphia, I help distribute food and produce to the local community every day. On Fridays, we also give out diapers to mothers who need them. My responsibilities include organizing supplies, setting up distribution tables, greeting people, and making sure everything runs smoothly. I also talk to community members while they wait in line, which helps create a welcoming and friendly environment.
 
What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of the internship has been setting up the distribution area and organizing the food in a way that’s efficient and easy for people to navigate. I also really enjoy talking to locals, especially the elderly. Many of them are kind and chatty, and I love listening to their stories. There’s something special about creating a calm and friendly space during what can be a stressful time for others. 

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

I didn’t expect just how physically demanding the work would be. Even though the idea of handing out food sounds simple, lifting heavy boxes, standing for hours in the heat, and setting everything up each day takes a real toll. I’ve gained a new respect for people who do this kind of labor full-time. It made me realize how important physical endurance and pacing yourself can be in jobs that involve service and community outreach. 

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

The biggest challenge has been dealing with bad or expired food and making sure everyone follows the distribution guidelines. It’s tough to turn someone away or ask them not to take more than what is allowed. These situations are uncomfortable, especially when I know the person is just trying to provide for their family. I’ve had to learn how to be firm while still being respectful and kind. 

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

Three adjectives that describe my internship experience are rewarding, emotional, and eye-opening. Three nouns I would use are community, resilience, and generosity.

What is most rewarding about your internship?
 
The most rewarding part of this internship has been seeing happy children and hearing “Thank you” from the people we’re helping. There’s something powerful about watching someone’s face soften with relief or gratitude. Even the smallest interactions feel meaningful when you know you’re helping to make someone’s day a little easier.