Tag Archives: 2027

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.

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!

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.

The Importance of Experiential Learning in an Urban Atmosphere by Augusta Clusen Moses ‘27

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Name: Augusta Clusen Moses
Class Year: 2027
Major: Growth and Structure of Cities

Internship Organization: Metropolitan Planning Council
Internship Title: Research Assistant
Location: Chicago, Illinois

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

Group outing to visit the display of a project we are a finalist for

This summer, I have been conducting research across many projects, all within the realm of transportation in Chicago. My work has ranged from riding public transportation across the city and documenting the user experience, to mapping bus routes and county forest preserves, to more mundane activities like reading and watching materials/reports and writing a summary to provide to my supervisors. While working for a small, non-profit organization, it became apparent just how much creativity and adaptability is required, and I am grateful to have learned such skills so I can carry them with me as a transition into new positions in the future.

Why did you apply for this internship?

Transportation team photo after the conference Transport Chicago

Truthfully, I was applying for anything that came my way. Throughout the search process, it became glaringly obvious that LinkedIn was not going to be the pathway to finding a summer internship. I began reaching out to anyone I knew or looked up to, searching for opportunities for undergraduates to get hands-on experience in the urban planning world.


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

I did not expect to make so many connections! Everyone is so friendly, and wants to help out the next generation of urban planners. I talked to people from all levels ranging from CEO’s to other research assistants like me. It was exciting to find that everyone just wants to talk about their shared passions and interests, no matter the title you hold. I hope that these connections can remain in my life, and help to grow my network as a leave Bryn Mawr in the spring.

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

A guided walking tour of transit-oriented development (TOD) in the Chicago suburb of Mount Prospect

I have realized that sitting at a desk is not the ideal workplace environment for me. I had never had a desk job before, so I was excited to experience a more technical job. I quickly realized that being at desk did not feel fulfilling, and is hard on your body. I have always been an active person, working in environments where I am required to be on my feet, interacting with people all day. Although that can be exhausting, I find it far more rewarding.

My Summer at The Photo Review: Exploring all Angles by Ella Sokulski ‘27

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Name: Ella Sokulski
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Classical Culture and Society, Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology Minors: Fine Arts, Museum Studies

Internship Organization: The Photo Review
Internship Title: Intern
Location: Langhorne, PA

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

I started this internship by getting to know the office in Langhorne, and generally exploring the area. I had never really explored that suburb of Philly. I worked on adding new records to the data base at Photo Review, we had just received many photos and I worked to scan and add them into our collection. The Photo Review also has a publication where there is a large listing of all the upcoming photography shows throughout the US. I have been working to prepare for the Sep-Oct edition by updating and finding now shows that are going to be opening in museums and galleries.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I took Intro to Dark Room Photography last semester as Haverford and I really enjoyed my experience, I have continued shooting on my film camera. I asked my professor if he knew of any art related internships for the summer and he pointed me in this direction.

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

This is my first time working heavily remotely, there are definitely many positives and negatives! I really enjoy being able to choose where I work, I have been able to explore cool cafes around Philly. I also enjoy being able to have the flexibility to travel, especially in the summer. I find that sometimes it is harder to get my questions answered, it is different not to have your boss so readily available. I have had many in-person working and intern experiences so this is definitely expanding my horizons when it comes to work environments and I think it will be super helpful for when I am applying to jobs in the feature, I will know what I like.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?

To be quite honest I was not to sure what this internship was going to be like. It was suggested to me by a professor that I really like so I had high hopes. On the website there was a long list of things the internship could include but I was not too sure what I was actually going to be doing. I was just excited to be working on something creative. It has been a very fun experience so far, I have expanded my skills for how to use databases, which through my many internships I can say with full confidence is one of the most important parts of a functional creative space. I have also been very happy to help with the publication. This is something I had not done before, I have little experience with any sort of magazine and the work that comes with one. Overall, I am happy with the way this internship has been going.

Akosua Boatemaa Sarpong ’27: A Dizzy Summer

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Name: Akosua Boatemaa Sarpong
Class Year: 2027
Major: Chemistry

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr College Summer Social Science Research
Internship Title: Undergraduate 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 conducted an extensive literature review on dizziness, vertigo, vestibular migraine, and post-viral syndromes through a historical, medical, and social science lens. I searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Zotero to identify research gaps and synthesize evidence. I contributed to the development of a dizziness syllabus by researching topics such as the history of dizziness, diagnostic classifications, gender bias in diagnosis, patient experiences, medically unexplained symptoms, and the societal impacts of chronic illness.

I also designed semi-structured interview guides and survey questions to better understand patients’ experiences with dizziness and post-viral conditions. Throughout the summer, I critically evaluated the existing literature, traced historical terminology and disease classifications, identified areas where evidence was lacking, and explored how cultural and social perspectives influence the understanding and treatment of vestibular disorders.

Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied for this internship because I worked on it last summer and I was genuinely interested in continuing this internship further. I’m specifically interested in this research because it’s an opportunity to speak up for people who have lived with contested illnesses in a society that doesn’t bat an eye towards their illness.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has been finding answers to questions that was seemingly impossible to find. I enjoyed the struggle and the reward of finding useful information.

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

I was curious because I was constantly asking questions and exploring new areas of research, even when there wasn’t much literature available.

I was persistent because many of my searches came up empty or required tracing citations and trying different approaches before finding useful information.

I became more analytical as I learned to critically evaluate the literature, identify research gaps, and connect ideas across medicine, history, and anthropology.

Research – I spent most of my internship conducting literature reviews, searching databases, and synthesizing evidence.

Discovery – I enjoyed uncovering historical perspectives, new terminology, and interdisciplinary connections that I hadn’t encountered before.

Growth – I developed stronger skills in literature searching, critical thinking, and designing interview and survey questions