Amishi Gupta (BB1)
Domain: Research - Cell Biology Interned at Monash University, Australia
Mode: Offline
Interviewed by: Vanika Fatehchandka
Introduction
I am a current 3rd year Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering student. I recently did a research internship at Monash University, Australia. The primary focus of my research was to study organelle interactions inside cells using fluorescence microscopy and to study the effects of the cell's medium in mitochondrial fusion and fission.
Motivation and Initial Interest
Initially, I was interested in labs working on marine biology and in geometric biology. However, I ended up in a lab focused on basic cell biology, which wasn’t what I had originally planned. Despite this, once I started working, I realised how fascinating it was to be involved in every step, from sample preparation to data analysis. This experience made me realise the intricacies and excitement of cell biology, which I hadn’t anticipated.
Preparation and Application Process
I began applying for internships in early January, intending to include my CGPA after the third semester and waiting for the Christmas break to end. The first two weeks were spent researching and shortlisting universities based on my area of interest. The next two weeks were dedicated to the application process, which involved reaching out to professors, writing emails, and gathering the necessary documents. By the end of January, I received a confirmation from a professor at Monash University in Australia for a 9-week internship from May to July.
One of the challenges I faced during this process was the lack of a structured list of universities from seniors who had done similar internships since no comprehensive resource was available, so I had to create my own list.
Internship Experience: Work and Learning
The research internship at Monash University was an enriching experience. My work involved both wet labs and dry labs. The primary focus of my research was to study organelle interactions inside cells using fluorescence microscopy. Specifically, we tagged five organelles and filmed their interactions for over three minutes, analysing how frequently they touched each other. Additionally, I studied how the cell media affects mitochondrial fusion and fission in migrating cells.
I found the lab environment supportive, even though I didn’t have a specific supervisor. I sought guidance from different experts based on their domains. As the weeks progressed, I became more familiar with the work and developed a better strategy for planning and executing experiments. By the ninth week, I had a solid understanding of the workflow and was able to time my experiments efficiently throughout the week. If I had more time, I would have liked to run additional experiments to explore all the possibilities that intrigued me.
Challenges Faced
One of the key challenges was the lack of a clearly defined objective. My supervisor encouraged me to explore what interested me, but this broad freedom made it challenging to stay focused initially. I spent a significant amount of time on theoretical research, watching YouTube lectures, when I should have been diving into practical work. It cost me a week which I think could have been better utilised.
Key Learnings
This internship taught me that a degree doesn’t have to define our career path. In the lab, I worked alongside people from diverse backgrounds, including software engineers and physicists. This experience showed me that one can pursue their passions regardless of their academic background.
My experience also reaffirmed my interest in research and solidified my decision to pursue further research internships rather than sitting for OCS placements. The responsibility that comes with research work, coupled with the academic environment, affirmed my desire to continue in this field.
Advice for Juniors
Time is limited during an internship, so it’s crucial to make the most of it. I would advise balancing paper reading with practical work from the very start of the internship. Although extensive knowledge isn't expected from an intern who has just completed their second year, reading some research papers beforehand can be beneficial.
For those planning to apply for internships, I recommend applying through programs that provide accommodation, as this can make the process much smoother. If you’re doing an offline internship, make sure to familiarise yourself with local renting laws to avoid any complications.
Commentaires