Intern Testimonials
Berkeley Pharma Tech strives to provide opportunities for young minds to foster innovation and leadership. Read the thoughts and experiences of our interns and how our internship program affected their professional aspirations.
Christina Yang
Young Authors Team Member
“Sometimes I find myself experiencing the paradox of choice in academia, where because there are so many topics I could study further, I find it difficult to actually pick a topic of interest. One aspect of this internship I've enjoyed is how a topic is assigned to us, so I no longer have to face the choice dilemma. I genuinely find every topic different teams have been assigned very interesting, and in particular, I have enjoyed learning more about my team's topic: novel treatments for depression. Mental illness is a global epidemic, so it has been informative to learn about the various treatment options that are offered currently. I also enjoyed learning more about the scientific process, and the steps a team may take to produce a journal article.”
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2 things set this internship apart from my academic experience at my university: less pressure to perform really well (eg. getting a good letter grade) and more flexibility to explore areas of my interest. In university I think it is easy to get caught up in grades, which though are important, can also cause a lot of pressure and stress. In this internship, I get to grow academically but without the pressure of attaining specific grades. This has allowed me to genuinely enjoy the academic process at my own pace, while still hopefully completing my tasks to a high standard. In academic curriculums at university, there is also often strict guidelines the course has been written abide. For example, the course may mandate that you have to do things in a very specific way. However, I have experienced more academic flexibility in this internship which has allowed me to take risks I would never have been able to otherwise!
There are interns from all over the United States and even some who originally come from countries across the world. I myself am an international student, so I have less connections across the United States than some of my other peers at college. Coming to Berkeley Pharma Tech and meeting students from other colleges has been such a great experience, especially when we can all work together on projects that we are passionate about.
Everybody on my team has been very friendly, understanding, and responsible. My team has a pretty good system where we meet once a week and assign tasks to meet our deadlines. I think that we are all willing to contribute, and passionate about the scientific process. If we were all to meet up in person I think we would be great friends too! Every member has something special to contribute which has been really cool to see throughout the internship.
Apart from the project my team works on, Berkeley Pharma Tech also has weekly webinars where a guest speaker or intern will talk about a topic of their own interest. There are so many cool topics every week so I have really enjoyed tuning into the presentations. For example, our topics range from "Lessons for BPT from "Alien" to "The Most Valuable Networking Skills for Every Professional" so there is definitely something for everyone. I have loved learning from other people and their experiences.
I came into the internship a little unsure of what exactly I wanted to do in the future. Research, consulting, biotech scientist, med school - there are so many options to choose from! But being able to do this internship has helped me gain more insight into a potential future pathway. I think a key learning is that sometimes instead of worrying exactly what I need to do in 5 years team, it is also good to enjoy the moment and follow where my gut leads me. I am sure having trust in the process while working hard will lead me to attaining my desired future career goals.
This internship is set up so well and there has been plenty of cohorts. There are so many resources available and having the remote flexibility allows individuals to pursue this internship while doing other things too. I really wanted to go home to New Zealand this Summer but I also wanted to try doing something that is related to my future career goals. This internship was absolutely perfect and I have met and heard from some amazing people. This internship also offers so many different roles I think there is something of interest for most people.
Matthew Gostkowski
Young Authors Team Member
“I really enjoyed researching and reading about the molecular aspects of depression and the different therapies for treating depression, which was the main topic of our article. I thought it was really interesting to connect the research I was doing with some topics I had learned about in school.”
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This was my first internship experience and I enjoyed it a lot!
Being able to work within a small group for the entire summer was different from a lot of my classes in school, which mostly consist of individual work and exams. Also being able to go in our own direction with the article and having a lot of freedom in regards to what we could write about was something new that I enjoyed and made the process not feel like a lot of work. We were able to write about things that we all thought were interesting and important and which is something I have not experienced much at school.
Our team was very organized and communicated really well throughout the internship which was critical for our success. We were always in touch through our groupchat or emails and our team leader always let us know what needed to be done or any changes that came about well in advance. Our group was also very flexible with scheduling meetings and deadlines we would assign ourselves, which was also really important during the summer when there is a lot going on for everyone. I felt like we never struggled with assigning roles and we all helped each other out on different sections even if it was not our assigned section or role.
I really enjoyed learning about how both current and prospective antidepressant medications work and how they are different from each other. I thought it was also really interesting to see how this knowledge of the mechanisms of certain medications led to different approaches in clinical trials and research towards new medications. I also enjoyed learning how to write a scientific review article and felt that I became a much better writer from this experience.
Being able to gain experience in the biotech industry allowed me to see how much work and effort goes in by many different people. Biotech is something that has always interested me and being able to have some experience with it definitely helps set myself apart from others trying to break into the field. Also, being able to work in a team all summer and collaborate with so many incredibly intelligent and passionate people are experiences and skills that can apply to every possible career I could pursue in the future. The networking/webinar meetings also opened my eyes to so many different possible careers and paths that I found interesting and could definitely see myself in.
I would definitely recommend this internship to anybody pursuing a career related to biology, engineering, etc. Even if you aren't sure what career path you want to pursue (like myself), I found the internship to be beneficial in so many ways. Along with the research knowledge, I was able to gain so many transferable skills through networking and working in a team environment all summer. I also thought this internship exposed me to so many different career paths surrounding biology that I had never even considered or seen before.
KHUSHI SHAH
Young Authors Team Member
Rating: 8/10
“I really enjoyed working with different people and each bringing our own perspectives into the project. I found it was a great way to increase our knowledge while making a contribution to science.
Communication and skills with finding the most relevant data for our project are the most valuable skills that I gained from this internship.”
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Although it was a remote internship, my colleagues and I connected with each other through various forms of social media in order to collaborate and share ideas for our project. We spent time each week going over the contributions we made and talked through any issues that we encountered. Overall, I would say that I learned a valuable skill of communication and organization, as often times our schedules, nor time zones, aligned.
This was the first time I worked with students from across the country to work on a research project. I didn't know anybody going in, but made friends by the end of it.
I loved how Vanloan sent us emails with opportunities to better our mind and body health amidst all the work we had to do. She understood that we are all students in college, and that this internship was something we added to our workload. She was flexible with deadlines, understanding of our lives, and was open for communication at any time.
Completing and presenting my Capstone Project is my most proud achievement during the internship.
I am an aspiring physician, and I believe that everyone in the healthcare field should have an understanding of research and be able to read and understand research papers. This internship not only allowed me to do both of those things, but took it a step further and gave me the creative opportunity to create my own experimental project. This Capstone Project provided me with confidence and gave me a more comprehensive insight into how an experimental project must be structured and carried out.
I would explain how it is a great way to connect with intelligent students from across the country and bring all your minds together to come up with a topic to further explore. I would mention how upon completion, you would get the chance to present at a conference, and have your article published in the Berkeley Pharma Tech journal.
Maria Malta
Social Media and Marketing Intern
Rating: 10/10
“My overall experience during the internship was great. I had a great support team that allowed me to learn a lot of things.
Some of the most valuable skills I gained during my time here were my Canva skills, learning how to engage the audience on social media channels, website editing, and how to collaborate with a remote team successfully.”
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You can always count on your team. We communicated through Slack and we were able to help each other out as soon as possible. Vanloan is always willing to help you as much as possible which is something I appreciated.
This was my first internship but overall I had a great experience learning and meeting new people. I am truly grateful for this opportunity as I developed a lot of skills.
BPT truly wants you to get something out of the internship, they are always there for you and challenge you with tasks that you probably have never done before. I personally appreciated how supportive the marketing team was because I felt free to ask questions when I didn’t know how to do something.
I aspire to you into social media marketing, so the internship allowed me to see some of the tasks that I might do in my future career. It provided me with some of the skills that I will continue to develop in order to succeed in the future.
I would definitely recommend the internship to others. Some of the key benefits that you get from the internship are having a supportive team and also you learn how to effectively work and communicate with a remote team.
Jason Park
Young Author Team Member
Rating: 10/10
“Overall, my experience during the internship with Berkeley Pharma Tech was incredibly positive! I had the opportunity to increase my public speaking skills by participating on Live Webinar or various meetings and gained valuable skills that I believe will benefit my future career.
During my time here, I developed strong teamwork and communication skills. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds was a rewarding experience.”
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I greatly appreciated the supportive and inclusive environment where everyone's growth was valued, and I learned so much from my colleagues without ever feeling left behind.
The flexibility and well-defined tasks by weeks greatly helped me stay oriented with my weekly responsibilities and boosted my efficiency throughout the internship.
The company's culture of continuous learning and employee growth made my internship unique and rewarding.
A personal achievement or moment of pride that I experienced while interning with BPT was when I presented my data table related to our project, and the positive comments I received from everyone made me genuinely happy.
I gained invaluable experience in navigating group projects and gained meaningful insights into a biomedical project, bolstering my confidence and enriching my academic journey.
I would recommend this internship to anyone seeking a stimulating and supportive work environment.
I genuinely appreciate Mrs. Vanloan Nguyen and love her energy. I am grateful for how much she cares about individual interns and carefully considers our situations outside of the internship. I also loved being involved in all the side projects and mini games (socials). Thank you so much for the opportunity!
rating: 10/10
Kate Townley
Creative Writer Intern
Rating: 8/10
“Overall, I really enjoyed this internship. The project was unlike anything I've worked on before, and it was so excited to help execute a vision over the course of these few months. The people I worked with were great, and I felt like I gained a lot from the feedback I got from others.
One of the skills I gained through this experience was how to tailor my writing to fit a specific tone and mission. Also, some parts of the project started as abstract, so I felt like I had the opportunity to shape the direction of my work.”
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The work environment was flexible, which helped me work at my own pace. I appreciated that there was a clear objective for my project but that I had the freedom to approach it the way that was best for me. Since I was the only one in my position, I worked with very few others, but those I did work with were helpful and kind. We were able to help each other and grow from each other's feedback.
In the past, I've done editorial positions, but this was the first time I did a creative writing internship. That definitely lead to the need for more creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
The culture and values of the company revolve around the mission. The goals for the company - and therefore the internships - are clear. Everything we work on goes to serve the overall goal, which unifies people working in all different positions at the company. It was unique in that few other experiences I've had involve the same kind of brainstorming and group collaboration. The feedback from these experiences helped improve my project and my overall experience with the company.
I'd like to work in scientific communications in the future, so this fit perfectly into my career goals. It gave me the opportunity to work on understanding the specific science of a project and then work to present it in a way that is approachable and encourages involvement.Those are very valuable skills to have in the field, and I'm thankful for the real-world experience I got doing just that.
Yes I’d recommend this internship to people. I'd mention the convenience of being online and mostly asynchronous. This means that people from all over the country can be involved. I was able to fit it in to my summer schedule really well, so the flexibility is a huge benefit. I'd also mention that the people are real nice and that the shared values create an environment that is exciting and intellectually stimulating.
Mansi Patel
Medical Research Intern/Editorial Intern
Rating: 10/10
“Being able to interact with scientific experts and peers motivated to advance medical research for the benefit of society is something I will forever be grateful for. When determined minds come together, the outcome is beyond imaginable!
Collaboration and teamwork were at the core of this internship. Being able to understand exactly how the community and medical research field intersect through research projects was truly inspiring!”
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Collaboration and teamwork were at the core of this internship. Being able to understand exactly how the community and medical research field intersect through research projects was truly inspiring!
With the diverse group of interns that share a common goal of serving society through medically-driven passions, values of empathy, understanding, and collaboration shaped each and every discussion.
Unlike traditional research internships, BPT truly emphasizes individualized growth, allowing for students to grow their scientific skills by working on projects that they are interested in without feeling obligated to one task or another!
BPT values diversity and inclusion alongside professionalism, a fusion that our society needs more of. Being able to practice interpersonal skills while conducting medical research tasks was truly rewarding!
Being able to clearly see the difference between how you started as an intern and how you ended as a person full of new experiences and achievements in remarkable! From thinking about a broad area of research to narrowing down thoughts into an article that focuses on a specific aspect of the topic, I have experienced growth first-hand through the span of just one internship!
BPT highlights all the skills that any future researcher or health professional requires, whether it be healthy interpersonal skills or scientific research skills!
Yes, I would recommend this internship to others! BPT's emphasis on collaboration and inclusion of diversity truly brings you more than the traditional scientific skills one would hope to gain!
Rating: 10/10
Alicia Mathew
Marketing Team Member
“I liked that the internship offered a lot of different outlets for our skills and talents! I came from a marketing background, but I didn't have too much experience managing a business's Instagram and Facebook page, so I learned a lot regarding those skills.”
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This internship is unique from my academic experience since it allows me to learn real-world skills and see the effects of my actions outside of an enclosed classroom. I can see how the marketing techniques that I learned in the classroom apply to situations that are not simulated, and I am able to learn from my mistakes in a much more tangible environment.
The Berkeley Pharma Tech internship allowed for a lot more creative freedom than my other internships, since we had choices on how we were utilizing content and our social media platforms to engage our audiences. I also loved how we had weekly team meetings where we would debrief what we've been working on and get measurable goals for the next week.
My team was very small, so it felt very personal. My fellow team members were always responsive over every platform, and it made me feel like I was a part of a tight-knit marketing team. Also, Vanloan was always available to offer help and guidance through the program!
I enjoyed learning about utilizing Instagram and Facebook in a business setting. Before BPT, I had only experienced running a professional page on Instagram, but I had never used Facebook and the sync features that came along with it. I was able to learn this new skill, and I will utilize this in the future when managing professional social media accounts! I also enjoyed learning about creating effective work plans, since most of the strategies I've been taught have proven ineffective in the real world. I like how the work plan that we use is very simplified and easy to understand, which makes it useful for fostering collaboration between larger or smaller teams!
This internship helped me realize that I want to purse a career in marketing, and it helped me build a strong foundation in social media marketing skills. I am able to utilize this skills when I purse a position as a social media manager, and I will be able to employ the marketing strategies in my future career.
I would recommend this internship to my peers because it checks all the boxes for students who are looking for internships - it's a low-stress position, you can manage school and BPT, you can apply for a position based on your interests, and the company is very active. It is the perfect opportunity for someone with specialized interests who is looking for a fun and rewarding internship!
Thank you so much for having me!!
Pavan Varkantham
Marketing and Social Media Intern
“During my time at the social media and marketing internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech, I particularly enjoyed the academic aspects of the program. The opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios was invaluable. Additionally, working with team members helped me to refine my skills and improve my work. Overall, the academic aspects of the internship provided me with a unique and enriching learning experience.”
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Compared to my academic experience in high school, the social media and marketing internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech offered several unique advantages. For one, the program provided hands-on opportunities to work on real-world projects. The supportive and collaborative environment fostered at the internship helped me to develop important soft skills and grow both personally and professionally.
Compared to my previous internship experiences, the social media and marketing internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech stood out due to its strong community aspect. The team provided a supportive and collaborative environment that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
The team dynamics during my semester at the social media and marketing internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech were excellent. Our team worked collaboratively and effectively to complete challenging projects, and we supported one another throughout the process. The positive team dynamics created a motivating and engaging work environment that helped me to achieve my goals and make meaningful contributions to Berkeley Pharma Tech's success.
I've thoroughly enjoyed learning about the intersection between biomedical content and marketing during my time at the social media and marketing internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech. The opportunity to work on campaigns that communicate complex scientific concepts in a simple and accessible way has been particularly interesting. It's been exciting to see how effective marketing strategies can be used to educate and engage audiences on important topics related to healthcare and biomedicine.
This internship helped my career goals by enhancing my soft skills and fostering collaboration. Working on various projects during the internship enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of teamwork, effective communication, and time management. Furthermore, collaborating with a diverse group of professionals helped me build a strong professional network and exposed me to different perspectives and approaches.
I highly recommend Berkeley Pharma Tech's social media and marketing internship for anyone looking to gain practical experience in the field. The position offers hands-on learning opportunities, a supportive team of professionals, and valuable mentorship. Overall, it's an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Zariah Anglin
Public Relations Intern
Rating: 9/10
“A remote internship experience that still emphasizes the importance of networking and connection through webinars, conferences, etc. The internship offered a flexible schedule, and also an inclusive environment.”
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This internship allowed me to explore a field of communication not offered at my institution (science/health communication)
The internship aligned with my career goals and aspirations because I am very interested in DEI consultation and feel that my specific project has given me the opportunity to explore that skillset.
Yes! I would recommend this internship to friends/colleagues because I would, and I have. I think it is important for my peers in communication should consider branching out to this developing area of health and science communication. Furthermore, the remote aspect of the internship makes it accessible and ideal for students like me who have packed schedules.
I was initially hesitant to pursue an internship within biotech given my background in public relations, but being able to work on a project centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion was very special to me. As a woman of color, I understand the importance of these opportunities and was so excited to explore how I could directly create more of those same opportunities for others. Although I felt out of my depth at times, I was never once discouraged or made to feel like I wasn’t making progress. My ideas were never turned down, but instead, elevated and transformed into something tangible. This experience was valuable and unique, and I know that it has prepared me for my future endeavors.
Rating: 9/10
Anisha Voocha
Human Resources Intern
Rating: 9/10
“I learned organization, time management, and communication. This internship gives me the opportunity to learn about myself and develop these skills. It has been a very reward experience. Berkeley Pharma has taught me more about myself and helped me develop my skills and gave me confidence towards my own personal goals. I enjoyed working here.”
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The work environment was very flexible and comfortable everyone was helpful and easy to talk to. There were so many networking opportunities and I enjoyed this community.
I feel like the company's policy of diversity and inclusion made it unique and rewarding. Everyone was very inclusive and I really liked how they emphasized that.
I was very proud when I completed my first interview, I felt like the experience taught me how to communicate and each interview after that helped me gain more confidence.
The internship aligned with my career goals and aspirations. It helped me get a better idea on which career I wanted. I decided that I would prefer a career where I work with people because of this opportunity so I greatly appreciate it.
Yes, I would recommend this internship to people! I would highlight how comfortable this experience has made me feel.
I greatly appreciate having this opportunity and how nice Vanloan has been. She has always been easy to talk to and help me made my internship feel enjoyable.
Esmi Pistelak
Marketing and Social Media Intern
Rating: 8/10
“Some of the most valuable skills I gained or developed during my internship were how to use new softwares and technologies (website building, etc.). This internship is great because I was able to collaborate with diverse group of interns who were flexible and understanding as well as a supportive community.”
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A personal achievement or moment of pride that I experienced while interning with BPT was refining my presentation skills and creative freedom to design the website.
The internship aligned with my career goals and aspirations as the biotech-specific company experience that helped me get a glimpse into what working in a science-focused company could be like.
I would recommend this internship to my friends/colleagues because it is a great, student-based community that gives you the opportunity to practice leadership, communication, and technical skills.
I would rate it 8/10.
Jowana Ghazzawi
Medical Research Team Leader
Rating: 10/10
“This internship challenged me academically as I conducted my own research by analyzing complicated research literature and came to my own conclusions. This internship helped me connect with students at all levels of education across the country which expanded my network unlike any internship I have ever had!”
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Conducting research at my own pace with a few big deadlines here and there has allowed myself to create my own schedule and actually enjoy the work I am doing. Oftentimes in university, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the assignments that it can be difficult to enjoy what you are learning. This could not be farther from the truth at BPT as I have academic freedom to study how I prefer, allowing me to produce the best results.
I am able to take a lot more control with my own research direction. With other programs, I have been monitored by an instructor or professor, whereas that isn’t necessarily the case here. Though I do feel supported, I am able to challenge myself by taking obstacles head on and proving that I have the skills necessary to succeed within medical research.
Some aspects of the company's culture and values that I feel made my internship experience unique and rewarding were that it was very welcoming and relaxed. We are all very quick to respond to one another and communicate based on our needs.
As a physician, it is necessary that I am up to date with medical research. This internship has kept me aware of the ongoing projects and have connected me with other great physicians and mentors.
A personal achievement or moment of pride that I experienced while interning with BPT was my capstone project! This was the first time I have been truly able to produce something completely on my own and it has been so rewarding!
I would absolutely recommend this internship to a friend/colleague! It is unlike any internship I have experienced. The remote environment is easy to manage as students and the networking is truly the most unique and expansive I have witnessed.
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being lowest and 10 being highest I would rate this internship a 10.
Daniyal Atiq
Medical Research Team Leader
Rating: 10/10
“This is an amazing oppurtunity to connect and work with like-minded individuals in the field of scientific research. This was an invaluable experience learning how to write a review paper, understanding the intricacies of developing a paper with a team, and also learning the importance of editing in the writing process.”
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The research process was the best part! I learned how to better accumulate resources for a research paper and also how to use tools that can help me organize these sources
This internship taught a lot of skills in terms of scientific writing and allowed me to work as a team to produce published (almost their) work.
This internship is helping me learn more about he intricacies of scientific writing and how to use proper sources when writing an extensive review paper. I am definite this will come in handy in the future when I am continuing my studies in pharmacy school and graduate school.
Yes! I would recommend this internship to a friend/colleague, especially those individuals who are interested in the sciences and would like to develop their writing skills, research skills and expand their network, this is for them. The internship really helps you take initiative and produce original work in the group setting.
I would rate this internship a 10/10.
Avani Karvat
Medical Research Intern
Rating: 8/10
“I thought it was a really amazing experience. I really loved the people I worked with and became very passionate about the review paper I was writing”. I would describe the work environment as very supportive, light hearted, and hardworking.”
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I think everyone I interacted with was supportive, positive, and nonjudgemental. Whether that was during peer reviews, game nights, or my team, everyone has such a great attitude and it make you want to work harder and be better.
I have been looking into being more involved with R&D and I think that this experience did solidify that for me. By researching new therapies I realized I may want to be on end of developing those interventions.
I would definitely recommend, it is a really great stepping stone in my academic and professional career, I was able to network, collaborate in a team, and practice scientific writing in addition to finding more clarity on my career aspirations.
Heyi Fang
Team Leader, Medical Research Intern
Rating: 9/10
“This internship was great because I had the opportunity to cooperate and absorb knowledge from the brilliant peers. I also had the chance to publish a scientific article. Great opportunity to show off your research from the semester!”
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Some of the most valuable skills I gained or developed during my time with BPT were intensive research on specific topic, and scientific paper writing.
It was my first remote internship in regards to research and paper writing. Therefore, I practiced my skill both as a writer and as a team member to coordinate my life, the availability of the team members, and the process of internship.
Some aspects of the company's culture and values that I feel made my internship experience unique and rewarding was that it was efficient and straight-forward.
A personal achievement or moment of pride that I experienced while interning with BPT was the process of publishing and cooperating with the team.
I learnt to better balance and how to arrange my time. Academically, I learnt ways to dig deep into one specific topic and analyze previous works about their contributions. Last but not least, I have a growing interest and devotion to become a medical industry contributor for a better future.
I would definitely recommend this internship to a colleague or friend. It is a fun internship with potential to develop personal skills, communication and public speaking ability, and the scientific research ability. The process is tough in speaks of the arrangement of time commitment and academic works, butyou will also get a lot from this. A chance to publish paper, a strong letter of recommendation, a lot of relationship and networking opportunities within the current team and with alumni.
Thank you for a great semester of work, I really enjoyed working with the team and of course, thanks Vanloan for the opportunity to join the internship!
I would rate it 9/10.
Hasset Yishak
Medical Research Team Leader
Rating: 8/10
“I loved getting the chance to review the scientific literature on a topic that is super relevant to our society. It was really exciting getting to apply the knowledge I had through my biological and biochemistry classes in reading these papers and understanding the molecular mechanisms present and such.
This internship gave me the opportunity to fully write a research paper which I had never gotten the chance to do. As I move forward in my career, these foundational skills I learned in this writing process will be super beneficial. Also, getting the experience to work in a company setting alongside other team members are also important skills that are beneficial to know in truly any setting.”
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I loved how open and communicate the internship between all members of the company. I could easily slack Vanloan, the founder, if there were questions I had and so having that access to ask questions or clarifications really made me feel confident and move forward in leading my team.
I greatly appreciated how flexible and independent the internship was. Even though we had a topic to further research, I loved how we as the researchers had the ability to independently parse through the literature on our own time and schedule to make sure that we fully understand the information that was being presented.
One way that this internship was completely different was having open access to the founder. Not many companies do this, and this makes BPT and especially Vanloan unique because she is available anytime to ask any questions or clarifications. She was very much a mentor figure throughout this internship.
I felt my team was very collaborative, fun, and dedicated. All my team members were very professional as well as extremely fun to work with and very open to feedback.
My paper was focusing on understanding the potential use of PTPN, a protein family, in treating lung and digestive cancers. Therefore, it was super fascinating to learn how this protein family either inhibited or promoted cancer and why having this understanding might lead to potential therapeutics. It made me feel very hopeful that there are constantly new ways of targeting cancer and makes me super excited to contribute towards this endeavor as I move forward in my scientific career.
I would recommend this internships to other students especially those interested in wanting to contribute towards the scientific community. Through getting the chance to write this scientific paper, you get to have a first hand look into how research is conducted and shared within the scientific community which is important for any student interested in research and medicine. Therefore, this internship can only offer positives in a person's professional growth as a researcher and scientists.
I appreciated these past few months here and I am so grateful for my team and for Vanloan for making this a great research and internship experience!
Kareem Halwah
Medical Research Intern
Rating: 10/10
“The internship aligned with my career goals and aspirations because my goal is to become a doctor, so understanding how to efficiently read publications is critical in understanding the current developments in medicine. While not all doctors conduct research, the skills required in designing experiments and understanding their results enhance one's critical thinking, a skill that's definitely required for medicine.”
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It's easy to communicate with Vanloan when needed, so you are able to proceed efficiently with your work without having to wait a long period of time for an answer to an important question. There are various optional events that one can attend to network with other interns and those at Berkeley Pharma Tech.
I found the Capstone project to be rewarding and engaging. I was able to dedicate time to design an experiment to test the possibility of PTPN1 inhibitors in inhibiting non-small cell lung cancer. This required me to understand the methodologies involved in designing such an experiment along with a thorough understanding of PTPN families and their effect on the body as a whole. Likewise, I had to understand how the available inhibitors are different, and why some are worthwhile using in the experiment while others are not. It was overall a fun way of engaging in medical research and expanding my knowledge on such an interesting topic.
I would recommend this internship as it allows those interested in medical research an opportunity to explore their interests while contributing to something meaningful. One of my favorite parts of the internship was the Capstone project as it allowed me to independently design an experiment and receive feedback from those have submitted grant proposals.
rating: 10/10
Simran Lallian
Medical Research Intern - Young Author
Rating: 7/10
“I learned a lot of valuable skills while having the task of writing a review paper. I appreciated the flexibility and guidance the internship provided. Some of the most valuable skills were conducting research by reading scientific articles, constructing a paper, and working in a team.”
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The work environment was very flexible as I could do the work whenever and wherever I was. I also appreciated the relationships I built with my team and hope to keep them.
I enjoyed the feedback and collaboration as well as direct contact with the head, Vanloan. I also I enjoyed the kind and welcoming environment set up by the internship.
A moment of pride was after first reading my portion of the rough draft and realizing how far I've come by looking at what I wrote and researched.
The internship gave me more insight into research and medicine which helps me to think about a career in biotech.
I would definitely recommend this internship to others! I would highlight the flexibility of the internship as well as the key skills you develop by working with yourself and your group.
I really enjoyed my time and felt so proud of the work my team and I completed. I also enjoyed being able to connect with Vanloan personally.
Ammabel Tukiman
Medical Research Intern (Young Authors team member)
Rating: 10/10
“Overall, this internship was a very satisfying experience for me. It taught me both research skills and soft skills, and I am glad that this was my first ever internship. I enjoyed researching about tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. I'll be taking a class on the biology of cancer next semester, and I believe that what I've learned from the research I did during this internship would help me understand that class better! I also enjoyed working in the smaller teams and collaborating with like-minded peers who share the same interest in biomedical research.”
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During my time as a Medical Research Intern at Berkeley Pharma Tech, I developed both my communication and research skills. It was the first time I used PubMed to this extent and also the first time I used Zotero, which I will definitely be using in the future when I want to keep track of certain papers I read. Additionally, working in a team, with each of us living in different places and working at different times, communication was extremely important.
It was nice to learn more about the other interns, how different we are, and how we came together with a similar passion for biomedical research. Since it was a flexible remote internship, I was able to work on my tasks at my own time, which was very helpful since I had another summer program going on for three weeks during the internship.
Although it was a remote internship, I could feel the dedication of Vanloan, the founder and director of Berkeley Pharma Tech, in making sure we learned and got the help we needed during the internship. She was very approachable and answered any questions I had about the review paper and future career plans. I felt that this experience really illustrates Berkeley Pharma Tech's culture of helping young trailblazers in the biotech industry fulfill their potential.
I was not very sure what I'd like to be in the future. All I knew was that I would probably like to enter the biotech industry, but even that is quite general. This internship made me learn more about the literature side of research and showed me the importance of research, giving me the opportunity to gauge how much I'd enjoy a career like this.
Yes, I would recommend this internship to anyone looking for experience. I would absolutely highlight this internship's flexibility. Not only is the internship part-time, it also has flexible work hours. This gives a better work-life balance during the summer, and it also means we can work on other summer projects! There was a range of interesting research topics to choose from, so I believe anyone who has the desire to learn more about biology, as well as the steps it takes to write and publish a review article, would enjoy this internship.
Evan Lew
Game App Developer
Rating: 7/10
“Knowing that at the end of this internship I helped publish a game on the app store is something I am glad to have done because it is something I will most likely do for my major and in my future career. Working closely with my fellow game app developer made the game development process easier because I could rely on my teammate and vice versa.”
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My teammate was from a whole other state and that is something that is totally different from working with peers from the same college. Collaboration is a big part of game design and this opportunity reinforced that for me.
Some aspects of the company's culture and values that I feel made my internship experience unique and rewarding was that we were very supportive of each other and always kept each other updated on the status of the game. I am happy to have met Yufeng because I think we worked well together.
Learning all the steps that go into publishing your own app on the app store is the main thing I will take away from this experience. Now I know that there are so many moving parts to adding an app to the app store.
Having experience working with another person and publishing the game as an app is a big benefit in terms of knowing more about publishing a game on a platform.
I'd say this internship was a great side project to do during a quarter at my school because I had ample time to continue my schoolwork, while also devoting as much time as I needed to working on the game.
I would rate it 7/10.
Shane Pearson
Game Development Intern
Rating: 9/10
“It was a great experience. Being able to learn how the work world works is a great asset for my future. Some of the skills I gained or developed during my time here were leadership, team building, and problem solving. The internship gave me the work experience I was looking for. Just being able to know and understand how a possible work environment could be, is a great asset.
It was a great environment. We were able to get work done, yet still enjoy our lives. Also, we were able to meet and get to know people from across the country.”
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The company was pushed in a “family” way. Meaning everyone was kind and considerate to each other, yet still were able to get work done in a timely manner.
Being able to problem solve certain errors within the game we were working on, began as tedious as all problems do. But once solved, it was an amazing feeling.
Yes! I would recommend this internship to others. You’re able to enhance yourself and your skills the entire time. Including leadership, communication, time management, problem solving, etc.
Allen Sun
Game Development Intern
Rating: 10/10
“I gained a lot of experience in game development, addressing tasks and obstacles in a systematic manner, and collaborating professionally in a team. I thought the experience provided many ways to deepen my professional experience, and being able to work with others provided many avenues for collaboration and teamwork skills.”
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I thought the work environment was welcoming and inclusive of all perspectives, and relationships with colleagues were professional and collaborative.
I thought the closeness and passion between team members and the company as a whole during meetings and networking opportunities provided a rewarding experience that made me feel both welcomed and eager to contribute.
The internship provided work experience for my future career goals in software development, and while I already have a narrowed idea of my career plans, it did provide insight on the professional development process.
Yes, I would recommend the internship to friends and colleagues. I would highlight the ability to gain both technical skills and soft skills in a close-knit community. I would also highlight the flexibility that comes with a remote internship.