In the summer of 2024, more than 40 high school and undergraduate students engaged in research at the Indiana University School of Medicine. They participated in the Wells Center Summer Internship, the Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists and Clinicians Preparatory (MPESC-Prep) program and the Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology (CCEH) program from June to July. Some interns returned for their second or third time, demonstrating the lasting impact and value of these experiences.
These internship programs, organized by faculty and staff at the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, reflect the center's dedication to preparing the next generation of science and medical professionals. For eight weeks, the students learned from experts at IU while conducting their own research to present at the end of the summer. Additionally, they participated in interactive workshops, listened to research leaders discuss their specialties, collaborated in their labs and connected with fellow interns.
Keep reading to learn more from several interns who shared some thoughts on their experiences!
Meet the Interns: Summer 2024
Name: Inayat Arora
Current Institution: Carmel High School
Research Mentor: Matthew D. Durbin, MD
Research Interests: Ventricular Septal Defects and Congenital Heart Disease
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
Do you have any advice for future interns?
My advice to future interns is to fully immerse yourself in the lab’s research rather than just focusing on basic technical work. Read the papers published by your lab, do your own research and engage in discussions with your PI if you have any questions. Don’t be afraid to learn so that you give yourself the best experience!
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
My favorite part of this summer was shadowing in the NICU and the Riley Maternity Tower. It allowed me to visualize all aspects of neonatology, particularly with a specialized cardiac focus. Additionally, I enjoyed attending the weekly seminars with engaging guest speakers who shared their experiences and gave personal advice.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
My long-term career goals are to continue working in medicine as a doctor. This internship has introduced me to a different specialty that I might be interested in exploring in the future. It has also allowed me to investigate birth defects at a cellular level and observe how our research translates to clinical practice in the NICU.
Name: Haley Arrowood
Current Institution: Purdue University
Research Mentors: Cara Slagle, MD & Michelle Starr, MD
Research Interests: Pediatric Nephrology and Neonatology
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep (second year)
How have your goals for this year's internship changed compared to when you first started?
I was more prepared to have a self-motivated approach to my work as it is really based on how much I can and want to work on it.
How have you applied what you learned during your previous internships to your academic work or other projects?
I have been able to take classes related to what I have learned from these projects and see how it is applicable in other contexts and dig deeper into what I was learning.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
I am hoping to go to medical school and this internship has helped me to see how many different options and opportunities that will give me. It has helped me solidify my career plans.
Name: Esteli Bankole
Current Institution: Indiana University Indianapolis
Research Mentor: Jack E. Turman, PhD
Research Interests: Traits and Perceptions of Women Experiencing Housing Insecurity in Indianapolis
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
My curiosity was the reason for me pursuing a research-focused internship. Having done no research prior to this, I knew I wanted to explore the possibilities and thought that this internship would be a great way to start.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
To get the most out of this experience as possible and to ask questions whenever I have them.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
I want to have a career in the medical field and this internship has helped me realize the potential of pursing an MD-PhD degree instead of MD. By doing this internship, I've also gained insight on the type of research I'd like to do in the future.
Name: Sara Covin
Current Institution: Princeton University
Research Mentor: Karen Pollok, PhD
Research Interests: Analyzing different drugs and drug combinations for the treatment of metastatic disease for pediatric osteosarcoma patients
Internship Program: Wells Center Summer Internship
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
Dr. Pollok's work in pediatric cancer has inspired me for many years. She is at the top of her field and I came to IU to learn from her and her team.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
Write everything down! Even if you're not sure whether or not it's important, it will help you learn! Also, don't feel bad about making mistakes, but own up to them early, because you can probably fix them!
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
I am planning on pursuing an MD, and I know that when I am a doctor, I will want to partner with researchers in whatever patient population that I work with. This internship has taught me about how much of a team it takes to treat patients and give them and their families hope for treatments.
Name: Corinne Dilger
Current Institution: Hanover College
Research Mentor: Ben Gaston, MD
Research Interests: Human bronchial and nasal epithelial cell culture for the study of airway biochemistry
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep (second year)
How have your goals for this year's internship changed compared to when you first started?
My first summer in the Gaston lab, I learned a broad range of basic science techniques. This summer, I have had the opportunity to work independently on a project. While applying many of the protocols I was introduced to last year, my project has also required a lot of problem-solving along the way. I have experienced first-hand the most effective way to learn science is through making mistakes and troubleshooting.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
You can still have a strong research story without a publication. As students with aspirations to become physicians and/or scientists, it feels like everything we do is to make us look better on paper. Your words, story, and experiences matter too.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
I have wanted to be a pediatric pulmonologist for nearly a decade now, and this internship only excites me more about the prospect of pulmonary medicine. From the research, to the people I work with, to the patients I’ve had the opportunity to interact with, I love the field more and more every day.
Name: Matthew Fortino
Current Institution: Purdue University
Research Mentors: Kok Lim Kua, MD & Maegan Capitano, PhD
Research Interest: Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
Internship Program: CCEH
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
I was inspired to do a research-focused internship at IU because I am interested in going to medical school after I graduate and I wanted to get research experience while also being exposed to the medical field.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
My advice to future interns is to try everything you possibly can. This is a great opportunity to gain many different lab skills so take every chance to learn a new skill or participate in a workshop.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
My long-term career goals are to go to medical school and become a doctor. This internship has exposed me to many different people and options which has helped me evaluate more specifically what fields of medicine I would want to study.
Name: Savannah Greenbaum
Current Institution: Fishers High School
Research Mentor: Colin Rogerson, MD
Research Interests: Impact magnesium treatments have on the blood pressures of patients being treated for pediatric critical asthma
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
My mom is a pediatric infectious disease nurse at Riley Hospital, so I have always appreciated IU Health and known that a career in medicine was one of my ultimate goals. Unfortunately, there are not many research programs available to high schoolers in this field, so when I saw that I could have such a rare opportunity in an environment that has impacted my family for years, I knew I had to apply.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
The best advice I have received during this internship was to make valuable connections that would help me to gain a better idea of what I desired in my future career. This advice resonated with me because as someone who has a proclivity to overwork herself, it allowed me to slow down and see the benefits of every step of my project, not just the end result. Between learning a new coding language (which I never thought I would accomplish), meeting many wonderful researchers who work with my mentor, Dr. Rogerson, and learning from the various speakers at our weekly seminars, I was able to gain a lot out of every aspect of the program.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
Although I intend to become a pediatric surgeon of some kind, this internship has allowed me to realize my love of research and see that I want to continue research throughout my career.
Name: Rena Han
Current Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Research Mentor: Dan Peltier, MD, PhD
Research Interest: Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGVHD)
Internship Program: Wells Center Summer Internship
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
As a student in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program at IU Bloomington, I developed a passion for scientific research, studying bacteriophages in an undergraduate lab. I was eager to find a summer opportunity that would allow me to expand my research experience in a real laboratory setting, and The Wells Summer Internship Program offered the perfect chance to work in pediatric research alongside esteemed researchers, aligning with my interests and career goals in pursuing medicine.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
I would encourage future interns to build meaningful relationships with all the lab members. They are invaluable resources for advice in both professional and personal aspects of life. I've learned important lessons in the lab and acquired various life skills essential for success in any career.
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
I have enjoyed connecting each experiment to its purpose within the overall research goals of the lab. Understanding how each ELISA and qPCR assay contributed to the project was crucial for enhancing my comprehension of lab techniques and illustrated how our work will translate into future therapeutics in a clinical setting, ultimately benefiting real patients.
Name: Jennavee Houser
Current Institution: Hanover College
Research Mentors: Erick Forno, MD, MPH & Kirsten Kloepfer, MD
Research Interests: Pediatric Pulmonology - asthma biologics and Pediatric dental research
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
Last summer I worked at Camp Riley through Bradford Woods and was exposed to a lot of hands on patient interaction and aspects of care. As I am still finalizing my post-Hanover plans, I wanted to experience what research was like and what translational medicine had to offer. One of my professors encouraged me to apply to the program and I was excited to gain shadowing experience as well as work in a lab to see multiple career pathways.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
My mentor Dr. Forno advised that during summer experiences like these it is a great idea to shadow lots of different fields and avenues. Before committing to a line of schooling or work, shadow and learn if you like it and don't be closed off to new possibilities.
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
I have really enjoyed watching a new clinical study start. It has been interesting to observe the preparation meetings and see how a clinical study is set up. I also have loved getting to talk to people who are so passionate about their work and impact!
Name: Alexander Jurkovich
Current Institution: University of Southern California
Research Mentors: Amelia K. Linnemann, PhD & Alissa Muncy
Research Interests: NRF2 and Pancreatic Beta Cell Oxidative Stress
Internship Program: Wells Center Summer Internship
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
422 million people. That's about the number of people worldwide that have to go through the daily struggle of navigating a life with diabetes. Diabetes not only puts a burden on the patient, but also on health care systems, families of diabetics like my own, etc. Knowing IU School of Medicine has a world-class center for diabetes and metabolic diseases, I knew interning here would allow me to contribute to the research movement trying to understand the genetic mechanisms by which diabetes arises.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
My best piece of advice for future interns is to always ask how you can help out and not just wait to be told what to do. By doing so, you will be able to gain more hands on experience and it will make you more productive during your time as an intern. Also, ask insightful questions!
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
What I have enjoyed most from the summer internship, in addition to performing experiments, is the community. Every day my lab mentors and I would have lunch together. Overall, it felt as if I had a second family.
Name: Madeline Keller
Current Institution: University of Notre Dame
Research Mentor: Joan Cook-Mills, PhD
Research Interests: Allergy development, specifically looking at maternal mouse lipid and neonate immune cell regulation
Internship Program: CCEH
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
I have wanted to pursue a career in medicine for as long as I can remember. Through my academic coursework and shadowing experiences so far, I have realized how critical of a role research plays in the field of medicine. With this, I was inspired to pursue a research-focus internship here at IU School of Medicine to better understand and immerse myself in the process that goes into translational research.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
Do not be afraid to ask questions! You will be surrounded by incredible people who have ample experience and a passion for what they do. They are there as resources and more than happy to help guide you through your projects.
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
Getting to know the people and personality of the collective lab. It has been such an amazing group to work with and learn from.
Name: Sukhmeet Kour
Current Institution: Indiana University Indianapolis
Research Mentor: Baohua Zhou, PhD
Research Interest: FOXP3 gene and its response to autoimmunity
Internship Program: Wells Center Summer Internship
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
My passion for medicine and science led me to pursue a research-focused internship. During my freshman year of college, I took lab courses that involved various experiments. I was fascinated by understanding the reasons behind these experiments and the meaning of the results. This experience made me want to learn more and contribute to medical research when I do my MD/PhD.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
One piece of advice I received during this internship that I found particularly valuable is always approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of getting discouraged by challenges or setbacks, focus on finding practical solutions and learning from the experience. This advice has helped me stay proactive and resilient, enabling me to overcome obstacles and make meaningful progress in my research as my mentor has always been patient and helpful to me.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
My long-term goal is to become a doctor and a researcher by pursuing an MD/PhD. This internship has strengthened my desire to do this by giving me hands-on research experience and showing me how research can directly help patients. Working with experienced researchers has taught me a lot about the research process and its real-world impact, making me more committed to a career that combines both medicine and research.
Name: Victoria Lowe
Current Institution: Hanover College
Research Mentor: Nathan W. Schmidt, PhD
Research Interests: Germinal Center B Cell Immune Response and Plasmodium Infection
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep (third year)
How have your goals for this year's internship changed compared to when you first started?
The first year I started, I had no idea what to expect since it was my first research experience. Now, I have more curated research goals, but I still have the goal of continuing to learn and grow. Each summer I have strengthened my research skills in a different way. My first summer I focused more on scientific writing, last summer I focused on the gut microbiome and this summer I focused on humoral immunity. Every year I have built my knowledge and have grown in understanding the multi-faceted complex world of research and a passion for lifelong learning.
How have you applied what you learned during your previous internships to your academic work or other projects?
Learning how to present science to people of different levels of understanding on your topic is a skill I have translated into my work in the classroom and school and while completing a Health Scholarship Externship at Hanover College. My growth in reading scientific papers and knowledge of science from my research experiences have helped me in my upper-level biology and chemistry courses and while studying for the MCAT.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
Continue fostering your passions. Almost everyone has had a failed experiment or made mistakes which are all opportunities for growth. Perseverance will pay off. Lean on your fellow interns for support. Learn from the people in your lab. Everyone at the Wells Center is passionate and knowledgeable about the fields they study it is amazing immersing yourself in that environment.
Name: Daniel Musapatika
Current Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Research Mentor: Karen Pollok, PhD
Research Interests: Pediatric Oncology; Drug Combination Therapy for Osteosarcomas
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep (second year)
How have your goals for this year's internship changed compared to when you first started?
I wouldn't say my goals have changed, but they have been further solidified. This internship has demonstrated to me once again that my career goal is to work as a pediatrician in some specific field of medicine. Whether that be family medicine, oncology, nephrology or some other field, this research experience combined with the shadowing experience it provides has shown that is what I want to do as a career.
How have you applied what you learned during your previous internships to your academic work or other projects?
A lot of the techniques that I have learned through this research experience have been very applicable towards my other undergraduate classes and also the MCAT. Studying for certain parts of the MCAT has become a lot easier as some of the research techniques that are described on the exam I have done before thanks to this internship.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
Some advice that I've found particularly helpful was to document what you do each day as it's very easy to forget what you did. Furthermore, take advantage of the resources available to you to learn new skills. This internship was created to help you on your journey for whatever career path you plan on taking. Take note of the resources available to you and use them fully.
Name: Angus Stergar
Current Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Research Mentor: Danielle E. Soranno, MD
Research Interests: Pediatric Translational Research, Nephrology - Bioengineering, Hematology
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
I have been greatly interested in getting hands on experience with research to see how clinicians and researchers can work together to better the outcomes of their patients. IU School of Medicine has a unique opportunity being connected with Riley Hospital for Children, and this made it all the more worthwhile.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
The most important component of choosing a career is finding a position that will allow you to say " I GET to go to work today" rather than "I HAVE to go to work today.”
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
I have greatly enjoyed working alongside physicians who can give valuable input to experiments and projects based on what they see on service or in clinic. This is invaluable and also helps to see the direct impact of research on patients.
Name: Rihana Van Houtte-Read
Current Institution: Carmel High School
Research Mentor: Ben Gaston, MD
Research Interests: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, buffer systems in the lungs, neuron regeneration in the nasal cavity
Internship Program: MPESC-Prep
What inspired you to pursue a research-focused internship at IU School of Medicine this year?
As I have thought of a career in health, I decided that the programs available at IU may help me to determine the field I want to establish myself in.
What advice have you received during this internship that you found particularly valuable?
You are going to be wrong sometimes, but that’s when you learn. No one in the room is going to judge you for being wrong, they are there to help you grow and learn.
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
The first week of my internship, the national breath conference was held, and I got to attend with some fellow interns. We didn’t know everything that was going on, but getting to talk with top people in the field and learn about the growth within medical/pulmonary treatments was inspiring.
What are your long-term career goals, and how has this internship influenced them?
During the internship, I was graced with the opportunity to shadow in the laboratory and clinic settings. Thanks to that experience, I know that I want to get an MD-PhD to collaborate with both worlds.
Name: Grace Whitacre
Current Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Research Mentor: Maegan Capitano, PhD
Research Interests: Microbiology and immunology; hematopoiesis; cord blood transplantation; hypoxia
Internship Program: CCEH (second year)
How have your goals for this year's internship changed compared to when you first started?
When I first started, I didn't have much lab experience because I was only a freshman in college. My main goal was to develop basic lab skills such as counting cells, micro-pipetting, and producing cell cultures. My mentors helped me exceed my expectations because I was able to understand and help with complex projects by the end of the summer. As a result, my goals for this year's internship were much greater. I wanted to learn about more challenging lab techniques, gain a deeper understanding of hematopoiesis, and come up with some of my own ideas for future research.
How have you applied what you learned during your previous internships to your academic work or other projects?
Last year, I joined a lab that studied hematopoiesis before I knew what that word meant. I was intimidated at first, but my mentors were so helpful and truly cared about my learning. My mentor and the other lab members took time to present slideshows to me, draw out figures and diagrams, and answer any questions I had. By the end of the summer, I not only gained a deeper understanding of hematopoiesis, but I was also able to help conduct experiments for a project to be published. I loved my experience so much, and am so grateful because I got to work in the same lab this summer. I was able to apply the material I learned last summer to pick up where I left off. Instead of having to start fresh, I enjoyed starting a new, complex project immediately.
What have you most enjoyed from your experience?
My favorite part of my summer internship thus far is how I've become close with the lab members. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the research, I believe the environment you work in is just as important. Everyone in the lab, and even on my floor, makes me feel so welcome and comfortable. Any time the lab is presenting their work, having lunch, or celebrating a birthday, they always make sure to include me. Building these bonds has helped me immensely because I am excited to come to work every day, which greatly improves my performance in the lab.
