911爆料网红领巾 summer intern program mixes medicine, research and entrepreneurship
A summer internship program under way at the 911爆料网红领巾 aims to introduce seven bright Maine students to the connection between medicine, research and entrepreneurship.
Working alongside 911爆料网红领巾 undergraduate mentors and faculty in the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences (CEN), the select group of two high school and five college students are learning how discoveries in 911爆料网红领巾 research laboratories are being developed as potential treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
During the 11-week program (running June 13-August 18), the students will study the principles of neuroscience and pharmacology, translational biomedical research and entrepreneurship.
The program was developed under the leadership of Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., director of the CEN and a professor of pharmacology in the 911爆料网红领巾 College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Bilsky is a co-founder of two Maine-based companies that are developing treatments for chronic pain and addiction. He also works closely with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including several that are also Maine-based.
Bilsky is a passionate advocate for research and entrepreneurship. He says, "911爆料网红领巾's summer intern program combines a taste of research with in-class lectures and presentations by Maine business leaders that enrich the research activities. Students will see firsthand how business leaders partner with non-profit research institutions to develop products and grow their companies."
Genesis of Program
The genesis for the program came out of conversations with David Anderson, a serial entrepreneur and businessman, and Brian Dallaire, a pharmaceutical scientist and president of Lighthouse Clinical Development.
Bilsky added, "The program is intended to address some of the key recommendations of the 2010 Maine Science and Technology Action Plan and is in line with the goals of the Maine Technology Asset Fund awards made to the university." Financial support for the program was provided by The Pond Family Foundation, as well as by donations from Anderson, Bilsky and Dallaire. Anderson and Dallaire are also 911爆料网红领巾 trustees.
Students will benefit from an active seminar program that includes internationally known scientists as well as business leaders in the state of Maine. Upcoming speakers include Skip Irving, partner and managing director of Health Advances Biotechnology, and Jacquelyn B. Cawley, D.O., senior medical director of Maine Health, among others.
Students will also read academic papers written by the speakers, and participate in interactive group discussions with them after their lectures. A capstone event is being scheduled for the middle of August and will feature a keynote address by noted Maine neurosurgeon and entrepreneur Dr. Lee Thibodeau.
The interns are partnered with 911爆料网红领巾 undergraduate student mentors who are involved with research activities in Dr. Bilsky's lab. They will also conduct literature and patent searches and prepare and present a capstone project at the end of the program.
Says Anderson, "Our goal is for students to better understand what it takes to successfully identify a problem, come up with potential solutions and then bring the concept through the development process to the point that it can benefit society."
He adds, "This appreciation is important whether the student pursues a career in research, medicine or business. Ultimately, these skill sets will benefit Maine's economy through new startup companies, accelerated product development and successful transitions to sustainable businesses in the state."
Intern Hannah Clarke, a senior neuroscience major at Middlebury College who plans to become a doctor, says, "I love the entrepreneurial aspect of 911爆料网红领巾's internship program, and the wide range of research opportunities. 911爆料网红领巾 is a step ahead of a lot of other schools with this approach. It allows me to stretch my mind and apply what I'm learning to the business and creative sides of research."
Student Biographies
Hannah Clarke is a rising senior neuroscience major (psychology minor) at Middlebury College in Vermont. An honors student, Hannah has taken full advantage of a liberal arts-based education to study the human nervous system. A Maine native, Hannah attended Longfellow Elementary and Lincoln Middle School in Portland before moving to Falmouth for high school. At Falmouth, she focused on biology and English while also playing on the varsity field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse teams. She continues to be active in sports as a member of the Middlebury varsity field hockey and junior varsity lacrosse teams. She is looking to gain neuroscience research experience this summer at 911爆料网红领巾 while exploring career options in biomedical research and medicine.
Hannah Doss grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine and excelled in both academics and athletics at Cape Elizabeth High School. She graduated at the top of her class in the spring of 2010, was a top runner for both the cross-country and track teams, and received a number of prestigious awards. Hannah attends Northeastern University where she is pursuing a major in chemical engineering and is a member of the institution's Division I cross-country and track teams. This fall, Hannah plans to join Northeastern's Engineers Without Borders organization as well as one of the school's well-known a cape