Name:  Lauren Forsyth 

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology 

Position Title: Laboratory Assistant Intern 

Major or Program: Biological Sciences (BS) 

Current Class Level: Sophomore

Work Term: 

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities. 

• Gather/measure biomass data using spectrometer, dry oven, centrifuge, Pipetting, and cell plate techniques

• Assist/observe lab partners in analyzing algal species genetics through PCR and gel electrophoresis to identify species for ongoing experiments

• Maintain orderly organization by collaborating with lab partners and sterilizing equipment by using an autoclave

• Attend weekly lab meetings; present research results pertaining to microalgae to lab partners

• Prepared BG-11 media using chemical formulas and recipes to create new algae cultures

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

Initially, I came across the career center website and noticed that the career counselors offered meetings to help build resumes and search for internships. I had my first meeting with Ms. Hindle last fall, and I told her about my interests in environmental research and marine biology. She contacted the director of IMET, a biotech company specializing in research regarding aquatic health, especially in the Chesapeake Bay. I then scheduled a tour around IMET with the director Dr. Hill, and I sent out my resume with a research paper to the faculty at IMET for a summer internship position. Dr. Chen emailed me about an interview after reading my research paper about how algae can reduce carbon dioxide levels in the oceans, which was terrific since his lab specializes in algal research. Dr. Chen hired me, and I worked with Lauren Wagner, who ran research experiments where she grew algae culture under various light intensities and carbon dioxide levels. And her experiments will help create algae that can be used to reduce flue gas emissions from water treatment plants. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?  

I loved working as a team with my co-lab partners, who became excellent friends of mine. I learned so much from them as a person without lab experience besides experiments in high school. Lauren, with whom I worked the most, taught me all the basic skills I needed to know at the lab, from simple pipet techniques to measuring biomass by placing samples in a dry oven. Not to mention, I learned the fundamentals behind PCR and gel from my lab partners, Jeffery and Peter, and I got to see their research, such as Jeffery's work on microbiomes in the bay in the winter versus the summer. And Dr. Chen gave amazingly detailed feedback during lab meetings that were super helpful when in the future with experiments. But most importantly, I had so many laughs and good times in between labs with my lab partners, like when we went to a French restaurant in the city! Lastly, we would always come down to celebrate people getting their doctorate degrees and celebrate by talking and eating fantastic food.  

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

My lab partner Lauren sent me the sweetest text when I told her when my last day would be. And she said that I was a ray of sunshine at the lab, and honestly, that was one of the best compliments I've received. I think that I made lab work much easier since I always asked if anyone at the lab needed help with anything, and I always got the work done on time. Not to mention, I had a lot of laughs with my lab partners, so I think we all had a great time working together.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

Utilize the resources at UMBC, meaning using Handshake to schedule career appointments, and meet with your career counselor once a semester at least a couple of times in the summer. Also, develop a good relationship with your career counselor, and explain in detail what you want to do since they can help you find jobs that will suit you the best with the connections they have!

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I loved working with my lab mates who soon became my close friends.

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