Every Project Onramp intern shares certain qualities: intellect, drive, a passion for science and an interest in helping people.
Beyond that, each of our interns has unique stories to tell—stories about where they came from, what drives them, and what they hope to accomplish in their careers. Here’s a look at just a few of our interns!
Philadelphia native Alain Santo Domingo, a Temple University Owl, spent the summer interning at GSK’s Upper Merion site as a Manufacturing Specialist Intern. His engineering experiences at Temple – designing and testing force sensors and using EMG signals to control robotics – as well as his college-prep work with Project Onramp partner Heights Philadelphia-helped him shine during the interview process.
In this role, Alain supported the lifecycle of new products by collaborating with the exceptional mentors and team members at GSK who contribute to the biopharma supply chain. Alain found his onsite experience invaluable. “I’m learning so much about the manufacturing process within the biopharma world,and what really helps is that the people at GSK that I work with are very encouraging and helpful in my personal learning and growth.” This summer experience ignited Alain’s interest in joining the biopharma manufacturing industry post graduation, and inspired him to emulate the scientists he worked with as he returned to school to finish his bachelor’s degree.
Moreover, Alain’s experience with Project Onramp and its mission to introduce inexperienced undergraduates to the life science industry has instilled a desire to pay it forward. Alain aims to develop his leadership and mentorship skills to make a positive difference for younger undergraduates wanting to travel a similar career path.
Milo Thorton, a dedicated Finance major at Bentley University, stepped into the Project Onramp internship program with zeal. His enthusiasm and resume quickly impressed Paratek Pharmaceuticals and secured him a role as their Finance and Accounting Intern.
Prior to this internship, Milo was not familiar with financial career paths in the life science sector. This summer role allowed him to collaborate with the Microbiology, Clinical/nonclinical, and Medical Affairs space at Paratek – experiences that would not have been part of class curriculum. From day one Milo felt welcomed and supported by the team at Paratek. “I have not met a single person who is not willing to help you out, explain something, or just talk in general. The environment is very collaborative, and I would not have imagined being exposed to these different departments and learning about the different nuances that connect them all together,” he shared. “I can say that my experience so far has been one-of-a-kind, and I am genuinely enjoying being an intern at Paratek.”
Milo aspires to eventually earn his MBA and make a meaningful difference in the financial industry. He hopes to apply his leadership and financial skills to help transform the addiction recovery space, working with those impacted by the opioid epidemic. “Project Onramp has only reinforced my personal and professional goals. Being able to network and connect with various leaders and executives in the industry has been eye-opening and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the various career paths you can take and the skills you need to get there,” he explained. “Project Onramp has helped me develop a strong, well-rounded skill set and mindset that I will be able to carry with me for the rest of my personal and professional life.”
Sameenah Ahmad, a Biology major at Haverford College, is already charting her course towards a promising career, as she embarked on her second summer interning with Spark Therapeutics. Project Onramp helped her secure a position as a Clinical Drug Delivery summer intern, bringing her one step closer on her journey to land her dream job in Clinical Operations.
Working with Project Onramp exposed Sameenah to fields she wasn’t aware existed before the internship. While having fun and learning from the team at Spark as well as her Project Onramp mentors, Sameenah also gained valuable business and communication skills.
“The best thing about my internship [are] the lessons and connections I am exposed to…Project Onramp [has given] me support on how to maneuver in these new business environments,” Sameenah reflected. “I learned how to take constructive criticism in a work environment, as well as the importance of collaboration in biotech.”