Summer undergraduate researchers design proteins at the IPD

“Working on designing protein binders targeting cancerous peptides was an incredible experience, and the coolest part was seeing the potential impact of my work in real time. Despite having no prior wet lab experience, my mentors, Nathan Greenwood and Julia Bonzanini, were incredibly supportive and helped me get more comfortable with the techniques. At the same time, diving into advanced computational tools was both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to explore areas outside of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to applying my experience here to further research in precision medicine.”

“I was amazed by the number of experts in different fields you can talk to on a daily basis, creating a perfect interplay between wet lab research and machine learning. This is a place where a coffee chat can teach you more than a dozen papers. I also loved the openness of the institute, the opportunity to meet new people every day, and the eagerness of everyone to help you succeed.”

“For any future interns, working at the IPD will allow you to learn about the newest advancements to the world of protein design while interacting with scientists who truly love what they do. I am so thankful for such a welcoming environment that allowed me to learn the ins and outs of computational and experimental work within this field.”

“Everyone was so friendly and open to any questions, which was incredibly valuable. Participating in happy hours, chocolate hours, and chatting in the kitchen allowed me to deepen my relationships, hear about their research, and enjoy casual conversations, creating wonderful memories. And last but not least, my mentor has been the best mentor I’ve ever had! Thanks to him, I was able to fully enjoy my research this summer.”