Molly Imgruet, a junior in bioengineering, experienced both sides of her major this summer. At her internship with the Mayo Clinic, she was doing lab work on lupus patients and shadowing doctors. “I was at the hospital with the doctors on days I wasn’t doing research. It was helpful to see the medical side of the work I was doing,” she said.

Molly worked in the immunology department lab and helped test 1,500 patients for genes that are associated with lupus. She then presented her work at an immunology symposium.

Above all, she liked how the experience related to her future goal of getting an MD and a PhD. She enjoyed getting the full-time experience, and according to Molly, “you really need to like it,” when considering a research career seriously.

“Being able to go work in the lab every morning, having my own project, and setting my schedule provided a good perspective on what I might be doing in the future.”

From Classroom to the Real-World

Molly noticed that what she learned in school was present in her work.

“We attended weekly conferences where professors would present their research. I saw topics we covered in BIOE 202 and in circuit applications. It was cool to see these happening in the real world,” she said.

Even now, she is finding that lab techniques she learned over the summer are applicable in her biochemistry classes and her current on-campus research. She is part of Prof. Sua Myong’s lab working with DNA telomere sequences. “It’s nice to see the common thread going from Mayo to my classes,” she said.

Through the Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research Program (ISUR), she has been working in the lab since last year. ISUR helps a select group of students with structured research opportunities and includes a monetary award.

Molly found out about the summer internship before she was even officially a student at Illinois. She met Prof. Jennifer Amos, her adviser, on a tour for students interested in bioengineering and learned about the partnership. Illinois collaborates with the Mayo Clinic by sending selected students every summer to work there. For the Illinois’ application to the Mayo program, Molly cultivated her recommendations and wrote an essay. Once she was selected by Illinois, she also applied with Mayo, because she had to be selected by both institutions.

Advice on summer activities for future engineering students

Molly has worked with Prof. Amos closely, and she said an adviser can help you filter opportunities related to your interests. “Definitely pay attention to emails from your department. They make you aware of the range of opportunities. Also keep in contact with your advisor, because they’ll have connections with many professors, companies, and contacts.”

She says to never let age deter you. “You’re never too young to start working in research. Start working the summer after your freshman year, and make connections soon.”