Intern of the Week: Kaitlyn Wylie
Hood College is the educational institution of choice for over 2,000 students in and around Frederick, MD. Many of those students are enrolled in some sort of internship program that further enhances their education. Every week, the college names an Intern of the Week to shine the spotlight on, and recently, one of our interns was the winner! Meet Kaitlyn Wylie, a proud member of the class of 2027 and a gifted Biochemistry major.
Internships are a great way to introduce young minds to science and, in our case, the world of drug development. We always find excitement in the unique perspectives brought to the table by new interns. Kaitlyn is one of the brightest of the bunch, and we couldn’t be happier that she was selected for this recognition. So, let’s dive into her role. What does she do here? What has she learned since walking through these doors? How is she using this opportunity to prepare for the future?
Kaitlyn’s Responsibilities
Don’t let the term “intern” fool you. While she is here to learn, she has provided us with vital work that is much more than just “going through the motions.” Her responsibilities at Mesa include:
- Conducting literature searches
- Reading scientific reports
- Reviewing animal protocols
- Attending Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meetings
- Editing grants that were submitted to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Analyzing clinical trial data
- Developing scientific presentations for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
- Editing slides for webinars hosted by the International Cyanide Management Institute.
We could go on and on about the work she does here, but the main idea is this: She works hard and she does all of it well—all while learning vital skills for her future.
What has She Learned?
Kaitlyn’s education here has covered a wide range of aspects of the drug development process, from synthesizing a new drug all the way to FDA approval. This includes pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. On top of all that, writing and submitting grant applications has been a big part of her role. This is a rigorous process with specific sections detailing:
- Business development plans
- Commercialization plans
- Scientific research plans
- Specific aims
- Budget and budget justification
- Creating a scientific advisory board
Kaitlyn’s Future
We’ve talked about Kaitlyn Wylie’s contributions plenty, so let’s hear from her directly. How does she hope this internship will prepare her for life after graduation?
“During this internship I will continue to work alongside some of the best, most knowledgeable people in the industry. It really is a privilege to continue my education out of a classroom setting, where I get real world application in my dream field. Not only does it give me tangible experience when it comes to refining my biochemistry and pharmacology skills, it makes me more competitive in the field for future job opportunities.”
We couldn’t be happier to have Kaitlyn on the team, or more excited to see what she does with everything she’s learned here.