{"id":16203,"date":"2017-09-22T12:56:41","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T07:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/?p=16203"},"modified":"2017-09-23T13:30:27","modified_gmt":"2017-09-23T08:00:27","slug":"internship-in-biomedical-research-story-of-a-doctor-redefining-perseverance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/internship-in-biomedical-research-story-of-a-doctor-redefining-perseverance\/","title":{"rendered":"Internship in biomedical research – Story of a doctor redefining perseverance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Internship-in-biomedical-research-Story-of-a-doctor-redefining-perseverance\"<\/p>\n

About the Author:\u00a0<\/strong>Dr. Srishti Ahuja from Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital talks about her research internship and how she worked tirelessly day and night to achieve her dreams.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Working as a junior resident, attending patients and OPDs, working my shifts, and studying in my spare time left an empty space in my life, and I wanted to fill it in with an internship in biomedical research. Owing to my twelve-hour shifts, overpacked OPDs, fatigue, and lack of time, I knew I was biting more than I could chew. However, I knew success lay in a zone outside my comfort, so I decided to email my resume to as many as twenty-five scientists expressing my interest in an internship and stating my time constraints.<\/p>\n

To my surprise merged with a pinch of dismay, I received a reply from only one scientist from Ambedkar Institute of Biomedical Research<\/strong>. Adding to it, I ignored the call from her mistaking her for a patient. To my luck, she had emailed me her contact number. I called her after a day\u2019s arduous work and a 2-hour travel to be interviewed. She asked what made me stand out, why I wanted to get into research, why I should be allowed to join a high-end research when I was so low on time, how I would be an asset to the scientists. She enquired about my credentials and achievements and questioned me on various research and clinical topics. I responded to each question in a precise, concise, and intelligent manner. The interview lasted for 45 minutes, and I was confident, persuasive, and convincing throughout. My dedication, backed up with my grind and work ethics, spoke volumes, and I was hired.<\/p>\n

Within a week, I arranged the required documents such as application to the head of the institution, my resume citing all my achievements, etc. and the letters of recommendation. I convinced the scientist that I would reach the lab by 2.30 every afternoon, but I didn\u2019t know that I was signing for another challenge. My job became more uphill when I was posted elsewhere by the hospital with a new attending which meant more patients, more work, and more travel.<\/p>\n

My work in the lab comprised of core molecular biology procedures like DNA isolation, RNA isolation from blood samples of Cardiac patients. I worked on Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR), a technique to amplify the copies of a segment of DNA sequence, RT-PCR procedures which included various assays like nitric acid and BCA. After performing the experiments, I recorded the results, analysed the data, and reported the observations to my supervisor. The additional responsibilities included getting the control samples (samples of a healthy person), maintaining the quantitative and qualitative data generated from the research, ensuring the storage of the samples, and keeping the lab tidy and functional. I drew blood samples for volunteer patients and worked on them. I got opportunities to meet incredible scientists and a splendid exposure to research work. I explored new horizons of biology and worked on many cool assays.<\/p>\n

The work itself wasn\u2019t gruelling but working for four to five hours every day on intensive procedures after an exhaustive OPD was an acme of fatigue. However, the fact that I was still actuated about this phase of my life was astounding. I juggled through my shifts, running between the lab and the hospital. I knew that the trouble of balancing the work was just a dime\u2019s worth, and I worked my fingers to the bone. I was getting the best of both worlds as a physician and a scientist. Although I couldn\u2019t afford to make any mistakes, I made some but since my results were good providentially, they were compensated for. Also, I feel I did pretty well experimenting in the lab and handling my patients with a clean bill of health for myself (giggles).<\/p>\n

‘Work to a point where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection, and you will be the best without an interjection.’<\/em><\/p>\n

Srishti is truly inspiring, isn’t she? Check out these latest biology internships<\/a> and set out to be an achiever yourself.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 If you also have an interesting story to share, you can now participate in\u00a0Your Internship Story Contest 2017<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0win cash prizes and goodies worth INR 1 Lac!<\/em><\/p>\n