Meet Our 2021 Summer Interns

Fatima Aly is a senior at Waterbury Career Academy in CT, where she is enrolled in the health sciences strand. Fatima is an ambassador with her school’s Sustainability Club which seeks to raise awareness for the increasing environmental crises and how citizens can make more sustainable choices. Fatima felt privileged to be elected president of National Honor Society and is excited to continue to serve as a student representative to her local Board of Education.n Fatima hopes to major in neuroscience and plans to continue advocating for health equity and climate change initiatives. About My YCCI InternshipThis internship was an incredible experience as I’ve never learned so much about our health system and clinical research.  The program opened my eyes to the health inequity in America. We talked to so many important leaders in the medical community who were inspired and committed to make changes. If there is anything I learned from these amazing figures it is that there is never a right time to start making changes, the time is always now- if you have a goal work towards it.  For Students Considering YCCIThis internship isn’t just something you complete to put on a resume and forget, it’s an unforgettable experience. You’re exposed to things you normally would not be, and it really sheds light on the systemic issues of our healthcare system. If you’re lucky enough to get in you’re going to have an incredible time!

Ayan Ansari is a student at Brashier Middle College in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Despite just starting high school and his young age, Ayan has been able to pursue research and professional development opportunities. In the past, he has worked on an initiative called Solenoid Stimulations, which has weekly articles covering topics such as medtech and flight dynamics, as well as how to create web programmed education-based sites. He has also worked on entrepreneurial projects including having created a shop called LazyCowGoods and LazyCowUSA to sell sustainable clothing such as faux leather jackets, and labor-friendly necklaces and earrings. Ayan is interested in learning artificial intelligence research and industry work in the domains of healthcare, transportation, and specialized chat applications and studying at one of the top medical clinics to help prepare for his early academic career in health. About My YCCI InternshipI applied to this prodigious program to help achieve my goals of learning more about clinical trials related to medicine, frontline drug discoveries, supply chain of certain drugs in clinics and helping patients with heart failure or heart disease. This program benefits oneself in many ways, such as learning how to communicate formally with other students and professors, getting to work on projects that help benefit many communities, and preparing oneself for their early academic career in health. Yale Center for Clinical Investigation gave me the opportunity to receive guidance from multiple clinical researchers and professors at Yale, while also driving me to do my own research and studies in the health field.For Students Considering YCCII recommend that prospective and incoming interns find ways to automate surveys and small tasks to offset more time to dedicate towards analyzing results and conducting further research if necessary. My experience has prepared me to delve deeper, always asking questions and creating solutions to make people's lives easier and healthier.

Jake Boston is a junior at Hercules High School in the Bay Area as well as a part-time student at Contra Costa College. Through his local community college's dual enrollment program, he is actively working towards his associate degree in Public Health Science. Some accomplishments include leading a successful volunteer campaign at his school as well as establishing a Japanese club for students to engage in new cultures.  Jake is also a varsity cross country and track runner, with the position of team captain in both sports. An area of medicine that he wishes to research is lymphatic malformations, with hopes that he can advance the treatment options available.About My YCCI InternshipThanks to YCCI and the Cultural Ambassadors, I came out of this internship with a massive amount of knowledge on clinical research and the health care system. Being given the opportunity to engage with so many professionals at Yale has inspired me to pursue the medical field. Some of my most memorable experiences were bonding with the other interns and working directly with the YCCI staff on our research projects.  For Students Considering YCCIGo for it! The program is an amazing way to introduce yourself to research and medicine, with the advantage of it being run by professionals at Yale themselves. While the program may seem intimidating at first, the projects you do and the people you meet are incredible, and the supportive environment of the internship will make you feel a part of the YCCI community.

Joshua Brown is a senior at Mount Saint Michael Academy in Bronx, NY where he has served as president of the Student Council, manager and recruiter for the Film and Philosophy Club and secretary for the HACK CLUB.  Joshua is an Honor Student, with interest in Data Science and has experience in analyzing data sets and coordinating Python for Slack.  He is an active volunteer in Campus Ministry as a Spiritual Leader.About My YCCI InternshipDuring my internship with YCCI, I was introduced to multiple leaders from many fields. I was able to connect with professionals and learn about the fields of neuroscience and informatics. With this information, we connected data and worked on team projects to explain the different aspects of clinical research as it relates to children and adolescents. This was a great opportunity to gain friendships with like-minded people while teaming up to cause change. For Students Considering YCCIIf you are a leader striving to bring change to the world and your community this is a wonderful experience to gain the knowledge to do that.

Hansuja Chaurasia is a senior at Pomperaug High School in Southbury, CT. As the Co-Captain of her school's debate team, she is passionate about speech, debate, and politics. Hansuja additionally has an interest in public health and medicine. She is involved in many community public health organizations and clubs and has participated in virtual and in-person regional and national shadowing programs. Hansuja enjoys giving back to her community. In 2020, she founded Words of Thanks, an organization dedicated to spreading love, appreciation, and encouragement through handmade cards and digital messages to those affected directly & indirectly by COVID-19.About My YCCI InternshipMy time at the YCCI internship was one of the highlights of the summer. This program had such engaging, informative sessions where I learned so much. I loved meeting various leaders throughout the internship and having lunch with them while asking questions and learning about their lives. Working with my project members was a wonderful experience.  As a result of this internship, I met a lot of incredible students just like me; some of whom I still keep in touch with today. Finally, every staff member was extremely kind and treated all the interns, including myself, with such respect and love, which I greatly appreciated. For Students Considering YCCIIf you are able to apply, please do! I was not sure if I would be "good enough" to get into this program, but I made it, and so can you! This is an experience where you will learn so many valuable skills and new information. You will get to meet influential individuals and ask them questions that pique your own interest. There was never a dull moment in this internship, and I highly recommend you apply.

José M.P. Méndez Chévere is entering his third year at Universidad de Puerto Rico Recindo de Mayagüez and is majoring in Industrial Microbiology. This semester he is enrolled in Microbiology, Medical Mycology, Statistics and Sociohumanity courses.  An aspiring physician, his interest include research in Astrobotany and Biotechnology.About My YCCI InternshipMy experience as an YCCI intern was amazing. I was able to develop, alongside my team, a wonderful project that made children and adolescent assent forms more user friendly and less intimidating. During my time as an intern, I got the chance to speak with so many professionals; it was truly inspiring. It was incredible how I could ask questions of these professionals and have a productive conversation. I really learned a lot and my goal to become a physician became much clearer. For Students Considering YCCIDo it! Take this opportunity to get to know yourself better. This internship presents you with the chance to take a look at the many careers in the healthcare system. You will surely find the career you would like to pursue and learn more of it.

Stephanos Fikru is a student at West Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. He gained a national merit award for consistent volunteering from the Red Cross Club and was recognized for humanitarian efforts by the National Honors Society. Stephanos holds multiple leadership positions and currently works as a Team Captain at Nanoparticle Research Project on a project that seeks to eliminate tumor cells and combat pancreatic cancer. He is Co-Captain of BC Labs where he and partners used an existing machine learning device to create an accurate system that tracks the brain, heart, and veins. Stephanos is also the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada branch of the International Youth Neuroscience Association amongst other positions.

Sahana Ganesh is a rising senior at Rocky Hill High School in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Sahana has an interest in research, data analysis, medical ethics, biomedical engineering and technology, and medicine. She has extensive leadership and research experience including the organization of a day-long Free Health Camp, being a student researcher at UConn investigating stem cell engineering and technology, serving as the co-leader of the Research Team, Recruiting Chair for the Rocky Hill State Champion awarded Marching Band, and a historian for GirlUp which aims to advance girls' skills, rights, and opportunities to be leaders. Her additional achievements include being a member of the Junior Achievement Alumni, being an AP and college credit student and a 2021 summer intern for Yale Center of Clinical Investigation. This fall, she hopes to continue her research of the MyChart electronic patient portal and health records to boost pediatric research participation and implement her findings into the Yale Health System as a year-long intern. About my YCCI Internship It was amazing to have an opportunity to work with some of the most renowned and top professionals of the medical and data informatics team at Yale. I always came to the internship excited to learn more about topics that are not normally taught in high school classes and are more reflective of what students will hear in the real world. In addition, working on a project to be presented and implemented into the actual Yale Health System was impressive as it taught me that even as a student, I could impact the community around me and improve it through my work. Overall, the internship was a great opportunity, and I would recommend it to any students who are interested in clinical research and the health/data industries.  For Students Considering YCCI Apply! Even if you do not think that you'll get in, you never know where an application can take you, and it is certainly better than not trying at all :)

Victoria I. Garcia is a Biology Pre-medicine student at The University of Tampa, with the pursuit of becoming a physician in the future. She became a 2021 summer intern at YCCI as she began her senior year. Last summer, Victoria was given the opportunity to be a Research Assistant at the Puerto Rico Medical Research Center which coupled with being a part of the YCCI Internship Pilot Program broadened her understanding of clinical research. Currently, she is working with an associate professor at UT investigating positive selection of the Hendra Virus and she is involved in various community service organizations University of Tampa like MEDLIFE.About my YCCI Internship During this internship, the interns were given the opportunity to meet extraordinary leaders and remarkable physicians who focused their attention in introducing and educating us on information corresponding to medical informatics, the importance of privacy and HIPAA, what EHR is, the importance of clinical decision report, an overview of the human research protection, different research study designs and focused information about clinical research and investigation and its impact in society and the growing science. Additionally, I was able to build a project with a group of chosen students that involved generating an idea on how to take the importance of research and clinical trials from its complex concept into an easier form in which children and adolescents could understand and be educated about. Being granted the opportunity to be an intern in this program has broadened my communication skills and most importantly, educated me on the importance of research. It has unquestionably made me consider becoming a researcher in the future with the goal of becoming a principal investigator within my department of interest in medicine. In addition, it has given me the opportunity to meet students from all over the world with the same interest and involvement as me and to meet incredible leaders which inspire me to become a successful healthcare professional in the future. For Students Considering YCCI Any student that has an interest in becoming more involved in clinical research and forming part of the medical field, should most definitely apply for this internship. It has been the highlight of my whole summer as there was never a dull moment; all the speakers were very interactive.

Krystal Grover is an ambitious teenager from Toronto, Canada. She is fueled by her genuine passion and curiosity for a wide range of topics. Krystal likes to keep herself busy. She co-founded The Bloom Red Project, a non-profit organization centered around diminishing period poverty and stigma.  Krystal is also involved with research through COBWEB at the University of Toronto and occasionally enjoys writing for local papers such as The Downsview Advocate. Aside from these commitments, she is also a professional dancer and loves to strike up conversations with anyone anywhere! Krystal hopes to pursue her passion for medicine as a career while being mindful of continuously giving back to society as a cornerstone of her life.About My YCCI InternshipThe YCCI Exposures Pilot Internship was easily one of the greatest highlights of my high school and summer experiences. I remember receiving the acceptance email and feeling a huge wave of excitement and optimism. Throughout the internship, I had the incredible opportunity to hear from esteemed speakers, eat virtual lunch with today’s leaders in the health space and explore career paths I did not even know existed! I ended the internship with an even stronger passion for my medical career and my mind racing with deep inspiration and aspirations for the future.For Students Considering YCCII have nothing but praises for this valuable opportunity. If you are a student interested in pursuing a career somewhere even remotely in medicine - whether as a doctor, a clinical researcher, working in health informatics and everything in between - this internship would be quite the exposure opportunity for you. The knowledge you gain and the connections you make throughout this program are truly incomparable and priceless. This internship, beyond a doubt, equips you with skillsets and experiences like no other; ones that will not only aid you in navigating future careers but present you with a competitive edge amongst other students.

Aastha Kashyap is a senior at Glastonbury High School. Aastha has a strong passion for human studies, seeking to develop a knowledge of traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities. Through her leadership roles within her school’s Newspaper Club and Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club, she has written, edited, and published educational content promoting the importance of tolerance, community, and civic and social responsibility. Aastha’s current focuses include exploring how different groups of people interact with the healthcare system and how to improve access for traditionally marginalized groups. She is currently considering a major in anthropology, psychology, or a public-health related field.About My YCCI InternshipYCCI’s Exposures Summer Internship was the most extraordinary introductory experience into clinical research I could have hoped for. As summer interns, we were immersed in YCCI’s supportive educational atmosphere, especially as we worked on our projects. Through this internship, I received a crash course on integral systems like Epic, MyChart, and REDCap. Thanks to this internship, I have also developed the skills necessary for thinking of problems from multiple angles. For Students Considering YCCIBefore this internship, I was super hesitant to consider healthcare as a career. I had no idea how many diverse fields existed within healthcare, because the only professions associated with healthcare that I’d heard of were the traditional doctor, surgeon, and nurse. YCCI expanded my horizons and in a way, helped me to be less afraid of pursuing a career in the future. This internship taught me so much about how many paths I have to pursue the topics that I love.  I think that many others, especially high school students, need that type of exposure to the broader world in order for them to be brave enough to pursue their dreams.

Diya Girish Kumar is a rising sophomore at Brookfield High School. She has a strong interest in neuroscience and has taken on many STEM-related initiatives. Currently, she is in the process of establishing NeuroGEN, an organization that provides opportunities for young students to get involved in the field of neuroscience. Interested in clinical research and healthcare, Diya pursued this internship as it aligns with her research and career interests. She hopes to pursue a career within the field of clinical neuroscience in the future. About My YCCI InternshipThis internship was truly the highlight of my summer. Being able to hear from world-renowned clinicians and informaticists gave me a lot of insight into the field of clinical research and data management. It was also exciting to work with fellow high schoolers who shared the same passion and interests as me. I was able to explore many career options and learn more about the ways that I could become involved within the field of clinical research as a whole.For Students Considering YCCIAs a high school student, I have always been interested in exploring various pathways to pursue in the future. Being part of the YCCI Internship Program will really allow you to explore many different career options within the field of clinical research and informatics. The program is a great opportunity for students to connect with mentors and students from different backgrounds, and become involved in a range of opportunities relating to their personal interests.

Brandon Kumpf is a sophomore at The Hopkins School in New Haven, Connecticut. He is interested in many different medical specialties, from psychology to dermatology. He has received merit awards for his performance on both the National Spanish Exam and the National Latin Exam. Although he is broadly interested in the medical field, Brandon has a large interest in the connection between medical informatics and IT tools used in the clinical setting and how they may drive innovations in future treatments. Brandon also has a large interest in data analyzation and how it can be used to drive diagnoses and treatments for different conditions. About My YCCI InternshipMy internship at YCCI was something that I never could have imagined. There were some incredible presenters, from Dr. Paul Taheri to President Marna Borgstrom, that gave insight into their work lives and suggestions on where interns can go next. I also got to contribute to projects that hopefully will become something much bigger, teaching years of students to come about clinical trials. This experience was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that gave me many connections and skills to help me pursue my career in the future. For Students Considering YCCINo matter what you think you want to go into in life, the YCCI internship may open your eyes to paths that you had never originally thought of. The experience is so engaging and the presenters are so talented at what they do. If you are even just considering applying to an internship at YCCI, I would strongly suggest following through. My experience here was something I will never forget.

Frances Bernier Matta is an undergraduate student at Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Mayaguez, studying Industrial Microbiology. Frances plays a role in different associations including the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Research, Student Association of Industrial Biotechnology and Beta Beta Beta (Tribeta) Biology Honor Society Zeta Alpha Chapter UPRM. Frances has plans of pursuing a career in the medical field. About My YCCI InternshipYCCI gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from brilliant professionals in many different fields of medicine. This had such a positive impact on me personally and my future goals. The knowledge I gained serves as a tool for my future path in medicine. Building research projects with my fellow interns helped me broaden my view on what research truly entails. For Students Considering YCCIThis internship is an amazing opportunity for students who want to learn about the research process and professions in the medical field. It provides you with great mentors that help you understand each of their professions and broadens your understanding to the different paths in this field.

George Obongo is a junior at Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland. He is enrolled in a dual high school-college degree program, in which he will graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. George has an interest in pursuing pre-med studies and engaging in medical research upon graduating from high school.About My YCCI InternshipMy internship experience at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation gave me the opportunity to participate in translating clinical research to pediatric patients. I also engaged with research experts and Yale faculty while learning much about clinical research. The opportunity allowed me to collaborate with peers in a group project. I also learned about various career options in the medical and research fields.For Students Considering YCCII would recommend this internship program to students interested in clinical research, regardless of experience. The program is highly engaging and collaborative. It also enhances skills in communication and teamwork. The YCCI internship is a great opportunity for students to learn the basics of translating clinical research into practice.

Anish Patel is a senior at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California. His interests lie in the biomedical sciences along with the intersection of technology and business in healthcare. Anish has worked on research projects with several institutions on a number of topics including thermo-plastic urethane resin pellets for Venous Access Devices, applications of cellular automata, using artificial intelligence to diagnose pneumonia and skin cancer using x-rays and skin lesions respectfully, Niemann-Pick type C-1 symptom profiles, developing a program to use in COVID-19 virus research, and many more. He has also been able to publish two novel gene segments of Landoltia punctata in the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Along with his passion for conducting scientific research, Anish has founded a non-profit organization which conducts interviews with researchers from around the world including Yale, Harvard, and Oxford, aimed at expanding the reach and accessibility of research to students across the globe from a digital platform. With the help of sponsors, Anish is currently writing a book on the impact of climate change on the present and future in regards to human and animal health, biodiversity, evolution, and genetics.About My YCCI InternshipAs an intern at YCCI I was able to interact with a number of highly knowledgeable and experienced leaders from the President of the Yale School of Medicine to the CEO of Advaara to the CEO of Yale New Haven Hospital, all providing a wealth of insight which has most definitely changed my view of not only my personal career in healthcare but also of medicine in general. In addition to these experiences, I was able to work with an astounding group of talented interns and with a further subset on a project to enhance patient assent forms currently utilized by the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation and the Yale School of Medicine for patient studies including novel medication and vaccine trials.For Students Considering YCCIThe Yale School of Medicine YCCI Internship is an unparalleled opportunity for anyone considering a medical oriented career whether it be through business administration, clinical work, law, technology, or medical care; this program truly covers it all. Engaging in group dialogue with professionals from across the field of health care and working on a project to be implemented at YCCI provides just a small glimpse as to the value that accompanies this program. Furthermore, this internship presents new perspectives and has the potential to change your personal pathway in medicine, as it did mine!

Karena Pemu is a goal-driven Senior at Mcintosh High School in Peachtree City, GA. Karena is a volunteer at Morehouse All of Us, a research program for personalized healthcare software intended to speed up medical breakthroughs. Karena has a passion for research in psychology, specifically for disparities in the ability for socially and economically marginalized communities to access adequate mental healthcare. Karena desires to major in psychology.

Sampath Rapuri is currently a high school senior at St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas, Texas. His interests include the intersection of healthcare and computer science, bioengineering, and bioethics. Sampath has worked on research projects across a wide variety of areas including but not limited to studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in lower-middle income countries, creating artificial intelligence solutions to laterality mislabeling in radiographs, and developing software for an autonomous microscope. Apart from his research interests, Sampath enjoys competing in the United States Biology Olympiad (USABO) and Brain Bee competitions where he placed in the top 50 out of more than 5000 people and tied for fourth place nationally, respectively. During his time at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Sampath worked on a project promoting education and awareness of Yale’s pediatric clinical research through the Epic MyChart patient portal along with researchers at the YCCI Informatics team. About my YCCI Internship “Throughout my internship with YCCI, I was able to hear from the current leaders at the forefront of their fields across many different disciplines. It was exciting and meaningful to learn from them. This program not only afforded me with a more in-depth knowledge and greater appreciation of clinical research but also taught me to better communicate as well as to speak publicly with confidence” For Students Considering YCCI “YCCI will provide you with many opportunities to hear from and interact with leaders with decades of experience in their fields. It’s not often that you get to speak to the dean of the Yale School of Medicine or researchers on the verge of breakthroughs of life-saving drugs. This internship program will allow you to learn a lot about possible career options and gain exposure to many different careers in addition to improving soft skills like creative thinking, time management, and teamwork.”

Gabriel is currently a freshman at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez where he studying to become a Doctor of Osteopathy. Gabriel enjoys learning of different ways that to help advance the science of medicine and help people who desperately need the most. In his spare time, Gabriel makes that he shares with friends for their enjoyment. Gabriel is still exploring his interests, but so far has a passion for Psychology, Anatomy, Chemistry, and Sports.About my YCCI Internship I LOVED the internship! It was so much fun because I got to learn what is happening in the medical world in various places, whether it’s how Clinical Research works or what the Dean of Yale School of Medicine had for dinner. I got to meet an amazingly talented and intelligent group of people my age, so we were able to relate each other, even in such a short time. Once a week passes you feel like you are family, and it is so nice to have such important people as your friends.  It was such an amazing learning opportunity and just a good experience in general. 10/10 would recommend. For Students Considering YCCI Do it. If you have the opportunity to apply, do not let it go to waste, and when you apply, make sure you go all in and do your best and be your best self when you are in there because it is something that is very important and crucial for everybody’s future. Do not be too serious though, be yourself and be relaxed, but keep a persistent mindset as well. You never know if your project could help Yale in a big way if you don’t try it. Also, if you think you don’t belong here, you are wrong. You do belong here because they will welcome you there. As long as if you can prove that you belong there, there is no way you do not belong there. Ps. It looks cool on the resume.

Nila Saminathan is a senior student at Clear Lake High school in Texas.  Nila is interested in becoming a neurologist and is currently exploring multiple healthcare fields in the hopes of medical school. She enjoys learning about many topics such as neurological conditions, technology in healthcare, and the money behind drug prices. Nila has participated in many healthcare-oriented activities, such as volunteering for the Harris health center, where she made care packages for patients and staff. Nila came in 2nd place in a district wide Science fair, with her project focusing on removing harmful algae from waters around residential areas to save the human body from toxins. Her love for healthcare has led to participation in a variety of science related AP classes, such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. After having been involved in research projects at University of Houston and Harris Health investigating how the healthcare system worked, Nila interned with the Yale Center for Clinical investigation, learning and actively working on the connection between technology and healthcare.About My YCCI InternshipMy experience with YCCI opened my eyes to so many fields of healthcare that I had never even considered. After having access to only professionals from Texas, I was able to interact and learn from many esteemed leaders across Yale about clinical research and healthcare in general. This program allowed me to be introduced to and learn in depth about how technology has taken over healthcare, and this has prepared me to be part of the healthcare world in the future. Over this internship, I was able to learn how to communicate with others that shared similar passions as me, and to take initiative in becoming part of this generation’s solution to the futures healthcare problems.For Students Considering YCCIYCCI is incredibly inclusive, welcoming, and allows those of any background to learn about the world of healthcare. This program also allows interns to be exposed to clinical research, which is a vital part of healthcare that is often overlooked by young students. The mentors in this program are always open for questions and will provide any information that you are looking for related to thousands of topics in the medical world.