Ishaan Gollamudi ’26 spent his summer participating in a highly coveted internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland. This prestigious opportunity allowed the Molecular and Cellular Biology major to apply his research skills, honed in the Thines Lab, and explore his passion for therapeutic applications in medicine.
It all started with a casual WhatsApp message from his father, who shared a link to the NIH internship program. Intrigued by the opportunity, Gollamudi immediately began the application process. After submitting his application and reaching out to several labs, he was thrilled to be selected as a research intern for the Aregger Lab.
“The lab focuses on how cancer cells adapt to their environment, specifically by rewiring gene expression and metabolism,” Gollamudi said. “Our team was working on developing the CHyMErA system, a new CRISPR-based tool that can target two genes simultaneously. This system has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy by enabling more precise and effective treatments.”
Gollamudi’s role in the lab involved setting up a healthy cell control line using the CHyMErA system. This crucial step helped ensure that the targeted gene combinations would specifically kill cancer cells without harming normal cells.
The internship experience has significantly impacted Gollamudi’s future plans. He now aims to pursue a career in research with a focus on therapeutic applications.
“This internship has solidified my passion for research and inspired me to strive for excellence in my academic pursuits,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such talented researchers and to have contributed to groundbreaking research.”
As Gollamudi reflects on his transformative summer, he's more determined than ever to pursue a career in medical research. He is currently preparing for the MCAT and is considering applying to MD and MD-PhD programs.
"I'm excited to continue my academic journey and make a tangible impact on people's lives," he said.
