Congratulations to our
Pomona Summer Internship Recipients!

Briana Lovell, Class of 2008
Recipient of the 2008 Donor-Funded Internship at
Earth Economics in Tacoma, WA
Stipend Amount: $3,000
read more...
 

Carlos Almanza, Class of 2009
Recipient of the 2008 Healthcare Donor-Funded Internship, Position: Researcher at University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center
Stipend: $7,500
read more...

Earth Economics - Summer Internship
www.eartheconomics.org

Brief Statement from Internship Recipient Briana Lovell:

Ever since I can remember, my family’s Portland home has had an elaborate recycling system. My mother, who has always coordinated the effort, also worked for several recycling programs prior to my birth, which I have no doubt has contributed significantly to my own ethical and academic development.

After my early years of public school in Northeast Portland, I applied early to Pomona College, where I thought I might study International Relations. However, during my first semester I took the introductory Environmental Analysis class, which captured my attention in a unique way. As I proceeded along course to graduate with a major in Environmental Analysis, focusing on Policy, my passion for environmental issues grew. I will graduate this May not only with an academic background in the subject, but, more importantly, with a commitment to devote the rest of my life to work that I believe in. I am looking forward to pursuing this goal in the future, as I have not yet had a chance to really “get my hands dirty”.

I hope that this internship will help me find out more about where I would like to go in the future, in addition to the skills and knowledge I hope to gain this summer. I am interested in assisting with any of the projects that Earth Economics works on, especially toxics, Hurricane Katrina, forests, and international trade. I am very excited to join their office and I hope to contribute my skills in a meaningful way. I expect this experience to be a crucial part of my progress towards gaining hands-on experience at an environmental non-profit. Not only that, but I find the philosophy behind Earth Economics to be very well matched to my own belief that we must incorporate both environmental services and environmental damage into the economy. This summer should be an eye-opening and productive time for me, and I can’t wait to dive in!

Pomona College Donor-Funded Healthcare-Related Internship

Brief Statement from Internship Recipient Carlos Almanza:

“Why do I want to be a doctor?” If you asked me that seventeen years ago, I would have naively responded, porque quiero muchos perfumes, which translates to “because I want a lot of colognes.” When I was about four years old, I walked into Dr. Zaky’s office and was immediately entranced by the countless bottles of cologne adorning his walls. Noticing the glazed look in my eyes, my mom sarcastically commented, si quieres los perfumes, tienes que ser doctor, meaning “if you want all of those colognes, you have to be a doctor.” Since then, I have wanted to be a doctor, with a few tweaks in my reasons.

This summer, I will be working with Dr. Scott Cameron (MD/PhD) at the University of Texas- Southwestern Medical Center. This medical school trains the next generation of MD/PhD physician-scientists who will lead the future of academic medicine.

The goal of Dr. Cameron’s lab is to elucidate the genetic pathways and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell death in C. elegans, and to test whether the mammalian counterparts of these pathways function similarly during the development of cancer. These results support the perhaps surprising hypothesis that ‘master regulators’ of cell fates also act as ‘micromanagers’ to determine whether individual cells survive or die.

The internship offers a privy experience not normally offered to aspiring MD/PhD candidates. I will be working with people from the UT medical school selection committee, an experience that will allow me familiarize myself with what medical schools look for in MD and MD/PhD applicants. Upon my return, I plan to host an advising session where I would communicate the different tips I obtain through interactions with various professionals at UT Southwestern.
Personally, my long term goal as a doctor is to help provide low cost, quality health care for as many people as I can. Coming from a low-income family and community, I am acutely aware of the challenges, qualms, and pains that come with having no insurance. It is unfortunate that people, like my dad, refuse to get check ups because it means deciding between their health and their rent. I relish time spent with people and find no gift more valuable than health. For this reason, I can think of no better profession for me than being a doctor, and this internship greatly increases my ability to make my goals in life a reality.

Review descriptions and application requirements for these internships here.