A Prime Internship Experience at Prime Medicine: Apurva Bakre on Growth, Grit, and Gene Editing

"Delivering on the promise of Prime Editing"

Biotech Intern Newsletter: Spotlight on Apurva Bakre

Welcome to this edition of the Biotech Intern Newsletter. Today, we are excited to feature Apurva Bakre, whose on-site internship at Prime Medicine offers a behind-the-scenes look at lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation and process development in the context of cutting-edge gene editing programs. From independently preparing preclinical LNP batches to collaborating across teams in a fast-paced biotech setting, Apurva’s experience reflects how initiative, adaptability, and teamwork can turn uncertainty into success.

Internship Snapshot

Company: Prime Medicine

Location: On-site

How It Started: Found through Northeastern’s NU Works platform and by hearing about the experience from seniors who had interned there

A Day in the Life

During her internship at Prime Medicine, Apurva independently formulated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for preclinical studies and contributed to parallel process development efforts to support gene editing programs. Her responsibilities required not just technical execution, but also strategic thinking, as she played an active role in experiments that directly supported the advancement of therapeutic platforms.

Lessons from the Lab

Biggest Learning:

“The most important thing I learned during my internship was how to navigate complex scientific challenges through critical thinking and data-driven decision making, while strengthening my collaboration and communication skills by working closely with multidisciplinary teams in a high-impact, fast-paced environment.”

Best Advice Received:

“The best advice I received during my internship was that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them, and that confidently expressing your opinions with clarity and respect is essential for growth. I also learned that every small effort contributes meaningfully to overall progress.”

Wish I Had Known:

“One thing I wish I knew before starting my internship is that asking questions early and often not only accelerates learning but also shows initiative and helps build stronger connections with your team.”

Wish I Had Learned:

“One thing I wish I had learned during my internship is advanced data analysis techniques, including a deeper understanding of Design of Experiments (DoE) and JMP software, to better interpret experimental results and make more informed decisions in formulation development.”

Fun Moments and Growth

Most Fun Experience: “The most fun experience I had during my internship was performing the TNS assay from scratch. Though I was initially nervous, achieving strong results boosted my confidence and taught me how to adapt quickly, making it a truly rewarding experience.”

Biggest Struggle:

Apurva described a key early challenge in her internship. “I struggled with taking full ownership of a complex LNP formulation project because I wasn’t sure if what I was doing was right or strong enough to give me good results. After seeking feedback from my manager and asking more questions, I gained confidence, refined my approach, and successfully led the project, turning initial uncertainty into a valuable learning experience.”

Behind the Scenes

Who Made It Memorable:

“I would credit my manager and my team the most for my success during my internship because they consistently encouraged me to think critically and helped me learn valuable lessons from every experiment.”

Advice for Future Interns

Words of Wisdom:

“My advice for someone doing or planning to do an internship is to ask plenty of questions. It's one of the best ways to learn quickly, overcome challenges, and show your eagerness to grow.”

What Interns Should Focus On:

“Interns should focus on learning as much as possible, building strong communication skills, being open to feedback, and understanding how their work contributes to overall goals.”

Turning Challenges into Growth

Apurva’s story about taking ownership of her LNP formulation project serves as a valuable lesson in leadership and perseverance. “At the start, I wasn’t sure if I was doing things right. But by proactively communicating, asking for help, and seeking feedback, I was able to gain confidence, adapt quickly, and ultimately lead the project independently. That moment of struggle became a turning point.”

Rapid-Fire Favorites

Coffee or Tea? Coffee

Online or In-Person Meetings? In-person meetings

Mountains or Beaches? Mountains

Closing Thoughts

Apurva’s internship at Prime Medicine is a strong example of how curiosity, ownership, and resilience can lead to meaningful professional growth. Her story reflects what’s possible when interns are trusted with real responsibility and supported by strong mentors. Whether it’s running a complex assay or learning to speak up with confidence, Apurva’s experience shows how biotech internships can shape both skillset and mindset.

Connect with Apurva Bakre on LinkedIn to follow her journey in biotech.

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