Biotech Intern Newsletter: Spotlight on Dhvani Shah
Welcome to another edition of the Biotech Intern Newsletter! Today, we're excited to feature Dhvani Shah, a former intern at Solid Biosciences, who shares her inspiring journey in analytical development and her passion for making a difference in the biotech world.
Internship Snapshot
Location: On-site
How It Started: Discovered through Northeastern University’s portal, NUworks
A Day in the Life
During her internship, Dhvani played a pivotal role in research and development by optimizing an in-house ELISA method and performing Capsid ELISA assays on over 450 samples. She cross-trained in advanced analytical techniques, including ddPCR, qPCR, Intact Mass LC-MS, and cell line maintenance, contributing significantly to AAV product quality evaluation and data analysis.
This hands-on experience not only sharpened her technical skills but also broadened her understanding of analytical methods in gene therapy.
Lessons from the Lab
Biggest Learning: "Balancing technical precision with adaptability is crucial for problem-solving."
Best Advice Received: "Failing an assay doesn’t mean the end of the world—it’s an opportunity to learn and improve for the next attempt." This perspective kept Dhvani motivated to push her boundaries every day.
Wish She Knew Before Starting: "How to manage time effectively in a fast-paced lab environment and prioritize tasks without compromising accuracy."
The Fun and the Challenges
Most Fun: Dhvani enjoyed the vibrant work culture and team-building activities at Solid Biosciences, which created a positive environment that made each day exciting and rewarding.
Biggest Struggle: Optimizing the ELISA method to balance efficiency and precision was challenging. However, Dhvani learned that patience, trial and error, and adjustments are key to overcoming such obstacles.
Key Lesson from Struggles: Setbacks are temporary, and with persistence and a calm mindset, success is always within reach.
The People Who Made It Great
Dhvani credits her manager, Bella Pajevic, and colleague Bisma Ajaz, for their invaluable support, mentorship, and encouragement throughout her internship. Their guidance and feedback helped her navigate challenges and grow in confidence and skills.
Words of Wisdom for Future Interns
Advice for New Interns:
Take things one day at a time and never be afraid to ask questions.
Stay curious, proactive, and committed to delivering your best.
Go beyond your daily tasks to explore learning opportunities, and always network to build meaningful connections.
Focus Areas for Interns: Strike a balance between developing new skills and mastering existing ones. This dual focus ensures both immediate success and long-term growth.
Rapid-Fire Favorites
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Online Meetings or In-Person Meetings? In-Person Meetings
Mountains or Beaches? Beaches
A Story of Perseverance
One of Dhvani’s most memorable challenges was troubleshooting persistent failures in her Capsid ELISA assays. Despite her efforts, the plates kept failing, causing frustration. Encouraged by her manager to take a step back, Dhvani approached the issue with fresh focus the following week.
By carefully analyzing each step and refining her approach, she not only overcame the challenge but also excelled in processing over 450 samples. This experience reinforced the importance of patience, persistence, and resilience in the face of setbacks.
Dhvani Shah’s journey at Solid Biosciences highlights the power of determination, curiosity, and mentorship. Her experience is a testament to the importance of embracing challenges, staying open to learning, and building strong professional relationships.
Connect with Dhvani Shah on LinkedIn
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