Biotech Intern Newsletter: Spotlight on Kaustubh Joshi
Welcome to this edition of the Biotech Intern Newsletter! Today, we’re proud to feature Kaustubh Joshi, whose internship at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) shines as a testament to the power of communication, adaptability, and the pursuit of innovation. Kaustubh’s story underscores how challenges can fuel creativity and personal growth in the fast-paced world of drug discovery.
Internship Snapshot
Company: GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
Location: On-site
How It Started: Found through GSK's career portal
A Day in the Life
During his internship, Kaustubh focused on drug discovery and metabolism, using cellular models to investigate transporter-driven drug-drug interactions. His work contributed to understanding how these interactions influence the development of cancer therapeutics, laying a solid foundation for his doctoral aspirations.
Lessons from the Lab
Biggest Learning: The value of effective communication in fostering collaboration. By initiating regular team meetings and creating shared project documents, Kaustubh transformed miscommunication into clarity and efficiency, a lesson he continues to apply to his academic and professional endeavors.
Best Advice Received: "Failure isn’t failure—it’s a preparatory phase for success." This wisdom from his advisor inspired Kaustubh to embrace challenges with confidence and think innovatively, skills essential for a thriving scientific career. Here's the full extract:
"The most important thing I learned was the value of effective communication within a team. I worked on several projects with my advisor where several departments needed to collaborate closely. Initially, there were miscommunications that led to delays. I took the initiative to set up regular teams meetings (got used to Microsoft Teams so much now) and developed a shared document for updates, which improved clarity and efficiency. This experience taught me how crucial clear communication is in driving a project to success, and I have been applying this lesson to my team projects ever since. I believe it will be invaluable as I pursue a doctoral program focused on cancers and the role of transporter mediated drug interactions in cancer therapeutics, where multi-lab collaboration is very important."
Wish I Knew Before Starting: The significance of networking within the company. Engaging with colleagues across departments enriched his understanding of industry operations and provided invaluable insights.
"I wish I realized the importance of networking within the company. Initially, I focused solely on my assigned tasks and projects, thinking that my work would speak for itself. However, I realized that building relationships with colleagues across different departments is crucial for collaboration and gaining a deeper understanding of the company’s operations. Once I started reaching out and engaging more with others, I found that it enriched my experience and provided me with valuable perspectives and insights. Additionally, industry works at a much faster pace than academia. I also wish I had been better prepared to work in a faster paced environment."
Wish I Had Learned: Advanced statistical knowledge and data analysis techniques to enhance research efficiency and precision.
Fun Moments and Challenges
Most Fun Experience: Attending team socials and happy hours, where he learned about different cultures and heard fascinating life stories.
Biggest Struggle: Delving into DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics) without prior lab experience. Through extensive reading and discussions, Kaustubh built a foundational understanding of the field and developed confidence in troubleshooting experiments, often finding value in even the “silliest” ideas.
Key Lessons from Challenges:
Sharing ideas, no matter how small, fosters critical thinking and innovation.
Overcoming self-doubt paves the way for growth and skill-building.
Behind the Scenes
Resources Utilized: Kaustubh acknowledges the role of mentorship in his success, though he wishes he had taken greater advantage of GSK’s co-mentorship program for deeper industry insights.
Who Made it Memorable: "I credit my manager for her collaborative teaching style and unwavering support, which gave me the confidence to grow and explore my potential as a scientist."
Advice for Future Interns
Start Early: Rejections are part of the process—stay persistent and focused.
Communicate and Network: Build relationships and share ideas to gain new perspectives and opportunities.
Be Adaptable: Embrace challenges and learn to navigate a fast-paced environment.
Rapid-Fire Favorites
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Online Meetings or In-Person Meetings? In-Person Meetings
Mountains or Beaches? Beaches
Closing Thoughts
Kaustubh’s experience at GSK highlights the importance of clear communication, adaptability, and innovation in tackling complex challenges. His journey is a reminder that perseverance and collaboration can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Do you have a story that can inspire the next generation of biotech professionals? Submit your experience to the Biotech Intern Newsletter today!
Connect with Kaustubh Joshi on LinkedIn for insights and advice.
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