The One Lesson That Changed Everything for Resham Gholap During Her Internship at Immunitas Therapeutics
- Widler Casy
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
Biotech Intern Newsletter: Spotlight on Resham Gholap
Welcome to this edition of the Biotech Intern Newsletter. Today, we feature Resham Gholap, whose on site internship at Immunitas Therapeutics reflects how curiosity, communication, and persistence can shape a strong foundation for aspiring scientists entering the biotech industry.
Internship Snapshot
Company: Immunitas Therapeutics
Location: On site
How It Started: “I came across the opening on my university’s co-op portal. Out of curiosity and excitement, I reached out directly to the hiring manager on LinkedIn. That extra step made the process feel more personal and helped me get an interview with my manager.”
At Immunitas Therapeutics, Resham joined a team focused on the development of tool molecules for targeting solid tumors. Her work centered on testing molecule efficiency across experimental conditions, validating potential using a range of laboratory techniques, and collaborating across functional teams to refine experimental design and interpretation.
A Day in the Life
Resham’s internship revolved around experimental design and data validation. “I worked on testing the efficiency of tool molecules, based on experimental conditions, for their ability to target solid tumors by using a range of experimental techniques to validate their potential.”
This experience gave her a front row view of how early stage research translates into therapeutic innovation. She also discovered that strong communication is the backbone of successful collaboration. “I learned how critical clear and efficient communication is when working on cross functional projects,” she reflected. “Every discussion helped me connect the dots between different aspects of the work.”
Lessons from the Experience
Biggest Learning: “I learned how critical clear and efficient communication is when working on cross functional projects.” This lesson shaped how she approached collaboration and scientific reporting.
Best Advice Received: “Don’t be disheartened when an experiment fails. Troubleshoot, and the ‘why’ will teach you more than the result.” This mindset shift turned setbacks into opportunities for reasoning and growth.
Wish I Had Known: “That asking questions isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. Early on, I hesitated, worried I might come across as underprepared. But once I started asking more questions, I not only learned faster but also built stronger relationships with my team.”
Wish I Had Learned: “I wish I had the chance to work hands on with qPCR. It’s a technique I’m fascinated by and would’ve loved to gain practical experience with.”
Fun Moments and Growth
Most Fun Experience: “The fun came from the people. I genuinely enjoyed spending time with my manager and mentor. Beyond teaching me lab skills, they made the environment welcoming. We often laughed over coffee breaks, which made even the busiest lab days enjoyable.”
Biggest Struggle: “One of my biggest struggles was learning not to take failed experiments personally. At first, I’d dwell on the failure instead of investigating the cause. Gradually, I started breaking down experiments step by step to troubleshoot. That shift helped me build resilience and made me a better problem solver.”
Short Story of Growth: “When I started, I had no prior experience with plating assays, running dose titrations, or performing flow cytometry. At first, I shadowed my manager and mentor, made mistakes, and even repeated steps multiple times. Instead of hiding my errors, I owned up to them and kept practicing. Over time, I grew confident enough to perform those experiments independently. The day my manager trusted me to run them solo felt like a true turning point. I knew I had earned their confidence through persistence.”
Behind the Scenes
Who Made It Memorable: “I would credit my manager, Adwitiya Kar, and my mentor, Vandana Nandivada. As this was my first co-op, they not only guided me technically but also shaped my professional outlook. Their mentorship made me feel industry ready and confident in my abilities. I’d also like to acknowledge my family and friends, who were my constant support system, especially during moments when I felt overwhelmed or uncertain about this new beginning. Their encouragement kept me grounded and motivated throughout the journey.”
Resource I Wish I Used More: “Yes, FlowJo. I had access to it for analyzing flow cytometry data but didn’t explore it as much as I could have. In hindsight, diving deeper into the software would have given me stronger data analysis skills.”
Advice for Future Interns
Words of Wisdom:
“Network. It sounds cliché, but those conversations can open doors and perspectives you’d never find otherwise.”
“Be honest. You won’t know everything on your resume, and that’s okay. Just be upfront about it.”
“Do your homework. Research the company thoroughly before interviews. It shows genuine interest and helps you ask thoughtful questions.”
What Interns Should Focus On: “Interns should focus on really understanding the science or process behind their work, not just the ‘how,’ but the ‘why.’ And equally, step outside your comfort zone to build relationships. Sometimes the most valuable takeaways come from conversations, not experiments.”
Additional Advice: “My advice is simple: never say never. Don’t hold yourself back from applying to a position just because you feel you don’t fit perfectly or lack prior experience. Internships are meant to be learning opportunities. They’re the stepping stones in your professional journey. Take your chance, step forward with confidence, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can grow.”
Rapid Fire
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Meetings: In person meetings
Mountains or Beaches: Mountains
Closing Thoughts
Resham Gholap’s story from Immunitas Therapeutics illustrates how initiative, mentorship, and persistence define meaningful scientific growth. From learning to troubleshoot experiments to embracing the power of communication, her experience embodies the curiosity and adaptability that drive biotechnology forward.
Her advice to future interns is both practical and inspiring: be curious, ask questions, and never let fear hold you back from opportunities to learn and grow.
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 Resham Gholap, on LinkedIn to follow her journey in biotech.
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Do you have a story that can inspire the next generation of biotech professionals? Submit your experience to the Biotech Intern Newsletter today.
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