Aaliya Mehnaz Ahmed

Summer Internship 2025

What is your internship, and what are your basic duties?

I am currently interning as a research volunteer at the Jackman Lab at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), a behavioral neuroscience lab. My main duties involve running behavioral experiments with mice, analyzing video data using ezTrack, and reading scientific papers to deepen my understanding of synaptotagmin-7 (Syt-7) and its role in short-term memory. This hands-on experience is helping me build practical research skills while contributing to the lab’s ongoing studies.

How does this internship align with your interests and/or major?

I have always been interested in learning about the complexities of the human brain and its functions. As a biology major, I was keen on gaining more hands-on experience in a neuroscience lab. At the Jackman Lab, we study neurotransmitter release in the brain and how certain proteins called synaptotagmins help either boost or decrease neurotransmitter activity. Currently, I am involved in conducting behavioral experiments with Syt-7 Knockout mice. Gaining this experience, learning new research techniques, and talking with people who’ve been studying this for years continues to inspire me to explore so many ancient questions people have always been asking about the brain, and I’m really glad to be able to contribute, even in a small way, to that effort.

What’s the best part of your internship?

Apart from doing behavioral experiments and learning new research techniques, lab meetings are something I look forward to every week. This is the time we all come together for an hour or two and present our data to the whole lab. We share what we are currently working on, the methods we are using, what we hope to see and the data we found. These meetings are fairly informal, and while we mainly share our findings from the past week, I’ve realized that lab meetings are valuable opportunities to present my work and receive feedback from colleagues. I appreciate that my work is treated with the same seriousness as everyone else’s, and the group is always open and genuinely enthusiastic to offer suggestions and advice for improvement. These meetings have helped me interpret my data more effectively and also allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of why the work we are doing is so important.

What specific skills are you gaining?

So far, I have gained significant skills in handling mice, conducting behavioral experiments, and observing phenotypes such as fear, anxiety, and sociability in mice. In addition, I am becoming proficient with ezTrack, a Python-based software that analyzes mouse movement from behavioral experiments. Using ezTrack to visualize data allows me to track movement and generate outputs like heat maps, trajectories, and graphs, making the data much easier to interpret. Furthermore, discussing my work, presenting findings to others, and reading more scientific papers have all enhanced my ability to work in a research environment.

How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?

The primary reason I chose to pursue this internship is because I hope to pursue graduate studies in neuroscience. Working in the Jackman Lab gives me the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with graduate students and postdocs who are currently on the academic path I hope to follow. Being able to interact with them daily, observe their research process, and learn about the challenges and rewards of academic life has been incredibly insightful. These experiences not only give me a realistic perspective on what pursuing a career in neuroscience research entails, but also help me clarify my own goals and make decisions about potentially pursuing a career in academic research.

How has this internship influenced your understanding of the industry or field you’re pursuing

Over the past couple months in the lab, I have developed a deep appreciation for both science and academic research, largely thanks to the people around me. I frequently witness colleagues making significant discoveries, presenting their work to large audiences, and dedicating long hours to data analysis. Yet, these same individuals also share laughter, spend time together, and enjoy lunch breaks as a team. This experience has truly demystified academic research for me. Since this was my first time in such a large research environment, it felt overwhelming initially. But I gradually realized that everyone is driven by a genuine passion for science and excitement about uncovering new knowledge. I feel grateful to be surrounded by such a dedicated group of people who have helped me understand that research, beyond finding answers for complex questions, also brings deeper purpose and meaning to our lives.

How has Lewis & Clark supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?

My internship has only been possible because of the support I had from several people at Lewis & Clark. The Career Center, my workplace during the school year, is also the place I get the most support from. Tasia Sullivan, from the very beginning, has offered me invaluable advice on finding positions aligned with my interests and encouraged me to reach out directly to PIs I wanted to work with. Nina Olken and Rocky Campbell suggested I apply for the L&C Economics Internship Grant for the summer. Nina guided me through the application process, helping me craft an essay that truly reflected my interests and needs. Over the past year, I also built a strong connection with Rocky, who has consistently provided thoughtful advice and support in helping me choose the right arrangement for my summer internship. As an international student, the International Students and Scholars office, especially Brian, has been an invaluable source of support during challenging times. Brian assisted me in obtaining my CPT, enabling me to pursue this summer internship, and has always been approachable and responsive to the several questions I’ve had.