
As a pre-medical student with an interest in biomedical research and global health, interning this summer at the Infectious Disease Lab at the Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute was an invaluable experience. The primary role that the organization plays is conducting various different research projects that assess the role of the gut microbiota as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in diseases like HIV and lung cancer.
Working with Principal Investigators and lab technicians, I contributed to projects that explored the role of gut microbiota as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. The diverse projects included studying inflammation markers in HIV patients, analyzing elite controllers in HIV research, and examining gut microbiota’s impact on immunotherapy responses in lung cancer patients. Additionally, living in the vibrant city of Madrid enriched this experience, making it both professional rewarding and personally transformative.
During my time off, I I travelled to Sevilla, Granada, Toledo, and Barcelona via fast trains. I also partook in historical tours – There are many amazing museums in Madrid, the Temple of Debod sunrise and sunset viewing, saw different music performances, and sports viewing.