On a January morning, a team of Amgen scientists traveled to the University of Southern California to spend time with 10,000 young women from Los Angeles County schools through the LA Promise Fund’s Girls Build LA Initiative. Amgen’s “Selfie with a Scientist” booth provided a forum for a few of our female scientists to interact with an eager, bright and inspiring group of young women. With a line around the corner, the students tried on lab coats, donned safety glasses, and handled models of virus, bacteria, proteins and other biological structures.
“I applied because I wanted to learn the state-of-the-art methods in the field, and gain access to knowledge and others’ expertise that I couldn’t otherwise.”
"It was absolutely amazing to be able to speak with experienced researchers at the symposium about the science, and career paths in science. Attending the symposium helped confirmed my decision to pursue a career in academic medicine."
Blog
Orlando, Florida
Host University: National Institutes of Health
Home University: Harvard University
Amgen Scholar Year: 2016
Major: Human and Developmental Regenerative Biology
"The time I spent in Munich was invaluable. My time in the lab went by too quickly and I deeply enjoyed learning techniques and doing experiments."
Blog
Milan, Italy
Host University: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Home University: Humanitas University
Amgen Scholar Year: 2016
Major: Medicine and Surgery
Expected Graduation: 2019
Journey to Science
How did you become interested in science?
I have always been curious about human biology and have had a desire to help others. This has motivated me to study human diseases and to pursue a career in which I could help others through medicine and scientific research.
"When I heard about the Amgen Scholars Program, I was immediately drawn to the fact that it would enable me to see if life in the lab was a fit for me."
"I felt a sense of community among my peers in the Amgen Scholars Program. Everyone was in the same boat, trying to figure out what they wanted to do for careers."
Blog
Host University: Washington University in St. Louis