As part of a practicum, a student from the USA spent two weeks at the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in June.
Already in April, during the “Forsche Schüler Tag” (Researchers' Day), a career information day for school students, Dawson Hazzard became so enthusiastic about the research on aging that he wanted to take a student internship at our institute.
During his 14-day internship at the FLI, he worked in three different research groups and gained a broad insight into biomedical aging research at the institute.
He learned the basics of cell culture, worked with plasmids and DNA, and also assisted researchers with small experiments. He was particularly impressed by how theoretical knowledge is applied in the laboratory: "Doing experiments by myself was one of the highlights. I hadn't expected so much waiting around and computer work, but that's what makes research so exciting and varied.“
Dawson's conclusion at the end of his visit was thoroughly positive: ”The internship was even better than I had originally thought. I learned and saw a lot. I was surprised by how many different jobs there are in a research institute."
After completing high school in the US, he wants to study biology – who knows, maybe his path will lead him back to the FLI one day.
Promoting young talent at the FLI – with commitment and passion
The fact that such practical experience comes available to school students is a result of the great commitment of many employees: Six trainees are currently working at the FLI in the fields of biology, animal care, office management, and IT. One apprentice is about to graduate as an animal caretaker research & clinics.
In mid-August, a new trainee will start his training as an animal caretaker research & clinics in our two animal facilities – he has also previously completed two student internships at FLI, which gave him a comprehensive insight into his new field of work.
The student internships are primarily organized and supervised by the trainers and training officers. These are people who completed their own training at the institute and now work at FLI as trainers or training officers.
They bring a wealth of experience, plenty of patience, and the necessary enthusiasm for the job – and accompany around 8-10 interns each year, including the children of employees from time to time.
However, every unscheduled internship at FLI means additional work: from planning and organization up to individual supervision once the trainee is there. This requires time and commitment. But that is exactly what makes the difference. Inspiring young people to commit to science, giving them real insights into research, and helping them on their journey is not simply valuable - it is also an investment in the future.
A big, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helps behind the scenes and with the practical implementation of these additional internships. Without your commitment, this would not be possible.
