In the final quarter of 2011 CID4 initiated its Graduate Internship Program, open to students from any Colorado college or university. The interest response was overwhelming and it was a very challenging exercise to make our selection. CID4 was excited to extend an offer to University of Colorado graduate student Van Willis. Now that Van has been on the job for a couple of months we believe that our broader community would benefit from knowing him:
CID4 Van, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself.
VW I am in the 5th year of a Ph.D. program in molecular biology at the Anschutz Medical Campus. My thesis research focuses on understanding the role of a post-translational modification, citrullination, in the initiation and development of rheumatoid arthritis. I perform clinical research aimed at developing assays for the detection of preclinical disease development and use mouse models of arthritis to test the therapeutic capabilities of an enzyme inhibitor of citrullination. Before all else I am the father of an energetic 2-year-old girl. In what free time that leaves me I enjoy the outdoors, photography, poetry and I am an unabashed strategy board game enthusiast.
CID4 What was your motivation for pursuing the CID4 Graduate Internship opportunity?
VW I applied to the CID4 Graduate Internship to gain experience with the business facets of life sciences technology commercialization. My previous experiences had sparked my interest in the business side of science and the CID4 Graduate Internship appeared to be an excellent opportunity for acquiring some of the skills necessary for a career transition into science business after completing my Ph.D.
CID4 How have you found the work at CID4 thus far; is it what you expected?
VW The work has been varied, engaging and above all educational. I have been surprised by the amount of autonomy I am given in completing projects. The most impressing aspect of the work has been the invaluable opportunity that the internship affords me to connect with industry professionals in Colorado, especially entrepreneurs in early-stage companies. I have regular chances to converse with these individuals at meetings and on the phone as a part of my internship duties.
CID4 Are you acquiring any skills that may not have been developed in your academic program?
VW Certainly. Market research, non-technical communication and especially the ability to work in a team-driven environment are examples of skills that I have learned through the internship but could not have experienced in my Ph.D. program.
CID4 Graduation is right around the corner, what are your hopes/dreams/plans post-internship & graduation?
VW Upon completion of my Ph.D. and the CID4 Graduate Internship I aspire to transition into a career aiding life sciences companies in asset valuation and business development.
If Van’s contribution to date is any indicator we are confident that he will achieve great things in his personal and professional lives. To learn even more about Van take a look at this recent feature article in the 2011 Bioscience Colorado article [
HERE].
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