Name: Bharath Kumar Swargam
Pronouns: He/Him
Semester of Internship: Fall 2024
Major: Data Science
Current Class Level: Master's Student
This semester I completed a(n)...: Co-op
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Institute for Genome Sciences - University of Maryland School of Medicine
Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, Maryland
Title of position: Data Science Intern/Laboratory Assistant
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship at the Institute for Genome Sciences, I have been actively involved in research focused on polygenic risk analysis to better understand genetic predisposition to various traits, including pain and opioid intake. My primary responsibilities include data preprocessing, statistical modeling, and machine learning applications to analyze complex genomic datasets. On a typical day, I clean and structure genetic data, implement Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) analysis using different methods, and present it to researchers to identify meaningful insights.
Additionally, I explore ways to improve prediction models by integrating multiple traits to enhance variance in opioid intake prediction, which contributes to precision medicine efforts. I also collaborate with researchers and bioinformaticians to interpret results and validate findings. This hands-on experience has strengthened my skills in data science, statistical genetics, and machine learning, allowing me to contribute meaningful insights to genomics research.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I discovered this internship during my active search for opportunities that align with my passion for data science and its applications in real-world problems. Fortunately, I came across this exciting role, which immediately caught my interest due to its focus on genomic data analysis and predictive modeling. Eager to contribute, I promptly submitted my application.
After about two to three weeks, I received an interview call from a researcher at the institute, focusing on my background in Data Analysis and Machine Learning. Following a successful interview, I was offered the position, and I was thrilled to join the team to contribute to impactful research in precision medicine and predictive modeling.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.)
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I have enjoyed the most about my internship at the Institute for Genome Sciences is the opportunity to work at the intersection of data science and genomics, tackling complex problems with real-world impact. Analyzing polygenic risk scores and developing predictive models for precision medicine has been both intellectually stimulating and rewarding. I appreciate how my work contributes to understanding genetic predispositions and improving healthcare outcomes.
Additionally, the collaborative research environment at IGS has been incredible. I’ve had the chance to work alongside experts in bioinformatics and genomics, gaining exposure to cutting-edge research. The experience has deepened my understanding of healthcare research and reinforced my passion for leveraging data science to drive meaningful change.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I made an impact through my work, which helped researchers gain valuable insights into identifying genetic predispositions for opioid intake, contributing to the development of preventive and precision medicine. By leveraging different polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis methods, I enhanced the accuracy of risk assessment for post-surgical patients. Additionally, my experimentation with developing workflows for ML models has made it easier for researchers to understand and implement predictive models, streamlining analysis and improving interpretability in genomic research.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice would be to start exploring opportunities early and stay proactive. Leverage campus resources like career services and networking events to gain some exposure and be prepared. Stay focused and make the most of every learning experience.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
What I liked most about my position was the opportunity to learn and apply my skills to real-world healthcare data, directly contributing to precision medicine. The Career Center played a key role in preparing me by offering its valuable resources, which were instrumental in helping me secure this internship.
