Parag Shinde knew that in order to get the most out of his summer as a biotechnology master’s student, he needed to find a way to get full-time, hands-on experience in a laboratory. To that end, in spring 2024 he emailed his résumé to dozens of local companies, whether or not they had formal internships posted. The strategy served him well: Shinde landed a role as an analytical chemist at Vici Health Sciences, a pharmaceutical research and development firm in Elkridge, Maryland.

“You can gain knowledge through books, but then you actually go to a company and start doing something, and you feel like you know nothing. So my plan was to work here and get physical experience, as much as possible,” Shinde shares.

As an undergraduate in India, he always enjoyed working in a biology lab setting. So when Shinde, M.P.S. ’25, biotechnology, wanted to advance his career, he looked for a program that aligned with his interests and would prepare him for a role in quality control at a biotechnology company. UMBC’s master’s of professional studies in biotechnology, offered through the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at the Universities at Shady Grove, fit the bill. This summer, after his first year in the program, Shinde is putting his passion and hands-on lab skills to the test at Vici Health Sciences.

A worthwhile challenge

Shinde’s role involves testing drug compounds for purity, shelf-life, and many other attributes before they can be formulated into medications or other medical treatments—a crucial step in the drug development process. The role requires extreme precision and attention, from mixing testing solutions to calibrating equipment and meticulously recording every step in logbooks. It is nonstop action in the lab, managing multiple steps of different testing protocols simultaneously. “Even the smallest piece of glass” must be accounted for, Shinde says. “And at the end of the day, I start preparing for the next day. It’s a lot.”

The work is challenging, but it offers exactly the type of experience Shinde was looking for. “My primary goal from this internship was to be around stuff that happens in an industry laboratory. How do they go about it? How do they use this equipment? How do they maintain good manufacturing practices?” he says.

 Already, Shinde’s confidence and skills continue to increasing. In particular, his ability to keep track of multiple tasks at once and find the most efficient way to carry out a set of steps is improving. “It has even been helpful at home, like with doing chores,” he shares.

In addition to learning new things in the classroom, Shinde is learning to navigate a new city and country as well—he only moved to the United States from Mumbai, India, last summer, to attend UMBC. The transition has gone well, and he’s looking forward to continuing in the biotechnology program this fall. “God has been kind here,” he says.

Shinde is glad he chose Vici, even if it is stressful at times. It’s moving him toward his goals in ways only a role that pushed his limits could. “It’s really challenging,” he says, “which is why I’m learning a lot of things.”

Learn more about UMBC’s biotechnology programs, including undergraduate and graduate level degrees and certificates.

UMBC’s Professional Graduate Programs are designed to prepare working professionals to grow academically and professionally, and become leaders in some of today’s most in-demand fields.

Participate in upcoming information sessions to learn about Professional Graduate Programs in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Health Information Technology, Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Geographic Information Systems offered at UMBC’s Main Campus and at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.

Fall Info Sessions:

• Systems Engineering & Engineering Management Virtual Info Session: Oct. 9, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Health Information Technology Virtual Info Session: Oct. 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Biotechnology Virtual Info Session: Oct. 21, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Cybersecurity Virtual Info Session: Oct. 23, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology Info Session: Oct. 29, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Geographic Information Systems Info Session: Nov. 5 & 6, 6 – 8 p.m.

RSVP here!

Each information session will highlight program format and curriculum, as well as the application process. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

UMBC Cybersecurity Virtual Info Session – June 3

Join us online on June 3 at 12 p.m. to learn about Cybersecurity Graduate Programs offered at the UMBC campus. RSVP Here. 

UMBC Biotechnology Info Session *In-Person – June 3

Meet us on June 3 at 12 p.m. to learn about Biotechnology Graduate Programs offered at the UMBC campus. This event is in-person in Sherman Hall East, Room 464. RSVP here.

UMBC Health Information Technology Virtual Info Session – June 5

Attend a virtual info session on June 5 at 12 p.m. to learn more about the Health Information Technology Master’s Program, a new program offered beginning fall 2014. RSVP Here.

UMBC-Shady Grove Professional Programs Information Sessions – June 10 

Visit the UMBC-Shady Grove campus on Tuesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. to learn about professional graduate programs offered in Rockville. Attend to learn more about Cybersecurity, Biotechnology, or Geographic Information Systems programs. RSVP Here.

Editor’s Note: This information is posted on behalf of UMBC’s Division of Professional Studies, which offers a broad array of professionally focused master’s degrees and graduate certificates that help prepare professionals for today’s most in-demand careers.

On April 23, attend the Professional Graduate Program Open House at UMBC’s South Campus (bwtech@UMBC South), to learn about graduate programs in Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering.

During the session, there will be an opportunity to participate in discussions with program directors, staff and alumni, and meet Career Services representatives to learn about careers, job searching resources available and internships. Additionally, the Open House will provide an opportunity to learn about financing education, as well as the educational benefits available to veterans.

RSVP now for the Open House scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2014 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.

Editor’s Note: We’re excited to share this announcement from UMBC’s Division of Professional Studies regarding upcoming virtual information sessions for graduate programs at The Universities at Shady Grove.

UMBC’s Professional Graduate Programs are designed to prepare working professionals to excel as leaders in some of today’s most in-demand fields. Participate in upcoming virtual information sessions to learn about Professional Graduate Programs in Geographic Information Systems, Cybersecurity and Biotechnology offered at UMBC at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.

GIS Virtual Info Session
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 from 12 – 1 PM.

Learn how UMBC-Shady Grove’s GIS Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs help develop technical GIS leaders with the fundamental understanding of geography and advanced knowledge of the technologies involved in the development of advanced Geographic Information Systems. RSVP online at http://bit.ly/18GUZ1l

Cybersecurity Virtual Info Session
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 6:30  – 7:30 PM.

Join us to learn how Cybersecurity Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs help prepare qualified cyber professionals, ready for management and leadership opportunities within finance, healthcare, government, telecommunications, retail, academia, technology and more. RSVP online at http://bit.ly/1bDisUy

Biotechnology Virtual Info Session
Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 12 – 1 PM.

Biotechnology Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs combine life science and business courses, and are designed for individuals interested in pursuing management opportunities in a variety of sectors, including agricultural feedstock and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and research and laboratories. RSVP online at http://bit.ly/1c1xMgl