Sanjana Srimath is a senior Biological Sciences (B.S.) major with a minor in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology graduating in December 2025. She is a member of the Honors College and a Merck Fellow. 

Mentors: Dr. Daniel Lobo (PI) and Dr. Andrew Wolff

Title of your research project: Integrating Gene Ontology Enrichment and Expression Profiling to Understand the Genetic Mechanisms of Planarian Fissioning

Describe your project: In my project, I study how planarian worms form fission planes - the locations where they split to reproduce asexually. Although planarians are well known for their incredible regenerative abilities, the genetic mechanisms that guide fissioning are still unclear. To investigate this, I use a systems biology approach that combines RNA-seq data, computational pipelines, and gene ontology enrichment analysis. I built scripts that automatically retrieve GO annotations, filter differentially expressed genes, and identify biological processes and molecular functions that are specifically enriched during fission. I also analyze how these genes behave across the anterior-posterior axis by generating expression profile plots for both fissioning and non-fissioning worms. Together, this helps me identify potential candidate genes and understand how they fit into a larger regulatory network that may control fission behavior. Ultimately, my work contributes to a framework for uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind planarian fissioning.

How did you find this research opportunity? I found this research opportunity by cold emailing Dr. Lobo after my first year at UMBC. At the time, I was doing neurobiology wet lab work at UMSOM but wanted to shift toward computational and systems biology to align with my minor. After meeting with Dr. Lobo, I joined the lab and began working under my mentor, Dr. Andrew Wolff, who has guided me through both wet lab and computational research. The lab has been incredibly supportive, which made my transition into computational work much smoother and helped me grow as both a learner and a researcher.

What was the hardest or most unexpected part about your research? The hardest part of my research was transitioning from the wet lab to the computational aspect, especially learning to write scripts in programming languages like Python and R. I also found presenting my work challenging at first, since effectively communicating data in posters required a different set of skills than lab work. I didn't set high expectations for whether I would lead my own project or assist my mentor, but this experience has taught me how to work independently while benefiting from the incredible support of Dr. Lobo, Dr. Wolff, and other lab members. So far, I've shared my research through multiple poster presentations at both URCAD and ABRCMS, which helped me improve both my scientific communication and presentation skills. I was also honored to receive a poster award at ABRCMS in San Antonio in November 2025, which made it rewarding to see my hard work pay off.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? One of my favorite quotes is, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" (Nelson Mandela). My advice to other students is to stay persistent and don't be afraid to reach out to PIs, even if it feels intimidating at first. Research is full of challenges and mistakes, but each setback is a learning opportunity. Work towards small, achievable goals and take time to appreciate the progress you make along the way. I also encourage exploring different areas - like wet lab, computational, clinical, etc. - so you can discover what facet truly excites you!

What are your career goals? I aspire to become a physician. After graduating from UMBC, I plan to apply to and attend medical school, where I hope to combine my passion for science, research, and patient care to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Name: Vigna Majmundar

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Information Systems 

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship 

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Hughes, EchoStar Corporation 

Location of the Organization (City, State): Gaithersburg , MD

Title of position: Software Automation Intern 

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

My internship at Hughes Network Systems as a Field Services, Billing Automation, and Development Intern has been focused on transforming manual business processes through automation technology. During my summer internship, I worked closely with my mentor Dave Thompson to tackle a significant operational challenge where billing analysts were spending over five hours weekly on manual SAP data entry, a process that was both time-consuming and error-prone due to inconsistent data formats from different Project Managers across departments. My primary responsibility involved designing and implementing Hughes' first SAP automation solution using Robot Framework as the RPA engine, n8n for workflow orchestration, and Docker for containerization. On a typical day, I would start by analyzing existing business processes, identifying bottlenecks in the Salesforce-to-SAP workflow, and then developing automated solutions to eliminate manual intervention. I spent considerable time writing custom Python libraries and Robot Framework keywords to handle complex SAP GUI interactions, particularly focusing on transaction VA01 for sales order creation. The technical work required me to understand both the business logic behind order processing and the technical constraints of enterprise systems integration.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first discovered Hughes Network Systems at UMBC's career fair in 2023, where I completed my initial internship with the company. That first internship experience gave me valuable exposure to Hughes' operations, company culture, and technology focus, while allowing me to build strong relationships with team members and demonstrate my capabilities in a professional environment. The positive experience and connections I made during my 2023 internship created a foundation for future opportunities with the organization. When I decided to pursue another internship for summer 2025, I leveraged the relationships and reputation I had established during my previous tenure at Hughes. I submitted my application on December 13th, 2024, using my former colleagues and supervisors as referrals who could speak to my work quality and cultural fit within the organization. Having that insider knowledge and established credibility with the company was invaluable in positioning myself as a strong candidate for the returning internship position.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I've enjoyed most about my position at Hughes Network Systems is the incredible learning environment and the genuine care people show for interns. Everyone is so welcoming and warm, and what really stands out is how eager everyone is to teach me something new. Whether it's my mentor Dave Thompson taking time to explain complex SAP integrations, or analysts on the billing team walking me through their daily processes so I could better understand how to automate them, there's a culture of knowledge sharing that makes learning accelerated and enjoyable. The collaborative atmosphere has been particularly valuable as a returning intern. People remember me from my 2023 internship and are excited to see how I've grown, but they're also genuinely invested in helping me continue developing new skills. When I was struggling with certain Robot Framework concepts or trying to understand the nuances of n8n workflow orchestration, colleagues would take time from their busy schedules to sit down and help me work through problems. This wasn't just limited to my direct team - people from different departments would offer insights when they heard about the automation project I was working on. What makes this environment special is that the teaching goes both ways. While I'm learning enterprise technologies and business processes, my colleagues are also genuinely curious about the automation solutions I'm building and eager to understand how these tools could benefit their own work. This creates a dynamic where everyone feels valued for their expertise, regardless of their position or experience level. The fact that Hughes offered me the employee of the month recognition and extended my internship into a co-op position reflects this culture of investment in people's growth and development. It's an environment where you feel supported to take on challenging projects and know that people want to see you succeed.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I've made a significant impact at Hughes Network Systems by solving a real operational problem that was affecting multiple teams daily. The SAP automation solution I built eliminated over 5 hours of weekly manual work per billing analyst, which translates to meaningful time savings that allow these professionals to focus on higher-value analysis and customer service activities rather than repetitive data entry. The 90% time reduction and 80% error decrease represent measurable improvements in both efficiency and quality that directly benefit the organization's bottom line and customer satisfaction. Beyond the immediate operational impact, I've established Hughes' first RPA capability, creating a technical foundation that the company can build upon for future automation initiatives. The Robot Framework, n8n, and Docker architecture I implemented provides a scalable model that other departments can adapt for their own process improvements. This represents a shift in how Hughes approaches repetitive manual tasks and positions them to leverage automation more broadly across their operations.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My biggest piece of advice is to leverage career fairs strategically and maintain those connections long-term. I first met Hughes at UMBC's career fair in 2023, completed an internship there, and then used those relationships to secure my return position in 2025. Many students treat career fairs as one-time events, but the real value comes from building genuine relationships and staying in touch with companies that interest you. Start your application process early and be prepared to wait. I applied on December 13th, 2024, and didn't hear back for a month. That waiting period can be stressful, but use it productively to keep developing relevant skills. Don't just submit applications and hope for the best - continue learning technologies and concepts that align with the roles you want. During interviews, focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach rather than trying to prove you already know everything. When I interviewed at Hughes, they cared more about my willingness to learn new technologies like Robot Framework and n8n than my existing expertise with those specific tools. Show genuine curiosity about the company's challenges and how you might contribute to solving them. Once you land an internship, take initiative beyond your assigned tasks. My SAP automation project succeeded because I spent time understanding the broader business problem, not just the technical requirements. Talk to end users, ask questions about processes, and look for opportunities to add value. This approach led to my employee of the month recognition and co-op extension.

Be prepared to work with technologies you've never seen before. Enterprise environments often use specialized tools that aren't taught in university courses. Embrace that learning curve - it's often what makes the experience most valuable for your career development. Finally, document everything you do and create knowledge transfer materials. This shows professionalism and ensures your work has lasting impact, which strengthens your relationship with the organization for future opportunities.

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 loved most about my Hughes internship was the incredible people—I had the best mentors and colleagues who genuinely cared about my development and made me feel like part of the team from day one. The Career Center was instrumental in organizing the career fair where I first connected with Hughes in 2023, and their Practicum course helped me develop the professional communication skills to effectively showcase my technical accomplishments and build meaningful industry connections.

Are you a graduating member of our Black, Latine/x, and/or Asian Pacific Islander Desi communities? We want to celebrate you and your achievements!

Undergraduate and graduate students can pick up cords to honor their community as part of their Winter 2025 Commencement celebrations.

Cord Pick-Up Details:

• When: December 8 - December 16, 2025 (during mosaic hours)

• Where: The Mosaic, Commons 2B23

The 2026 Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards will take place on Thursday, May 14, and the 2026 Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards will take place on Monday, May 18, 2026. More information on these events to come! 

For questions, please contact:

Carolina Silva (she/her)

Graduate Assistant for the Mosaic Center

themosaic@umbc.edu

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the university's nondiscrimination policy.

Due to inclement weather and UMBC campus delay, GMC will began in Sports Zone at 9:30 am!