December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2024 is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  The event will be streamed online from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. You can watch it live at the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wej4fsjh.

Elections this Wednesday at 12pm, Math and Psych 105. Anyone can run for President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary of the College Republicans!

Students who wish to run for one of these officer positions simply have to attend this meeting and declare what they are running for. Impromptu speeches are encouraged.

If Wednesday does not work out, we will rehost the election at the same time, the same location, on Thursday. I will remind people if Thursday turns out to be the new election day.

We do not have a Monday meeting this week, but we will still have our Thursday evening meeting, 7pm at Public Policy 206/208.

This week's movie choices are:

• Metropolis
• Stalker
• Hunt for Red October
• Home Alone
• Airplane
• Platoon
• The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Name: Brian Temu

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2024

Major: Data Science

Current Class Level: Master's Student

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): University of Maryland, Baltimore - Institute of Genome Science

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, Maryland

Title of position: Laboratory Assistant/Data Science Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship as a Laboratory Assistant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, I was deeply involved in research focused on bacterial vaginosis (BV). My day-to-day responsibilities included a variety of tasks integral to the ongoing research efforts. One of my key roles was learning and utilizing a bioinformatics tool called antiSMASH, which was used to analyze biosynthesis gene clusters from various patient samples. This involved inputting genetic data, running analyses, and interpreting the output to identify potential biosynthetic pathways contributing to bacterial activity in BV cases.

Beyond mastering antiSMASH, I expanded my knowledge through reading bio-research papers, which helped me understand the broader context of our work and stay updated on recent scientific findings relevant to bacterial genomics and microbial interactions. I also learned to navigate and utilize the Grid, a computational framework that supported complex data analysis tasks, enhancing the efficiency of our research process.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I first learned about the opportunity during the Spring Career Fair 2024, where I had the chance to meet the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) team. During our conversation, I inquired about any current open positions within their department. The team was very informative and encouraged me to express my interest via email. They provided detailed guidance on whom to contact and what information to include in my application.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
I have enjoyed the collaborative environment. I was able to work with highly knowledgeable professionals in the field, and I took the opportunity to learn from their expertise.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I made an impact through my work as a Laboratory Assistant by contributing to critical research on bacterial vaginosis (BV). My use of the antiSMASH tool for analyzing biosynthesis gene clusters provided valuable insights that supported the team's understanding of BV. Learning and applying new tools like the Grid improved data processing, making our workflow more efficient.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would advise students to prepare as early as possible and start networking with targeted companies or organizations they wish to join. Additionally, don't be afraid to send cold emails—they can open doors to valuable opportunities.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:
I enjoyed applying bioinformatics tools and learning lab techniques that enriched my understanding of microbial genetics. The Career Center’s guidance at the Spring Career Fair helped me secure this valuable opportunity.

Join us for the last GBM of the semester this coming Wednesday (12/04) at ILSB 118 from 12 to 1 pm. Recap this semester, join us in jeopardy, and learn how to get more involved. Refreshments will be provided. See you there!