Lexington Christian Academy Students Take a Look Behind the Lens
Lexington, MA (PRWEB) June 03, 2016 -- As part of Lexington Christian Academy’s (Lexington, MA) Academic Advising program, motivated students have the opportunity to participate in various career exploration trips. Such trips not only enable students to see how their classroom knowledge is used in real life industry, they are exposed to the myriad of roles that are part of these organizations, which allow them to hone their own areas of interest.
On May 17, six Honors Biology students traveled to Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) in Cambridge, MA. These students have all expressed an interest in careers related to biology including biomedical research, nursing, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and the business models behind large research institutions.
Under the direction of Russette Lyons, Ph.D., Laboratory Head of Novartis’ Community Exploration & Learning Lab (CELL), these six students had the opportunity to analyze human DNA samples by gel electrophoresis and see how the lab results inform decisions regarding clinical trials.
“This kind of direct application of biology concepts brought another level of substance and meaning to what they are learning in their classroom,” commented Jean Noh, Academic Advisor.
"I found the trip very eye-opening. I am looking to combine business and science, specifically pharmaceuticals, so going on this trip allowed me to see what the daily life of a scientist is like and what it is like working in the lab. The Novartis trip helped me broaden my understanding of what it is like searching for cures for different diseases and the process that people in this field go through."
-Kaylie Levitz, ‘17
In addition to learning the fundamental background, process and cost of biomedical research, and their hands-on laboratory exercise, the students also had the opportunity to hear from individuals serving in other roles within Novartis including a mechanical engineer, a research operations manager, a drug discovery scientist and a Translational Medicine Expert in Infectious Diseases.
"Dr. Richard Colvin [Translational Medicine Expert] made my dream of transferring from academia to pharmaceuticals a reality. Being able to talk to Dr. Colvin opened my eyes to all the different career possibilities in medicine."
-Nelson Olawoyin, ‘17
"I've always had a passion for science, especially biology, but never knew how to make it a career since I know I want to work in the business sector. At Novartis' CELL Lab, I learned all of the aspects and career opportunities in biomedical research, and how my passion with science can be applicable in my future career as a business person.”
-T.J. Karanian, ‘17
Students in Attendance:
Fikemi Faleye (‘17) of Billerica
Kate Horcher (‘17) of Concord
Marco Incampo (‘17) of N. Andover
TJ Karanian (‘17) of Billerica
Kaylie Levitz (‘17) of Lexington
Nelson Olawoyin (‘17) of Walpole
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research provides other research training opportunities for students and scholars at different stages of their education.
To learn more, please visit https://www.nibr.com/careers/students-scholars.
Lexington Christian Academy is an independent college preparatory school that exists to educate young men and women in the arts and sciences in the context of a complete commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jinny Kim, Lexington Christian Academy, http://www.lca.edu, +1 781.862.7850 Ext: 153, [email protected]
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