Katherine Illei
Major: Biological Science
Research Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Katherine spent a 4-week internship working for AGADA Biosciences where she continued a prior research project focused on a medicine that helps the health outcomes for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The summer prior, she conducted post hoc analysis of data from the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The next step of this research was to define serum biomarkers that predict later clinical improvement in DMD patients. The company she worked for, AGADA Biosciences Inc., received an NIH Research grant to conduct LUMINEX on serum biomarkers. The serum biomarkers are kept frozen at the AGADA facilities located in Halifax, N.S., Canada, so Katherine needed to travel to access the samples. Her experience at AGADA this summer allowed her to expand on previous research while also gaining insight into novel laboratory procedures.
Katherine says, "The most enjoyable part of this experience was collaborating with a variety of scientists on the project. While conducting research, I formed close relationships with my senior coworkers. They offered me life advice and described their life paths that led them to a career in clinical research. This type of insight was extremely helpful and beneficial for me as I attempt to discern my future career."