Where did you co-op and what was your role?
I was a co-op at Moderna within their Bacterial Immunology group!
Why did you pursue this opportunity?
I’ve completed two co-ops in academic research labs, and I wanted to explore the dynamics of a large biotech company like Moderna to see how industry research differs.
Can you describe a typical day?
My mornings ritualistically started with a tea or a chai latte from the café in the ground floor of the facility. Then, I’d meet with a research associate and a few scientists from my group to go over our program, either discussing the results from my experiments or figuring out what else needed to be done before the next big team meeting. After that, I’d settle at my desk to plan out my day or fine-tune protocols for upcoming experiments.
During lunch time, I would eat out with one of my co-op friends, which was usually a nice break before heading into the lab. Soon after, I would run my experiments and get acquainted with the fabulous scientists from my group – chatting about their experiences, their upcoming trips, and other fun stuff. Once I wrapped up in the lab, I’d shift to data analysis, working on figures to send to the team for future discussions.
What new skills did you learn?
I learned how to genetically engineer certain pathogenic strains of bacteria, which was not as straight forward as I anticipated. I also gained experience in characterizing expression profiles of key antigens across bacterial strains using advanced equipment, managing multiple projects at once, communicating results from experiments to a broader audience in industry, and, most importantly, learning how to assess and express my bandwidth when taking on new tasks.
Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Absolutely! What is a co-op without its challenges? Our team was working on developing a generalized assay to test against a wide range of bacterial infections, but we kept running into technical hurdles. For example, some bacteria just thrived in certain conditions while others didn’t. To overcome this, we sat in a meeting room for a little longer than we expected and reviewed the literature to see how other scientists developed their assays.
We noticed some consistent patterns in their methods and applied them to our own, which ended up being instrumental in refining our assay. Through this, I got a firsthand look at how scientists scratch their heads in collaborative meetings to push programs forward in industry.
Another challenge I faced was the difficulty of genetically engineering certain bacterial strains. Sometimes, no matter how carefully you design them, they don’t turn out as expected. I quickly learned that persistence and resilience are key.
What is something you worked on that you are particularly proud of?
I was particularly fond of the wide range of bacterial strains that I developed for future use, while also being part of a small team that moved a particular program forward.
Was there anything you were surprised by?
I was surprised by the fast pace of large biotech companies like Moderna and how many programs scientists juggle at once. What intrigued me most, though, was how “big data” is leveraged to drive innovation, particularly guiding scientists to identify and develop new programs that can be tackled using their platform.
How has this experience impacted your education and/or career path?
This experience has totally reinforced my decision to pursue a career in science, especially one focused on infectious diseases. My previous experiences in academic research labs have given me firsthand insight into how discoveries are made in basic research. My experience at Moderna, on the other hand, has shown me how those discoveries are transformed into real, impactful solutions.
Seeing how both sides fit into the bigger picture that is drug discovery has deepened my perspective as a future scientist and has strengthened my passion for developing solutions to infectious diseases.
Migue Van Louis Darcera ’25, Cell and Molecular Biology
What advice would you give to a fellow student embarking on their first co-op?
I’d suggest being as proactive as possible, no matter how small your role might feel! Don’t hesitate to ask questions, whether it’s a quick clarification or something in a big meeting – every question is a chance to learn. Also, seek out new learning opportunities, even outside your immediate team! You may never know what skill you may need in the future. And please take that first step in getting to know people, no matter their position! Showing initiative is key as a co-op because, at the end of the day, you’re there for one thing: to learn.
