
«Ӱҵ student Emma Gordon wanted to spread her wings this summer and immerse herself in a culture outside of the United States.
A forensic biology major, Emma secured the perfect internship for her adventurous spirit and passion for science. She spent June and July in Barcelona, Spain, with , a biotechnology and informatics company.
“It was an amazing experience because it allowed me to gain hands-on lab experience while also getting to travel and have fun,” she said.
At ArqueBio, Emma worked on calcium determination analyses and assisted in scaling up bioprocesses used in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. While her work was not directly related to her long-term goal of working in a state or federal crime lab, it gave her valuable exposure to lab procedures, scientific collaboration, and problem-solving.
“My biggest learnings were how to create experiments and how to deal with unexpected results,” she said.
Outside the lab, Emma fully embraced the vibrancy of Barcelona, from its blend of ancient and modern architecture to its beautiful beaches and delicious restaurants. On weekends, she and fellow interns embarked on sightseeing excursions to other European destinations, including Carcassonne, France, and Munich, Germany.
Immersing herself in an unfamiliar culture came with challenges. At first, Emma felt daunted by the language barrier and cultural differences, including eating lunch and dinner much later in the day, but she quickly adapted.
“I learned to push myself to do things on my own,” she said. “I had to become more confident in being independent because I was halfway across the world, far from my usual support system.”
She came to admire the relaxed pace of life in Barcelona, she added.
“This internship helped me become a more understanding and worldly person. It also provided a great foundation for my future work in the field of science.”