SciComm Internship

VI4 Science Communication Internship in partnership with 

This internship provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary graduate students to work with the VI4 Project Manager each semester to learn about and execute creative communication strategies through both traditional and social media platforms. They will learn to craft the perfect caption, write a compelling editorial, and design infographics and animations. In addition, they work together on a group project, ImmuKnow+, which aims to incorporate different elements of science communication.

What do the interns do?

• Generate written content and images on current research and discoveries
• Monitor and post on social networks
• Curate and report on faculty and trainee publications
• Produce engaging content in the VI4/PMI self-serve video studio
• Design graphic materials to accompany various communications
• Contribute to website design
• Assist in making marketing and creative materials for community outreach programs

Internship Details:

• Internship runs on a semester basis, with the opportunity to extend to the following semester pending review.
• Internship is unpaid.
• Part-time (~10 hours per week), flexible and a mix of on campus and remote work.

Eligibility:

• Internship participants must be a current Vanderbilt University Ph.D. student or a current postdoctoral fellow both during the application period and for the duration of the internship.
• All Ph.D. students must have completed all coursework for their degree prior to the start of the internship.
• Biomedical Ph.D. students must also have passed their qualifying exams before the application deadline.

Click here to apply for Fall 2023

ASPIRE Internship FAQs

Meet the Spring 2023 Interns

Alexandra Abu-Shmais is a Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Ivelin Georgiev in the department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Her research is focused on gaining a better understanding of the fundamental rules of antibody-antigen interactions.

Matt Vukovich is a Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Ivelin Georgiev in the department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. His research is focused on vaccine design for viruses such as HIV-1 and influenza. Matt’s interests include teaching, mentorship, and scientific outreach. Outside of the lab he loves riding his bike and going on long walks.

Spring 2023 Intern Mentors

Kaitlyn Browning is a Ph.D. candidate in Houra Merrikh’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry. She studies the consequences of collisions between DNA replication and transcription in bacterial pathogens, with a focus on mutagenesis and evolution. Kaitlyn is passionate about making science accessible and approachable for all audiences and is hopeful about a career in science advocacy and communication. She is an avid plant collector and enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her two dogs.

Meet the Spring 2023 Interns

Alexandra Abu-Shmais is a Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Ivelin Georgiev in the department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Her research is focused on gaining a better understanding of the fundamental rules of antibody-antigen interactions.

Matt Vukovich is a Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Ivelin Georgiev in the department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. His research is focused on vaccine design for viruses such as HIV-1 and influenza. Matt’s interests include teaching, mentorship, and scientific outreach. Outside of the lab he loves riding his bike and going on long walks.

 

Spring 2022 Intern Mentors

Kaitlyn Browning is a Ph.D. candidate in Houra Merrikh’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry. She studies the consequences of collisions between DNA replication and transcription in bacterial pathogens, with a focus on mutagenesis and evolution. Kaitlyn is passionate about making science accessible and approachable for all audiences and is hopeful about a career in science advocacy and communication. She is an avid plant collector and enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her two dogs.