Student Spotlight

During the 2019 Senior Internship period, Isabel Franks '19 traveled to the University of Chicago's Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Mass. Franks was among the first high school students in the nation to work with MBL when the School's Intensive class took part in, and helped shape, the MBL secondary school program. Here Franks reflects on her experiences.

When I think about the purpose of our Senior Internships I think of three key things. First, to try new things. Secondly, to try and find something you enjoy doing. Lastly, it should be an opportunity for you to make your own connections. Of those three things I can confidently and happily say I did all three.

In December, I went to the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts with my Intensive where we got to do DNA sequencing, study the camouflage of cephalopods, learn about microbiology, Xenopus frogs, and so much more. Although I found all of the science incredibly fascinating, I also got interested in administration within the science world. With the help of Mrs. Beardsley, Dr. Jones, Mr. Q, the entire board of administration, my parents, and Alison Crawford, the chief of staff at MBL, I was given the opportunity to return to MBL.

I interned with Alison for one week. While at MBL I sat in on many meetings with people like Nipam Patel, the director of MBL, Gina Hebert, the director of communications, Sebastien Laye, the chief advancement officer, Paul Speer, the COO, and so many more incredible humans. Aside from being in meetings other things I got to do were learn about different roles within the administration and better see how MBL works.