IMU students grab internship opportunity to Taiwan institute

TWO International Medical University (IMU) Medical Biotechnology (MB) alumni, Aw Yong Poi Yi and Mak Siew Thong both did their internship at the Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.

Despite working in the same institute in Taiwan, Poi Yi and Siew Thong were supervised by different supervisors.

Poi Yi was supervised by Dr Jung-Hsiang, Tai, whose research primarily focused on molecular studies based on protozoan model.

On the other hand, Siew Thong has done her internship under the supervision of Dr Yi-ling, Lin, whose research mainly focuses on the molecular biology, virology, and pathogenesis of a few reemerging flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Although they were working on different internship projects, both Poi Yi and Siew Thong agreed that they have improved on their soft skills, especially communication skills. This is due to the opportunity to work with other researchers which requires good communication as well as mutual understanding.

“I have learnt several new lab skills including microscopy techniques, immune fluorescence assay and the maintenance of protozoan culture. Not only that, my internship experience in Taiwan has also widened my mind and confirms my decision of furthering my studies.”

Poi Yi has faced a lot of problems such as communicating with her supervisor as well as the handling of confocal fluorescence microscope.