CNSI Magnify Internship Program Prepares Fourth Cohort of Student Innovators for Careers in Science and Industry

By Nicole Wilkins

For the fourth year, UCLA undergraduates gained firsthand experience in the fast-paced world of biotechnology and startups through the Magnify Internship Program, hosted by the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA.

The program places students with companies in Magnify, CNSI’s on-campus incubator for early-stage technology startups, providing interns with opportunities to contribute to research, develop technical skills and gain insight into careers in the biotechnology industry.

For this year’s cohort, the experience extended well beyond learning new techniques in the lab. Students developed skills in scientific communication, data analysis and literature review while gaining a clearer understanding of what it takes to work in an industry environment.

For Anna Jefferis, her internship with GIANT Biosystems was an opportunity to strengthen both her scientific and professional skills. She learned how to maintain a professional relationship with an employer, ask questions when assignments were unclear and conduct more in-depth literature analysis. One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to discuss potential career paths in biotechnology with her employer.

“It was interesting to hear what someone out of the academic field has to say about potential prospects in the biotechnology field, and what paths one can take to end up in the same place,” Jefferis said.

Jefferis will continue her education by pursuing an M.S. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at USC. She encourages future interns to communicate openly with their employers, particularly when work is unclear or there is not enough to do.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to your employer if you don’t have enough work to do,” she said. “It will help your employer feel supported as well.”

For Ashley Lam, her experience with ImmunoVec provided a comprehensive look at how research moves through an industry setting. She developed technical laboratory skills in cell culture, viral vector production, flow cytometry and ddPCR, while also gaining experience in scientific communication, data analysis and professional collaboration. One of the most valuable aspects of her internship was seeing how these different components of research come together across the broader workflow, ultimately contributing to ImmunoVec’s goal of developing in vivo gene therapies.

Through the experience, she also learned the importance of communicating effectively, asking questions and collaborating with others in an industry research environment.

“Seeing how the different stages of research connect with one another gave me a better understanding of how individual experiments contribute to the larger goal of developing new therapies,” Lam said. Her internship also opened the door to her next professional step: Lam will continue with ImmunoVec as an associate scientist while also planning to matriculate into medical school.

Emilee Gip’s yearlong internship with RiboForge, Inc. led directly to a full-time position with the company. With a goal of building a career in biotechnology, Gip saw the Magnify Internship Program as an ideal opportunity to gain real-world experience and explore the field firsthand. After an opening became available, Gip applied and transitioned from intern to research associate.

“Through the Magnify Internship Program, I gained hands-on experience in structural biology and its applications in RNA and drug discovery,” Gip said. “The program gave me the opportunity to strengthen my skills at the bench, gain valuable experience in early-stage drug discovery, and develop a deeper understanding of research in the field.”

One of her most noteworthy experiences was gaining insight into the day-to-day workflow and understanding how each aspect of the work contributes to the company’s broader goals. Beyond her work at the company, she valued the relationships she built with fellow interns, many of whom became friends, as well as the connections she developed with the

CNSI and Magnify workforce development team, who provided valuable guidance and support as she began her career in science.

Gip’s advice to future interns is straightforward: “Speak up and ask questions. This internship program is a great opportunity to gain real-world biotechnology experience, so make the most of it. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and remember that your team is here to support you.”

For Isaac Rodney, the program provided exposure to both scientific research and the broader biotechnology landscape. He developed experience at GIANT Biosystems working with bacteria, evaluating competitors and reviewing scientific literature. One of the highlights was working directly with the company’s devices.

“Working with the company’s devices themselves showcased how far technology has come,” Rodney said.

Rodney will continue building his experience across the research and biotechnology sectors. During summer 2026, he interned at NASA Glenn. He plans to spend his gap year working in the biotech and medtech industries while applying to medical school.

Together, the experiences of this cohort demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available through the Magnify Internship Program. From developing technical expertise and learning industry workflows to building professional relationships and discovering potential career paths, the program gives UCLA students a valuable opportunity to explore what comes next.

As Magnify continues to connect students with emerging biotechnology companies, the internship program remains an important bridge between academic learning and the real-world experience needed to become the next generation of scientific innovators.

Applications for the next Magnify Internship Program cohort will open October 1, 2026. Beginning with the new cohort, the program will offer academic credit through eligible academic departments in the form of a research course, giving students an opportunity to pair hands-on industry experience with academic learning.

UCLA undergraduate students interested in gaining firsthand experience in biotechnology, research and the startup environment are encouraged to learn more about the program and apply. Visit the Magnify Internship Program website beginning October 1 for application details and additional information about the 2026–27 cohort.