BSBT-GEN INTERNSHIPS
Internship (BSBT 6939) is a required capstone experience for BSBT-GEN students, providing a structured opportunity to apply and extend classroom learning in a professional setting. Through hands-on experience in biotechnology, research, or related fields, students develop new technical skills while building essential professional competencies.
Students can pursue internships across various settings, including:
- Private companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other health-related fields
- Technology transfer offices
- Clinical research organizations
- Academic research laboratories
In general, students are discouraged from completing an Internship at their current place of employment.
Internship Course Director
Hannah Hathaway, PhD
hannah.hathaway@cuanschutz.edu
Make an appointment to discuss Internship on Handshake
Important Dates and Deadlines for Internship
Students must complete at least 150 hours of work on their internship project, not including time spent writing the final report or preparing the oral presentation. The oral presentation must be completed no later than two weeks before the end of the academic term. To ensure enough time to complete the internship hours, write the report, deliver the presentation, and meet all graduation deadlines, students are strongly encouraged to begin searching for an internship approximately one year before their anticipated graduation date.
| Due dates for | Spring 2025 Graduation | Summer 2025 Graduation | Fall 2025 Graduation |
| Exam Request Form (ideally submitted in first 2 weeks of internship - must be at at least 4 weeks before oral presentation) | No later than April 4, 2025 | No later than July 4, 2025 | No later than November 12, 2025 |
| Application for Candidacy | Submit with Exam Request | Submit with Exam Request | Submit with Exam Request |
| Oral Presentation (must be completed at least 2 weeks before end of term) | May 2, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 26, 2025 |
| End of Term | May 16, 2025 | August 15, 2025 | December 12, 2025 |
| Commencement | May 19, 2025 | TBD | December 13, 2025 |
How to Get Started: Steps to Enroll in the BSBT Internship Course
To enroll in the BSBT Internship course, follow these steps in order. Please read carefully—starting your internship before receiving formal approval from the Internship Course Director may result in hours not counting toward your required 150 hours.
- Start early: Begin searching for an internship approximately one year before your anticipated graduation date. Internships often take time to secure, and starting early ensures you can meet all course and graduation deadlines
- Be in good academic standing: You must be in good academic standing (>3.0 GPA) to enroll in the Internship course.
- Choose an internship site: Select a site from the pre-approved list below, or propose a new site to the Course Director (hannah.hathaway@cuanschutz.edu) for approval.
- If you want to complete your internship at your current place of employment, you must receive prior approval from the Course Director—even if the site is on the approved list. In general, this is discouraged and only approved in special cases.
- Develop your Internship Plan: Work with your Internship Mentor to outline your responsibilities, goals, and timeline. Use the provided Internship Plan Template.
- Get your Mentor's signature. Your mentor must review and sign your completed Internship plan before you submit it for approval.
- Submit your signed Internship Plan for approval. Email the signed Internship Plan to the Course Director (hannah.hathaway@cuanschutz.edu).
- You must receive approval from the Course Director before starting your Internship. Hours completed before approval may not count towards your Internship credits.
- Register for the course: After your Internship Plan is approved, the BSBT Program Administrator will send you enrollment instructions. Once registered, you will be added to the Canvas shell for the course, where you can find additional details about the required assignments for Internship.
Internship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Have questions about the BSBT Internship? Below are answers to some of the most common questions students ask about finding, enrolling in, and completing their internship. If you still have questions after reading through the FAQ, please reach out to the Course Director for help.Pre-Approved Internship Sites
The list below includes internship sites that have already been reviewed and approved for BSBT students—so if you choose one of these, you do not need to request additional approval from the Course Director.
You're also welcome to find your own internship outside of this list, but keep in mind that any new site must be approved by the Course Director before you begin. Internships at your current place of employment are generally not recommended and require special approval, even if the site is listed here.
| Mentor/Point of Contact | Location | Descriptions |
Matthew Gaetz
| Enveda Biosciences | Using breakthroughs in machine learning, metabolomics, and robotics, Enveda's platform indexes nature’s novel chemical space for new drug discovery. Our cutting-edge methods enable natural product drug discovery to break free of the traditional shackles of isolating and studying one molecule at a time. Our experiments are creating the world’s most diverse biologically annotated dataset of small molecules, allowing us to query chemical structure, biological activity, and organ distribution to rapidly search for new leads. |
Melody Lucier at AOA Dx
Lucier LinkedIn Profile | AOA Dx | Founded in 2020, AOA Dx was created to ensure that women have access to the most innovative early detection platform in their fight against cancer. More than 90% of new discoveries in medical innovation stay in research within an academic setting and are never commercialized and widely adopted to help patients.
|
aiGENE | aiGENE Website | aiGENE LinkedIn
| We are looking for talented scientists with skills in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related life sciences to work in our research and development group. If selected, they will have the opportunity to contribute to improving the quality of cancer treatment outcomes. aiGENE is a research-driven biopharmaceutical company in the cancer diagnostics sphere. Our mission is to develop a rapid universal blood test measuring cancer and cancer treatment effectiveness. Our Dream is to provide a rapid, inexpensive, universal, on-site, pan-cancer monitoring of therapy effectiveness. Our team of scientists, bioengineers, electrochemists, oncologists, and entrepreneurs share over 100 years of combined experience covering cancer prevention, biological engineering, molecular biology, business development and management, entrepreneurship, product development, and commercialization. |
Zachary Call, PhD | Burst Diagnostics | Burst Diagnostics is a biotech company based out of Fort Collins, Colorado bringing disruptive technology to the point-of-care diagnostic industry. Our technology is the culmination of years of research in paper-based diagnostic assays by a leading group of chemists, virologists, and biomedical scientists from Colorado State University. We are looking for highly motivated individuals for our internship program who are interested in learning more about the biotech industry who work well in a fast-paced environment. |
Corrine Lucas | Terumo BCT | Corrine Lucas has 25+ years’ experience, in various leadership roles working in medical device Regulatory Affairs and Quality Systems developing and writing regulatory strategies and submissions, as well as quality system development, auditing, and training. Corrine has worked at both Fortune 500 companies and start-up companies with a broad spectrum of medical devices. She graduated with a degree in Biology from UC San Diego, Revelle College. Corrine is currently the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies located in Lakewood, Colorado, where she leads a team of regulatory professionals working on US and EU regulatory submissions. Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions. Our employees around the world believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers. |
Michael Edwards, PhD | MycoTechnology, Inc. | MycoTechnology is a food ingredient company focused on moving food forward by infusing human ingenuity with the intelligence of nature. Harnessing the power of mushrooms, MycoTechnology is able to solve some of the most pervasive challenges in the food and beverage industry. We harness the metabolic engine of mushrooms, known as mycelium, using natural fermentation to create novel ingredients that help solve the food industry’s biggest challenges. Our innovative ingredients and transformative technology offers solutions for sugar reduction, food insecurity, sustainable protein, natural immune support, and much more. |
Victoria Donovan | Clinically Media, LLC | Victoria Donovan is the founder and CEO of Clinically Media, an award-winning marketing agency based in Denver, CO devoted to patient recruitment and retention for clinical-stage biotechs. Victoria hopes to continue to simplify, automate, and create positive experiences for all those involved in drug development, whether you’re a patient, research site, or C-level executive. |
| Core Contact/Supervisor | Description |
Joseph Dragavon, PhD
| The Advanced Light Microscopy Core was established in 2012 within the BioFrontiers Institute. We are an open-access facility that provides microscopy and image analysis services, as well as collaborating on research opportunities. |
Kimberly Jordan, PhD
| As the Co-Director of the Human Immune Monitoring Shared Resource (HIMSR) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, I ensure the generation of high-quality human translational research data in immunology. HIMSR provides expertise in high parameter immunologic assays that interrogate liquid and tissue biopsies, specifically T cell and B cell functional assays, flow cytometry, mass cytometry, high-parameter immunofluorescence, and mass spectrometry-based tissue imaging (spatial proteomics), spatial transcriptomics, multiplex cytokine arrays, and clinical sample preparation for downstream metabolomics, proteomics, and genomics. We have expertise in the analyses of multiplex immunohistochemistry panels for the interrogation of tissue microenvironments and work collaboratively with the research community to develop assays that are customized to the specific needs of each investigator's research. |
Joshi Molishree, PhD
| Functional Genomics Shared Resource is a sub-specialty of molecular biology that enables exploration of gene and protein function not only at the gene level but also on a genome-wide scale. Technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) and gene editing (e.g. CRISPR) that interfere or alter gene function allow us to investigate gene function in vertebrate cells in a single experiment. The Functional Genomics Shared Resource (FGSR) provides tools and technologies, for individual genes, pathway-focused genes and genome-wide analysis. |
Natalie Serkova, PhD
| Dr. Serkova’s group (Animal Imaging Shared Resource) focuses on developing advanced medical and animal imaging protocols, especially in the area of neurooncology and cancer treatment response. The major goal of our research is to developed high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), PET/CT and optical imaging protocols, followed by advanced machine- and deep-learning approached for image analysis. Applied first in animal models of cancers, advanced imaging allows for establishing non-invasive quantitative imaging biomarkers for cancer progression or treatment response, which can be then translated and validated in human oncologic imaging. |
| Mentoring Faculty | Research Description |
|---|---|
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Cinnamon Bidwell, PhD |
The Center for Health, Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange) at the University of Colorado Boulder conducts transdisciplinary research to explore the psychological, neurocognitive, physiological, genetic, and epigenetic factors that are linked with health and risk behavior. CUChange has developed a novel methodology for studying legal market cannabis products and is currently researching the benefits and risks of cannabis use in a variety of populations. Internships at CUChange include exposure to the data collection process, as well as training in data preprocessing and analysis in support of an individual project to answer a research question of interest. |
|
Martin Breuss, PhD |
Our laboratory studies the phenomenon of ‘genomic mosaicism’ where some but not all cells within a tissue harbor a unique mutation. It is commonly understood in the context of cancers, where specific mutations within a progenitor cell may cause the disease. However, ‘mosaic mutations’ occur in every cell of our body during embryonic development and aging. Our laboratory is interested in understanding this phenomenon in terms of its general impact on human health and its origin during early development. Current projects include the following: 1) analysis of mosaicism of the parents that may result in the transmission of disease-causing mutations to multiple children (related to the recurrence risk of ‘sporadic’ disease); 2) analysis of ‘neutral’ mosaicism without any functional impact that marks the lineage of cells and allows us to reconstruct development—a feat that is otherwise impossible in humans. We combine human genetics research where we collaborate with clinical researchers, molecular biology to develop and perform detection assays, and computational approaches to process and analyze a variety of generated data.
Dr. Breuss does not currently have space for an intern, but may have room for internships beginning in summer 2025. |
|
Kimberly Bruce, PhD |
Kimberley D. Bruce, PhD, is an Assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes. After completing her PhD in epigenetics and molecular biochemistry, Dr. Bruce wanted to use her expertise to interrogate the molecular mechanisms driving lipid disorders. After more than a decade of research, she noticed many links between peripheral lipid metabolism, brain aging, and neurodegenerative disease. Despite the brain being mostly made of lipids, lipid homeostasis in the brain is poorly understood. Inspired by this, research in Dr. Bruce’s laboratory is aimed at finding new mechanisms relating to lipid and lipoprotein processing in the brain that we can target to improve outcomes for previously incurable diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. |
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Joanne Cole, PhD
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The Cole Lab uses large-scale computational genomics as a tool to learn more about diet's role in human health, with a focus on cardiometabolic disease. In particular, our lab has three primary goals based primarily on genetic and GWAS data and analysis: 1) improve phenotyping quality and consistency, 2) understand biological and environmental mechanisms and their interactions, and 3) connect these findings with human health using both statistical genetic (e.g. Mendelian randomization) and, more recently, clinical approaches. Depending on bioinformatic and statistics experience, projects range from performing GWAS of various aspects of eating behavior to developing new statistical genetic methods to combat common problems in nutrition and metabolic disease research. |
| Eduardo Davila, PhD Davila Faculty Profile |
The Davila Lab aims to understand the cellular and molecular signals that promote the generation of potent and long-lasting tumor-specific T cell responses. Early preclinical studies demonstrated that formulating vaccines to include toll like receptor agonists together with peptides representing tumor antigens induced potent CD8 cytotoxic T cell responses and were effective at treating tumors in a prophylactic and therapeutic setting. |
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David Howell, PhD |
Colorado Concussion Research Laboratory. Our research focuses on the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of youth sport-related concussions. We conduct clinical research in a variety of different settings, centered on improving health outcomes following a concussion. We study this important clinical problem in a translational fashion, using laboratory and clinical approaches. Through our observational work that incorporates biomechanical, clinical, and epidemiological approaches, we aim to identify pragmatic and effective rehabilitative methods to improve outcomes following concussion.
Dr. Howell does not currently have space for an intern, but may have room for internships beginning in fall 2025. |
|
Jordan Jacobelli, PhD |
The Jacobelli lab focuses on how cytoskeletal remodeling regulates lymphocyte migration, activation, and effector functions in response to environmental stimuli during homeostasis and in disease settings such as autoimmunity and cancer. We use a combination of functional assays as well as in vitro reductionist approaches, including high-resolution spatio-temporal imaging of molecular dynamics and in vivo 2-photon microscopy to characterize immune cell behavior in physiological environments. |
|
Nicholas Jacobson |
Nicholas Jacobson is a clinical design researcher at CU Anschutz Inworks Innovation Initiative/ He is known for his immersive approach to clinical research and has been developing a unique set of solutions with a multi-disciplinary team. His team comprises computational designers, medical students, and the expertise of academy award winning stop motion animation studio LAIKA. |
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Edward Lau, PhD |
Our research aims to measure protein spatiotemporal dynamics and cell-cell communication in complex systems, and to apply the gained knowledge toward understanding development and diseases. To do so, we track protein turnover and localization using a variety of techniques including human induced pluripotent stem cells, stable isotope labeling mass spectrometry, and computational models. |
|
Laurel Lenz, PhD |
Inflammation is important for immune responses to infectious agents but improperly checked inflammation damages tissue and contributes to numerous acute and chronic human diseases. Research in the Lenz lab has identified a group of microbial proteins that suppress inflammation by targeting specific immune cell types. We are working to better define the molecular targets and pathways these proteins target in a specific key immune cell type. Our work on these proteins has potential for revealing new treatments for infections and other inflammation-associated diseases. |
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Eva Nozik, MD |
The overall mission of the Nozik lab is to understand the mechanisms responsible for the development of diseases of the lung and blood vessels in infants and children, and to develop better tools to detect and treat these lethal diseases. Our work focuses on an important antioxidant enzyme, extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), which is highly expressed in the lung and vessels under normal conditions and is impaired in diseases such as acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension. We predominantly utilize a series of genetically engineered mouse strains with alterations in EC-SOD expression to test how EC-SOD modulates inflammation and vascular injury in disease models. Ultimately our long-term goal is to provide a foundation for the development of novel diagnostic tools and cell-targeted antioxidant therapies to treat life-threatening pediatric lung diseases including acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension. |
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Huntington Potter, PhD |
Dr. Huntington Potter is Professor of Neurology, Director of Alzheimer’s Disease Program at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, and is Director of the CU Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. Previously, Dr. Potter and colleagues have found cell cycle defects in numerous other neurodegenerative diseases and are developing several new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease for testing first in animals and soon in humans. |
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Jane Reusch, MD |
Our lab is a clinical translational research lab conducting mechanistic research in youth and adults with type one and type 2 diabetes and related animal models. We have many studies under which we have collected deep clinical phenotyping data related to metabolism (insulin action and insulin resistance), cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac imaging, vascular imaging, skeletal muscle assessment of blood flow and oxidative capacity, muscle biopsy and functional parameters such as exercise capacity. The overarching goal of our lab is to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of decreased cardiorespiratory fitness and early cardiac dysfunction in the setting of otherwise uncomplicated diabetes. A student working with us would have the opportunity to assist in the building of a bio repository of data in youth and adults with type one and type 2 diabetes, analysis of relationships and response to intervention among these different groups and ages, and optimization of data dictionaries and entry into the biorepository for optimal extraction. |
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Rebecca Schweppe, PhD |
Our lab focuses on kinase signaling in thyroid cancer, with a specific focus on MAP kinase, Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), and Src signaling. Our goal is to understand mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies using in vitro and in vivo approaches to develop new more effective therapies to improve patient outcomes. |
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Jill Slansky, PhD |
Dr. Jill Slansky’s lab is interested in how cancer and the immune system interact on many levels, but mainly focus on how CD8 T cells recognize tumor antigens in people and animals |
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Kunhua Song, PhD |
The research goal in our lab is to understand mechanisms governing cardiac development and pathogenesis using a combination of human induced pluripotent stem cells and animal models. These studies form the bases for developing therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease. |
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Sujatha Venkataraman, PhD |
Dr. Venkataraman’s lab research is focused on identifying novel therapeutic strategies for a fatal brain tumor in children called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). Treatment options for DIPG are limited as chemotherapy is largely ineffective and surgical resection is not possible due to the tumor’s location in the pons, a region of the brain responsible for multiple vital functions like heartbeat and respiration. Ionizing radiation is the current standard of care for DIPG but provides only a temporary relief as the tumor becomes resistant to radiation at recurrence. Our lab is currently studying the radiation resistant mechanisms at the single cell level to identify new targeted treatments that are directed towards enhancing radiation efficacy in DIPG. In addition, Dr. Venkataraman lab have also been working on immunotherapy, both CAR-T cell and antibody-based therapies to effectively target DIPG, which is otherwise a refractory disease. |
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Yuwen Zhu, PhD |
Dr. Zhu's lab focuses on characterizing novel surface interactions that contribute to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment: 1. novel T cell immune checkpoints, 2. pathways that limit intratumoral T cell infiltration. |