IMPACT INDIANA 2020 College Intern of the Year Awarded to Olatundun Awosanya
The 2020 IMPACT Indiana 2020 awards recognized 14 interns from across Indiana. These awards recognize the success of the Indiana INTERNnet that links employers, students, high schools, colleges and universities with internship opportunities. Ola was joined by her parents and Dr. Ushashi Dadwal.
IN LSAMP Research Scholar, Olatundun Awosanya, conducted
research with Dr. Melissa Kacena in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at IU
School of Medicine. The focus of the research was observing the effects Type
Two Diabetes has on bone healing. During her internship she spent about 3 weeks
at the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center working on Dr. Kacena’s bone healing in
spaceflight project, which launched July 25, 2019.
Ola was nominated by Dr. Kacena,
Dr. Ushashi Dadwal, Ms. Rachel Blosser, and Ms. Sue Samson for the award. Here
are a few excerpts from Ola’s nomination letter, “As new members have joined
the lab, Ola has trained with every level of scientist in molecular laboratory
techniques and procedures that are key to multiple projects within the
lab. She has proven herself to be a
reliable and valued member of the lab. The data analyses and graphs she
generated were complex and well above what many of my graduate and even
postdoctoral fellows are capable of, demonstrating her capabilities and
talents.”
Ola shares what the award means to her future career, “This
award means a lot to me because it means that Dr. Kacena and everyone else in
the lab see me as not only a valued member, but also as someone who has
potential. This is especially comforting because I’ve always been very hard on
myself so I always try and do the best I can. I constantly worry about whether
or not I’m good or smart enough to be in the position I’m in, but I’ve gained
more confidence in myself since joining the lab. I’m finally starting to see
the potential everyone else sees in me and I’m excited because I can’t stop thinking
of all the places I could go. The possibilities are endless however, I know for
sure that I want to pursue graduate school and acquire a PhD in the biomedical
sciences.
Dr. Kacena reflection on Ola’s
internship. “I think Ola would make an outstanding graduate student and
have told her should she wish to pursue a PhD here in Indiana, I would be
honored to train her, something I have never offered any of my previous
undergraduate students. I hope she will accept my offer as I think she has so
much to offer the world and I would like to help train her for all of these
future successes.”
Read more about Indiana INTERNet and 2020 IMPACT award winners – https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/41717768/indiana-internnet-unveils-impact-award-winners
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