Internships in the field of international pharmaceutical research

Four students from the Faculty agreed to share their experiences of internships abroad, combining cutting-edge research, cultural discovery, and career choices. From Vienna to Seattle, via Chicoutimi and Shanghai, their journeys illustrate the wealth of international opportunities and the diversity of research topics explored.

Ornella Clara

Last year, I completed my research internship in Vienna, Austria, working with Professor Igor Adameyko's team, which specializes in the study of neural crest cells in developmental biology.

My project focused on the potential cellular origin of Ewing's sarcoma, a pediatric cancer affecting soft tissue and bones. The hypothesis tested suggested that this cancer could originate from neural crest cells. Identifying this origin would make it possible to target certain developmental genes, which may remain active during tumor processes.

This internship allowed me to acquire skills in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture and single-cell RNAseq data analysis. It also gave me the opportunity to work in an international environment with passionate researchers.

I completed my Master's degree in developmental biology in Marseille. I did my internship with Professor Pierre-François Lenne's team, which specializes in the physics of cell dynamics and tissue morphogenesis. My research focused on the links between the biophysical principles of morphogenesis and the signals that regulate cell fate in organoid models.

My pharmaceutical background, which encompasses a variety of disciplines, and my professional experience in the field of research have greatly contributed to my professional development.

Julia Toucheboeuf

For my internship abroad as part of my research program, I went to Seattle, USA, where I was welcomed by Nina Isoherranen's team at the University of Washington's School of Pharmacy.

My project focused on the influence of female hormones on the pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids (THC and CBD). This internship was an extremely enriching experience, as it allowed me to develop new skills in analytical chemistry and pharmacokinetics. In particular, I performed LC-MS/MS assays and carried out in silico modeling.

I completed my sixth year of pharmacy studies with a Master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology in Strasbourg. My end-of-studies internship took place at the Cancer Research Institute in Montpellier, in Céline Gongora's team, under the supervision of Fanny Leenhardt and Philippe Pourquier.

My goal now is to apply for a scholarship from the CBS2 doctoral school... all I can do now is cross my fingers!

Timothy Levin

I completed a fifth-year research internship in China at Changzheng Hospital in Shanghai, working with a team affiliated with the Chinese Navy and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. My goal was to find an internship in analytical chemistry with a strong link to pharmacognosy. The proposed topic perfectly met these expectations: the development of an LC-MS/MS assay method for Zhibaianshen, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used in particular to treat insomnia and depression.

This internship has taught me a lot, both personally and professionally. I have become more independent—the language barrier often forced me to find answers on my own—and enriched my theoretical and practical knowledge, while discovering a radically different culture and way of life. This experience has strengthened my interest in analytical chemistry and is a real asset in my career.

I then completed my Master's 2 internship at the PRISM laboratory (Inserm U1192) at the University of Lille. My work focused on searching for a peptide signature in mice treated with the venom of an Amazonian tree frog, recently associated with potential antileukemic activity. In particular, I performed mass spectrometry imaging and de novo peptide sequencing, which confirmed my decision to pursue a PhD in the field of proteomics.

This internship enabled me to validate my Master's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, specializing in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Therapeutic Molecules and Targets course, jointly accredited byParis Sorbonne University and the National Museum of Natural History.

Roxane Cantin

I was fortunate enough to be selected by Mitacs, a Canadian organization, which offered me a scholarship to do my fifth-year research internship in Chicoutimi, Quebec. My project focused on studying the Pabpn1 gene, which is involved in a rare form of muscular dystrophy. This allowed me to analyze, on mouse myoblasts, the effects of suppressing this gene and its potential impact on the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Beyond the human adventure and discovering a new culture, this internship allowed me to familiarize myself with cell culture and deepen my skills in molecular biology, particularly through techniques such as RT-qPCR.

I have just completed my Master's degree in Environmental Health Toxicology (TES) in Paris. I also had the opportunity to return to Quebec for a second internship, this time devoted to studying endocrine disruptors found in hairdressers and beauticians. The goal is to evaluate their effects on healthy and cancerous cells in the mammary gland. I hope to continue in this direction by starting a PhD in this laboratory.