CONWAY, Ark. (March 18, 2016) – Lauren Dickinson, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Siloam Springs, Arkansas, was recently accepted for a competitive summer undergraduate research internship with the
Amgen Scholars program at Harvard University.
The program, made possible through a 12-year, $50 million commitment from the
Amgen Foundation, allows undergraduates from across the globe to participate in cutting-edge research opportunities at 17 leading institutions across the U.S., Europe and Japan. Undergraduate participants benefit from undertaking a research project
under top faculty, being part of a cohort-based experience of seminars and networking events, and taking part in a symposium in their respective region (U.S., Europe or Japan) where they meet their peers, learn about biotechnology, and hear from leading scientists.
“I decided to apply simply because I need more experience in the research world, and it sounded like an exciting and fun opportunity,” Dickinson said. “After nearly three years of truly engaging science courses and working extensively for Dr. Andrew
Schurko in the Biology Department, I've realized that scientific research is a potential career that could make me happy. This opportunity gives me another chance to try a new project (or even field) to make sure that research is the right choice for me. This is also a chance to meet new people who share similar
interests, as well as science mentors outside of the Hendrix community.”
“We're currently negotiating which research project I'll be a part of, but the research will be linked to biotechnology and will last for 10 weeks,” Dickinson said. “My advisor will be a Harvard professor or someone who does research under Harvard. The program also includes biotechnology journal
sessions and graduate school seminars. Additionally, I'll attend a symposium hosted by Amgen in L.A. and hear from some of their scientists.”
“I hope to use this experience to learn more about myself as a scientist. I've had so many fantastic science professors here at Hendrix, and I feel that they have prepared me to take the next step,” she said. “The Amgen community is unique in that the program is intensive in graduate school
preparation as well. I'll be spending a lot of time in the lab, talking with experienced scientists, discussing experiences with peers, and reading about new research projects. By the end, I hope that this comprehensive experience will be helpful in making my final decisions for graduate school.”
About the Amgen Foundation
The foundation seeks to advance science education, improve quality of care and access for patients, and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $200 million to local, regional, and
international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
About Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas. Founded in 1876 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884, Hendrix is featured in Colleges That Change Lives:
40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think about Colleges and is nationally recognized in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings for academic quality, community, innovation, and value. For more information, visit
www.hendrix.edu.