Externships by Science Major
Biology
Sylvia Hewitt '83 (Biology); M.A. Biochemistry – Duke University
Company/Location: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Raleigh, NC
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Biologist - ʺBenchʺ researcher in an NIH Intramural Basic Science Research lab. Our focus is on mechanisms of estrogen responses using both cell culture models and transgenic mice.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: In the 3-5 day window, there would be opportunities to meet with individuals in a variety of positions, including Veterinary Medicine, epidemiology, bioinformatics, pathology, toxicology.
Matthew Karafin '00 (Biology); M.D., Transfusion Medicine – University of Iowa
Company/Location: BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Associate Medical Director - I oversee blood production, lab direction, and transfusion consultation for the Milwaukee region. As a physician, I provide blood related guidance to clinicians in my region, and provide therapeutic apheresis to both inpatients and outpatients. As associate medical director, I work most closely with the Medical College of Wisconsin and its teaching hospital, Froedtert Hospital.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: No, housing is the student's responsibility
What will you get from this externship: By spending time in a blood center, the extern will be able to observe blood product production, and see how a blood center medical doctor functions both for the community and for the hospitals that we serve.
Additional Information: Though the student will commute with me to work, he or she should bring a car if possible.
David Schafer '76 (Biology)
Company/Location: Featherman Equipment/Schafer Farm/Jamesport Yoga, Jamesport, MO
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Owner – [1] Featherman Equipment empowers farmers, consumers, and communities by providing efficient and affordable solutions for local meat processing. Our customer is typically driven to heal the land and provide alternative food sources to the centralized norm. [2] Schafer Farm is a grass-based, beyond organic, 64-acre farm with 20 sheep, a guard donkey and Amish neighbors. The homestead is straw bale, off-grid and very green. [3] Jamesport Yoga serves the local yoga community.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The dynamics of control of our food system. Small business in a unique model. Amish life. Farm life. Green living. Yoga.
Gwynne Mashon '00 (Biology); J.D., Public Interest Law – Chicago-Kent College of Law
Company/Location: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, New Orleans, LA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Staff Attorney, Homeless Advocacy Program - Provide legal representation to homeless individuals and families in civil areas including social security, public benefits, and employment law. Participate in various groups working to improve the lives of people who are homeless and to help people who are homeless get jobs and/or housing.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-5 days, Flexible but best over one or more of the following dates: March 20, 22, 25, &/or 29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: No, student is responsible for own housing
What will you get from this externship: The extern will learn what it's like to work for a public interest law organization, might have the opportunity to meet clients and see how we provide services to meet their needs. Additionally, the extern may have the opportunity to attend meetings with other attorneys and/or community advocates and service providers, as well as he or she can gain hands on experience helping out in our office.
Additional Information: Extern will commute via public transportation.
Amanda Keledjian '08 (Biology/Anthropology); Master of Advanced Study, Marine Biodiversity and Conservation
Company/Location: Oceana, Washington, D.C.
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Marine Scientist - I work at one of the largest international organizations dedicated to marine conservation, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization works on campaigns to promote responsible fishing, end seafood fraud, stop offshore drilling, promote alternative energy, and conserve marine wildlife. As a marine scientist working in the policy arena, my portfolio includes protected species (marine mammals, turtles, sharks) and the bycatch of this wildlife during fishing activities.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible at this time
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time at Oceana, an extern would learn about conservation policy and how science informs decision-making at the national level. We work on interdisciplinary teams that include attorneys, lobbyists, marketing and communications staff, and scientists, and students would have the opportunity to learn and interact with all of these departments. Specific topics could include international fisheries management, the impacts of human activities on marine wildlife, and the economics of conservation. In addition to observing, I would work to give the extern opportunities to produce tangible products from conduct short-term research, blog pieces, and meeting people at similar organizations.
Additional Information: I could put together a great week for a visiting student that would include meeting other Grinnellians and colleagues in the environmental field and walking away with tangible resume-building products.
Joy Tamayose '88 (Biology); M.S., Wildlife Science – Oregon State University
Company/Location: Haleakala National Park, Haiku, HI
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Wildlife Biologist - My work focuses on the management of endangered bird populations. I am a field biologist on a small project that protects and monitors the Hawaiian petrel and Hawaiian goose populations within the park.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will have the opportunity to experience conservation biology in practice and to learn about the challenges of long-term management of natural resources. The extern will also gain some familiarity with the park service and government agencies in general.
Biological Chemistry
Alok Shah '04 (Biological Chemistry); Ph.D, Molecular and Cellular Biology - University of Iowa
Company/Location: Emmyon, Inc., Iowa City, IA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Co-Founder & Senior Research Scientist - At Emmyon, we are striving to prevent and cure metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and skeletal muscle atrophy. I do biological research in identifying compounds that prevent and reverse these diseases.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will get hands-on experience in bench research and will also be able to learn about the behind-the-scenes functioning of a start-up company. Any student who is interested in research, human disease, and the thriving and stimulating environment of a small start-up would be a fantastic fit.
Chemistry
Louis Madsen '94 (Chemistry); Ph.D., Chemistry – California Institute of Technology
Company/Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Position Title of Alumna & Description: Associate Professor - I teach physical and polymer chemistry classes and manage a research laboratory of 8 people (PhD candidates, postdoc, sometimes undergraduates). We study fundamental properties of ʺsoft materialsʺ such as polymers, liquid crystals, and ionic liquids using advanced magnetic resonance methods. We span the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, and chemical engineering.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, March 18-28
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: What is research in materials chemistry and physical chemistry all about? How can one use magnetic resonance (like MRI) technology to learn about materials used in energy (batteries, fuel cells, etc) and sustainability (water purification) applications? What do professors and research staff at a large research/teaching institution do all day?
Rochelle Gandour-Rood '02 (Chemistry); M.S., Environmental Studies – Antioch University New England
Company/Location: Trout Unlimited, Seattle, WA
Position Title of Alumna & Description: Youth Education Coordinator - My overarching goal is to help people connect to their place by learning about it. In my work at Trout Unlimited (www.tu.org), I specifically focus on connecting youth with their local watershed, often through the study of trout or salmon. I have four main tasks: [1] Coordinate our national network of partners and educators (and program resources) in the Trout in the Classroom program. (www.troutintheclassroom.org) [2] Publish our quarterly kids' magazine, Stream Explorers. (www.streamexplorers.org/magazine) [3] Assist our national TU Youth Leadership Council in pursuing the development of a TU Teens program. [4] Respond to inquiries from our volunteers across the country and help them develop their own local youth education programs.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will be able to learn about how a mid-sized national environmental non-profit runs, and how an education program fits into an organization centered largely on conservation work. Depending on the extern's interests, we can explore:-some perspectives on what it means to be an environmental educator, including how we reach out to various groups and how to connect our work with formal education systems.-what it is like to work with community volunteers.-the various aspects of conservation work (communication, advocacy, science, policy, field work), and how we knit them together. My Seattle-area colleagues (representing a variety of TU's efforts) may also be available for interviews, observation, and/or small projects, depending on the extern's interests.
Additional Information: Trout Unlimited (TU) is a large organization with many campaigns and efforts, and my work as an environmental educator is varied and covers a wide range of projects. I encourage any student interested in either environmental education or watershed conservation to consider an externship with TU.
Neal Fleming '77 (Chemistry); M.D. - University of Kansas; & Ph.D., Pharmacology - Georgetown University
Company/Location: University of California – Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Professor, Department of Anesthesiology – I get to do so many things, they include clinical care of patients during scheduled and emergency surgery, classroom teaching, clinical research, simulated practice instruction, bedside teaching and a bit of paperwork now and then. I coordinate the division of cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiology at a tertiary care medical center.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: An exposure to the current practice of medicine in a variety of settings ranging from a referral hospital to an outpatient clinic.
Nathan Lueck '00 (Chemistry); M.D. – University of Iowa
Company/Location: Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, St. Paul, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description:. Pathologist - A pathologist examines tissues from patients, both grossly and under the microscope to come up with a diagnosis that will direct treatment decisions and/or provide prognostic information.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will get to see a variety of human tissues and disease from all organ systems and start to understand how a pathology report drives treatments for a wide range of diseases.
Additional Information: My wife, Christina Ward, class of 1998 is a hand surgeon at Regions Hospital in St. Paul and would be willing to split the four days with me (the student can spend two days with me and two days with her).
Computer Science
David Leppik '94 (Computer Science); & M.S., Computer Science – University of Minnesota
Company/Location: Vocal Laboratories, St. Louis Park, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Vice President of Software Development - I'm the software developer of a high-tech small company (5 full-time employees). Our company measures customer satisfaction primarily through telephone surveys administered by dozens of part-time contractors who work from home. I write and maintain the code that runs our virtual call center and related services. I work closely with our system administrator and our CEO/project manager. Day-to-day work is primarily programming, which runs the gamut from data architecture to User Experience (UX) design.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: No, student is responsible for own housing. If housing is within 10miles of Vocal Laboratories, alumnus can provide transportation to and from externship site.
What will you get from this externship: By programming with me, the student will learn how to design clean, maintainable, and useful code. Other skills acquired may include: requirements gathering, UI/UX (User Interface/User eXperience) design, unit testing, and usability testing.
Additional Information: The student should have at least a basic knowledge of computer programming (CSC 151.) The more computer science (s)he knows, the richer the externship will be.
General Science
Mick Perez-Cruet '83 (General Science); MSc, Chemistry – University of South Florida-Tampa; M.D. - Tufts University
Company/Location: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Vice Chair/Professor – Neurosurgeon, sub specialty Spine and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Observe an active clinical practice. If interested research opportunities in clinical and or basic science research. Active stem cell based research.
Mathematics and Statistics
Ole Rapson '01 (Math); M.A., Education & M.A. Mathematics – University of Minnesota
Company/Location: Columbia Heights High School, Minneapolis, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Math Teacher and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Coordinator - I teach math (algebra & trigonometry) & AVID in an urban high school.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, sometime over March 16-22
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Our school is very diverse: 40% African-American, 30% Hispanic, and over 30 countries represented within the immigrant population. We also have a high amount of students (70%) on free and reduced lunch. Our school has many master teachers, who I am so proud to work with. The extern will meet with so many of them as well as observe my math classroom and the AVID program, which supports students with barriers who are heading to college.
Brigham Hoegh '08 (Math/Economics)
Company/Location: Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines, IA
Position Title of Alumni & Description: (this externship is split between three alumni)
Brigham Hoegh '08 - Senior Product Analyst - keeps motorcycle insurance competitive by monitoring the marketplace and serving as a go-between for sales, marketing, and pricing departments.
Rick Osborn '95 - Associate Vice President for Personal Lines Insurance - oversees actuarial departments working on home and auto insurance.
Dolph Robb '01 - Director of Commercial Research and Development -Actuarial research area focuses on business insurance.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, March 24-March 29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, at Brigham's home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time at Nationwide, the extern will learn about a few of the possible career paths actuaries can take. He/She will also get a feel for what it is like to work at a very large company.
Marcia Glick '80 (Mathematics); M.P.A. - Hamline University
Company/Location: City of Robbinsdale, MN, Minneapolis, MN
Position Title of Alumna & Description: City Manager - Professional management of a City of just under 14,000 abutting Minneapolis. The City Council sets policy, guidelines and goals. The City Manager is responsible for executing the policies and managing day to day operations, with an emphasis on public relations and communications. Direct reports include the Finance Director, Police Chief, City Engineer, Fire Chief and City Planner who are experts in their fields.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible, but over March 19th would be ideal
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The student will have an opportunity to learn about local government operations and a wide range of professional careers. The most interesting thing about this line of work is that there is little predictability outside of a few set meetings.
Matthew Johnson '08 (Math/Sociology)
Company/Location: ISSI: Data, Analytics, Strategy, Minneapolis, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Data & Targeting Director - I work as the data and targeting director for two coalitions of progressive nonprofits across Minnesota. I guide and assist nonprofits in the political outreach in the state. Working with both partisan and nonpartisan groups, I help groups do advocacy, political outreach, lobbying, grassroots organizing, political targeting, and campaign strategy. I do political consulting, with a focus on data-driven decisions. I work closely with a wide-range of groups, ranging from ʺpolitical attack dogsʺ and labor unions to neighborhood community centers and environmental organizations.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 25-29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time in our office, the extern would meet with political workers and leaders in the Twin Cities and learn about their job and work. The extern would learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into modern politics, and non-profit roles in politics during the state legislative session. There would also be training courses for the student where they would learn basic campaign strategy and campaign finance laws, as well as partisan and nonpartisan political action. During their time in the office, they would work on data resources, and look at registration numbers across the state. They would become familiar with the Census database, voter registration records, and modeling data as they compile a report about Minnesota.
Eric Johnson '88 (Russian/Math); & M.A., Russian Area Studies – Georgetown
Company/Location: Self-Employed, Shanghai, China
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Consultant - I consult for NGOs (international and domestic) which want help in the field of implementing substantial projects supporting freedom of expression--sometimes local media development, sometimes internet freedom. Sometimes I write proposals, sometimes I help launch and/or run projects, and sometimes I evaluate projects. Most of my work recently has been internet-related: cyberpolicy (local advocacy in support of more, and more-free, internet), cybercircumvention (breaking through firewalls), or cybersecurity (training activists and journalists how to defend against governmental attempts to compromise their safety, confidentiality, or anonymity).
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Insights into: [1] expatriate life, [2] freelancing / consulting, [3] the global aid industry, and [4] the ʺfreedom defense/promotionʺ field.
Additional Information: My work is virtual--I don't have an office (I work from home or from cafes near my home).
Psychology
Marian Rabe '70 (Psychology); M.S., Special Education, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Company/Location: OT to Play, Learn, Grow, & Express, Bridgton, ME
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Board Certified Behavior Analyst - In a Pediatric Developmental Pre-School. I write, revise and review the behavior plans for our students, who are babies to entering grade K. I do Functional Behavior Assessments, design data tracking forms, monitor data and modify the program as the behavior plan is implemented. I also observe, train and supervise staff who work directly with the students with disabilities. I support the teachers and students in all the school classrooms with their problem behaviors.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, over a Tuesday and Wednesday
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time at OT to Play, Learn, Express and Grow, the extern will observe behavior analysis at work, no matter in which classroom we are. The extern will get a picture of how the behavior analyst lays the groundwork for all the staff to operate. The student will observe that behavior analysis in real time.
James Rechs '97 (Religious Studies/Psychology); & M.S.W.
Company/Location: Rochester Center for Autism, Rochester, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Mental Health Professional - At Rochester Center for Autism (RCA), we provide individual, one-on-one behavioral therapy and skills training for children who are on the Autism Spectrum. Our therapy is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Ivar Lovaas' landmark 1987 study (and its replications), and BF Skinner's analysis of learning and verbal behavior. I provide individual therapy, and complete diagnostic assessments with children and families to assist in determination of clients' eligibility for our program. I also facilitate a parent support group, am planning a sibling support group, plan a yearly symposium on Autism for the Rochester community, provide supervision to interns, observe individual therapy and provide consultation and feedback to therapists and supervisors. I attend policy meetings related to insurance reforms that are taking place at the state level. This allows me to keep our clients up to date on policy changes that may affect their services. It also allows our agency to provide feedback to the Department of Human Services so that we can advocate for our clients. I also receive individual supervision from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist, as I am pursuing certification as a Behavior Analyst myself.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 25-29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: While spending time at RCA, the extern will observe as therapists provide individual therapy to children with autism. The student will also spend time learning some of theoretical concepts that influence our therapy. This learning will occur when the student meets with various staff, watches training videos, completes some reading, and of course, observes therapy. The extern will attend a variety of meetings in which therapy is discussed, and planning for future therapy occurs. The extern may attend parent meetings, including a parent support group, and possibly a sibling support group. The extern will be interact with children and families, but will be required to protect client privacy and confidentiality.
Additional Notes: If possible, student should bring a car.
Erika Johnson-Jimenez '95 (Psychology); Ph.D., Clinical Psychology – The University of South Dakota
Company/Location: Veteran's Hospital, Albuquerque, NM
Position Title of Alumna & Description: Psychologist, Home-Based Primary Care - I am a Psychologist on an interdisciplinary primary care team, working primarily with veteran elders. I provide the full range of outpatient clinical mental health services to homebound veterans and their families.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern would accompany me on home visits to provide mental health services in veterans' homes. S/he would also have an opportunity to attend home visits with other team members (RN, physician, Social Worker, PT, OT) and to see how interdisciplinary treatment planning works at the patient level.
Additional Information: We have three kids and three cats. Would prefer a female extern.
