Navigating the Currents of Being a Research Intern
Navigating the currents of a career in women’s health research can be intimidating. Allison Baer, a former Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) intern, used to think medical research was a “foreign world”. Allison was chosen to participate in MWRI’s college summer internship program in 2003. At that time, Allison was earning her Bachelor of Nursing degree at Carlow University.
 “The opportunity to be around the Institute and absorb what was going on research-wise was valuable because it [medical research] was a foreign world to me,” said Allison. “The internship was a real gateway to other opportunities.”
As an intern, Allison coordinated intern recruitment, collected data for research studies, scheduled guest speakers for the MWRI internship program, and shadowed researchers to learn more about what goes on behind-the-scenes.
The MWRI internship was Allison's only exposure to scientific research as an undergraduate. She found the experience priceless in steering her toward a medical research related career.
Following her internship, Allison was hired by MWRI as a full-time research technician, where she was employed until 2006. Allison then worked at UPMC Shadyside in the oncology units where she became chemotherapy and stem cell certified. Allison believes her internship at MWRI gave her more confidence in science, allowing her to better perform everyday tasks.
While testing the waters of medical research, Allison decided to pursue a graduate education. She was pleasantly surprised when she was accepted into the Master of Public Health program at Johns Hopkins University. While completing her coursework part-time, she was able to take on a full-time position in the Health Policy Department at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
As a Clinical Trials Specialist, Allison advocates for clinical research needs, which includes writing articles about best practices, drafting advocacy statements, and working on various projects with the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Her proudest moment at her current position was having one of her papers sent to Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, and Senator Dave Obey, Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
“The things I witnessed and learned at Magee-Womens Research Institute and Shadyside now serve as a strong foundation for papers that make it into the hands of those that lead our research enterprise,” said Allison.
Allison shared that although she hasn’t become a laboratory researcher, her work advocating for the needs of researchers has been fulfilling. So far, she feels her position is a great fit and that she found her niche in the medical research world.
“I still have a long way to go, but I truly thank MWRI, Dr. James Roberts, and former MWRI mentor Dr. Thelma Patrick for helping provide a solid foundation for my current career path,” said Allison.
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