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Summer Internship Program

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2026 Summer Internship Program

Students from San Mateo and Aragon High School students who are a part of the CTE Health Science & Medical Technology Pathway's Biotech program completed their official summer internships!

At an event on July 31, students gave presentations about their internships and were awarded certificates of completion.

The San Mateo Union High School District recognizes the importance of internship opportunities as they allow students to connect with and learn in a real life work setting.

Thank you to Segan Industries, Vitalant Research Institute, BABEC, Lyell Immunopharma and Courtin Family Dentistry for providing the internships for our students:

Segan Industries

  • Dao Nguyen (SMHS)
  • Haley Lau (AHS)

Vitalant Research Institute

  • Lillian Huang (AHS)
  • Sonakshi Rajput (AHS)
  • Simran Thakur (SMHS)

BABEC

  • Urjita Debnath (AHS)
  • Lauren Nagamine (SMHS)

Lyell Immunopharma

  • Itamar Mendelevich (SMHS) 

Courtin Family Dentistry

  • Alannah Malone (SMHS)

Biotech Teachers Bryan Olney (SMHS) and Katie Ward (AHS) facilitate the Summer internship program.

About the Internship Program

In 1994 SMUHSD Teacher Ellyn Daugherty designed and implemented the Biotechnology Career Pathway program (BCP), working closely with its Biotech Industry-Education Advisory Committee.  SMHS teacher Jimmy Ikeda became the lead teacher of the program in 2003 and took over the internship program in 2008.

Each year the internship program prepares students for research and manufacturing positions in academic and industrial biotechnology laboratories. The concepts and skills developed in the internship program prepare students for post-secondary STEM courses and placement in entry-level positions at local biotechnology companies.  Beyond laboratory expertise, students gain valuable insight and familiarity with the world of work that facilitates college, career, and life decisions. The internship program is open to any Biotechnology Career Pathway student who has successfully completed at least one year of biotechnology at any of  the three campuses (Aragon, Mills and San Mateo).  

Contact

Interested in learning more or partnering with SMUHSD to offer a Biotech Summer Internship?

Contacts:
AHS: Katie Ward, Leigh-Anne Ecklund 
SMHS: Jimmy Ikeda,  Bryan Olney  
MHS: Alexis Castaneda 

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