Simdi Okoroafor, a student of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biology department, is doing a two-month summer internship at YSU Innovative Center for Microbial Biotechnology and Biofuels as part of the MIT-Eurasia program.
Simdi told about the choice of the university herself, the skills acquired during the internship, as well as her ideas and impressions about Armenia…
I chose Yerevan State University to do my internship because…
The purpose of the MIT-Eurasia program is to organize the practice and research of students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as to create an opportunity to teach in local and international companies, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organizations and anywhere in Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
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In spite of the fact that internship was not compulsory, I still wanted to develop my practical skills, thus I decided to apply for this program. There were several possible internship options for me, but I chose Yerevan State University because I was fascinated by the internship program organized by YSU. Besides that, I thought it would be interesting to meet students of my age who are interested in the fields of science that are in my research framework, and I was not wrong.
The main achievements of collaborating with Anna Poladyan and doing the internship at YSU are knowledge and experience…
“Organic waste processing to produce valuable materials” is the topic of my internship that is supervised by the head of the chair of biochemistry, microbiology and biotechnology of YSU, Ph.D., associate professor Anna Poladyan.
At the beginning of the internship, Anna Poladyan conducted individual lectures for me, imparting theoretical knowledge on microbial fermentation, types of fermentation, anoxic-oxygen respiration, their differences, assimilation of carbohydrates in microbes and obtaining molecular hydrogen, then I was assigned to pre-treat dairy production waste, culturing intestinal mucus, obtaining molecular hydrogen, determination of bioenergetic parameters.
During the two-month internship, I got acquainted with the microbial, biochemical and organic waste treatment methods introduced at the YSU Microbial Biotechnology and Biofuel Innovation Center, as well as the analytical and biochemical methods of obtaining microbial biomass and valuable products (enzymes, biohydrogen, etc.).
During the internship, I have already gained a lot of knowledge and recorded successful research results, which is realized thanks to the equipped technical apparatus and opportunities of Yerevan State University, and working with Anna Poladyan was the best experience for me. She is very friendly and warm, ready to help and support in any situation.
The internship created new opportunities…
In addition to professional knowledge and skills, I gained new friends and acquaintances. Participating in the program is a wonderful opportunity not only to become a part of YSU, but also to get to know Armenia from first-hand, which I discovered in my own way.
Everything I wouldn’t know about Armenia if I hadn’t come here…
I enjoy my time in Armenia. Besides Yerevan, I also visited Gyumri, where I celebrated Vardavar with my friends, as well as Garni, Geghard, Harichavank and elsewhere.
I like Armenian cuisine, friendly and kind people, the sunny weather, the Armenian churches and nature, especially Armenian mountains.
Before coming, I had very little information about the country, I knew the approximate location, some episodes of history and culture, but thanks to my own experience, what I felt and saw is priceless and unforgettable. I hope the paths of life will bring me back to Armenia in the future.
It is crucial to note that within the framework of the MIT-Eurasia project, three students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology taught and held seminars at YSU.
The video about the students’ visit is here.
