A Week in the Life of a BDBS Student – Anya Robinson’s Experience

For Anya Robinson, a junior majoring in Neuroscience at Ohio Wesleyan University, the Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) program at Tufts University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences was more than just a summer internship. It was a transformative experience that allowed her to sharpen her scientific skills, explore career possibilities, and build lasting connections.

“The program’s emphasis on diversity, its graduate school preparation, and the research opportunities at Tufts really stood out to me,” Robinson says. “It was designed to help students like me grow in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

A Typical Week in the BDBS Program

Each day in the BDBS program was a blend of intense research and community-building. Robinson spent her mornings in the lab, conducting experiments in her assigned research group. “I usually started around 9:30 a.m., worked until noon, attended lectures or events, then returned to the lab,” she recalls. Depending on the experiment, her day could stretch into the evening, ending anywhere between 3 and 7 p.m.

But it wasn’t all lab work. Robinson appreciated the balance between research and social activities. “Some days, my mentor and I would explore Boston, trying new restaurants or grabbing coffee. Other days, the program organized fun events like game nights or ice cream socials. It was the perfect mix of hard work and downtime,” she says.

A Transformative Experience

One of the most memorable moments for Robinson was presenting her research at the S2P2 symposium. “Seeing my hard work come together—and hearing about what my peers accomplished—was incredibly rewarding,” she says.

However, research isn’t without its hurdles. “There were plenty of moments when experiments didn’t go as planned or equipment broke down. But I learned how to stay patient and resilient. It was a lesson in adaptability,” Robinson says. “I realized that I can’t control everything, but I can always find a way to problem-solve.”

Looking Toward the Future

The BDBS program deepened Robinson’s passion for biomedical research and neuroscience. “I want to pursue a PhD in neuroscience and am leaning more towards pursuing a medium between academia and industry where I can work with drug development but still be an educator and/or mentor,” she says.

Her time at Tufts also gave her a clearer view of the diverse opportunities available in biomedical sciences. “BDBS helped me see how wide-ranging a career in this field can be,” she says. “It confirmed that I love research and that a future in biomedical sciences is not only possible, but truly exciting.”

For Robinson, the BDBS program was more than just an academic opportunity—it was an eye-opening experience that strengthened her research, presentation, and networking skills. It also gave her a glimpse into the many career paths available after graduate school, from academia to industry, and everything in between.

“Before BDBS, I wasn’t sure where my career might go. Now I see that biomedical research is not only feasible for me, but it’s something I can truly enjoy,” she says.

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