With support from the Phillips Family Ethics Student Professional Development Internship, I attended the 2026 Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. This conference provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with researchers who use real-time smartphone-based methods, including ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), to better understand substance use as it occurs within daily life.

A major theme across the conference symposiums was the use of EMAs (brief surveys delivered on smartphones) to monitor psychological processes as they unfold in real-world environments. Presentations highlighted how EMAs can capture momentary changes in craving, stress, affect, social context, and substance use risk across diverse clinical and community populations. These methods move beyond retrospective self-report to help researchers better understand when, where, and why substance use risk changes in real time.

The conference also deepened my understanding of how EMA data can be used not only to assess behavior, but also to inform just-in-time adaptive interventions. These interventions use real-time information to deliver support when individuals may need it most, such as during moments of elevated craving, stress, or emotional distress. This was especially relevant to my research with first responders, where smartphone-based tools may eventually help identify and respond to elevated substance use risk following high-stress work-related events.

A major highlight of the conference was chairing my first symposium, "Meeting People Where They Are: Using Smartphones To Assess And Modify Substance Use In Daily Life." During this session, I discussed EMA methods for assessing and modifying substance use in real-world settings, presented my dissertation research on first responders, and led a discussion on the ethical challenges of collecting sensitive, near-real-time data. These conversations focused on confidentiality, privacy, data security, informed consent, and workplace safety when measuring potentially illegal or stigmatized behaviors among first responders. This experience allowed me to both share and deepen my understanding of ethical research practices in digital health and addiction science.

I am grateful for the Ethics Institute's support, which allowed me to attend these sessions, chair my symposium, present my dissertation research, and engage in meaningful conversations about the ethical use of real-time data. This experience strengthened my commitment to developing digital health tools that are scientifically rigorous, responsive to participants' lived experiences, and attentive to privacy, confidentiality, and safety.

During my time teaching with Ivy Camps USA in Saudi Arabia, I had the opportunity to work with students ages 3-12 at King's College at their Riyadh campus. I got to lead lessons centered on social impact theory, and what started off as a teaching role quickly turned into one of the most meaningful and formative experiences I've ever had.

I had a structured curriculum, but had the autonomy to personalize it to meet the needs of my students. Teaching such a wide age range required constant flexibility. I had to rethink how to communicate abstract ideas like community, empathy, and impact in ways that both the 3 year olds and 12 year olds could understand. This pushed me to become more intentional on how I explained concepts, often having to break them down into stories, interactive activities, or real world examples that they could digest from experience from their everyday lives.

One of the most impactful parts of my experience was the relationships I was able to build with my students. Over time, I developed strong connections with them, creating an environment where they felt comfortable asking questions, expressing their ideas, and engaging deeply with the material. Teaching in Saudi Arabia also challenged me to develop strong cross-cultural communication skills. I was working with students from diverse language and cultural backgrounds, and in many cases, English wasn't their first language. This required me to adapt in real time by rephrasing explanations, or relying on visual demonstrations. Instead of seeing the language barrier as a limitation, I learned to view it as an opportunity to become a more effective and empathetic communicator.
- Oumie FH '27

 

With support from the Phillips Family Ethics Student Professional Development Internship, I attended the 2025 International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (ICAM), a leading global gathering for researchers, engineers, and industry experts. As a licensed professional engineer, educator, and researcher focused on making 3D printing and digital manufacturing safer and more ethical, the conference offered a valuable look into the technologies and policies shaping the future of advanced manufacturing.

Throughout keynotes, technical sessions, and panel discussions, I explored topics ranging from qualification of safety-critical metal parts to digital-thread security, distributed manufacturing, and sustainability in AM materials. Conversations with partners from Materialise, EOS, Meltio, Renishaw, Nikon, and others reinforced how rapidly AM is expanding—and how important responsible design, data protection, and transparent standards are becoming.

A central theme of the week was ethics: preventing misuse of digital fabrication tools, protecting sensitive design data, ensuring trustworthy certification pathways, and considering the environmental impacts of AM technologies. These insights will directly inform my research and teaching as I work to train the next generation of engineers to innovate responsibly in an increasingly digital manufacturing landscape.

Blue Earth Summit

Attending the Blue Earth Summit enabled me to explore how ethical principles can guide innovation, finance, and energy in the pursuit of a regenerative future.

My experience at the Mt. Sinai–Oxford Bioethics Consortium in New York, supported by the Phillips Developmental Initiative, was transformative for my academic trajectory and ethical outlook. Engaging with leading scholars, clinicians, and ethicists at the consortium sharpened my understanding of theoretical bioethics. It clarified how these frameworks must be applied in high-stakes, real-world contexts, particularly in the emerging clinical artificial intelligence (AI) field.
One of the most impactful aspects of the consortium was the intensive dialogue around moral responsibility in AI-driven healthcare. Through case studies and cross-disciplinary panels, I confronted pressing questions: Who is accountable when an algorithm makes a life-altering mistake? What are tech companies' responsibilities in ensuring their tools align with clinical values? These discussions did not stay abstract—they fundamentally altered how I approach ethical analysis in my research. I now see accountability as a technical problem and a deeply relational and structural issue requiring shared responsibility across sectors.
Equally influential was our focus on trustworthiness in health data access. The consortium challenged me to move beyond conventional understandings of consent, emphasizing how trust is built through sustained transparency, reciprocal engagement, and inclusive design. A "What Does It Mean to Trust Public Healthcare Systems?" session was especially pivotal. It highlighted how patients interpret algorithmic decision-making through the lens of broader social and institutional dynamics, including systemic inequality and corporate control. This insight directly shaped my ongoing research in Washington, D.C., where I investigate how data monopolies and weak regulation can erode public trust, ultimately compromising both patient autonomy and health outcomes.
The impact of this experience continues to unfold. The consortium broadened my theoretical foundation and reframed my research goals, and helped me meet bioethics experts to connect with on subsequent research projects.

As a Film & Media Studies major, deeply passionate about physical (executive) production, I planned two off-terms to test my fit for the industry and identify the skills I should build before graduation. With support from the Ethics Institute's Phillips Family Student Professional Development Internship Funding, I served as a Production Assistant to the Executive & Overall Producer at Shive Studios, a production house collaborating with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited at Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. I began on the 2-year ongoing daily soap Annayya in the spring term and the funding allowed me to extend my experience into the launch of the new daily soap Panchama Vedha for the summer term. Being present from inception - especially through the crucial first ten episodes with their inevitable reshoots to meet network quality - proved invaluable. Under the mentorship of Producers Pramod Shetty and Supreetha Shetty, I observed how a broadcast-standard show establishes its visual language, workflows, and team rhythms under tight delivery timelines.

My internship progressed from intensive observation to hands-on responsibility. Early on, I shadowed the Executive Producer and Script Supervisor to understand set flow and etiquette, watched camera, lighting, art, sound, and hair and make-up teams prep and execute daily pages, and spent off days in the office and edit suite for script readings and post production sessions (colour grading and editing). This gave me a holistic view of the pipeline - pre-production: how coverage plans and continuity notes protect the cut and why Zee's editorial and technical standards drive on-set decisions. As Panchama Vedha ramped up, I began handling interdepartmental communication and call-sheet updates, assisting camera and lighting teams, shadowing the script supervisor, and sitting alongside the Executive Producer and Director to help triage minor set issues before they escalated. Supporting early-episode pickups taught me practical scheduling, the cost-benefit of additional coverage, and the importance of clear chains of command, precise documentation, and calm, concise communication when the clock is unforgiving.

Across both shows, I developed the confidence and judgment essential to producing: patience under pressure, proactive problem-solving, and respect for the people whose labour makes each day possible. I learned to plan with empathy around real constraints - talent availability, crew fatigue, and location limits - while maintaining accountability, safety, and discretion with scripts and cuts. This experience clarified my academic and professional path: I will focus my senior year on advanced producing and post-production coursework & extras; lead student sets as a producer to refine scheduling, budgeting literacy, and delivery workflows; and assemble a practical toolkit of breakdowns, call sheets, look (LUTs) references, and quality control (QC) checklists modelled on Shive's practices. Most importantly, the internship affirmed that physical (executive) production is the right fit for me and equipped me with a clear roadmap, atleast well-thought for post-graduation. I am deeply grateful to the Phillips Family Student Professional Development Internship Funding for enabling my internship continuity into the launch of Panchama Vedha, where the learning curve was steepest and the growth most meaningful.

(Photo with Producer Pramod Shetty - Founder of Shive Studios and Kushal Jayakumar '26)

I recently had the honor of attending the twenty-fourth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) at the UN Headquarters in New York City. In collaboration with the SIRGE Coalition, I was invited to be a speaker for the event "Financing the Energy Transition at What Cost? Ensuring Financiers Protect Indigenous Rights and Nature from Harmful Investments." I presented my research on the potential impacts of the proposed development of the Kolmozerskoye Lithium Deposit on the Sámi People in the Murmansk Region, Kola Peninsula, as well as the negative externalities generated by the critical minerals extraction industry. I would like to thank Dr. Sibyl Diver, Pavel Sulyandziga, Andrei Danilov, Dmitry Berezhkov, and Dr. Steven Emerman for their assistance with the research. 

We must critically examine how "green" the "green transition" really is. Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is meant to shield Indigenous lands, yet in practice, it often legitimizes their dispossession. More than half of the world's "transition" minerals, such as nickel, copper, lithium, and cobalt, lie on or near Indigenous territories. However, Indigenous peoples are not adequately incorporated into community consultations and often bear significant harm to their environment and livelihoods through the construction and implementation of such mines. It was interesting to understand that the word "transition" is misleading in the sense that they simply layer "green" extraction onto existing fossil-fuel systems instead of replacing them. Furthermore, current geopolitical tensions, ranging from defense and security concerns to tariffs, global trade, and the rise of AI, all further expedite the extraction of minerals. International agreements, such as ILO 169 and UNDRIP, affirm Indigenous self-determination but lack effective enforcement. A March 2025 U.S. executive order accelerating mineral extraction came with no stronger protections. 

As I heard from local Indigenous community leaders, they report a growing trend that follows an increasingly fragmented world. Thus, multilateral institutions, such as the UN, are replaced with more bilateral and unilateral approaches. In turn, Indigenous peoples find themselves navigating a complex set of issues without external support. For example, voluntary standards like IRMA let companies set their own rules, masking abuse with self-audits that exclude Indigenous voices. I heard harrowing personal tales of Indigenous leaders stating numerous accounts of criminalization and even assassination of community members when they retaliated against mining efforts. Such local perspectives emphasized the necessity to connect local grassroots perspectives with high-level corporate decision-making. Genuine accountability demands mandatory legislation, rigorous third-party audits, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) that is truly free, prior, and informed. Indigenous communities must be able to say no or to walk away without retaliation.

Another crucial aspect of emphasis was that, unlike the dominant paradigm of supply and demand, which values scarce resources, Indigenous communities approach natural abundance with reverence that places value on principles of stewardship and reciprocity. Fawn Sharp, the 23rd President of the National Congress of American Indians, stressed that a just transition away from fossil fuels must be grounded not only in economic shifts but also in a deeper connection with nature. Thus, it is crucial to honor and incorporate the perspective of Indigenous peoples, who have been stewards of the land since time immemorial. However, new financial mechanisms and global sustainability metrics often clash with ancestral values, framing nature in extractive or commodified terms.

Nevertheless, it was promising to note that multilateral institutions, such as the World Economic Forum, are beginning to reevaluate how we define and measure the worth of nature. As World Bank Regional Director Benoit Bosquet noted in his speech, Indigenous peoples are now being treated as strategic partners rather than risk factors. The World Bank is proposing new frameworks that reflect the interconnectedness of all living things. Mrs. Cristina Romanelli, a representative from the World Health Organization, emphasized the need to preserve Indigenous traditional medicine knowledge and incorporate it into global policy frameworks. Additionally, Harry Jonas, a representative from the World Wildlife Fund, announced a series of funding in collaboration with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) that is directed at protecting and governance and stewardship of Indigenous lands for global environmental benefit. 

Throughout the week, I also observed how the Forum addresses a range of issues—from economic development and cultural preservation to environmental protection, education, health, and human rights—all through the lens of upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Another crucial part of the Forum involved the six mandated areas: economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health, and human rights. A key emphasis was the idea that Indigenous concerns are not in a silo. One cannot effectively address environmental protection without acknowledging its link to cultural continuity, nor can one discuss education without considering regional health disparities. The conference was truly an inspiring and eye-opening experience that highlighted the challenges faced by Indigenous communities worldwide. It was incredible to see diplomacy in action, and I now understand how initiating such dialogue and collective solidarity is crucial for creating meaningful change.

I am pleased to share my experience attending the CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) 2024 conference, which was made possible through the support of the Ethics Institute Philips Family Professional Development Internship. As a student volunteer, my involvement at this leading conference in the field of HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) has been invaluable, providing me with opportunities for professional growth, networking, and knowledge exchange.

As a student volunteer, I took on various responsibilities that allowed me to learn about the logistical side of academic events held on a large scale. As a facilitator for multiple workshops and panel sessions, I was given an opportunity to actively contribute towards discussions and activities being conducted, which was a great opportunity to learn alongside more experienced researchers and other students from different backgrounds. Presentations in different sessions exposed me to pressing ideas at the intersection of technology and sociotechnical systems and gave me fresh ideas for my own research. Student volunteers had daily lunches with faculty from different institutions to have casual discussions and learn about their experiences.

The conference also served as a wonderful opportunity to network with peers and researchers outside of my immediate research area. I engaged in insightful discussions with other students and established valuable connections that may lead to future collaborations. I was a co-author of a research paper accepted at the conference, and it was presented by the lead author. Our paper presentation facilitated interactions with leading experts, providing feedback that will be instrumental in refining our research.

Major/Minor: Double major in Biology Modified with Mathematics, Comparative Literature

Brief summary
During the Fall 2024 term and Winterim 2024 period, I worked as a Visiting Undergraduate Student/Researcher at the Wyss Institute. There, I incorporated the model of Collaborative Ethics into my research on ovarian cancer risk in patients undergoing testosterone-based hormone replacement therapies (HRT). I also spoke with faculty at Boston Children's Hospital to learn how these subjects impact clinical care.

My internship at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering enabled me to learn about the full pipeline of medical research, from project development to real-world implementation and policy impact. I applied this knowledge through the lens of my Senior Thesis research under Dr. Britt Goods (Thayer School of Engineering) and Dr. Soni Lacefield (Geisel School of Medicine), studying the impact of testosterone-based HRT on ovarian cancer risk in cisgender and transmasculine patients. My work aims to shed light on how the structure of research impacts its real-world implementation, influencing the development of policies—on an institutional and broader political level—which regulate the future development of this research area.

The first several months of my internship were spent working under Dr. Jeantine Lunshof, the head of the Collaborative Ethics team at the Wyss Institute. Under her guidance, I conducted an ethical review of current standard practices in HRT treatment, from patient care to research implications, as well as their manifestation in differing levels of public policy. With support from Dr. Frances Grimstad (Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School) and Dr. George Church (Church Lab, Harvard Medical School/MIT), as well as Dr. Zohreh Izadifar (Boston Children's Hospital) and Dr. Adama Sesay (Wyss Institute), I focused on the intersection of healthcare and research—what separates a patient from a research participant in experimental and individualized medicine, and how can one ensure the most effective care of the patient while also meeting the needs of research advancements? How do documents like the Declaration of Helsinki, discussing the ethical treatment of human research participants, and the Supreme Court case US v. Skrmetti, addressing transgender minors' access to medical care, influence the implementation of these ethical principles in the real world? How do individual researchers and healthcare providers enact these principles?
The interdisciplinary nature of my internship has made coming to work every day as rigorous as it was rewarding. Whether I was discussing medical ethics with Dr. Lunshof, interviewing Dr. Grimstad on her experiences in Boston Children's Hospital's Gender Multispecialty Service, or attending lab meetings in the Church Lab, I knew that each workday would lend insight into a new aspect of my research—one I might not have thought of at all if my research was solely lab-based. I am also deeply honored to learn from these researchers; the experiences of Dr. Lunshof, Dr. Grimstad, Dr. Izadifar, and Dr. Sesay in rapidly evolving scientific fields showed me just how dynamic my future career might be, paving the way for minorities in STEM like myself. I am also privileged to have had this opportunity to work with technologies and policies on the forefront of advancement in transgender healthcare and oncology. Learning about the implementation of organoid models and other novel developments through exposure to others' research, both through the presentations of members of the Church Lab and events like the Wyss Institute's 2024 Women's Health Symposium, allowed me to see how these aspects develop in real time.

However, it would be remiss to say that this internship did not come without its challenges. Because my internship was self-designed, I faced a lot of difficulties in locating the most appropriate research mentor(s) and establishing a path forward for my project, leading to my time at the Wyss Institute being shifted from September–December 2024 to October 2024–January 2025. I was able to navigate this issue by continually developing a more and more thorough research plan, blending my interests in healthcare and bioethics to most optimally utilize my time at the Wyss Institute. Finally, through interviews with Dr. Church and support facilitated by Dr. Lunshof, I was able to fine-tune my research plan and find meaningful research mentorship under Dr. Grimstad, as well as additional support from Dr. Sesay. Throughout this process, I had to balance my research development with extensive onboarding at both the Wyss Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. Under these researchers' guidance, I compiled both a plan for my time at the Wyss and for future project developments as I work on my Senior Thesis—ensuring a clearer and more fine-tuned path forward in seeing my project through.
The complex development of my experience at the Wyss Institute reinforced my approach to both academics and professional experience—now more than ever, I understand the value of extensive and dynamic project development. From planning the courses which best complete my majors to designing the experiments which apply what I've learned in my Senior Thesis, I will find the most success if I prepare for every eventuality while remaining flexible. This also allows me to explore unexpected and novel aspects of my work; incorporating Collaborative Ethics into my research illuminated a side of academia with which I had never interacted with before. I greatly enjoyed this divergence from my formerly solely-laboratory-oriented professional background—I found it incredibly rewarding to see how my work impacts life outside of the lab. Based on this, I find myself considering a shift from pure research to a more interdisciplinary field like bioethics. I hope that my remaining time at Dartmouth, as well as future professional experiences, will prepare me well for this change.
Beyond this career shift, this internship also reminded me how much I enjoy non-STEM fields. Before college, I was involved in local grassroots organizing in my hometown, from facilitating and attending political gatherings and Town Halls to discussing world issues as a member of my high school's Debate Team. Coming to Dartmouth, I felt like I had to choose between my interests in STEM and my passion for activism and public policy; I dove headfirst into computational biology research at the Goods Lab, giving up engagement with policy-oriented courses and extracurricular activities. Working at the Wyss Institute reminded me that policy impacts even the farthest reaches of research, and that I can still be involved in it through similar initiatives. Through a future career in an interdisciplinary organization such as this one, I can foster my passions for both STEM and public engagement.

I would like to thank the Dartmouth Ethics Institute for their funding of my internship through their Phillips Family Student Professional Development Internship Fund. Without their support, I would not have had the opportunity to engage in this learning experience without worrying about my housing, transportation, and other expenses