Phillips Family Student Professional Development Internship

Ethics Institute Phillips Family Student Professional Development Internships offer up to $1,500 to currently enrolled students for unpaid internships, conferences, workshops, or other professional development activity related to ethics.  Students may apply for up to two professional development internships during their time at Dartmouth.

Students who receive Professional Development Internships will be required to submit:

1. a letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor which includes how this activity has value for the student's overall education plan and professional or educational goals. The faculty advisor commits to being available to the student as an advisor as needed throughout the duration of the professional development activity.
2. an application, found here.
3. a brief report at the end of the fellowship term, detailing experience and knowledge gained in the performance of the activity for which the fellowship was awarded.  If possible, a picture of the student at the conference for our webpage.

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Experience + Knowledge Gained With the support of the Phillips Family Professional Development Grant, I had the privilege to travel to Hannover, Germany, to present with my team from the Microsoft Development Center, Copenhagen (MDCC) at Hannover Messe, the largest industrial manufacturing conference in Europe. At the Microsoft booth, I primarily demoed the Copilot Procurement Agent for Supply Chain Management. This agent is able to read incoming emails from suppliers about delays or changes in incoming supply orders, then match them to and automatically update the existing supply order to prevent unexpected delays. Demoing the Procurement Agent was a valuable way for me to share what I had been working on with people who were very knowledgeable about the manufacturing scenarios my team was targeting. It was sometimes hard to put all of what we had been doing into such a brief
presentation, but the experience helped me learn more about what customers were looking for in an agentic product and how it differentiates from competitors. I also learned a lot from my colleagues by watching them demo the product and answer questions. They all had a lot of experience and came from a variety of roles including sellers, product managers, and marketers which meant that they had unique perspectives on the product that broadened my understanding. In addition to my booth duty, I had time to explore other companies at the conference. I spent a lot of time at other companies creating ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Systems like SAP, Google, and AWS to understand the market better. Each had their own approach to ERPs, optimizing within the spectrum of out-of-the-box to fully customizable products. The biggest buzz in the conference was agentic AI solutions. The idea of Agentic AI is that it no longer just uses LLM and ML as a personal assistant for the tasks a user does, but can do those tasks itself. All the user needs to do is configure the agent once to do a task, and then it will run in batches in the background, only flagging the user when it runs into a larger problem that needs their input. Eventually, the goal of many of these companies is to automate this space so that agents specializing in different tasks can call one another without need for anything more than human oversight. I believe that this development in AI technology will have serious ethical implications, applied not only within the manufacturing space, but across industries. What ethical agentic AI development and implementation means is at the heart of my research project with Microsoft Research Hub and the Ethics Institute, and attending Hannover Messe was a valuable step in broadening and deepening my understanding of its current impact in the manufacturing industry.

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.

I had the great opportunity of attending TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, a major technology conference that brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the tech ecosystem. Thanks to the support of the Ethics Institute, I was able to engage in critical discussions on AI regulation and ethical decision-making in innovation.

One of the most insightful sessions I attended was Why AI Regulation is Every Startup's Business. The panel focused on debating the evolving landscape of AI governance. A key takeaway was that companies can no longer treat ethical considerations as secondary, compliance and responsible AI development are now fundamental to long-term success. The discussion particularly highlighted how startups must proactively incorporate transparency and fairness into their AI models rather than waiting for regulatory pressure.

Beyond AI, I attended sessions on Startups in Dual-Use, which explored the clear line between commercial and defense applications of technology. One founder shared how his company initially built an AI-powered supply chain optimization tool for private businesses, only to have defense agencies express interest in adapting it for military logistics. The ethical concerns of such transitions, balancing financial sustainability with the potential consequences of where technology is applied, sparked some of the most transparent discussions I've witnessed at a conference.

Outside the formal sessions, informal networking opportunities were also valuable. One particularly memorable conversation I've had was with a founder working on AI-driven immigration tools. Our discussion centered on the risks of bias in automated decision-making and how legal frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological advancements. This reinforced my belief that ethics should be part of the development process from the start, not added later.

Attending TechCrunch Disrupt expanded my understanding of the ethical challenges that arise when technology scales rapidly, especially in today's rapidly growing AI industry. It highlighted the responsibility of founders in shaping the impact of their innovations. As I continue exploring and working on AI systems, I plan to apply these lessons to make ethical decision-making an important part of my work.

Lastly, I would like to end with this: TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 was a great experience that deepened my understanding of ethical challenges in the tech industry. I am grateful for the Ethics Institute's support in making this experience possible

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