Since my first blog post, my work at Aquillius has continued steadily, and I’ve found myself growing both professionally and personally. I’m still involved with the respiratory device project—running tests in the lab using the equipment available here. Alongside that, I’ve been leading the design and development of a new website for Aquillius, a process that has helped me sharpen my technical and creative skills.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the past few weeks has been the opportunity to connect with professionals across various fields. Aquillius regularly hosts or participates in networking events, and nearly every week, I’ve found myself in a new environment surrounded by fascinating people. These events have been incredibly inspiring. I’ve had the chance to meet cofounders who have built and sold successful tech companies—one of them exited for $25 million—along with intellectual property lawyers, scientists responsible for cutting-edge medical technologies, and even urban designers who have contributed to building entire cities. Through these interactions, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the interdisciplinary nature of creating meaningful impact.
But my experience at Aquillius has gone beyond surface-level networking. I’ve started building genuine relationships with the people I work alongside. This week, new interns joined the team, and I’m already learning a great deal from them. One has a background in aerospace engineering, and another is a biologist. Sitting side by side, we collaborate frequently and engage in rich conversations that span across science, technology, and broader societal topics. Whether I’m picking up new IT skills or exploring unfamiliar software, these interactions have been both educational and energizing.
Outside of work, I’ve also taken time to explore more of San Diego. One of my favorite discoveries was Coronado Beach, home to the iconic Hotel del Coronado. I spent time walking along the shoreline, soaking in the summer energy, and enjoying refreshments at beachfront cafés. The relaxed, vibrant beach atmosphere, people surfing, sunbathing, and socializing, felt like the perfect way to recharge after a productive week. I’ve also explored some of the city’s cultural districts, such as Little Italy, where I had the chance to try authentic Italian cuisine. A visit to the Old Town, the site of California’s first Spanish settlement, was another highlight. Between listening to live Mexican music and enjoying some of the best tacos I’ve ever had, it was a culturally rich and memorable experience.
As I approach the final weeks of my internship at Aquillius, I’m committed to maintaining the same level of productivity and enthusiasm I brought on day one. Looking ahead, I’m excited to begin my next internship at UCLA at the end of June. There, I’ll be working on a project sponsored by Google related to differential privacy, a field that focuses on designing algorithms and systems to protect individual data privacy. I’m eager to continue growing and applying what I’ve learned in new and challenging contexts.