Through this position, I worked with a team of Process Engineers to develop filtration and drying formulations for optimized continuous manufacturing of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Developing these methods lends itself to greater in-process control during drug delivery and pushes for next-generation commercial drug manufacturing. In addition to controlling these downstream processes, I performed in-situ analysis of slurry characterization, wet-milling, dissolution, root cause/batch failure, and modeling of crystal morphology. As an Intern at CONTINUUS, I explored my interest in data science and automation by helping the team with PID controls and UI enhancement of the Filter and Drying units.
What I wish was different
As an Intern working with the filtration and drying API manufacturing units, I was exposed to in-depth separation technology for many different pharmaceutical drugs on the market. Given this, I learned a lot about thermo and fluid dynamic processes involved with filtering API via organic solvents and removing solvents via automated vacuum pumps and drum dryers. I enjoyed my work in this process development team, however, Continuus is made up of many different chemists and engineers who work on reaction synthesis, crystallization, drug delivery (extrusion molding coating), and material analysis. I wish I could have deepened my understanding in these fields as they uncover many of the ways active pharmaceutical ingredients are transformed into commercial drugs through cheaper and more sustainable methods.
Advice
As a freshman in college, I applied to this position having no idea the depth and capabilities in the chemical engineering field. When I first arrived to work for CONTINUUS, I worked with many co-ops who were studying to get their Masters and PhDs in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. I felt so inexperienced, as I had just finished the University of Washington Chemistry series that year and had not even stepped foot in any organic chemistry class, let alone classes like transport, thermodynamics, controls or even a chemical engineering lab. My closest peers were graduating college with published research papers and completed capstone projects while I am still in a pre-major and unsure where I will end up. That being said, I advise anyone reading this to ask as many questions as possible, no matter how foolish they sound. Being able to except that you are the most inexperienced person in the room will provide you with the ability to ask questions that uncover confusion among people who do not have the confidence to ask such rudimentary things. Asking questions made me learn that breaking down complex procedures and principles into simple terms will allow you to be the best asset to workers who have worked for years in their designated field. You can unearth problems that are easily overlooked but so detrimental and time saving in the future. Being an intern at a start up from MIT helped me understand that questions are the key to creating a successful environment where innovation takes place.
