Dons' Summer Highlights - Sophia Insogna '23

As a rising senior, Sophia Insogna '23 has had the privilege of interning at NovoMedix, a biotechnology company in San Diego, this summer! Sophia shares that her science teacher, Mrs. Lopatka, encouraged her to apply to the internship as an introduction to her future career as a scientific researcher:

"At Cathedral Catholic High School, my teachers have given me the confidence to apply myself both inside and outside of the classroom. As an intern at Novomedix biotechnology company, I was part of the team instead of an observer. I was able to get my hands dirty (well, sterile actually) because I had mastered skills through my science classes at Cathedral Catholic. I learned quickly how to perform a western blot, collect lysates and treat cells. Without my AP Biology teacher, I would not have been prepared for this experience. Because of Cathedral Catholic, I was able to take my knowledge beyond a textbook. I hope to major in Molecular Biology and become a scientific researcher, potentially in the medical field. Mrs. Lopatka mentored me and gave me the idea of applying for an internship to explore that interest."

These four boxes contain fresh membranes in them being soaked with a secondary antibody meant to flag certain proteins so that Sophia and her team could read the western blots. The antibody gives them a color so they are visible.

Sophia treats breast cells with several different compounds (drugs).

Sophia's workspace at NovoMedix.

Sophia fills the gels of the western blot with lystates.

At Cathedral Catholic, Sophia is involved in National Honor Society, and she has been a member of the competitive dance team for four years, which she shares have "both taught me the value of hard work and dedication." Sophia is also an Ambassador and a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, which have both helped her "recognize how to set goals and achieve them all with Christ in mind."