Haley Hop to Spend Summer Supporting the Alabama Bioscience Community  

BIO Alabama welcomes a second student into it’s summer internship program, a program for college students who are intrinsically curious about Alabama’s bioscience industry and are motivated to promote the intellectual and innovative capital that make our state a premier place to invest, start, and grow in bioscience. 

Haley Hop, a Master of Science in Economic Development student at The University of Southern Mississippi, was recently accepted to BIO Alabama’s summer internship program. 

“My coursework focuses on the elements that push data-driven economic development,” said Haley Hop. “Paired with my undergraduate degree in civil engineering and my passion for science, an internship with BIO Alabama provides an incredible opportunity to put my education and passion to work.” 

Hop will spend her summer conducting research on tactics, techniques, and strategies that will help BIO Alabama develop an economic development roadmap focused on business attraction and retention, workforce development, and startup and tech transfer within the bioscience community. Part of that research includes an industry survey that is currently open to all bioscience stakeholders around the state. The survey will be followed by a series of focus group sessions that are scheduled for June. Hop will assist in collecting, compiling, and translating data into a consumable report. The final report will be presented at BIO Alabama’s annual conference in October. 

“There are a number of career pathways that allow students to work in bioscience including economic development,” said Sonia Robinson, Executive Director of BIO Alabama. “Bioscience can be intimidating. An internship with BIO Alabama provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Alabama’s bioscience industry and the diverse career tracks that are available,” Robinson adds. “Growing and supporting our researchers, scientists, and business leaders requires diversity in thought, knowledge, skills, and abilities.”

BIO Alabama provides remote internship opportunities throughout the year. In addition to BIO Alabama, a number of bioscience companies across the state welcome interns. Interested students may contact BIO Alabama for more information. Bioscience companies who have available internships are encouraged to send internship opportunities to BIO Alabama for assistance in promoting those opportunities to partner colleges and universities.  

Interns support the executive director in further connecting our bioscience ecosystem. Internships with BIO Alabama are for college credit and follow the college or university's internship guidelines including minimum hour requirements and deliverables.