To broaden and develop our teams’ collaborative skills while offering visiting students the chance to expand their scientific networks and gain cultural experiences, BRT encourages students to join our team for internship opportunities. These internships aim to facilitate idea exchange, foster professional growth, and create opportunities for collaboration.  

 

Recently, we hosted Paula Andrea Castro Martinez, a student from Colombia. Read her introductory blog HERE.  

 

Enjoy reading about her experience with BRT as an intern! 

 

 

When I first joined the BRT, I came in with curiosity, a love for science and research, and—if I’m honest—completely unfamiliar with the world of biotechnologies and bioresources. Still, I had a strong eagerness to contribute. What I found was something far greater: a deep sense of purpose I had been searching for without even knowing it. 

 

My role as a communications intern began with video editing and content compilation, but it quickly evolved into a dynamic space where all my creativity met the meaningful impact of real-world projects. I wasn’t just sharing research—I was translating complex scientific work into content that could spark interest, shift perceptions, and even help shape public understanding. It showed me that communication itself is a scientific tool. 

 

Of course, it wasn’t always easy. I had to navigate unfamiliar technical language, understand the nuances of new technologies, grasp the context of the many Horizon Europe projects that the BRT is involved in, and learn to create media that was both reliable and accessible. All while adapting to new tools, team dynamics, and ways of thinking. But that challenge—that steep learning curve—is exactly what made this experience so enriching. With every new task, I became more confident—not just in my technical abilities, but in my personal and professional identity. 

And somewhere along the way, something clicked. 

 

I realized how much I can do in this field - and how much I love it. I love how it connects my background in graphic design with my passion for applied scientific research. I love how it allows me to tell stories—real ones, grounded in data and heart. And I love how communication, when used with clarity and intention, can make science more accessible, relatable, and yes—even visually compelling. 

 

This internship didn’t just teach me new skills. It reshaped a truly important part of my career path. It showed me that science communication isn’t a side task or an afterthought—it’s central to making research matter in the real world. 

 

One of the most defining moments happened during the general annual meeting of a new Horizon Europe project, BIOCAPITAL. I was completely outside my field of expertise. And yet, I felt something powerful: growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It happens in rooms where you're a little unsure, but still fully present and engaged. In that moment, I knew—this is where I want to be. And I want to get better. Much better. 

 

Somewhere along the way, communicating science stopped being just a task—it became a journey of becoming. And every story I help bring to life now shapes and gives meaning to my own. What once was a small part of my academic journey has now become a central axis of my professional life. I’m incredibly excited to continue in my new role as Digital Media Specialist for the BioResources & Technology Division (BRT), where I’ll keep learning from our brilliant researchers, refining my communication style, and growing alongside my master’s studies and scientific work. My dream is to weave all these threads—design, science, storytelling, and research—into a unique, holistic path here in the Czech Republic. 

 

All of this has only been possible thanks to the trust, support, and vision of the people around me. To the BRT, our communications team, and our director—thank you for believing in me and for creating an environment where young professionals like me can grow with intention and purpose. 

 

 

 

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