Hi! I’m Ei, a sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in neuroscience and business. I’m currently interning remotely with Pfizer’s Real World Evidence (RWE) team, where I’m diving into a consulting project to understand how real-world healthcare data can help combat antibiotic resistance—a serious global health issue.

This role allows me to explore how scientific insights are used in decision-making at the intersection of healthcare and business. Over the next few months, I’ll be collaborating with Pfizer’s experts (and a team of my consultants shoutout e@b), expanding my skills in both data analysis and strategic thinking, and learning what it takes to drive impactful change in healthcare.

This internship at Pfizer is a huge stepping stone for me as an undergrad. It’s taking me one step closer to where I want to be—in that space where health tech, biotech, and venture capital all come together. The project I’m working on involves analyzing real-world data on antibiotic usage trends in target markets (ie. the US, EU, and Asia) to understand how different treatments impact bacterial resistance over time.

It’s been a hands-on experience in data collection and analysis, and I’m seeing how these insights can guide strategic healthcare decisions at Pfizer. I’m learning what it takes to bridge science with business strategy, which is a huge part of what I hope to keep doing in the future, whether that’s by investing in the next breakthrough in healthcare or building something new myself!

For students interested in both STEM and business, especially those thinking about entrepreneurship, my advice is to embrace experiences that push you to think creatively and strategically across both areas. Being technical gives you the tools to understand and ground up the internal problems—like the broken parts of the U.S. healthcare system—but the business aspect lets you build solutions that can actually change things.

Don’t shy away from stepping up is the biggest tip I would give to students who want to pursue both STEM and business. This intersection needs people who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo 😉.

And remember, healthcare issues and opportunities go way beyond the U.S. — (coming from an international student from Tokyo), sometimes the most innovative ideas come from looking at global perspectives. Tapping into these different spaces is tough, but it’s also where you find the biggest potential for impact and real change. It’s never too early to start!!!

Meta has announced it will allow its AI models, called Llama, to be used by the U.S. government agencies and defense contractors for national security purposes, marking a change from its previous ban on military applications. Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, emphasized that the company supports “responsible and ethical” uses that align with U.S. interests and democratic values.

The Llama models are open-source, allowing widespread access, which Meta believes supports American technological and security interests while contributing to the global AI race. However, the move may face scrutiny, as Silicon Valley’s involvement in military projects has been contentious. Read more HERE from the New York Times.

A rapid rally in Tesla shares on Friday pushed the EV maker’s market value back above $1 trillion as investors speculated that Donald trump’s re-election could benefit Elon Musk’s company. tesla closed up 8.2% at $321.22, marking a 29% gain this year.

Analysts noted Musk’s prominent role in Trump’s campaign likely spurred the stock, though Trump’s anti-EV stance raises uncertainty. Despite mixed prospects, Tesla’s call options surged, driven by optimism and the stock’s reputation as a “meme stock.” Read more HERE from Yahoo FInance.

With the 2024 election now bringing significant changes and uncertainty, it’s essential to prioritize your mental health. The Calm app is a valuable resource that offers guided meditations, breathing exercises, sleep stories, and relaxation techniques to help manage stress and anxiety.

Whether you’re dealing with overwhelming news, difficulty sleeping, or just need a moment to reset, Calm provides tools to support your wellbeing. It’s easy to access, and you can start with just a few minutes a day.

Taking time for self-care can help you stay balanced, focused, and resilient during this period of transition for all of us. Check out Calm today HERE!