Mehak Mittal selected for prestigious DAAD RISE Germany research internship
Mehak Mittal, class of 2026, embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime experience this summer, merging global engagement with an immersive research experience.
The aspiring medicine and disease researcher is spending the summer taking part in high-level research as a DAAD RISE Germany scholar. RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering and is one of the most competitive international programs for undergraduate scientists. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), RISE places top undergraduate students from North American, British, and Irish universities into cutting-edge STEM labs across Germany.
At Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Mittal is working under Eduard Neu, studying how certain proteins in the body change shape and respond when different molecules (such as medications) attach to them. This research is crucial for future medication discovery and design. Using computer simulations, she can model how these interactions happen over time.
鈥淚 was swept off my feet when I came across this project's description,鈥 Mehak Mittal said. 鈥淚t was as if everything I wanted to do next was presented to me word by word.鈥
This experience directly supports what Mittal plans to be her John C. Young Scholars research project at 911黑料 this upcoming year, where she will analyze and create models for potential COVID-19 therapeutics to support ongoing treatment discovery.
Alongside her RISE research, Mittal has found a strong sense of community in her lab. From daily coffee breaks with her lab mates to her supervisor helping her navigate housing challenges, the experience has helped her feel at home in a new country.
Outside the lab, Mittal has connected with a network of fellow RISE scholars from around the world. A recent trip to Prague with other interns she had previously met online turned into fast friendships, and she鈥檚 already planning more weekend adventures with students who share her passion for science and discovery.
鈥淓xperiences like RISE don鈥檛 just build research skills, they foster global awareness, personal growth, and the kind of confidence that sets students apart in graduate school and beyond," said Office of Fellowships Director Robert Schalkoff.
Looking ahead, Mittal is already seeing how her summer experience is setting the stage for what鈥檚 next.
鈥淭his has been more than just an internship,鈥 Mittal said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a turning point. With the skills I am acquiring this summer, I can immediately start working on my John C. Young research project the moment I get back in the fall and start preparing for a future Ph.D. in computational chemistry.鈥
Students interested in exploring the world of fellowships are encouraged to contact Robert Schalkoff at fellowships@centre.edu.
