University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst graduate Shreyas Rai joined MelliCell, a Watertown-based biotechnology company developing therapies for autism, obesity, and dementia, as part of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s (MLSC) Internship Challenge in 2025. Through his technical expertise, initiative, and collaborative approach, Shreyas was selected as the runner-up for the MLSC’s 2026 Susan Windham-Bannister Life Sciences Intern Award.
As a Data Scientist intern on MelliCell’s Information Systems team, Shreyas developed a new digital tool to help scientists review and assess data generated through the company’s AI-guided research processes. He built the tool from the ground up and completed it ahead of schedule, creating a polished and intuitive interface that matched the company’s needs. Throughout the project, Shreyas took initiative to seek guidance from experienced colleagues and find additional resources to broaden his skillset.
After completing his primary project, Shreyas continued to contribute across the company, helping colleagues tackle challenges in areas ranging from medicinal chemistry to genetic analysis. His willingness to learn and work beyond his area of formal training allowed him to contribute to a wide range of projects and company milestones. He quickly earned the trust of his colleagues through his thoughtful approach, strong communication skills, and genuine enthusiasm for helping others.
Shreyas is now working at Bluwave, LP as a software engineer in the Boston area. His experience at MelliCell prepared him for this role by exposing him to the full data science lifecycle and the challenges of working with complex cellular imaging data. This experience developed the rigorous ML and engineering practices that enable him to now build and maintain production-level, end-to-end systems.
The MLSC’s Internship Challenge connects students and recent graduates with paid internship opportunities at life sciences companies across the Commonwealth. The program enables meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare the next generation of talent to thrive in Massachusetts’ world-leading life sciences ecosystem. Click here to learn more.
