The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is excited to present the Susan Windham-Bannister Life Sciences Intern Award. Each year, we will formally recognize an intern for their outstanding contribution to the growth and success of their host company. The award is named in honor of the MLSC’s first President and CEO, Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister. Susan was a firm believer in the importance and necessity of the Internship Challenge, strongly supporting the pilot in 2009 and ensuring its continued growth all through her tenure. Her commitment to workforce development through experiential learning solidified the program as core to MLSC’s mission. She remains a vocal supporter of the program and will play an integral role in the selection of the awardee.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2025-26 Susan Windham-Bannister Life Sciences Intern Award. If your organization would like to nominate an Internship Challenge intern (college student) for this award, please complete the nomination form below.
This form must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
Nominees for this award must meet the following criteria:
- Participated in the Internship Challenge between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026.
- Completed at least 200 hours of the internship.
- Expressed interest in pursuing a career in the life sciences in Massachusetts.
- Demonstrated exceptional performance:
- consistently exceeded expectations in their assigned tasks and responsibilities, showing a high level of initiative, quality, and dedication.
- consistently met or surpassed project milestones, deadlines, and objectives.
- displayed strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to challenges, ensuring optimal outcomes.
- Made a significant impact on the team and organization:
- contributed directly to measurable improvements in the organization’s operations, processes, or projects.
- introduced and implemented innovative ideas or strategies that improved team efficiency or the overall success of initiatives.
- demonstrated a clear understanding of the organization’s goals and aligned their work with the organization’s mission and vision, adding value to both short-term projects and long-term goals.
- Exhibited leadership, innovation, and a collaborative mindset:
- demonstrated leadership by taking initiative, guiding peers, and positively influencing team dynamics (includes taking ownership of projects or tasks and inspiring others to perform at their best).
- displayed creativity and innovation in their work, offering new solutions or fresh perspectives that benefited the team or organization.
- worked well within a collaborative environment, fostering positive communication, cooperation, and teamwork (their ability to engage with colleagues, share knowledge, and contribute to collective problem-solving was integral to the success of their team).
If your nominee meets the above criteria, please fill out the survey below and submit. If you have any questions, please contact internships@masslifesciences.com.
