Sohini Sarkar '25 Engages with Global Community at Diabetic Imaging Startup
Name: Sohini Sarkar
Class Year: 2025
Major: Anthropology and Neuroscience
Hometown: Glen Ridge, N.J.
Internship Organization: Optain Health
Internship Title: Summer Intern
Location of Internship: New York, N.Y.
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
My internship involves working at the health tech startup Optain Health. Their aim is to catch conditions like diabetic retinopathy through a combination of fundus imaging and AI technology. My role consists of assisting with key projects. As the company operates in multiple countries, I have been working on assembling clinical trial results, selecting clinical trial sites, designing clinical trials, and helping complete critical documents for European approval.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied because I knew how severe the consequences of untreated and undiagnosed diabetic retinopathy can be. By increasing access to healthcare with innovative technology like this, I know I am helping reduce the effects of healthcare deserts. This role also allows me to understand the scope of a new healthcare device and the steps required for FDA approval. The start-up culture also allows me to get my feet wet in many projects and understand the role everyone plays in getting a device like this approved by the FDA and rolled out.
Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?
Working in healthcare is often a hands-on role and has been for me in the past. However, because this is a global company, I have meetings with coworkers located all around the globe, from Melbourne to Monterey. This allows me to meet more people and understand the intersection of multiple cultures when it comes to work and the company's ethos. Working remotely has also made me great at adjusting my sleep schedule to schedule meetings around the world (or even in Ohio)!
What is most rewarding about your internship?
The most rewarding aspect of this internship has been the knowledge that this technology has the capability to save lives. The fact that in 5-10 years, this device will be in most primary care physician offices and be able to prevent people from losing their vision and even detect other conditions is astounding, and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that I get to assist on this mission. Another aspect of my role has been selecting clinical trial sites, which has highlighted for me the prevalence of diabetes across the United States and which demographics it can impact the most. By selecting clinical trial sites, those who may not have access to regular testing and screening have a chance to be treated and diagnosed, which can hopefully prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy. This role has allowed me to give back to underserved communities that may not have access to the healthcare they need.
Through the Career and Civic Engagement Center Beyond Bryn Mawr Summer Internship Program, Bryn Mawr students pursue opportunities in fields such as nonprofits, government and law, health care, research, sciences, business, and the arts. Thanks to the generosity of our alumnae/i and donors, over 150 students across all academic departments are funded to pursue unpaid internships or research experiences in the U.S. and abroad each year.