Ashley Babyak once dreamed of being a physician. But after multiple internships at NCI at Frederick, she realized she could also make a difference as a laboratory scientist, and she now seeks to protect public health by researching infectious diseases.

Ask Stephen Hughes, Ph.D., to explain his work, and he’ll tell you about teamwork. He sees it as more than just the ubiquitous status quo in science: it is the philosophy that has defined his nearly 35-year career at NCI at Frederick.

For Christine Fennessey, Ph.D., HIV research is more than just a career—it’s the culmination of her passion for science and a desire to help people in need. And in just two years at the Frederick National Laboratory, her work has already gained the attention of her peers and the greater scientific community.

For Robert Vaughn, an internship at NCI at Frederick during the summer of 2015 was when theory met reality, changing the course of his life. While Vaughn had recently completed his undergraduate degree in mathematics, it was his internship with mentor Brian Luke, Ph.D., principal scientist, Advanced Biomedical Computing Center (ABCC), that showed him how to apply his knowledge to practical uses.

After interning under three mentors at NCI at Frederick, former WHK intern Nicole Pohida is currently preparing to complete her undergraduate nursing degree at the University of Maryland. The aspiring nurse practitioner is passionate about doing the detective work necessary to solve challenging medical riddles, and she credits her mentors for helping stimulate her already-budding interest in science, learn new skills, and pursue her goals.