Martha Paige Greene explored a career in precision medicine with summer internship at Harvard

When you’re a pre-health student but not sure exactly which career path to pursue, an internship can help you explore your interests and narrow your focus.

Martha Paige Greene ’25 took that opportunity this summer during an internship at Harvard University coincidentally led by a Furman graduate.

“I would honestly say it was one of the best experiences I’ve had,” said the 20-year-old Landrum, South Carolina, native, who is considering applying to medical school.

Greene, a chemistry and math double major, spent eight weeks as an Institute for the Advancement of Community Health (IACH) Summer Fellow doing clinical research in precision medicine and pharmacogenetics at Harvard Medical School and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare.

Martha Paige Greene ’25 explored Boston during her summer internships at Harvard Medical School.

There, she said, she worked with other investigators on clinical research to determine whether a certain population, in this case veterans, has a genetic predisposition for cancer, diabetes and other diseases by using a genetic risk score.

“The larger idea around (this) is to use technology for genomic testing and implement it into health care,” she said. “(And for) … clinical utility, which is the ability of a test to promote earlier diagnosis of diseases so we can predict if someone can get colorectal cancer and treat it.”

Another objective was to determine whether the tests can be used effectively in the primary care setting to help an overburdened system plagued by decades of provider shortages, she said.

Greene sent samples for specific genetic testing, shadowed genetic counselors and attended weekly discussions (and led one) about genetic testing and relevant clinical trials. She also interviewed veterans.

“I really enjoyed the different types of work I was doing,” she said. “I wanted to get my hands on the more clinical side since I’m pre-med, I wanted to see if it’s a good field for me.”

The internship was launched by Jason Vassy ’01, an internal medicine physician and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

The idea was sparked by another Furman graduate, Ian Richardson ’15 who moved to the Boston area in 2015 and reached out to him while thinking about which career path to follow, Vassy said.

“He got involved in a few projects and did a research abstract that was accepted to a national meeting,” he said. “It made me realize maybe this is something I should try to formalize with Furman specifically.”

In 2018, IACH formalized the internship and Vassy began hosting a Furman student each year, some interested in medical school and some still exploring their options, he said. It’s an ideal spot for a motivated, independent self-learner like Greene, he said.

“It was a stretch assignment for her, but she did a great job,” Vassy said. “She rose to the occasion.”

For her part, Greene said Vassy “was a really good leader.”

“I worried about being intimidated because he was a very smart guy,” she said. “But he was very kind. He took me under his wing.”

Greene said a highlight of the program was coauthoring a research paper that was submitted for publication, which was a tough process, but that Vassy “graciously” led her through it.

“Mentorship is a key aspect of the internship experience. We want students to learn the skills of the profession, but also provide them the opportunity to develop their professional selves,” said Rachael Bowers, interim executive director of IACH.

“Internships are important as students prepare to apply to graduate schools. Students increasingly have to articulate how they see a health-related career as a fit for their talents. Internships allow them the space to learn that,” Bowers said.

Of course, Greene took time to see all the sights of the city, from Boston Common to the North End.

“I did every single touristy thing they had,” she said with a chuckle. “My favorite thing was going to the Red Sox games.”

Greene said she learned about the internship from Rebecca Redman, internship coordinator at Furman’s IACH, who said much of the work she does is centered on helping students connect their personal passions to a career in health care by exploring opportunities in clinical and non-clinical settings.

“Internship experiences are so important as students explore different vocations post-graduation,” Redman said. “Last year, the IACH supported 168 student experiences over the fall, spring and summer semesters.”

Greene is considering a career in primary care and pediatrics. She says she learned a lot about her options from the internship.

“I grew a lot academically and personally,” she said. “It was a great experience.”