Meet Anisa: a deep dive into R&D and Innovation
Anisa, a second-year student at ECPM Strasbourg, chose to complete her internship at Quality Assistance. In this interview, she shares her journey, what she learned, and the highlights of her experience.
An international journey fueled by curiosity
Originally from Albania, Anisa grew up across several European countries, including France, Greece, Croatia, and Austria. Her multicultural background naturally led her to seek an internship abroad. Belgium, a country she had never visited before, quickly became the perfect destination. And her international adventure is far from over, next year, she’ll be heading to Singapore to continue exploring new cultures and perspectives.
Discovering Quality Assistance and finding the perfect fit
Anisa first learned about Quality Assistance during a company presentation at ECPM. She was immediately impressed by the company’s strong focus on analytical chemistry and its position within the pharmaceutical sector - two areas that align perfectly with her academic and professional interests. Positive feedback from former ECPM students who had interned at QA helped seal the deal.
A challenging and empowering project
During this 14-week project, Anisa worked on the analysis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide samples, followed by modified sgRNA samples. Her goal was to identify the most suitable enzymes to improve stereoisomer separation. She operated HPLC systems, prepared mobile phases and samples (with and without enzymatic digestion), used specialised software (Empower and MS), and most importantly, learned how to process and present her results clearly and effectively. This internship gave her a real taste of what it’s like to independently manage an R&D project in a professional setting.
“Unlike at university, I was able to manage my project from start to finish. I learned how to organise my time, optimise my work in the lab, and present my findings to the team every two weeks. It was incredibly valuable.”
A supportive team and thoughtful mentorship
Anisa speaks highly of her integration into the R&D and Innovation team. “Everyone was very approachable and always willing to help or offer advice. The atmosphere was dynamic and fast-paced, but also very supportive.” Her supervisor struck the perfect balance between guidance and independence: always available for questions and strategic discussions, while giving Anisa the freedom to take ownership of her experiments.
Memorable moments in and out of the lab
One of Anisa’s favourite memories was the company barbecue in June, a relaxed, social event that gave her the chance to connect with colleagues from other departments. But what stood out most was the everyday kindness she experienced: “I didn’t have a car, so I relied entirely on carpooling. Thanks to the generosity of my colleagues, I never had to worry about getting to work. That level of support really reflects the caring culture at Quality Assistance.”
Her advice to future interns?
“I highly recommend Quality Assistance to any student looking to gain hands-on experience in pharmaceutical R&D within a GMP environment. You’re given real responsibilities, strong support, and the chance to apply what you’ve learned in school, especially if you’re focused on analytical chemistry like I am.”
Thank you, Anisa, for sharing your inspiring story! We wish you all the best.