From High School Intern to NIH Researcher

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When Chiara Blake first arrived at UCSF as an Antioch High School student, she was curious about science but had never set foot in a research lab. Through multiple summers in the Office of Opportunity and Outreach's (O&O) Center for Science, Education and Outreach (CSEO) CURE Research Internship program, she found early exposure to scientific research, along with mentorship and hands-on experience that transformed her curiosity into a career in neuroscience.

Her first internship placement was in the Grabe Lab, where she was introduced to laboratory research. Blake says her internships changed how she viewed science. “They demystified science for me,” she said. “I just really fell in love with the process of science.”

Despite a long commute on public transit from Antioch to Mission Bay each day, Blake eagerly immersed herself in the work. The experience helped her connect research to its real-world impact. “It wasn't just doing lab work,” she said. "It felt like I was contributing to something.”

As a first-generation college student, Blake says the support she found through CSEO's CURE Research Internship extended beyond the laboratory. From navigating the college application process to learning practical financial skills, the program helped her prepare for college, a career in science, and the opportunities that followed.

Today, Blake holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Northeastern University and is beginning the next chapter of her scientific career as a postbaccalaureate researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) while preparing to apply for doctoral study. Earlier this summer, she returned to CSEO to support a new cohort of interns before her NIH contract begins.

“The CSEO team is full of people who want you to succeed, and they make sure that you know that and that you have the tools to get there,” Blake said.