26 May Belle McTigue, Telluride High School

Hello! My name is Belle McTigue, and I’m a junior at Telluride High School. This summer, I’ll be interning at the Brinley-Burton Labs at Scripps, working alongside scientists to study microbiology, focusing on antibodies and infectious diseases.

 I have been surrounded   by science from a young age. At age seven, I was diagnosed with Type one Diabetes and was introduced to counting carbs, giving insulin, and watching my blood sugar levels. Having diabetes has influenced me to be curious about biology and question how the immune system reacts to diseases. I am looking forward to immersing myself in this lab and gaining a deeper understanding of diseases and antibodies.

Although diabetes came as a surprise in my life, I continue to pursue my outdoor adventures, and I am a determined student. Outside of my STEM interests, I am a competitor in big mountain skiing and play varsity lacrosse. I love to be outside and adventure whenever I can, whether I am on skis, bikes, or my shoes. Growing up in the mountains has taught me to be resilient, curious, and always look for the next adventure. I am looking forward to living on the beach, learning how to surf, working in the lab, and being with the other pinterns!