This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Emma O'Reilly for her third FlowCam summer internship. She has become a valued addition to our marketing and analytical lab teams. In addition to Emma, we also welcomed her younger brother Kian as an intern joining our hardware engineering team. Engaged in challenging projects ranging from building software tools to performing fundamental studies and developing new applications, our summer interns generated valuable data to support FlowCam research and development projects. They solved problems through strategic experimental design and collaboration. At the outset of the intern program, we aimed to provide real work opportunities and mentorship for undergraduate and recent post-baccalaureate graduates as they explore their career paths. Ultimately, we all benefited and found great value in the experience. We are excited about the quality of work our interns produced and look forward to seeing how their experience with FlowCam contributes to their very bright futures!
Here's what our interns had to say about their experiences:
Emma O'Reilly, University of Ottawa Class of 2026
Hello! My name is Emma O'Reilly, and I'm heading into my fifth year at the University of Ottawa, studying Biomedical Engineering. This is my third summer as a FlowCam intern, and each year has been more educational and rewarding than the last. This summer I worked as an Application Lab Intern on the marketing team, focusing on FlowCam Cyano optimization and validation projects. I gained hands-on experience in planning and designing experiments, writing protocols, working with a variety of samples in the lab, and analyzing data to present my findings to the project team.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this internship was the autonomy I was given to make decisions about the project's direction. Experiencing that level of trust helped me build confidence in my abilities, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how my contributions can help the company as a whole.
I'm very grateful for this opportunity and will carry the skills I've learned forward into both my academic journey and future career. I will miss the team very much!
Kian O'Reilly, University of Ottawa, Class of 2028
"Hello! My name is Kian O’Reilly, a rising sophomore at the University of Ottawa, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. While working with FlowCam, I have appreciated the excellent company culture and the amazing people who possess passionate work ethics. I focused my time on designing and building an Inspection Station to check for defects in flow cells while also updating and improving our FlowCam Macro 3-D models and drawings.
The best thing about working here has been the realization that I am part of a team, and that I was able to lean on my colleagues for a simple question or a point of view. I hope that everywhere I end up in my life will offer the same level of teamwork we have here.
Looking ahead, I am most excited to use the 3-D modeling and designing skills that I have learned here in future endeavors."
Thank you to our summer 2025 class of interns. It has been a delight having you on our team this summer. Your dedication and hard work have yielded significant contributions. Beyond that, we've enjoyed your curiosity and approach to problem-solving. We wish you much success in your future ventures!
Interested in a career with us? Check out our careers page.
