The Wiegand Summer Internship provides an opportunity for a high school senior, who resides in Allegheny County and who graduated in the spring of the year, to spend 5 weeks learning first-hand about regenerative medicine research and scientific investigations in general.

The 2016 Wiegand Intern was Maya Black, a graduate of West Allegheny High School.  Ms. Black is now attending Purdue University. Her internship was in the Plastic Surgery Laboratory under the mentorship of McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine faculty member Kacey Marra, PhD, associate professor, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, director of the Plastic Surgery Laboratory, and co-director of the Adipose Stem Cell Center.  Maya worked on a project concerning peripheral nerve injuries in the wrist.  The purpose of the project was to help restore the pinching motion lost as a result of human nerve injuries.

The Wiegand Summer Internship is made possible through an endowment from Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wiegand, friends and supporters of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The endowment is designed to provide an opportunity for a high school senior to experience the opportunities and excitement of a career in science and engineering, with a focus on regenerative medicine.

Illustration:  Pictured are (L to R): Gabriella DiBernardo, Maya Black, and Dr. Kacey Marra.