“Some of the best science happens when two things that shouldn’t obviously fit… just click.”
Click to click
Chapter 02
Hi!
Hi! I'm Diana Strigina. I'm finishing a degree in Molecular & Cell Biology at UC San Diego, with a minor in Marketing.
I had a year abroad at King's College London, taking Drug Discovery & Development, Microbiology, and Immunology modules, which deepened my interest in science. However, a MedTech accelerator internship, marketing coursework, and, a little randomly, founding a wellness club while I was in London all pointed me toward the same realization: I want to work at the intersection of business and science, surrounded by people with genuinely different backgrounds.
I am genuinely interested in the Office of Technology & Development Intern position, so I built this website to explain specifically why I want this job, and also to practically demonstrate some of the skills that might be useful for it.
(Please don't judge me too harshly — I'm open to any feedback and constantly looking for growth opportunities, so I'm ready to learn and pick up new skills!)
Chapter 03
The Pitch I Practiced
Click chemistry has always fascinated me: the idea of snapping molecules together like LEGO bricks, simply and reliably.
When I saw that OTD interns help create marketing materials, I wanted to practice that skill on something real. So I found BD-2320 in Scripps Research's own public technology listings: SuFEx, often called the "sequel" to click chemistry, developed by the same Nobel laureate who started it all, Dr. Barry Sharpless.
After reading Scripps' technical summary, I rewrote the pitch entirely in my own words, this time from a pharma company's perspective — leading with their problem instead of the chemistry behind it.
It's not an official Scripps document. It's just my own attempt at doing the job before being asked to.
Chapter 04
Where I Click In
Science + business
This internship is the perfect way to combine my scientific background with my interest in business development. The job description is exactly the kind of work I want to do in the future.
Why now
I'm a fourth year and have almost completed my classes, so I have the free time to commit properly. I can definitely do 12 hours a week, and I want to put what I've learned into real practice.
Why this work
During a MedTech accelerator internship, I discovered that I'm especially motivated by helping early-stage technologies reach patients and develop further. Scripps OTD is exactly that bridge.
That's where I click in: at the point where science and business meet, and both work better because they're together.
Chapter 05
Let's Click
If this story clicked with you, I'd love to keep the conversation going.
- dstrigina@ucsd.edu
- linkedin.com/in/dianastrigina
Scan to connect on LinkedIn
© 2026 Diana Strigina