Interdisciplinarity

Gold

AstraZeneca

I chose my internship at AstraZeneca as the grand challenge interdisciplinary experience. I started my internship June 6th, 2022, and ended on August 26th, 2022. I worked for 40 hours every week. I worked for a total of 480 hours. During my internship, I worked on improving the Fit-to-plant tool (FTP). FTP is a facility fit tool that integrates facility specific equipment to accurately evaluate the readiness of a manufacturing facility to produce a new drug. The Fit-to-Plant Tool is used early in the drug development process, typically during the design phase of a new manufacturing facility. It helps to identify potential issues and challenges that may arise during the manufacturing process and provides guidance on how to address them. The tool is typically used by a cross-functional team that includes representatives from manufacturing, engineering, quality, and regulatory affairs. The team evaluates the manufacturing process and facility against a set of criteria, such as equipment suitability, utilities availability, and process safety.

The Fit-to-Plant Tool is a good example of interdisciplinary learning because it requires collaboration and integration of knowledge from various fields, including engineering, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory affairs. My internship meets the GCSP interdisciplinary experience because I met the time commitment, and the learning objectives.

Learning Objectives

Program Wide Learning Objective

Realisitc Vision

As a result of the team’s feedback, I had to consider the practicalities and limitations of the tool. For example, I had to consider the resources required to implement the tools such as personnel, equipment, and infrastructure. I also had to consider challenges and limitations that may arise during implementation such as regulatory requirements and budget constraints.

Core Interdisciplinary Learning Objective

Identify the different disciplines that contribute to the solution of a complex problem.

When developing the tool, I needed to collaborate and communicate with different teams in AstraZeneca, so I understand both the manufacturing process, and the facility’s equipment, and infrastructure.

Describe and apply strategies for creating common ground between different disciplinary perspectives.

While working on this project, I had to recognize and value the contributions from each team member during the group meetings, this made sure that everyone was heard, and it helped create a common ground between different disciplinary perspectives.

Describe and apply bridging strategies that facilitate the conscious integration of different disciplines.

During the internship, many of the people in my team weren’t familiar with Microsoft Excel. Therefore, at each group meeting, I was requested to give a demo to help them navigate through the tool, while getting feedback. This helped us learn from each other.

Reflection

Engaging in the Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) and undertaking an interdisciplinary experience in engineering tools of scientific discovery has been an amazing journey for me. One significant aspect of my experience involved working as an engineering intern at AstraZeneca, where I had the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the Fit-to-Plant tool. This experience not only deepened my technical skills but also highlighted the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. During my internship at AstraZeneca, I was tasked with enhancing the Fit-to-Plant tool, a crucial tool used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. This tool plays a vital role in evaluating the feasibility and efficiency of introducing new manufacturing processes and equipment into production facilities. As an engineering intern, I worked closely with professionals from various disciplines, including process engineers, data scientists, and quality assurance specialists, to identify areas for improvement and implement innovative solutions. One of the most rewarding aspects of this interdisciplinary experience was witnessing firsthand the collaborative nature of scientific discovery. Working alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds allowed me to gain unique insights and perspectives that I would not have encountered within the confines of a single discipline. This experience fostered an environment where ideas could be shared, refined, and implemented, leading to innovative improvements in the Fit-to-Plant tool and its impact on the manufacturing process. Moreover, this interdisciplinary experience highlighted the importance of effective communication and the ability to bridge the gap between different disciplines. I learned to communicate complex technical concepts and ideas in a clear and concise manner, ensuring that all team members understood the objectives, challenges, and potential solutions. This skill proved essential in facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and leveraging the collective knowledge and expertise of the team. Furthermore, engaging in the GCSP interdisciplinary experience at AstraZeneca deepened my understanding of the broader context in which engineering tools operate. I gained insight into the complexities of pharmaceutical manufacturing and the need for rigorous quality control and regulatory compliance. This experience emphasized the significance of integrating engineering principles with scientific knowledge, business requirements, and ethical considerations to develop robust and sustainable solutions. In addition to technical and communication skills, this interdisciplinary experience nurtured valuable professional and personal growth. I developed adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving abilities as I encountered real-world challenges and worked collaboratively to overcome them. I also honed my project management skills, learning to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced industry setting. Moreover, this experience enhanced my appreciation for the broader societal impact of engineering and the importance of responsible innovation. I recognized that the Fit-to-Plant tool and its continuous improvement played a crucial role in enhancing manufacturing efficiency, reducing waste, and ultimately contributing to the development of life-saving medications. This perspective reinforced my commitment to ethical engineering practices and the pursuit of sustainable solutions that benefit both industry and society. In conclusion, my GCSP interdisciplinary experience as an engineering intern at AstraZeneca, where I contributed to improving the Fit-to-Plant tool, has been a transformative and enriching journey. It has deepened my technical expertise, enhanced my communication and collaboration skills, and broadened my understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of scientific discovery and innovation. This experience has equipped me with the mindset and tools to tackle complex challenges, integrate diverse perspectives, and make a meaningful impact in the field of engineering and scientific discovery. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities provided by the GCSP and AstraZeneca, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills gained through this interdisciplinary experience to future endeavors.