From Summer Student to Clinical Research Professional: How PII's Summer Program Changed Everything

María Teresa Ayllón González, DSIPP'22

When a simple recommendation from a professor leads to a complete career transformation, you know something special happened. Meet Teresa, an alumna of our Data, Social Innovation, and Public Policy summer program (formerly Health, Technology, and Society), who turned her summer experience with PII into a thriving career in clinical research, proving that the right guidance at the right time can open doors you never knew existed.

Since completing the program, Teresa has earned her Biomedicine degree, pursued two master's degrees, and landed her dream job in clinical research at OXON Epidemiology. But perhaps more impressively, she's built an entire career path around insights and connections made during just one transformative summer at The Public Innovation Institute.

What have you been up to since completing the summer program? Tell us about your current studies, work, or projects.

I finished my Biomedicine degree and moved onto doing 2 masters (one in Coordination and Monitoring Clinical Trials, and the other in Project Management). I am currently working as a Clinical Research Associate at OXON Epidemiology.

What compelled you to apply to the summer program and were there any surprises?

One of my teachers from my Biomedicine degree believed it was a great opportunity and reality really exceeded my expectations. I thought it was going to be a much slower program and not so interactive, but it was a wonderful and exciting experience.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected development in your career or academic path since leaving the program?

I did my dissertation on AI in Public Health, applying that which I learnt during the program, and I had never thought of that. During the program, I got a lot of advice from my tutors, one being: "Look up what Clinical Trial Monitoring is". And so, I did and I ended up studying a Masters Degree for Coordinating and Monitoring Clinical Trials. And that is now my job!! I couldn't be happier.

How did working on your capstone or research project prepare you for the challenges you've encountered since?

I learned how to structure articles and essays in a cohesive way and found a way to research topics properly.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in the program?

Take in all of the classes. Ask questions. Enjoy your time especially during classes. You may not see it at the moment, but it will be useful in the future. Keep in contact with your mates and accept and take in all the different cultures.

What's one skill or mindset from the program that you still use today?

I use my tutor's critical thinking. The way she taught me how to structure my thoughts and lay things out in an orderly manner.

What are you most excited about right now academically, professionally, or personally?

I am excited for some programs I have been looking into, in order to grow within the company I work for. I have just moved to a different city (and it's my first place without my parents!) and I joined a Gaelic Football Club.

A Journey From Summer Program Worth Celebrating

Teresa's story exemplifies the ripple effect of quality education and mentorship. A casual piece of advice during the summer program, "Look up what Clinical Trial Monitoring is," became the foundation of an entire career. Her dissertation on AI in Public Health bridged her program learning with emerging technologies, demonstrating how the Data, Social Innovation, and Public Policy curriculum continues to influence her work years later. The critical thinking framework she learned from her instructors remains central to how she approaches her professional responsibilities today.

Beyond the technical skills and career direction, the summer program gave Teresa something equally valuable: a community. Her advice to prospective students emphasizes connections with instructors, peers, and with diverse perspectives, as much as it does academics. It's this holistic approach that transforms a summer of learning into years of impact.

Learn more about our Data, Social Innovation, and Public Policy summer program at www.thepii.org/data-social-innovation-public-policy.