CBHD continues to expand its reach to the next generation of leaders in Christian bioethics. This summer we were pleased to host three interns through internships that were tailored to their specific career trajectories and topical interests. Focused around the annual conference, our summer internships provide a venue for interns to engage with bioethics students and scholars and to be challenged with an approach to bioethics that emerges out of the Center’s commitment to Judeo-Christian Hippocratism.
Paula Neiweem received a BA in Biology and Religion from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and spent a semester in Washington, D.C. with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Advocacy Office prior to spending the summer with CBHD. Paula worked primarily on the continued development of a denominational bioethics research project we will be unveiling as a part of wiki on our soon-to-be-released website www. everydaybioethics.org. She recounts that prior to her internship with the Center, her approach toward bioethical issues had been primarily scientific; however, through her work she gained new theological perspectives that have enhanced her view of bioethics. She is thankful for the time that she spent interning with the Center and the experience that she gained. “One of the highlights was being able to attend the summer conference where I heard several speakers and had the opportunity to meet even more people interested in bioethics.”
Alice Kong recently entered her senior year at Yale University majoring in Religious Studies with a concentration in Bioethics and plans to attend medical school after graduation. Alice’s internship at CBHD involved review of archived audio and print resources, as well as research on films with bioethical content and development of various bibliographies. One of the highlights of Alice’s experience was leading a staff brown bag session discussing ethical issues surrounding artificial reproductive technologies. Above all, Alice says that the Center has equipped her with reason, critical thinking, and logic to guide her as she faces bioethical issues in her future career. “The most valuable thing that I have learned is not what to think, but rather how to think.” She is grateful to the Center for the “immense amount of encouragement and guidance” that she received during her internship.
Matthew Krueger is currently in his second year at Regent University School of Law and is a graduate of Taylor University. Matthew spent much of his internship working with Paige to research legal issues surrounding surrogacy and embryo donation and adoption. Matthew noted, “Working alongside Paige Cunningham has helped me to develop my legal thought and dive deeper into the heart of an issue.” He enjoyed the ability to work on projects with the Center and to be involved in thinking through integrating several of the discrete streams of bioethical thought. “The Center’s constant drive and passion for intellectual thought and analysis of today’s most pressing bioethical issues has been a process that I feel I was privileged to be a part of.”
Internship opportunities continue throughout the year as well. For the Fall, CBHD is currently hosting seven interns and volunteers. If you are interested in applying to be an intern or know of someone who should be considered for an internship with CBHD, please contact us at info@cbhd.org. Some have expressed interest in sponsoring interns. If you would like to learn more about those opportunities for support, please contact CBHD’s Director of Development, Joel Dillon at jdillon@tiu.edu or 847.317.7006.
