During my time with Kriash, I worked on multiple projects that align with the organization's mission to advance maternal and neonatal health, particularly in underserved communities. One of my key projects was the initiation and development of the "Birth, Bump, and Beyond: The First 1000 Days" podcast series on Spotify. This series, consisting of 27 informative episodes, involved collaborating with maternal health specialists to make essential healthcare knowledge more accessible to new mothers. This project directly supports Kriash’s mission by providing valuable information to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Additionally, I conducted weekly literature reviews on skin-to-skin care and kangaroo mother care (KMC). I maintained a comprehensive database of over 100 key research articles, which supports advancements in neonatal care practices. This database is crucial for ensuring that Kriash remains at the forefront of neonatal health research and can provide up-to-date information to health care professionals and new parents. I conducted interviews with newborn health professionals and the authors of these papers across the US on KMC, gathering insights to inform best practices and policies in neonatal care.

I also managed our social media presence across five platforms and built our LinkedIn page, successfully increasing our follower count by 1,000. This effort helped raise awareness about Kriash’s initiatives and engage a broader audience in discussions about maternal and neonatal health.

My major in mathematics and computer science provided me with a strong foundation in data analysis, problem-solving, and systematic thinking, which I applied extensively during my internship at Kriash. Conducting weekly literature reviews and maintaining a comprehensive database of research articles required meticulous data collection and organization skills. Leveraging my knowledge in database management, I ensured that the information was systematically categorized and easily accessible for ongoing research and reference.

In the development of the podcast series, my technical skills were crucial in managing the digital aspects, including audio editing and the integration of various software tools to enhance the production quality. Analytical skills honed through my major allowed me to synthesize complex research findings into concise, accessible content for the podcast, ensuring that the information was both accurate and engaging.

One of the significant challenges I faced was reaching out to numerous health professionals but receiving very limited responses. Despite contacting a wide range of experts in the field of maternal and neonatal health, the response rate was lower than anticipated. This posed a challenge in gathering comprehensive data and insights for our research on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practices. To address this, I had to be persistent and strategic in my follow-ups, ensuring that the importance of our research was communicated effectively. I also explored alternative methods of engagement, such as reaching out through professional networks and leveraging existing connections within Kriash to facilitate introductions.

Another challenge was promoting our posts on social media. Ensuring that our content reached a wider audience and engaged those who could benefit from it was more difficult than anticipated. The competitive nature of social media platforms and the constant influx of information made it challenging to capture and retain the audience's attention. To overcome this, I had to continuously adapt our strategies, experimenting with different types of content, posting schedules, and engagement tactics. I focused on creating visually appealing and informative posts, utilizing hashtags strategically, and engaging with our followers through comments and direct messages.

My internship at Kriash provided me with invaluable insights and learning experiences that have significantly shaped my personal and professional growth. One of the most significant takeaways is understanding how to build an enterprise from the ground up. Being part of a medtech startup, I witnessed firsthand the dedication, innovation, and resilience required to turn a vision into reality. This experience has given me a deep appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit and the complexities involved in establishing and growing a startup.

I also gained profound insights into the health care industry, particularly in maternal and neonatal health. Through conducting literature reviews, interviewing health professionals, and developing educational content, I learned about the critical issues and advancements in this field. This knowledge has solidified my passion for public health and strengthened my commitment to contributing to this vital area in the future.

Moreover, my communication skills have significantly improved. Coordinating with specialists for the podcast, managing social media interactions, and conducting interviews required clear and effective communication. These experiences have enhanced my ability to convey information succinctly and engage with diverse audiences. I learned the importance of tailoring my communication to different stakeholders, whether it be health care professionals, new mothers, or the general public.