By Shanthini Murugu

During my internship at UPM-MCC, I had the invaluable opportunity to deepen my practical knowledge of microbiology while actively contributing to various essential tasks in the laboratory. One of my earliest responsibilities was disposing of clinical waste in accordance with biosafety protocols. I also learned Gram staining, and CFU counting. Additionally, I assisted in organising laboratory materials and ensuring that all tools and consumables were placed in their designated areas to maintain workflow efficiency.

A significant portion of my work involved media preparation, which was crucial for culturing bacterial samples. I gained hands-on experience in weighing, mixing, sterilising media using the autoclave, and pouring it into Petri dishes under aseptic conditions. This routine sharpened my attention to detail and reinforced the importance of consistency in laboratory practices. For my mini project, I was assigned to test the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of selected agents against marine and poultry pathogenic bacteria. 

Moreover, I participated in bacterial culture revival procedures, where preserved bacterial strains were reactivated for quality control purposes. I learned the importance of selecting suitable media and incubation conditions to ensure optimal bacterial growth. I was also given the chance to learn about reviving after preservation using freeze drying methods, which helped me understand the complexity of bacterial morphology. Throughout this internship, I improved not only my technical lab skills but also my communication and documentation abilities. Additionally, collaborating with supervisors and lab mates enhanced my ability to work in a team and follow instructions responsibly.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved supervisor, Puan Musliyana Mansor, for her continuous support, guidance, and encouragement throughout my internship at UPM-MCC. A special thank you also goes to Puan Nor Umaira Abu Asan and Cik Aina Syafiqah Mohd Alias for their kindness, patience, and unwavering support during my time in the lab. I am also deeply grateful to Prof. Dr. Zunita Zakaria and Prof. Dr. Ina Salwany Md Yasin for their leadership, guidance, and for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful internship.

Overall, my time at UPM-MCC was both enriching and rewarding. It provided me with a realistic insight into laboratory work and microbial research, strengthened my interest in microbiology, and inspired me to pursue further research in the field.

Date of Input: 04/08/2025 | Updated: 11/08/2025 | azah