In this blog post, we’re excited to introduce Nicolas Bakaev, who recently completed a three-month internship with us at DST. With a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nicolas brought a fresh perspective to our R&D team. Read on to discover more about his experience, challenges, and achievements during his time at DST.
Background
Interviewer: Nicolas, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you found this internship?
Nicolas: I’m from Nantes, France, and after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, I became interested in bio-sourced materials. I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in Material Science at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in the BIOSURF program, which focuses on biomimicry and surface engineering. I found the DST internship through connections my family had in the industry. It aligned perfectly with my studies, offering the chance to work on materials and surfaces.
Internship experience
Interviewer: What was your experience like during the internship?
Nicolas: It was great! I was excited to work in an international environment, and the project was new to me, which kept things interesting. I followed a research project focused on heat-transfer films for textiles and participated in polymer lab trials and sample characterization.
Interviewer: What was the most challenging part?
Nicolas: The hardest part was starting from scratch in an area I wasn’t familiar with – textile decoration and heat press transfers. I relied on my team for guidance and did a lot of reading to get up to speed.
Interviewer: What would you say was your biggest achievement?
Nicolas: My final oral presentation, where I summarized the project and next steps. It was a great opportunity to present complex information clearly to different departments.
Contributions and Feedback
Interviewer: How did your work impact the team?
Nicolas: I handled parts of the bibliographic review, lab trials, and research, which helped free up time for others. I also contributed to the development of a new film that could be a first for DST if commercialized.
Interviewer: How was the support from your team?
Nicolas: It was fantastic! I’d give it a 10/10. My tutor, Quentin Le Piouff, and colleague Mads Christoffersen were especially helpful, providing guidance throughout the internship.
Company Culture & Future Goals
Interviewer: What stood out to you about the company culture?
Nicolas: I was impressed by how much DST values employee well-being. It’s a different approach from what I’ve seen in France, with a strong emphasis on balancing personal and professional life.
Interviewer: What’s next for you after this internship?
Nicolas: I’ll be finishing my second year of my master’s degree, which includes another six-month internship. After that, I’ll start looking for my first full-time job.
Thank you, Nicolas, for your hard work and contributions! We wish you all the best as you continue your studies and start your professional carreer in materials science.
