Dear selection comitee,

My name is Milagros Alvites, a current undergraduate student pursuing a degree in

Biomedical Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru. I'm writting this letter to
express my sincere interest in participating in the international undergraduate internship
program 2023/2024 at Sao Carlos Physics Institute / Sao Paulo University. Over the past few
years, my interests have always been drawn to tissue engineering focused on cancer, and I
was delighted when I saw the opportunity of participating in projects at your institution
towards the development of new less invasive and more efficient cancer treatments.

At the moment, I find myself working at the Institute of Omics Sciences and Applied
Biotechnology of my university. My responsibilities primarily involve HeLa cell culturing, cell
growth kinetics assays, and the development of MTT cytotoxicity assays for a novel drug
candidate (comprising chitosan, PEG, and a peptide) designed for COVID-19 treatment. I´ve
also had the opportunity to work with polymers, particularly PTFE, at the Laboratory of
Materials Sciences. My tasks there included employing RF magnetron sputtering for surface
modification and thin film deposition to enhance the biocompatibility of new biomaterials.
We characterized the samples with water contact angle and Raman Spectroscopy. Finally,
I´m also working on my thesis project, which involves the development of an artificial bone
marrow niche for drug cytotoxicity assessment.

I am particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity of working with nanomaterials and drug
delivery systems focused on cancer treatment. During my Biomaterials lectures,
nanoparticles and their advantages were the first thing that caught my attention. The
adaptability of nanoparticles and their potential to improve tumor targeting through
controlled and selective drug release represent a safer and less toxic alternative for patients.
This signifies a promising opportunity to positively influence their quality of life.

The opportunity your institution offers me to create an impact in this field of research is
invaluable. I believe that participating in these projects will significantly enhance my
laboratory and research background and will help me boost both my personal and
professional development. I am eager and enthusiastic about the prospect of working with
you, and I firmly believe I have the capacity to contribute effectively during the internship.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of working
alongside your team and contributing to advancements in nanomedicine research.

Sincerely,

Milagros Alvites