A Bishop's School senior who takes medication developed through immunology research spent his summer helping the Salk Institute turn that same kind of science into commercial products.

Grayson Blatt, who has juvenile arthritis, was one of nine students selected from more than 400 applicants for the Salk Institute's Heithoff-Brody Summer Scholars Program, a paid eight-week internship at the La Jolla research center, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Rather than working in a wet lab like most of his fellow scholars, Blatt chose the Office of Technology Development as his "top choice." The department, which Blatt described as "a bridge between foundational research and commercial application," helps develop partnerships with companies through licensing agreements.

His mentor was Ha Nguyen, a scientist who holds a doctorate in chemistry and chemical biology and has worked in Salk's tech transfer office for eight years. Nguyen told the Union-Tribune that from a tech transfer perspective, the work is problem-solving: figuring out how Salk's technologies can benefit people and positioning those innovations so they become attractive to companies and partners.

Blatt's responsibilities included reviewing agreements, connecting with companies and learning how foundational science gets applied practically. He also learned to read scientific papers.

The personal connection made the work meaningful.

The technology behind the medication Blatt takes for his juvenile arthritis is similar to immunology research being conducted at Salk, he said. One of his most notable days was meeting with Salk professor Rusty Gage in the Laboratory of Genetics to discuss how Gage's neuroscience research could become a commercial product.

"I was able to ask a Salk scientist what they want to do with their research and how they intend to see it through as a product … It was really cool that I was able to be a tangible part of the process," Blatt said.

The program does not require previous laboratory experience. Carlee Schulz, Salk's community and engagement coordinator, said officials look for students who are highly motivated and able to connect with research interests at the institute.

Blatt said the experience has shaped his plans after graduation. He is considering pursuing a biology degree in college, then attending law school to become a patent lawyer working to advance innovations from institutions like Salk.