Don't be scared to ask questions!
Edem Fiifi Dawson with Albert Einstein © 2025 EPFL /Edem Fiifi Dawson
Every summer, the School of Computer and Communication Sciences provides internship opportunities as part of the Summer@EPFL program. Places are assigned on merit to students with outstanding academic records. One of these students, Edem Fiifi Dawson, shares his experience with us from the summer 2025 program.
Where are you from and at which university do you study?
I'm from Ghana and a recent graduate of Academic City University, where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering.
What motivated you to join the Summer@EPFL program?
I first came across the program through an email that linked to an article. I spent a week researching the profiles of each supervisor, their labs and work, and eventually narrowed my options down to three. From there, I tailored my letter of motivation accordingly. I was thrilled when I advanced through both the application and interview stages!
Which EPFL Lab did you work with and what project did you work on?
I worked with LIGHT – the Laboratory for Intelligent Global Health & Humanitarian Response Technologies under Professor Mary-Anne Hartley. During my time there, I contributed to two projects. The first was a framework, drawing on the humanitarian principles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to guide the ethical development of large language models. The second was a RAG-LLM designed to support neonatal care for nurses in Zanzibar, where childbirth-related deaths remain among the highest recorded globally.
What’s the key experience you will take home with you?
I would say, in a research environment, you shouldn't be scared to ask clarifying questions or admit when you need help. It’s important to ask clarifying questions because you may not know everything on the spot. What matters is your eagerness to learn, your ability to incorporate feedback, and your openness to constructive criticism, all of which help you grow and improve as a researcher.
The Summer@EPFL 2026 application site is now open! To apply, please visit the Summer@EPFL website: https://summer.epfl.ch The application deadline for all students is the 30th November 2025.
