TRI in the Community: Externship for Students

TRI Princeton is proud to have offered local students and their instructors the opportunity to come and see what we do. Hosted by Shamish Ganpule and Ernesta Malinauskyte, five students and two instructors spent the day with the team, seeing the work being undertaken in the labs by our scientists. 

Hitansh Vaishnav, one of the student visitors, writes:

“During our externship at TRI Princeton, we were given a rare window into the depth and precision of modern hair science, an experience that was not only academically enriching but genuinely transformative. TRI Princeton, an independent, not-for-profit research institute with a long-standing legacy, has become synonymous with excellence in applied measurement sciences across hair, skin, nails, and other complex biomaterials.

What immediately struck us was how differently TRI approaches “hair research.” Far beyond the surface-level metrics of shine or smoothness, their work delves into structural, biochemical, and follicular dynamics using advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and sophisticated bio-material characterization tools. These methods allow TRI scientists to decode hair integrity, unravel mechanisms of damage, and quantify recovery in ways that bridge molecular biology with real-world applications.

During our time there, we had the opportunity to observe their processes firsthand, from fiber-level examinations to intricate follicle-focused analyses. Seeing how chemical treatments, mechanical tension, and environmental stressors translate into measurable molecular events was eye-opening. For the first time, we could directly connect the pathways we study on paper with the structural changes observed under a microscope.

We gained immensely valuable guidance during our Externship activities on literature mining, connecting scientific patterns of biomarkers involved in alopecia, and establishing a platform for early-stage product development. It was immersive experience during our visit to TRI Princeton for final project hand-off. We had an opportunity to observe first-hand the research operations of each lab and the innovative work that goes on at TRI Princeton.

What truly elevated the experience, however, was the mentorship. Ernesta and Shamish didn’t just guide us, they reshaped how we think about hair biology and its broader impact. Their ability to translate complex data into meaningful insight, their generosity in sharing expertise, and their genuine enthusiasm for advancing the field created an environment where curiosity felt encouraged and discovery felt possible. Working with them turned our fascination with mechanotransduction, inflammation, and follicular biology into a clearer vision of what impactful research can look like.

We left TRI Princeton with a deeper appreciation for the institution’s role in moving the field forward. Whether the goal is identifying early biomarkers of follicular stress, understanding how chemical and mechanical stressors compromise hair at the molecular level, or evaluating solutions that may prevent fibrosis and long-term damage, TRI stands as a unique hub where rigorous science and translational potential meet.

We are immensely grateful to TRI Princeton, and especially to Ernesta and Shamish, for their exceptional mentorship and the extraordinary work they continue to do in advancing hair science.”