My name is Matthew Thai, and this is my third summer working as an IT Technician Intern at The Eye-Bank. I am a rising junior at the University at Buffalo studying Computer Science. A Brooklyn native, I attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where I majored in Biological Sciences. After graduating from high school, I chose to work in The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration’s IS&T Department because I wanted to experience working in the tech field. At the same time, The Eye-Bank’s connection to healthcare made it even more appealing. My internship turned out to be the perfect intersection of my interests in both technology and biology. That first summer, I got a sense of what it was like to work with a team in a professional setting: how to communicate effectively and how to approach problems with patience and persistence. The experience boosted my confidence as I entered college.
Once I began my computer science studies, I wanted to apply my growing technical skills to a real-world environment. The Eye-Bank felt like the perfect place to do that, so I returned for a second and now third summer. My work has expanded each year, moving from helping with small tasks to assisting with larger projects aimed at digitizing processes and improving workflows.
This summer, my days have been filled with a little bit of everything: troubleshooting tech hiccups, building surveys in Lime Survey, learning/scripting in goCode, and organizing data in Excel. The experience has taught me more than just technical skills; I have learned how to problem solve in real time and collaborate with colleagues.
Before my internships, I did not think much about organ donation, let alone eye donation. Like many people, I did not fully understand what an eye bank does or the impact it has. After three summers here, I now see how essential The Eye Bank is in restoring sight to those in need. The process is far more than simply storing donated eye tissue; it is a meticulous, respectful, and highly-coordinated effort. From recovering corneal tissue to preparing it for transplant surgery, every step is handled with care and deep respect for the donor’s gift.
What inspires me most is realizing that the technical work I do supports a mission that changes lives. Behind every successful transplant is a network of people working together, and I am proud to have been a small part of that.
My time at The Eye-Bank has shaped not only my skills as a future computer scientist but also my understanding of teamwork, empathy, and the value of contributing to something bigger than myself. It is an experience I will carry forward in both my career and my life.