Tony Ruan is Named a Project Onramp Intern for Xilio Therapeutics

Waltham, Mass. – Yong “Tony” Ruan, 22, from Boston’s South End, has been named a Project Onramp intern for Xilio Therapeutics. He is one of 37 college students who are gaining valuable hands-on experience in entry-level positions at 22 life science companies across Massachusetts this summer as part of the biotechnology workforce development program.

Project Onramp matches undergraduate students working with Bottom Line, a non-profit committed to building strong connections for first-generation-to-college students, with paid summer entry-level internships that often lead to full-time employment. Created and sponsored by four of the nation’s leading life science organizations headquartered in Massachusetts – MassBio, MassBioEd, Life Science Cares and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center – the program is designed to help bridge the opportunity gap for underserved and minority students while building a pipeline of local and diverse talent in the life science industry.

“Project Onramp is a platform through which students seeking careers in the field can access valuable hands-on experience through internships at local biotechnology companies they otherwise may not have access to,” says Sarah MacDonald, Executive Director for Life Science Cares. “For many participating students, this is their first experience in the workforce. For participating employers, this is an opportunity to open doors for young people, many of whom are first generation or first to go to college in their families, into a growing and thriving industry.”

Growing up, Ruan always had a passion for nature and a curiosity to uncover why things are the way they are. His favorite subject in school was always biology. Now, as a biology major at the University of Massachusetts Boston, he is excited to enter the life science industry. The rising senior plans to work in a lab doing clinical research after graduation.

“It doesn’t get much better than this internship and the opportunity to get real hands-on experience in a lab,” says Ruan. “I am learning so much, both hard and soft skills, from the proper ways to use various pipettes to how to communicate with a professional team. This experience has exceeded my expectations and I am confident that the skills I am learning here will translate to future jobs and give me an edge for potential employers.”

As a summer intern at Xilio Therapeutics, headquartered in Waltham, Ruan is responsible for performing molecular biology to support the production of protein therapeutic drug candidates. Project Onramp internships range from science and lab positions to disciplines in business administration, operations, human resources, marketing and communications. Bottom Line, a nonprofit that helps first-generation-to-college students from low income backgrounds get into college, successfully graduate and find meaningful careers, helps support students as they apply, interview and earn internships.

“Diversity and inclusion are important to us at Xilio and we are thrilled to participate in Project Onramp and to have Tony as part of our team this summer. Tony is making important contributions to our mission of delivering tumor selective immunotherapies to cancer patients” says Jennifer O’Neil, VP of Translational Oncology at Xilio Therapeutics. “We look forward to hearing about Tony’s future success in the biotechnology industry.”

Since its establishment in 2019, Project Onramp has placed more than 50 students in well-paid internships with top companies statewide. The program is funded in part by the State Universities of Massachusetts. For more information, visit: www.projectonrampma.com.

About Life Science Cares

Life Science Cares (LSC) is a collective effort of the life science industry connecting companies with nonprofits that improve the lives of people living in poverty in Greater Boston and Philadelphia. In Boston, LSC harnesses the sector’s human and financial resources from companies and supports a portfolio of 27 nonprofit organizations. LSC’s partner organizations work to address basic survival needs (food, shelter, improve education, and develop job skills that increase long term economic sustainability for the community’s most vulnerable neighbors. For more information, visit: www.lifesciencecares.org.

About MassBio

MassBio’s mission is to advance Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives. MassBio represents the premier global life sciences and healthcare hub, with 1,300+ members dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diseases through transformative science and technology that brings value and hope to patients. Founded in 1985, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry information, and services. For more information, visit www.massbio.org.

About Massachusetts Life Science Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, education, research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed over $700 million in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs and propelled the development of new therapies, devices and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.

About MassBioEd

MassBioEd is dedicated to developing the region’s life sciences workforce with a focus on expansion, opportunity, and diversity. Since 2001, we have evolved into a unique link that connects students, educators, and industry professionals in programs that engage and excite teachers, inspire students, and illuminate pathways to careers and leadership in the industry. The cornerstones of our work — BioTeach and BioTalent — are inter-connected programs that ignite student interest and cultivate a field of diverse experts committed to solving some of the world’s most vexing challenges. To learn more, visit www.massbioed.org.

About Xilio Therapeutics

Xilio Therapeutics is a biotechnology company advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapies designed to improve patient outcomes by unleashing the power of the immune system selectively at the site of the tumor. The company’s tumor-selective immunotherapies are based on its proprietary technology, which maximizes the potency of proven immuno-oncology therapies and restricts their activity to the tumor to minimize peripheral side effects. The broad applicability of these therapies across cancer types means that all patients could benefit from these potentially curative medicines. Xilio was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more information, please visit www.xiliotx.com.

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