Author Archives: plasmatinc

Summer research internship in the Norris Lab at MUSC with a $4500 stipend award

by plasmatinc

The Kendra Springs ’23 Memorial Research Award will provide an Honors College student with a $4500 stipend to support a summer research internship in the Norris lab at MUSC.

The Internship: Join the Norris lab in ongoing research into cardiovascular development, investigating the regulatory pathways and cell-to-cell interactions in the developing heart.

  • The internship is loosely scheduled to take place from June 2 – July 25, with exact dates will be determined upon acceptance into the internship program.

The Benefits:

  • Gain experience in a research lab setting.
  • Support data analysis into RNA sequencing and pathophysiology molecular studies on mice.
  • Valuable mentorship from MDs, post-docs, MD/PhD candidates, and more.
  • Bolster your medical school credentials.

How to Apply: Complete the online application with statement of intent + resume/CV + unofficial transcript by Friday, February 14.

The Norris lab at MUSC is offering a summer internship for an Honors College student to participate in ongoing cardiovascular research.

  • The intern will be supported by the Kendra Springs ’23 Memorial Research Award, a $4500 summer stipend.
  • The internship is loosely scheduled to take place from June 2 – July 25. The exact dates will be determined upon acceptance into the internship program.

The Research

The Norris lab has over 25 years of experience understanding genetics of syndromic and non-syndromic diseases like mitral valve prolapse (MVP), aortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve diseases, and cardiomyopathies.

This particular summer research internship will focus on the lab’s ongoing research into cardiovascular development.

Specifically, the lab is investigating the regulatory pathways and cell-to-cell interactions in the developing heart, focused on protein expression and interactions within and between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes and their effect on cell proliferation and maturation.

Researchers on the project are currently involved with analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data as well as performing further molecular studies on mice to determine the pathophysiology.

The ultimate goal of the research is to elucidate some of the mechanisms behind heart maturation and development. 

Application Materials

Upload the following application materials through the online application form by Friday, February 14 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

  • Statement of Intent: Briefly discuss your academic and career goals. Your response should outline why this area of research interests you and what you are hoping to achieve from the experience.
  • Updated resume/CV.
  • Unofficial transcript.

Funding

The internship is supported by the Kendra Springs '23 Memorial Endowed Research Award, which will provide the intern with a stipend for summer living expenses up to $4500.

The Kendra Springs Memorial Endowed Research Award has been created through the generosity of Clark and Julia Springs and many family members and friends in memory of Kendra Springs. Kendra’s family aims to support internship opportunities for Honors College students who exhibit Kendra’s drive for finding new treatments and cures for cancer. Kendra was a bright light and a constant inspiration. Her ability to tackle complex research questions to make an impact in people’s lives was impressive and her passion for her studies was palpable and unrelenting. Her contagious smile and her quiet, yet unparalleled passion for finding a solution for those with rare diseases will be forever missed.

Kendra was an Honors College student who studied chemistry at the College of Charleston. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Kendra successfully completed an internship at the Norris Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina. Kendra passed away on July 12, 2023.

  • The award recipient is also automatically accepted into the Honors Summer Enrichment Program.
  • To receive this award, recipients must be a current College of Charleston Honors College student in good standing.

 

MUSC’s Dept. of Surgery offers a funded summer internship through the PASS Program

by plasmatinc

The PASS (Pipeline for Aspiring Surgical Students) Program provides summer internships with the MUSC Department of Surgery.

The Opportunity: The PASS Program provides up to three Honors interns with an immersive 10-week summer experience focused on laboratory and clinical research and designed to prepare students for a career in academic medicine, all under the mentorship of Department of Surgery faculty.

Great Fit For: Aspiring surgeons / Future medical scientists / those thinking about pursuing an MD/PhD or MD/MS and looking to bolster their application credentials

Get Funded: Students accepted into the PASS Program also participate in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program, which includes funding of up to $4000 to support their PASS internship.

How to Apply: Complete the online application with statement of intent + resume/CV + unofficial transcript by Friday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

What is the P.A.S.S. Program?

P.A.S.S. stands for Pipeline for Aspiring Surgical Scientists. The program offers Honors College students an immersive 10-week laboratory and clinical research experience under the mentorship of faculty in the Department of Surgery at MUSC’s College of Medicine. For Honors students considering careers in surgery or medical science, there's no better way to gain hands-on research and clinical experience over the summer months.

What are the Benefits?

Gain real world experience in laboratory and surgical settings, develop lab and clinical skills, work with faculty mentors, and participate in the type of activities that can bolster an application to MD, MD/PhD, or MD/MS programs.

The Internship Experience

PASS interns will spend 10 weeks immersed in laboratory and clinical research, all under the mentorship of Department of Surgery faculty members. Potential opportunities for research include…

  • Transplant Immunology and Surgical outcomes, specifically focused on developing novel technologies and therapies to promote organ tolerance in transplantation in the Lee Patterson Allen Transplant Immunobiology Laboratory or outcomes research in the Transplant Clinical Research Core
  • Regenerative medicine, specifically relating to biomedical implants, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and 3D printing and visualization
  • Surgical Oncology research, both clinical and basic research investigating mechanisms behind cancer development and prevention and/or outcomes of therapeutics in patients
  • Cardiovascular research, focusing on basic mechanisms preventing cardiovascular disease and correlating clinical outcomes research
  • Clinical outcomes research within the Surgical Outcomes and Innovation Network at MUSC Dept. of Surgery (SORIN) and in GI surgery and general surgery within the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Patient population

Internship Requirements

Funding

PASS interns are automatically accepted into the Honors Summer Enrichment Program, which will provide them with a stipend for living expenses up to $4000 (participation in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program is required of all PASS interns).

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for aspiring medical scientists considering a career in academic medicine (not just in surgical fields). For those thinking about pursuing an MD/PhD or MD/MS, this is a great chance to gain practical experience and bolster your application credentials.

To be considered, applicants must be a current Honors College student currently in good standing.

Application Process

1.) Apply to the PASS Program by Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m. EST.

Applications are to be completed using the PASS Program application portal online. To complete your application you will be asked to…

  • Upload an up-to-date professional resume or CV
  • Upload a copy of your unofficial transcript
  • Write a statement of intent (500 words). Statement should discuss academic and career goals and explain, in specific and persuasive terms, the importance of the knowledge and skill gained from participation in the PASS program to academic and career development. Prior research experience should also be discussed. Note: If the student is intending to enroll in summer courses or be employed, he/she must describe how course work, employment and any other commitments will be balanced with the PASS program expectations. Students are not permitted to enroll in more than one course during the project period.

2.) Applicants who are selected as finalists will be contacted in early March to arrange a formal interview with MUSC Dept. of Surgery faculty. At that time finalists will be asked to submit a formal application to the Honors Summer Enrichment Program.

Questions about the application process? Contact Honors@cofc.edu.

 

Grab coffee with global sustainable development expert Ellie Flock ’16

by plasmatinc

Honors alumna Ellie Flock ’16 is back in town and will meet with a select group of Honors students for a casual conversation over coffee.

Who’s Ellie?

  • Graduated from the Honors College in 2016 with a degree in public health.
  • At the College, she served as an Honors Engaged student director, a member of the women’s health research team, and held a public affairs internship with the American Red Cross.
  • Earned an MA in Global Health, Conflict & Security from King’s College in London.
  • Her master’s degree was supported by a Rotary Ambassadorial Global Grant.
  • She’s since worked for various international development organizations and is currently a senior project management with global sustainable development firm Chemonics International.

Great Fit For: Public Health / Global and sustainable development / Getting a master’s overseas / Applying for a Rotary Ambassadorial Grant

Join the Conversation: Be sure to register and reserve your spot at the table.

Sophomores: Give us Feedback on the Honors First-Year Experience!

by plasmatinc

Second-year Honors students have the opportunity to participate in the Honors College’s strategic planning process and give us valuable feedback to improve the first-year experience.

The Opportunity: Your opinion is essential to inform actionable improvements to the Honors experience. At this time, we are interested in learning about your first year in the Honors College and your experience in our FYE course sequence. We invite you to participate in a focus group to solicit constructive feedback on your initial year in the Honors College.

Details: We will host two listening sessions moderated by Mr. Nick Plasmati and Ms. Bridget Alaniva. Each session is limited to 15 students. The sessions will be at…

  • 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 25th, in HONS 200
  • 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 26th in HONS 200

To Register: Sign up to reserve a spot in your preferred session! This opportunity is specifically for sophomore Honors students.

We appreciate your commitment to ensuring the Honors College provides the best experience possible for all our students!

CofC in the United Kingdom: A Study Abroad Program for Summer 2025

by plasmatinc

CofC in the United Kingdom is offering GEOG 290: Remapping Europe and the United Kingdom, a study abroad program for summer 2025.

The Program: Explore the changing geographies and politics of the UK at, likely, the most interesting political moment there in generations. Post-Brexit UK faces challenges in finding its place in Europe and worldwide, even as there are questions about the future map of the country in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Using places from London to Edinburgh as our classroom, we will explore these questions with local experts over summer 2025.

  • The course counts towards the GenEd humanities requirements and can also be cross-listed for POLI 359 credit.
  • Also eligible for Honors Immersed credit!

Learn More and apply by February 15 on the College’s study abroad portal.

 

Award of the Month: Rotary Global Grants

by plasmatinc

The Rotary Global Grant is the Nationally Competitive Award of the Month for January! ( we’re sneaking it in right before it’s time for February’s!)

Are you a junior or senior interested in going abroad for graduate school? If so, consider applying to the Rotary Global Grants. It provides up to $45,000 in funding for graduate school abroad that aligns with one of Rotary’s key areas of focus.

  • Rotary works to improve local and international communities through their seven areas of focus: promotion of peace, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and literacy, economic development, and environmental protection.

Learn More: Applications are due in early April, but it’s never too early to start applying! Email nationalawards@cofc.edu to learn more or schedule an appointment with the office through Appointment Manager.

Honors is Hiring BGS Peer Facilitators for Fall 2025!

by plasmatinc

Apply to serve as a BGS peer mentor to the class of 2029 next fall!

The opportunity: BGS Peer Facilitators are a critical part of the BGS first year experience, serving as a mentor, teacher, advisor, coach, and crucial connecting link for first year students.

  • As paid student workers, PFs receive training from the Center for Excellence in Peer Education and get to help shape the curriculum for the next BGS class.

Benefits include:

  • Developing leadership skills.
  • Connecting with faculty and staff.
  • Building community within Honors.
  • Work eight paid hours/week in Fall 2024.

How to apply: Download the Peer Facilitator application and submit the following to Honors@cofc.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 31.

  1. The completed app
  2. Your resume
  3. Unofficial transcript to

Fall Honors FYE Peer Facilitator Job Description

Fall Honors FYE Peer Facilitators support first-year students in their transition to college life through classroom leadership and one-on-one mentoring activities.  Students selected for this role will demonstrate an excellent BGS and Honors Engaged performance, provide a strong application and statement of interest, and deliver a compelling interview with the Honors FYE Team.

Applications can be downloaded directly from the Honors HUB and should be submitted in a pdf format to Honors@cofc.edu by 5 PM on January 31, 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Complete the PF training course through the Center for Excellence in Peer Education during Spring 2025 or at the beginning of Fall 2025. The course will be offered at the following times:
    • Spring 2025 – Express II TEDU 205 TR 3:05 PM-4:45 PM
    • Fall 2025 -Express I TEDU 205 MW 3:00 PM – 4:40 PM
  • Commit to at least 7 hours per week in Fall 2025, including class meeting time and one BGS Team meeting each week. Students will be paid $10-$11/hour.
  • Model positive academic, professional and civic development for peers.
  • Lead a weekly class meeting of approximately 18 first-year Honors students.
  • Mentor first-year Honors students via individual meetings throughout the Fall semester.
  • Be a member of the Honors College in good standing.
  • Attend Spring 2025 retreat (March 15, 2025) and Fall 2025 retreat (August 14, 2025).
  • Plan Fall 2025 schedule to accommodate Honors BGS classes and team meetings.
  • Prioritize schedule and activities to allow sufficient flex time to fulfill all elements of the PF role.

Terms and Benefits:

  • This role engages Peer Facilitators in the inner workings of the Honors College FYE and fosters opportunities for student employees to build relationships with Honors students, faculty, and staff.
  • The Peer Facilitator completes a timesheet and log to ensure payment every two weeks. The final paycheck will be issued in the pay period following the last day of employment.
  • The Peer Facilitator position includes a performance evaluation at the end of each semester. The evaluation process includes a self-evaluation and a performance review by the supervisor(s). Rehiring for subsequent years is dependent upon satisfactory performance.

Special Preferences given to:

  • Those with a GPA of 3.4 or higher
  • Those with exemplary work when they were Honors FYE students
  • Those who plan to take no more than 15 hours in Fall 2025
  • Those who have reasonable time commitments in Fall 2025 that do not detract from PF responsibilities

Reports To:

Submit your research for publication in an Honors-specific national journal!

by plasmatinc

UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity is seeking submissions

The Journal publishes groundbreaking research and creative projects across disciplines to inspire future generations of students and contribute to the advancement of meaningful undergraduate scholarship.

Great Fit For: Open to all Honors students at a member institution (including CofC!). The journal accepts work in STEM, humanities, social sciences, and arts.

Benefits: Great opportunity to see your work published in a national journal, and also to make connections with other Honors students and faculty nationwide.

How to Submit: Online application process by June 1, 2025.