Category: Research

Postings looking for Honors College researchers

Pathways to Medicine & Research: A Virtual Lunch and Learn led by MUSC Faculty

Looking to get started on research in a STEM field? Every year the college’s School of Natural & Environmental Sciences holds a research matchmaking event to connect students with research projects and mentors.

This year, our friends at MUSC’s Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND) are holding a special virtual lunch & learn for Honors students to help you prepare!

Pathways to Medicine & Research: A virtual lunch and learn led by MUSC MIND
📅 Thursday, October 16, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
💻 Virtually via Teams

Faculty from the MUSC Department of Neurosurgery will share tips and answer questions to help you find the best research fit, covering topics like…

  • Best practices for formatting your CV/resume
  • Framing your research topic
  • Initiating conversations with a potential PI
  • MD/PhD programs

Great fit for: STEM students looking to break into research; pre-health students looking to make connections.

Space is limited, so register to reserve your spot.

Explore the Brain: Neuroscience Research at MUSC

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Dr. Ewoud Schmidt’s lab at MUSC is offering a neuroscience research opportunity focused on brain development and stress. Students can assist with brain tissue processing, behavioral data analysis, and microscopy.
🧠 Why it’s worth it:
  • Hands-on experience in a real research lab
  • Mentorship from an MD-PhD student
  • Potential recognition in publications or presentations
  • Optional involvement in animal surgeries and testing
📅 When: Now through Dec. 31, 2025
📍 Where: Medical University of South Carolina
⏱️ Time commitment: 10–15 hours/week
🎯 Who should apply: Students studying health or biomedical sciences. Prior research or coding experience is a plus, but not required.
Interested? Email Erin Reasoner at reasonee@musc.edu

Publish Your Research in UReCA: A national journal for Honors students

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 September 8, 2025.

Research Assistant Opportunity Studying Neuroscience of Obesity

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The Azevedo Lab at MUSC is seeking a part-time research assistant to support their research into the neuroscience of obesity.

The Research: The research assistant will join our team investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying obesity.

What You’ll Do: The position will support mainly animal colony maintenance/genotyping with the opportunity to participate in ongoing experiments aimed at understanding how neural circuits regulate appetite, metabolism, and energy balance, with a focus on animal models and molecular techniques.

Great Fit For: A highly motivated and detail-oriented student, particularly those with a passion for science and those considering grad school for scientific research.

Interested? Contact Estefania Azevedo, PhD, the lab’s principal investigator, to discuss the opportunity (azevedoe@musc.edu).

Research Assistant Opportunity Studying Neuroscience of Obesity

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The Azevedo Lab at MUSC is seeking a part-time research assistant to support their research into the neuroscience of obesity.

The Research: The research assistant will join our team investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying obesity.

What You’ll Do: The position will support mainly animal colony maintenance/genotyping with the opportunity to participate in ongoing experiments aimed at understanding how neural circuits regulate appetite, metabolism, and energy balance, with a focus on animal models and molecular techniques.

Great Fit For: A highly motivated and detail-oriented student, particularly those with a passion for science and those considering grad school for scientific research.

Interested? Contact Estefania Azevedo, PhD, the lab’s principal investigator, to discuss the opportunity (azevedoe@musc.edu).

NUTIP: Pre-med shadowing program with the MUSC Department of Neurosurgery

Calling all future physician-scientists! Learn about medicine, surgery, and academic research through NUTIP, an interactive year-long training program with the MUSC Department of Neurosurgery.

How it works: You’ll shadow MUSC clinicians in the operating room and clinic, learn about neuroscience research topics and techniques, and gain real-world experience and a thorough understanding of the medical field as a whole.

The benefits:

  • Shadow in the OR and the clinic
  • Learn about neuroscience research
  • Make connections in the Department of Neurosurgery

–>Learn more about the NUTIP program and its innovative benefits.

Program timeline: This program is a year-long opportunity during both the Fall ’25 and Spring ’26 semesters. There’s a minimum time commitment of one day a week, though scheduling is flexible.

Great Fit For: Pre-health students / Aspiring neurosurgeons / Future medical researchers

How to apply: Online application + unofficial transcript + resume by Monday, July 7 at 11:59 p.m.

  • Send questions to Hannah Parris (parrishg@g.cofc.edu) or Kaycee Tompkins (tompkinska@g.cofc.edu)

The BLOCKS Program: Paid Research with MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center

MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center is piloting an innovative new research program for Honors students called the BLOCKS Program: Building Learning Opportunities for Cancer, Knowledge, and Success.

The Opportunity: Students will participate in paid research with one of several Hollings Center labs throughout the 2025/26 academic year. You’ll gain hands-on research experience working alongside expert faculty and researchers.

  • Multiple spots available! An initial cohort of 8 – 10 students will be selected for the program, with each participant paired with a specific lab and mentor based on their interests and aspirations.

The Benefits:

  • Gain hands-on research experience in ground-breaking cancer treatments.
  • Get paid! Students will work up to 20 paid hours a week during the school year.
  • Connections and mentorship for PhD program applications down the road.
  • Potential for Honors Immersed and Bachelor’s Essay material.

Great Fit For: Students seeking hands-on research experience and students considering a future career in biomedical research, particularly those interested in:

  • Biology / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology / Microbiology / Public Health

The Application: The deadline to apply is Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. EST. Applicants selected as finalists will be contacted in April for a formal interview with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center faculty.

The BLOCKS Program
Building Learning Opportunities for Cancer, Knowledge, and Success

The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina is offering an innovative new research program aimed at connecting College of Charleston students with impactful, hands-on research experience. The program will be piloted with College of Charleston Honors College students during the 2025/26 academic year.

The Research

MUSC's Hollings Cancer Center is one of 72 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the nation and the only one in South Carolina. Their mission is to reduce the cancer burden in South Carolina and nationally through innovative research, exceptional education and training, multidisciplinary patient care, statewide cancer prevention programs, and progressive public policy transformation.

Students in the BLOCKS Program will gain hands-on experience working in ground-breaking cancer research labs. Multiple Hollings Center labs are participating, and students deemed a good fit for the program will have a chance to interview with mentors for a spot in their labs. Learn more about the participating labs.

Application Materials

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. EST. Students interested in the program should submit a program application. The program will ask them for:

  • Statement of Intent: In 500 words or less, briefly discuss your academic and career goals. Your response should outline the following:
    • Any prior research (or related) experience.
    • What you hope to achieve from participating in the BLOCKS program.
    • How the knowledge and skills gained from the BLOCK program would influence your academic and career development.
  • Research interests in which you indicate which labs you'd be interested to work with.
  • An updated resume or CV.
  • An unofficial transcript.

Students will also have the option to upload a letter of recommendation if they choose to do so. A student's candidacy will not be penalized or devalued if you do not upload an LOR. The letter is simply a chance to provide additional context should you deem it relevant. Worthwhile recommendations are most likely to be written by the following:

  • Faculty who are familiar with your science coursework or research skills.
  • A scientist/clinician at another institution who has mentored you in a research experience. 

Applicants selected as finalists will be contacted in April for a formal interview with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center faculty.

Research Opportunity in Translational Spine Project at CofC/MUSC

Dr. Sarah Porto is seeking a research assistant to help with an NIH-funded study investigating the effect of amyloid deposition on spine mechanics and tissue integrity.

The Research: Gain laboratory research experience with tissue dissection, cell and molecular biology techniques (i.e., immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy, histology, and proteomics), tissue culture, biochemical and biomechanical testing, and preparation of experimental results for presentation and publication.

Benefits: Honors Immersed and Bachelor’s Essay potential, MUSC and Clemson networking opportunities, paid research opportunity potential, and an opportunity to develop research skills in a laboratory setting.

Great Fit For: Juniors and seniors with relevant majors in the School of Natural Sciences and Environmental Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics.

Send any questions to Dr. Porto at portosc@cofc.edu.

To Apply: Send the following materials to Dr. Porto (portosc@cofc.edu):

  • Updated Resume (or CV) that includes extracurricular activities and employment plans (for academic year and summer).
  • Year of Study, Major, Academic Achievements
  • Unofficial Transcript
  • Statement of Interest (500 words) that includes:
    • Previous research experience, if applicable
    • What can you offer to the project and how long would you like to work on this project?
    • What would you like to get out of this experience?
    • Why are you interested in participating in this (or any) research?
    • Please describe your specific time management strategies.
    • Any other relevant information that you would like to share.