Category Archives: Research

Postings looking for Honors College researchers

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

by plasmatinc

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

by Reese Michaelson

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.

Showcase Your Research at the Moore Conference!

by plasmatinc

Are you conducting independent research or have you submitted a research paper for a class? Don’t miss the chance to present your work at the prestigious Moore Conference on April 11th!

Benefits of Presenting:

  • Showcase your impressive work.
  • Gain valuable presentation experience.
  • Network with peers and professionals in your field.
  • Looks great on a resume!

Great Fit For: The conference is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, but the conference is open to all majors! If your work is PoliSci-adjacent, it’s probably a great fit. Get in touch if you have questions.

How to Register:

Calling all aspiring influencers: Share your insight with a research focus group

by plasmatinc

Are you dreaming of turning your social media presence into a full-time career? We want to hear from YOU!

Contribute to a research study to share your journey and thoughts on pursuing social media influencing as a career path.

Research Focus Group on Social Media Influencing

  • 60 minute focus group
  • Zoom or in-person options available
  • Multiple dates available:
    • Wednesday, March 12 at 2:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Friday, March 14 at 1:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Monday, March 17 at 5:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00pm (ONLINE)

Benefits: Share your experiences and help shape the future of influencer careers.

  • You’ll also receive food and a coffee or non-alcoholic beverage as a thank you!

Share Your Insight: Sign up for a timeslot via Google Forms.

 

 

Calling all aspiring influencers: Share your insight with a research focus group

by plasmatinc

Are you dreaming of turning your social media presence into a full-time career? We want to hear from YOU!

Contribute to a research study to share your journey and thoughts on pursuing social media influencing as a career path.

Research Focus Group on Social Media Influencing

  • 60 minute focus group
  • Zoom or in-person options available
  • Multiple dates available:
    • Wednesday, March 12 at 2:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Friday, March 14 at 1:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Monday, March 17 at 5:00pm (IN-PERSON)
    • Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00pm (ONLINE)

Benefits: Share your experiences and help shape the future of influencer careers.

  • You’ll also receive food and a coffee or non-alcoholic beverage as a thank you!

Share Your Insight: Sign up for a timeslot via Google Forms.

 

 

Publish Your Research or Creative Work in Aisthesis: The Interdisciplinary Honors Journal

by Reese Michaelson

The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Honors Program is currently seeking academic and creative submissions for the 2025 issue of Aisthesis, their undergraduate honors journal!

Types of Submissions: They welcome academic work, including honors capstone projects, literature reviews, and research articles, from all fields of research, as well as creative submissions of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and visual art (including but not limited to painting, sculpture, short film, multimedia, and photography).

Benefits:

  • Build your résumé
  • Share your work
  • Publish as an undergraduate!

To Submit: Click here for submission guidelines and instructions. Submissions are due on March 5th!

For more information, head to their website, Instagram, Facebook, or send them an email at honorsaisthesis@d.umn.edu.

Showcase Your Research at the Moore Conference!

by plasmatinc

Are you conducting independent research or have you submitted a research paper for a class? Don’t miss the chance to present your work at the prestigious Moore Conference on April 11th!

Benefits of Presenting:

  • Showcase your impressive work.
  • Gain valuable presentation experience.
  • Network with peers and professionals in your field.
  • Looks great on a resume!

Great Fit For: The conference is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, but the conference is open to all majors! If your work is PoliSci-adjacent, it’s probably a great fit. Get in touch if you have questions.

How to Register:

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.