Category Archives: Research

Postings looking for Honors College researchers

Research opportunity at MUSC’s Ferreira Lab studying immune cell therapies

by plasmatinc

The Ferreira Lab at MUSC has research opportunities for undergrad students to help with designing and developing engineered immune cell therapies.

The Research: Studying and weaponizing T cells as living therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune disease. The laboratory is highly collaborative, with lab members at the college, PhD, and postdoctoral level, and works on the cutting edge of immunology and immune therapy.

The Benefits:

  • Immersive, hands-on research experience.
  • The potential for the work to develop into your Bachelor’s Essay.
  • The potential for future paid research opportunities.
  • Connections and mentorship for PhD program applications down the road.

Great Fit For: Undergraduate students interested in experiencing scientific discovery first-hand and considering a future career in biomedical research.

Interested? Complete the online interest form to be considered. Students deemed a good fit for the opportunity will be contacted about next steps in the application process.

Call for Student Abstracts: Present your Research at the Tri-County Health Symposium

by plasmatinc

Are you a student passionate about health equity and disparities? Submit your poster presentation for the Tri-county Health Symposium and share your research on health issues in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.

The Opportunity: This symposium is an excellent platform for students to present their academic work, connect with health professionals, and contribute to critical discussions on health equity and disparities. Topics should address health equity, health disparities, and/or health in the Tri-County area. Apply now to showcase your work and make a difference in our community’s health!

Great fit for: Students interested in public health, allied health, city planning, and more.

How to Apply: Online application + project abstract by October 1.

MUSC Research Opportunity in the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology

by Reese Michaelson

Dr. Naohiro Yamaguchi’s lab in the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology at MUSC is looking for a student intern to perform research for calcium signaling!

The Opportunity: This project focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of calcium release channels, called ryanodine receptors, and the functional consequence of their dysfunctional activities that leads to human muscle diseases. Students will be participating in cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry experiments including tissue cell cultures, mutant DNA construction and expression, and functional assay for the mutant Ca2+ channel activity.

Details: No previous lab experience is necessary as all training will be provided onsite. Selected students will work 10 hours per week during the semester and more (>15 hours) during the summer.

Great Fit For: Rising sophomores and juniors looking for a great opportunity to conduct independent research for their Bachelor’s Essay or Honors Immersed.

Publishing Potential: Recent students’ works have been published in the internationally recognized journal, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105606.

If You’re Interested: Interested students should contact Dr. Yamaguchi at yamaguch@musc.edu for more information.

Research Specialist Position in the Han Laboratory in the Hollings Cancer Center

by Reese Michaelson

The Han laboratory at MUSC is looking for a Research Specialist, who will be responsible for laboratory maintenance, mouse colony management, and contributing to the research projects.

About the Lab: The Han laboratory will launch in the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina in August 2024. The Han laboratory investigates pancreatic cancer at the cellular and molecular levels, utilizing genetic mouse models, cell cultures, and human patient samples.

Benefits:

  • Opportunity to learn cutting-edge biology techniques
  • A vibrant research environment to better understand fundamental mechanisms of pancreatic cancer and to ultimately benefit pancreatic cancer patients
  • Standard research specialist salary and benefits

Great Fit For: Current seniors (students who will graduate before September 2024).

To Apply: Email your CV to hanl@musc.edu.

For more information, email Dr. Han at hanl@musc.edu. Click here to read about the kind of work Dr. Lu Han has done.

Research Opportunity in Translational Spine Project at CofC/MUSC

by plasmatinc

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 quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis), 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.
  • Develop research skills in a laboratory setting.

How to Apply: Read below for complete application instructions and then submit materials to Dr. Porto at portosc@cofc.edu.

If you are interested, please send questions and 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.

Deadline Approaching: Apply for a research internship at MUSC with a $4500 stipend award

by plasmatinc

The deadline is approaching to apply for the inaugural 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 1 – July 31, 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 + (1) letter of recommendation + resume/CV + unofficial transcript by Friday, March 1.

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 1 – July 31. 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, March 1 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.
  • (1) Letter of recommendation. The letter can be from:
    • 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. 
  • 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.

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 2024 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 4th!

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

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

by plasmatinc

The inaugural 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 1 – July 31, 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 + (1) letter of recommendation + resume/CV + unofficial transcript by Friday, March 1.

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 1 – July 31. 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, March 1 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.
  • (1) Letter of recommendation. The letter can be from:
    • 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. 
  • 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.