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.
