Category Archives: Research

Postings looking for Honors College researchers

Paid Research Opportunity with the Hart Lab

by bartlettjd

An NIH-funded research project here in Charleston is looking for a student research assistant.

The research: Investigating microplastic and phthalate exposure in wild bottlenose dolphins to understand how humans can impact the marine environment.

The Opportunity: Student researchers will participate in fieldwork with the project lead (Dr. Leslie Hart, Public Health), assist with sample preparation (including fish dissection), assist a graduate student with laboratory analyses of fish and bottlenose dolphin samples, perform literature searches and reviews, curate databases, and assist with statistical analyses and the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

  • This is a paid ($11/hr) year-long opportunity (with the potential to last for several years); students will dedicate ~10 hours weekly during the academic year and 20 hours weekly during the summer.

Benefits include developing new field work and lab skills, training on statistical and scientific methods, enhancing your scientific writing and presentation skills, and more. It’s also a project with Honors Immersed and Bachelor’s Essay potential!

Learn more: Click below for more details and application instructions. The deadline to apply is May 1.

Research opportunity:

I am seeking a research assistant to help with a study that will investigate microplastic and phthalate exposure in wild bottlenose dolphins and their prey.  Undergraduate students involved in this study will participate in fieldwork with the project lead (Dr. Leslie Hart, Public Health), assist with sample preparation (including fish dissection), assist a graduate student with laboratory analyses of fish and bottlenose dolphin samples, perform literature searches and reviews, curate databases, and assist with statistical analyses and the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and presentations.  The project team will meet weekly to set monthly goals, assess project needs, evaluate project status, discuss challenges, schedule deliverables, and review topic-related journal articles.  Training on statistical methods and scientific methods will occur throughout the academic year during these weekly meetings.

Timeline and time commitment:

Students interested in this project should be prepared to assist with research during the 2023-2024 academic year and summer 2024.  Preference will be given to students interested in assisting for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years (including summer 2024). Because sample collection, processing, and analysis will occur throughout the year, students will dedicate approximately 10 hours per week during the academic year and 20 hours per week during the summer months, at $11/hr.

Students engaging in this research opportunity will:

  1. Participate in field research
  2. Prepare biological samples for laboratory analyses
  3. Develop new ecotoxicological laboratory skills
  4. Perform a targeted literature search and develop a literature matrix
  5. Formulate testable research hypotheses and perform statistical analyses
  6. Enhance their scientific writing and presentation skills

Qualifications:

  • US Citizen
  • Full-time student at the College of Charleston
  • Research assistants will be expected to commit at least 10 hours per week during the academic year and at least 20 hours per week in the summer
  • Research assistants will be expected to travel (domestically) for fieldwork (funding will be provided)

If you are interested, please send questions and the following materials to Dr. Hart (hartlb@cofc.edu) by no later than May 1, 2023

  • Updated CV or Resume that includes all extracurricular activities and employment plans (for academic years and summers)
  • Year of Study, Major, Academic Achievements
  • Unofficial Transcript
  • Statement of Interest (500 words) that includes all of the following:
    • Previous research experience, if applicable
    • What you can offer to the project and how long would you like to work on this project?
    • What you would like to get out of this experience?
    • Why you are 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

Research Opportunity in Cardiovascular Biology

by bartlettjd

The Kern lab has openings for undergraduate research that uses mice as models of disease.

This is a basic science position that utilizes standard techniques that allow analyzing different normal and abnormal cardiovascular structures (no experience required).

This is a full-time position with the opportunity to continue throughout the school year. This opportunity is great for rising Seniors, Juniors, and potentially Sophomores to potentially earn Honors Immersed/Bachelor’s Essay Credit .

Students can apply by emailing Dr. Kern and providing a statement of how this opportunity might help in career goals and providing the email of a professor as a reference.

Students may learn more here!

Funded Summer Internship with MUSC’s Dept. of Surgery 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: Read below for more details, then submit your application online by Friday, March 3 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

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:

  • Commit to working full-time (40 hours/week) for 10-weeks (exact dates will be determined based on the lab you work with)
  • Apply for and participate in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program, including pre- and post-summer workshops and cohort activities
  • Present at the annual Perry V. Halushka Research Day in November ‘23

Funding:

PASS Interns will participate simultaneously in 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 rising junior or rising senior currently in good standing within the Honors College.

Application Process:

1.) Apply to the PASS Program by Friday, March 3 at 12 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.) Finalists for the PASS Program will be asked to submit a formal application to the Honors Summer Enrichment Program by March 15. Students who participate in the PASS program must also participate in the Honors Summer Enrichment Program. Details about that application can be found here.

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

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

by bartlettjd

The MUSC Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology is currently looking for student researchers.

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

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. No previous lab experience is necessary as all training will be provided onsite.

Rising Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in conducting their independent research for their Bachelor’s Essay and Honors Immersed are particularly preferred.

Selected students will work 10 hours per week during the semester and more during the summer.

Interested students should contact Dr. Yamaguchi or current Honors College junior Millar Elferdink for more information.

South Carolina Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting

by bartlettjd

The South Carolina Academy of Sciences (SCAS) will be having their Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at MUSC.

The Annual Meeting provides a venue for Graduate and Undergraduate Students (SCAS) to present their research and win scholarships.

Dr. Lori McMahon, MUSC Vice President for Research, will be the Plenary Speaker for the 2023 Annual Meeting.

Abstracts are being accepted until Friday, February 24, 2023, from Undergraduate and Graduate Students for Oral and Poster Presentations.

The deadline to register for the SCAS Annual Meeting is Saturday, March 4, 2023

For more information, please visit here!

Deadline Approaching: Submit an Abstract to Present at Expo 2023

by plasmatinc

CofC Expo 2023 is back and showcasing student research, creative activities, and community service projects from across campus.

The Event: Thursday, April 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in TD Arena (301 Meeting Street). This event is free and open to the public.

The Opportunity: This is a perfect opportunity for students to share their highly impressive undertakings with the local community and gain public presentation experience that will be valuable for future endeavors.

Great Fit For: All students who are collaborating with faculty on research, creative projects, or community engagement.

How to Participate: Submit an abstract to be considered. The deadline to submit an abstract is Wednesday, February 15.

Association of Women Surgeons Hosts Surgical Education Conference at MUSC

by plasmatinc

MUSC’s Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) presents their 2023 Surgical Education Conference.

Date/Time: Saturday, February 25, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Event: Surgical speakers will lead hands-on workshops on topics like

  • A typical day in the life of a surgeon
  • Working and training as a female surgeon in a male-dominated field
  • Student preparation for a career in surgery

The Benefits: This is a great opportunity to meet surgeons as well as medical students and learn more about a surgical career as well as the path to medical school! MUSC admissions will also be giving a presentation!

How to Register: Complete the registration form and pay the $20 registration fee by the February 16 deadline; address questions to musc.aws@gmail.com.

Student Research Scholar/Research Assistant in the Learning and Memory Research Lab at MUSC

by bartlettjd

The Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Health Sciences & Research, Integrative Neuromodulation and Recovery (iN*R) Lab is currently looking for a team member who will primarily work on a newly funded project involving electroencephalography (EEG) and non-invasive brain stimulation to study memory mechanisms in healthy volunteers of older age.

Applicants will contribute to data acquisition, analysis, and implementation of a data management infrastructure following international standards and recommendations for open science and ethical data-sharing practices.

Existing or very strong interest in developing experience in EEG data acquisition and signal processing methods is preferred. Likewise, programming skills (MATLAB, Python, R) and experience with machine learning methods are a big advantage but not mandatory.

Please email your CV and a short cover letter detailing your interest in our research, experience, and fit for the position/lab, and contact details of a reference to Dr. Kirstin-Friederike Heise as soon as possible. (Start and end times for this position are negotiable).

Students may learn more about this opportunity here!