Research Opportunities

Anatomy and Neurobiology

We conduct a vigorous research program in “systems neuroscience” from the level of molecular signaling in neurodegenerative disease to the socioaffective biology of autism.

Biochemistry

We use cutting-edge technologies and experimental systems to address the cellular and molecular mechanisms of biological processes, particularly those that relate broadly to human diseases such as aging, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Biostatistics

We are actively engaged in a variety of methodological and collaborative research. Through the methodological research, our faculty identify and solve statistical problems and improve current practice in biomedical research. In collaborative research, our faculty are involved in study design and properly analyzing and interpreting data from clinical trials or observations studies. 

Cardiovascular Medicine

We specialize in clinical, basic & translational research and population science & epidemiology in a variety of cardiovascular specialties.

Computational Biomedicine 

Our focus is on translational research to better understand lung biology and disease using post-genomic technologies and computational tools. The long terms goals of our lab are two fold.  On the one hand, we seek to leverage these approaches to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of lung disease.  On the other hand, we seek to develop and apply new research approaches and to train physician-scientists and graduate students who can apply these tools in the setting of translational research.

Endocrine, Diabetes, Nutrition & Weight Management

Our team values interdisciplinary collaborations in a broad range of  areas including diabetes, nutrition & metabolism, endocrinology and obesity. Current and previous collaborators include experts in cardiology, microbiology, immunometabolism, gastroenterology, cancer, physiology/biophysics, clinical epidemiology, preventive medicine, obstetrics, and minimally invasive bariatric surgery. 

Environmental Health

Our work spans epidemiology, exposure science, toxicology, and risk assessment, and generally falls into one of four thematic areas:

• Exposure to complex mixtures and health across the life course: where we live, work, and play
• Translating environmental health to action through policy-relevant research
• Community-based environmental health: Addressing issues of environmental justice in collaboration with vulnerable populations
• Interdisciplinary research connecting basic and applied environmental health science

Epidemiology

Studies include Health Decline in Aged Caregivers, Investigating Breast Cancer and the Environment on Cape Cod, Long-term Follow-up of Individuals Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol, Neurotoxic Effects of PCE Exposure During Gestation and Childhood, Prostate Cancer Screening and Biomarkers, Internet-based Study of Time to Pregnancy, Mental Health in the Army and National Guard, Folic Acid “Resistant” Spina Bifida, Tuberculosis Clinical Trials and Epidemiologic Studies, the Black Women’s Health Study, Structural and Network Risk Factors in HIV and Substance Users, Reducing Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Public Housing, and the Framingham Heart Study.

Gastroenterology

Our goal is to study human biology in normal and disease states, through the use of stem cells in general and pluripotent stem cells in particular, with two major focuses: gastrointestinal tract and immunity/inflammation.

Genetics and Genomics

We focus on hypothesis-testing genetics and hypothesis-generating genomics to further promote advances in cellular, molecular, computational and biomedical sciences.

General Internal Medicine

Research focus is on disease prevention and improving wellness through projects ranging from treating addiction to improving women’s health.

Infectious Diseases

The Section of Infectious Diseases (ID) represents a dynamic and collaborative research group with demonstrated strengths in both basic and clinical research in areas such as bacterial pathogenesis, HIV, parasitology, host-pathogen interactions, vaccines, and innate immunity. 

Immunology Training Program

We focus our research on adaptive immunity, innate immunity and inflammation, autoimmunity, cancer immunology and immunotherapy, microbial and viral immunology.

Microbiology

We focus our research on the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial infection and the host immune response with areas of research including bacterial genetics, virus molecular biology, parasitology, host-pathogen interactions and immunology.

Molecular Medicine

We use molecular techniques to address basic, clinical and translational questions to address mechanisms of disease.

Nutrition and Metabolism

We focus on nutritional and metabolic aspects of chronic diseases from a multidisciplinary perspective that encompasses molecular, biochemical, physiological, clinical, epidemiologic aspects of human nutrition.

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

We utilize experimental and applied pathology to gain a better understanding of disease processes while working to develop methods for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases including cancer and neurological disorders.

Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics

Our primary faculty have diverse biomedical research interests and apply a wide-range of technologies in their Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine laboratories. The focus areas of our current Biomedical research encompass many facets of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics

Pulmonary

Research in the Pulmonary Center is elucidating the biology of healthy lungs, discovering mechanisms responsible for pulmonary disease, analyzing the efficacy and limitations of current pulmonary and critical care practices, and translating these findings to yield clinical advances. 

Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine

Research in the Pulmonary Center is elucidating the biology of healthy lungs, discovering mechanisms responsible for pulmonary disease, analyzing the efficacy and limitations of current pulmonary and critical care practices, and translating these findings to yield clinical advances.

Vascular Biology

Faculty mentors are experts in a variety of fields of cardiovascular biology that support trainees in pursuing independent projects.