{"id":2125,"date":"2022-10-04T14:43:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T18:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/?page_id=2125"},"modified":"2026-04-16T08:28:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:28:08","slug":"research-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/getting-involved-in-research\/research-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Below are several potential research projects available through faculty and mentors at the BU Chobanian &amp; Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. Interested BU medical students are encouraged to contact the listed mentors for more information.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you can explore the following links for guidance on finding mentors and explore more NIH-funded research opportunities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><a title=\"How to Find a Mentor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/getting-involved-in-research\/finding-a-mentor\/\">How to Find a Mentor<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a title=\"Boston Medical Center NIH Research Project Grants\" href=\"https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/search\/AX78m_GBrUmGuSih8-PUhw\/projects\">NIH Research Project Grants @ BMC<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a title=\"BU School of Medicine NIH Research Project Grants\" href=\"https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/search\/kMTbDuZky02Ncx0j-2S26w\/projects\">NIH Research Project Grants @ BUMC<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/search\/Q_16wM-aj0W-QFVFK3Up6w\/projects\">NIH Research Project Grants @ BU Charles River Campus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For Mentors<\/strong>: If you would like to post a new opportunity or update an existing one, please submit the information here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/for-mentors\/research-project-opportunity\/\">Post a research opportunity<\/a><\/p>\n<table width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Anatomy &amp; Neurobiology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Nobuyuki Ishibashi, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Research Project: <\/strong>The Ishibashi lab is designed to expose students to the rewards of laboratory research aimed at solving important health problems in children with congenital heart disease. Our lab&#8217;s overall mission is to maximize intellectual development and minimize neurological injury associated with congenital heart anomalies and their treatment using clinically relevant experimental models. We welcome medical students with a strong interest in p<\/span><span>ursuing a career as a physician-scientist focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms in biology. Through our lab you will:\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Gain hands-on laboratory experience in a uniquely integrated research field: developmental neuroscience and pediatric cardiology\/cardiac surgery.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Collaborate with faculty, staff scientist, postdoctoral fellows, and other interns.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Attend weekly presentations by lab members on specific research projects and cutting-edge research tools.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Improve presentation, writing, and communication skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In previous years, our students have successfully presented their work at major national scientific meetings and have co-authored peer-reviewed publications. The Ishibashi laboratory is located within the W2 building and includes state-of-the-art core facilities. The department is led by <a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Tarik.Haydar\">Dr. Tarik Haydar<\/a>, an internationally recognized developmental neuroscientist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Please visit our web page to learn more about our research.<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/anatneuro\/ishibashi-lab\/\"><span>https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/anatneuro\/ishibashi-lab\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Funding<\/strong>: Our funding sources include three federal grants (NIH R01HL139712, NIH R01HL146670, DoD HT94242510760) and internal funds to the Ishibashi laboratory. Funding sources will be discussed on an individual basis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you are interested, please reach our and email your current CV to Nobuyuki Ishibashi, MD (information below).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Nobuyuki Ishibashi | Clinical Instructor and Principal Investigator | <a href=\"mailto:nishibas@bu.edu\">nishibas@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Francesca Marino, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Description:\u00a0<\/strong><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The student will assist with manuscript writing for analyses examining digital biomarkers of cognitive function. This project will focus on identifying risk markers associated with faster rates of cognitive decline, increased risk of dementia, etc. These markers have the potential to improve early detection of dementia through continuous and free-living risk monitoring and increasing accessibility to populations historically underrepresented from research.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:fmarino1@bu.edu\">fmarino1@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Francesca.Marino\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Jean Pierre Roussarie, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals and Description: <\/strong>Ideal for an MSSRP student or longitudinal research program.<br \/>\nTwo different projects:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Characterization of the inhibitory neuron population around entorhinal cortex layer II neurons the most vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Entorhinal cortex layer II neurons are thought to be regulated by a very strong inhibitory drive that decreases with Alzheimer\u2019s. The particular interneuron type involved is not well understood. We want to identify the interneuron population most salient for layer II neurons by performing a detailed anatomical characterization of interneurons of the region. For this, we will analyze previously generated single-nucleus RNAseq data from entorhinal cortex, and will use multiplex in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, to identify the interneuron subtypes that are most closely associated to the vulnerable neurons.<\/li>\n<li>investigation of the mRNA targets for a miRNA that is enriched in entorhinal cortex layer II neurons, is downregulated in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and could be a major regulator of excitability in these cells. The project will involve cell-based assays as well as detection of the miRNA using in situ hybridization on mouse brain sections.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jproussa@bu.edu\">jproussa@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/JeanPierre.Roussarie\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/anatneuro\/\">Anatomy &amp; Neurobiology<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Jonathan Wisco, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Wisco Laboratory for Translational Anatomy of Degenerative Diseases and Developmental Disorders (TAD4)<\/strong><strong>Research Project Goals<\/strong>: Through participating in mentored research with Dr. Wisco, students will work together to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand and use best practices in experimental design<\/li>\n<li>Choose and\/or develop the appropriate techniques to answer experimental questions that address a hypothesis or grounded theory inquiry<\/li>\n<li>Submit an IRB application if appropriate<\/li>\n<li>Submit a grant application if appropriate<\/li>\n<li>Carry out experiments and\/or design\/deploy theoretical and conceptual frameworks to study their scientific questions<\/li>\n<li>Present their work at national and\/or international conference(s)<\/li>\n<li>Write and submit manuscript(s) to appropriate journal(s).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Each project has various titles<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong>: Dr. Wisco works with students to develop research topics, goals, and a timeline that reasonably accomplishes those goals. Dr. Wisco directly supervises teams of students who work together to accomplish their own research goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong> Funding Sources<\/strong>: NIH, IAMSE, and the BU Shipley Center for Digital Learning &amp; Innovation<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jjwisco@bu.edu\">jjwisco@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Jonathan.Wisco\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/anatneuro\/\">Anatomy &amp; Neurobiology<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Ella Zeldich, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title<\/strong>: The Role of X-chromosome-linked Genes in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease-related Pathology.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals<\/strong>: <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">This project focuses on the assessment of Down syndrome\u2013related neuropathology in iPSC-derived cortical organoids. Recent data from our laboratory suggest that myelination deficits observed in Down syndrome may be causatively linked to abnormal neuronal activity. Using advanced technological approaches, we have developed a method to enhance neuronal activity in cortical organoids. The goal of this study is to evaluate the extent to which myelin-related changes in trisomy are driven by aberrant neuronal function.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong>: <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The candidate should be able to dedicate approximately 10\u201312 hours per week to the project. Prior experience with confocal imaging, immunohistochemistry, and data analysis is preferred.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Source<\/strong>: NIA<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:ezeldich@bu.edu\">ezeldich@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Ella.Zeldich\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/anatneuro\/\">Anatomy &amp; Neurobiology<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Biochemistry &amp; Cell Biology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> David Harris, PhD, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The Harris laboratory is interested in the cellular and mechanisms underlying prion diseases, which have become the paradigm for other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. We are particularly focused on understanding how prions are neurotoxic, and on interventions that could block their neurotoxicity.<\/p>\n<p>Current projects include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Investigating the effects of prions on synaptic function.<\/li>\n<li>Studying the cell biology of different prion strains.<\/li>\n<li>Examining the role of astrocytes in prion biology.<\/li>\n<li>Enhancing prion degradation as a therapeutic approach.<\/li>\n<li>Investigating the mechanisms underlying familial prion diseases using iPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Time commitment for these projects is to be determined. Our research is supported by NIH grant R01 NS065244-14.<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:daharris@bu.edu\"> daharris@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/David.Harris\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/biochemcellbio\/profiles\/david-a-harris\/\">Biochemistry &amp; Cell Biology<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Valentina Perissi, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Research Project: <\/strong>Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with therapeutic challenges particularly evident in metastatic and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have emerged as a promising therapeutic class, exploiting defects in DNA damage repair pathways and showing efficacy both as single agents and in combination with other therapies. Despite their success, variability in efficacy and acquired resistance highlight the need to better understand endogenous mechanisms that regulate PARP enzymatic activity. We recently identified a protein that we hypothesize to function as endogenous inhibitor of PARP1 activity. Our preliminary data demonstrate it restricts PARP1 enzymatic function in vitro and modulates global ADP-ribosylation in cells. We propose to follow up on these studies with two main goals:<br \/>\n&#8211; Aim 1 will characterize the impact the inhibitor deletion or overexpression on PARPi sensitivity in TNBC cells, determining whether its expression levels influence PARP1 activity, ADP-ribosylation, and cellular responses to Olaparib.<br \/>\n&#8211; Aim 2 will dissect the molecular mechanism of inhibition of PARP1, employing biochemical interaction and PARylation assays to define the domains required for direct inhibition, with the long-term goal of informing the design of novel PARP inhibitory peptides.<\/p>\n<p>Together these studies will characterize a novel regulator of PARP1 activity, evaluate its relevance as a biomarker for PARPi-based therapies, and lay the groundwork for new strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance in breast cancer.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The project is appropriate for a student interested in performing molecular biology research for 1-2 years in a basic science lab. Research in the lab focus on genomic regulation of metabolism and mitochondria-nuclear communication in the context of adipose tissue and breast cancer cells. <span>\u00a0For more information see the lab website: <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/perissilab\">https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/perissilab<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:vperissi@bu.edu\">vperissi@bu.edu\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Valentina.Perissi\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Adult Primary Care <\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Natalia Morone, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title: <\/strong> Group-based Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Primary Care Setting<strong>Research Project Title<\/strong>: Group-based Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Primary Care Setting, (Optimizing Pain Treatment in Medical settings Using Mindfulness; OPTIMUM)<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><strong>Research Description<\/strong>: To integrate a mindfulness-based pain management program (OPTIMUM) into the primary care setting by conducting a pragmatic clinical trial of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in three distinct health care systems.<strong>Additional Research Grants<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Researchers to Achieve Growth and Excellence (COURAGE). NIH\/NIDDK &#8211; U24 DK132733<\/li>\n<li>COPC Administrative Supplement to Group-Based Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Primary Care Setting. NIH\/NCCIH &#8211; 3UH3AT010621-04S1<\/li>\n<li>Mentoring and Patient-Oriented Research in Mind and Body Practices. NIH-NCCIH- K24AT011561<\/li>\n<li>Building Up. To build the knowledge base of evidence-based interventions that advance the careers of postdocs, fellows, and junior faculty who are under-represented in the biomedical research workforce, we are proposing to test an intervention using near-peer mentoring. NIH-National Institute of General Medical Sciences &#8211; U01 GM132133<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: moronen@bu.edu \">moronen@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Natalia.Morone\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Biomedical Genetics <\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Lei Hou, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>We are seeking a highly motivated student interested in genomics\/bioinformatics to develop and validate predictive models connecting transcription factor (TF)\u2013cis-regulatory element (CRE)\u2013gene networks to DNA methylation changes captured in large-scale EWAS datasets. This project aims to establish a mechanistic link between trans-regulatory networks and epigenetic responses to environmental exposures, so that later we can model the risk of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease through gene-by-environmental interplay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:leihou@bu.edu\">leihou@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Lei.Hou\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Computational Biomedicine <\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Vijaya Kolachalama, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Research Project: <\/strong> Our laboratory&#8217;s mission is to create methods to fit the science and not make science fit the methods, making us one of the most unique laboratories at BU. If you are a medical student who is interested to work at the interface of cutting-edge AI and application in healthcare, then you are welcome to reach out to us. Our lab has a healthy mix of individuals from computer science, medical school, electrical &amp; computer engineering, bioinformatics and neuroscience. For more information about the Kolachalama Laboratory visit our website.We are broadly interested in biomedical machine vision, representation learning and domain generalization, with applications in neurology and cancer. We are currently working with various members of the industry and investment communities to identify ways to translate software technologies to the clinic.<strong>Research Grants: <\/strong> The American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health (NIA, NHLBI, NCI &amp; NIDDK), the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust, Gates Ventures, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories at NIA, and Johnson &amp; Johnson Enterprise Innovation.<strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational research<a href=\"mailto:vkola@bu.edu\"><\/a><a href=\"mailto:vkola@bu.edu\">vkola@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Vijaya.Kolachalama\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\nMedicine: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/compbiomed\/\">Computational Biomedicine <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/vkola\/\">Kolachalama Laboratory<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition &amp; Weight Management <\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Understanding how Vitamin D Enters and Exits Body Fat<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: The goal of this research project is to determine how vitamin D is stored in body fat and how it exits when needed. This will be accomplished using labeled vitamin D that is added to cultured murine and human adipocytes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> Variable depending on what part the student would like to play in the project.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding<\/strong>: Institutional resources<\/p>\n<p>Students will be mentored by Dr. Holick and Dr. Shirvani.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:mfholick@bu.edu\">mfholick@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Michael.Holick\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/endo\/research\/d\/\">Vitamin D Research<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Megan Jean Ritter, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title<\/strong>: <span>Nuclear Receptor Corepressors 1 and 2 and Their Role in Metabolic Health via Intestinal Actions<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project goals<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span>To determine the functional mechanism by which hypoglycemia and weight loss develop<\/span><br \/>\n<span>in mice lacking NCOR1 and SMRT in intestinal epithelial cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>To understand the individual and additive roles of NCOR1 and SMRT in intestinal epithelial cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>To establish the pathways regulated and the molecular targets of NCOR1 and SMRT<\/span><br \/>\n<span>in intestinal epithelial cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Other projects include understanding how NCOR1 and SMRT dictate thyroid hormone action in the liver across the spectrum of hypo- and hyperthyroidis<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Source:\u00a0<\/strong><span>NIDDK, 1K08DK143315-01<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:mjritter@bu.edu\">mjritter@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Megan.Ritter\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/endo\/research\/\">Medicine: Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition &amp; Weight Management<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Nicole Spartano, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Research Project:<\/strong> Continuous glucose monitoring: determinants and prediction of diabetes mellitus development in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.framinghamheartstudy.org\/\">Framingham Heart Study<\/a>.The goal of this project is to collect continuous glucose monitoring data in a healthy community-based sample to determine whether patterns identified in the rise and fall of glucose levels throughout the day can help predict risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Through linking patterns of dynamic glucose levels with diet and physical activity (among other factors like genetics, bacteria in the gut, and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease), this project may also lead to new discoveries that will tailor and target prevention of diabetes mellitus.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:spartano@bu.edu\">spartano@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Nicole.Spartano\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Epidemiology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"> Medicine: Family Medicine<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Kirsten Austad, MD, MPH<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Role: <\/strong>Research Assistant<br \/>\n<strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Improving Hospital Discharge Teaching<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Description:<\/strong> Hospital discharge is a dangerous time for patients: one in five will suffer an adverse event, such as a medication error, and nearly 25% will be readmitted within 30 days. This is especially true for patients who face communication barriers, including those with low health literacy, are elderly, or have a non-English language preference (NELP).<\/p>\n<p>The goal of the proposed project is to deliver an educational intervention to patients recently discharged from the hospital. We will recruit patients with NELP currently admitted to the hospital. A nurse will deliver the intervention by phone within 72 hours of discharge. We will evaluate patient outcomes, including by a phone interview within 1-2 weeks of discharge.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><strong>Start date:<\/strong> December 2025 or early January 2026<br \/>\n<strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> 10-15 hours per week through May 2026, requires availability at least three days per week in the mornings\/early afternoons<br \/>\n<strong>Requirements:<\/strong> CITI certification, clearance from BMC Occ Health (PI will assist)<br \/>\n<strong>Desired Skills:<\/strong> fluency Haitian Creole required, also strong work ethic, ability to work in multidisciplinary team, interest in health equity and working with populations with NELP, and cultural humility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Responsibilities: Include but not limited to the following:<\/strong><br \/>\n&#8211; Conduct participant screening<br \/>\n&#8211; Recruit patients currently admitted to the hospital to participate in the study<br \/>\n&#8211; Conduct informed consent with participants using interpreter when indicated<br \/>\n&#8211; Interface with clinical teams during recruitment and intervention<br \/>\n&#8211; Collection and cleaning of data<br \/>\n&#8211; Coordinate study logistics<br \/>\n&#8211; Participate in research group biweekly meetings and weekly check ins with PI<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applications:<\/strong> please send materials (statement of interest and CV; will request a letter of recommendation after initial screening) to PI Kirsten Austad (kirsten.austad@bmc.org)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:kirsten.austad@bmc.org\">kirsten.austad@bmc.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Kirsten.Austad\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Jeffrey Markuns, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>I lead our Global Health Collaborative in the Department of Family Medicine, focused on primary care system strengthening and workforce development globally, including in places like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Lesotho. We typically have a range of ongoing projects &#8211; often educational outcome evaluation programs in support of our international partners&#8217; workforce training programs. Faculty who might be involved in mentoring student projects include myself (Jeff Markuns, MD, EdM), Laura Goldman MD or Brian Jack MD. Our projects have a variety of funding resources (although often limited additional resources for hiring additional research staff). Time commitment and effort would vary depending on the particular current status of a particular project.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jmarkuns@bu.edu\">jmarkuns@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Jeffrey.Markuns\">BU Profile<\/a><a href=\"mailto:kfpatel@bu.edu\"> <\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Alyssa S. Tilhou, MD, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>I am leading a series of projects examining the role of buprenorphine in treating opioid use disorder. My research all involves secondary data from both national (Medicaid) and local (BMC and Boston Health Net) sources. In one series of projects, I am looking at the relationship between buprenorphine dosage and retention in care for patients with opioid use disorder. In another series of projects, I am looking at disparities in buprenorphine quality indicators at both the patient and neighborhood level. Faculty collaborators on these projects from BMC include Marc Larochelle, Jeffrey Samet, Kate Standish, and Bill Adams. I also collaborate with faculty at BU SPH including Laura White and Eleanor Murray. I have funding from NIDA (K08) and the BU CTSI.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of research<\/strong>: Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:tilhou@bu.edu\">tilhou@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Alyssa.Tilhou\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: General Medicine<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Joanne Murabito, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Role of Peripheral Immune Cells in Cognitive Aging: The Framingham Offspring Study<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project:<\/strong> Role of peripheral immune cells in cognitive aging: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.framinghamheartstudy.org\/\">The Framingham Offspring Study<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The prevalence of dementia in the population is increasing and there are currently no effective therapies or blood-based biomarkers to detect people at high risk. We plan to investigate the role of circulating immune cells as risk factors for dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and cognitive decline and to test whether associations differ in men and women and by genetic risk. This work will yield insights into the relationship between circulating immune cell types and brain aging, identify new biomarkers for cognitive decline, and may reveal novel therapeutic targets aimed at immune cell alterations to prevent and treat dementia.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:murabito@bu.edu\">murabito@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Joanne.Murabito\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medicine\/research\/\">Medicine: General Medicine<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Nicole Mushero, MD PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Research Description: <\/strong>I study aging and advanced illness in the criminal-legal population, focusing on mortality, opportunities for advocacy and gaps in current practices. I currently have a project to better understand &#8220;What Matters Most&#8221; to older incarcerated adults. I receive funding through HRSA and anticipate having need for a research assistant to help with data acquisition and analysis. This position is funded up to 20hrs per week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:nicole.mushero@bmc.org\">nicole.mushero@bmc.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Nicole.Mushero\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Global Health, BUSPH<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Davidson Hamer, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Multiple projects related to Chagas disease<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: There are multiple projects related to Chagas disease in migrants including a longitudinal cohort that we are following, a biobank, external collaborations with a laboratory that is developing a rapid test for serological diagnosis and a novel test of cure. We have funding from the CDC Parasitic Diseases branch and several SBIR grants with the external partner (Kephera) as well as two proposals under review at the NIH. Other individuals involved in mentoring include Drs. Dan Bourque and Natasha Hochberg.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Grant<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Partnership for Global Health Research Training Program (Renewal)<br \/>\nPresident and Fellows of Harvard College dba Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health NIH FIC \u2013 2D43TW010543-06<\/li>\n<li>GeoSentinel \u2013 The Global Surveillance Network of ISTM and CDC<br \/>\nInternational Society of Travel Medicine HHS CDC \u2013 1 U01CK000632-01-00<\/li>\n<li>Chagas Education for Essential Providers<br \/>\nBoston Medical Center Corporation HHS CDC<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:dhamer@bu.edu\">dhamer@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Davidson.Hamer\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Hematology Oncology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Gerald Denis, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Novel Plasma Exosome Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer Progression in Co-morbid Metabolic Disease<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project:<\/strong> Novel plasma exosome biomarkers for prostate cancer progression in co-morbid metabolic disease. Comorbid Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a metabolic complication of obesity, is prevalent among BMC cancer patients and associates with worse cancer outcomes for prostate, breast, head and neck, colorectal and several other solid tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms that explain these associations remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence shows that exosomes carry miRNAs in blood that encode the metabolic status of originating tissues and deliver their cargo to target tissues to modulate expression of critical genes. Exosomal communication potentially connects abnormal metabolism to cancer progression. New data support the hypothesis that T2D plasma exosomes induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate cancer cells and drive disease progression. We recently showed that plasma exosomes from BMC subjects with T2D induce EMT features in prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that specific exosomal miRNAs that are differentially abundant in plasma of T2D adults compared to nondiabetic controls (e.g., miR374a-5p, miR-93-5p and let-7b-3p) are delivered to cancer cells, thereby regulating critical target genes. Our previous reports show BRD4 controls migration and dissemination of castration-resistant prostate cancer, and transcription of key EMT genes; T2D exosomes require BRD4 to drive EMT. We validated our findings with gene set enrichment analysis of human genomic data from prostate tumor tissue. These results suggest novel, non-invasive biomarkers, and new approaches to evaluate and potentially block progression of prostate and other cancers, will benefit prostate cancer patients with comorbid T2D and refine clinical decision making. This NCI-supported project will investigate patient plasma exosomes, considering clinical variables like diabetes duration, metabolic medications, glucose control and demographic variables like age and race, to understand exosomal miRNA composition and how it relates to prostate cancer progression in patients with comorbid obesity and diabetes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment:<\/strong> Per week, 2 \u2013 3 days of commitment to bench research (10 hours) will be minimally required to make acceptable progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:gdenis@bu.edu\">gdenis@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Gerald.Denis\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shipley\/profile\/gerald-v-denis-phd\/\">Shipley Prostate Cancer Research Center<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Camille Edwards, MBBS<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Plasma Cell Disorders: MGUS, Multiple Myeloma, AL amyloidosis<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Interest<\/strong>: Plasma cell disorders \u2013 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma, systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Major focus &#8211; translational research collaboration with the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM) and BU Amyloidosis Center which focuses on using novel disease models for hematologic malignancies to study the earliest signs of disease, test treatments and develop the most promising therapeutic agents for clinical trials.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Grant<\/strong>: Myeloma SPORE Career Development Award, International Myeloma Foundation Brian D. Novis Grant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Basic Science, Translational, and Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:caedward@bu.edu\">caedward@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Camille.Edwards\"> BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Christopher Heaphy, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Join our translational <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/heaphylab\/\">cancer research program<\/a> focusing on normal and abnormal telomere biology in cancer. We employ human tissue-based, cell-based, and molecular methodologies to translate molecular findings into clinical applications for cancer risk prediction, prognosis, and targeted therapies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Interest<\/strong>: Our primary research areas include prostate cancer and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Grant<\/strong>: Supported by NIH\/NCI, Department of Defense, and foundations.<\/p>\n<p>Medical students will work closely with Dr. Heaphy (PI) and our team, conducting molecular analyses and tissue-based staining. Applicants should commit approximately 10 hours per week, ideally for at least 1 year, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a supportive research environment dedicated to advancing cancer science.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Translational<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:heaphyc@bu.edu \">heaphyc@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/profile\/christopher-heaphy\/\"> BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Infectious Diseases<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Deborah Anderson, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Developing Antibody-based Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Contraception and Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections<\/p>\n<p>For the past 40 years I have directed a research laboratory that studies reproductive health, mucosal immunology and HIV sexual transmission. Our current goal is to develop multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) products that control the sexual transmission of viruses and provide contraception. My laboratory was among the first to develop quantitative culture and PCR methods for monitoring HIV levels in genital secretions, and established a number of human cervical and vaginal cell lines and reconstructed 3-D tissue models for studies on female reproductive health. Our recent research is focused on the topical use of monoclonal antibodies to prevent the transmission of HIV and HSV-2, and for contraception.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Grant<\/strong>: Antibody-based Contraceptive MPTs: Advancing the Human Contraceptive Antibody (HCA) through Clinical Trials. P50 HD096957<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:dande@bu.edu\">dande@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Deborah.Anderson\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Karen Jacobson, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>Dr. Karen Jacobson&#8217;s research portfolio is currently comprised of two datasets: TRUST and TOTAL and a number of ongoing analyses. We have the opportunity to involve a medical student in general data cleaning, statistical analysis, and QA\/QC procedures to support on these multiple analyses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:karen.jacobson@bmc.org\">karen.jacobson@bmc.org<\/a> | <a href=\"mailto:kjacobso@bu.edu\">kjacobso@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Karen.Jacobson\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\nBMC Program Manager: <span>Sue Kulkarni Goodwin | <a href=\"mailto:suchitra.kulkarni@bmc.org\">suchitra.kulkarni@bmc.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Nephrology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Sushrut Waikar, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Kidney Precision Medicine.<\/p>\n<p>We have a number of R01 and U01 funded projects related to: kidney precision medicine; interventional trials of diabetic kidney disease; novel biomarkers of kidney disease; chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology. Our approaches span epidemiology through transcriptomics. Students interested in translational research on chronic diseases like CKD can learn more Waikar Laboratory <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/waikarlab\/\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:swaikar@bu.edu\">swaikar@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Sushrut.Waikar\"> BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/pulmonary\/research\/\">Pulmonary Research <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/waikarlab\/\">Waikar&#8217;s Laboratory<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Vipul Chitalia, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title: <\/strong> cardiovascular disease at the Intersection of another Organ Pathology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research project description:<\/strong> I am a physician-scientist, and the director of Center of Cross-Organ Vascular Pathology. Our lab focuses on the cardiovascular disease at the intersection of other organ pathology. We use a range of models including cell-based models, animal models (mice, rats, zebrafish, rabbits and pigs) and strive to confirm our hypothesis in humans. Also, there are on-going clinical studies using novel devices to address key bottlenecks in the area of cardiovascular disease. Prospective students can choose projects under these three domains:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease<\/strong>: CVD burden is high in CKD patients, and hence our work probes the profound effects of CKD (uremia) on vascular diseases in these patients (uremic vascular disease). CKD is characterized by the retention of several metabolites called uremic toxins, which inflict organ damage including, cardiovascular complications. Leveraging cellular and molecular techniques, animal models such as rodents, zebrafish and pigs, we attempt to dissect the mechanism of toxicity of these solutes. We strive to validate those hypotheses in human subjects using various techniques including machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Angiogenesis and cancer<\/strong>: Cancer progresses through several steps characterized by a conversion of normal tissue states to anaplasia and neoplasia. While the tumor continues to grow in a conducive environment, it draws leash of blood vessels along with it. Angiogenesis, a process of generation of novel blood vessels is fundamental during the development and in various diseases such as cancer. Wnt signaling, a highly conserved oncogenic pathway. We examine the details of this pathway in fundamental understanding how Wnt signaling is regulated in various cancers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biomedical engineering approach addressing kidney problems<\/strong>: The era of precision medicine warrants a multi-pronged approach to develop better biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Leveraging a rich interdisciplinary network of biomedical engineers, computation biologists, synthetic chemists, polymer chemists and health economists. Kidney problems and its potential solution lend itself for the biomedical engineering approach. Two major areas remain the focus of our effort \u2013 bioimaging to evaluate the extent of kidney damage and vascular disease in CKD and bioengineering approach to develop targeted dialyzer membrane to remove cardiotoxic uremic solutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:vichital@bu.edu\">vichital@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Vipul.Chitalia\"> BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covp-bumc.org\/\">Center of Cross-Organ Vascular Pathology<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Weining Lu, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project title<\/strong>: Study the efficacy and safety of a novel therapeutics lead in pre-clinical animal models of protein uric kidney diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals and Description<\/strong>: The primary goal of this project is to test the efficacy and safety of a novel therapeutic lead in pre-clinical animal models of protein uric kidney disease. Protein uric kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are significant causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure worldwide. CKD affects an estimated 13% of the population (~37 million) in the US and over 850 million people worldwide and costs the US at least $50 billion each year. Protein uric kidney diseases are mainly caused by injury to podocytes that regulate glomerular filtration and prevent serum albumin from leaking into the urine (also called podocytopathies). Proteinuria\/albuminuria is an early biomarker, risk factor, and surrogate outcome of CKD progression in patients. Injury to podocytes can cause podocyte foot process effacement and reduced slit-diaphragm density\/length, which result in reduced podocyte buttress force on the gel-like glomerular basement membrane (GBM), leading to high GBM hydraulic conductivity with high albumin permeability and significant albuminuria. Treatments that enhance podocyte adhesion and maintain podocyte foot process structure can thus enhance podocyte buttress force and reduce albuminuria. However, no kidney podocyte-specific anti-proteinuria therapy is currently available for protein uric kidney diseases, posing a significant unmet medical need worldwide.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Weining.Lu\">Read more<\/a> about Dr. Lu\u2019s research work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong>: Consistent with the time commitment in the medical student\u2019s Longitudinal Research Program (e.g., 6-10 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters and full time in the summer as described in the medical school research track in LEADS). This project can also be performed as a Research Year Program for medical students.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Sources<\/strong>: Government (e.g., NIH\/NIDDK), Medical School (e.g., CTSI, MSSPP), Departmental (e.g., DOM).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:wlu@bu.edu\">wlu@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Weining.Lu\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/nephrology\/\"> Nephrology Dept.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Pediatrics<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">BMC Pediatric Research Program <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmc.org\/pediatrics\/research\">Department of Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center<\/a> conducts extensive research with over 45 principal investigators and $17 million in annual grants. In the past three years, members published over 200 peer-reviewed articles. Research focuses on various areas, including health service research, gene-environment interactions, health disparities, and multiple pediatric health issues. The department also features the Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Pediatric Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Programs:<\/strong><br \/>\nAdolescent Research<br \/>\nAdolescent Substance Use Research<br \/>\nAsthma Research<br \/>\nDevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Research<br \/>\nNeonatal Research<br \/>\nNeonatal-Perinatal Health Equity Research<br \/>\nPediatric Infectious Disease Research<br \/>\nPediatric Neurology Research<br \/>\nPerinatal Substance Use Disorders Research<br \/>\nPlacental-Fetal Physiology Research<br \/>\nPulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Research<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Team Contact:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmc.org\/about-us\/directory\/doctor\/elisha-m-wachman-md\">Elisha M. Wachman, MD, Vice Chair for Research, Pediatrics<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmc.org\/about-us\/directory\/doctor\/alison-galbraith-md-mph\">Alison Galbraith, MD, MPH, Chief of Pediatric Health Services Research<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Genevieve Guyol, MD, MAT <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Research Description:\u00a0<\/strong>T<span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">his is a project to survey parents of preterm children about their perceptions of &#8220;early relational health,&#8221; or strong parent-child relationships. We are interested in recruiting a student to contact families to obtain consent and explain survey procedures to parents. This project has been funded by the Doris Duke Foundation. There would be presentation and publication opportunities for student researchers. If you are interested, please contact <a href=\"mailto:genevieve.guyol@bmc.org\">genevieve.guyol@bmc.org<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:genevieve.guyol@bmc.org\">genevieve.guyol@bmc.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Genevieve.Guyol\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Lillian Juttukonda, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Research Project: <\/strong>\u00a0My laboratory is studying how the respiratory tract develops in preterm infants. Preterm infants have significantly higher risk for chronic respiratory disease, asthma, and hospitalization from viral infections. We are using nasal swabs from premature and full-term infants to study how respiratory cell development is altered by premature birth and critical care. This is a translational research project with opportunities for direct clinical interactions with families of preterm infants, laboratory-based cell culture experiments, clinical chart review, and computational analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data. A motivated student will have the opportunity to complete an independent project for presentation or publication. This project is funded by the Gerber Foundation and BMC start-up funds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Translational research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:lillian.juttukonda@bmc.org\">lillian.juttukonda@bmc.org<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Lillian.Juttukonda\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr><\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Markus Bosmann, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Molecular Immune Responses to Infection in Pneumonia and Sepsis<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals: <\/strong>Our lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of host defense during microbial infections, with a particular focus on pneumonia, and sepsis. These life-threatening complications are associated with profound immune dysregulation and, in the absence of definitive treatment options, represent a major global health challenge.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span>Our research aims to:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>1. Define the molecular pathways driving immune responses to bacterial infections.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>2. Identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets in ARDS and sepsis.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>3. Evaluate the role of newly discovered genes using genetically engineered mouse models generated in our laboratory by CRISPR-Cas9.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Representative work includes our publication in Nature Communications (2020 Aug 12; 11(1):4035).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Anticipated Time Commitment:<\/strong> 1 year (or longer).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Sources: <\/strong><span>Funding of supplies through NIH research grants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other Relevant Information:<\/strong><br \/>\n<span>The student will receive training and hands-on experience in:<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Animal models of disease, including mouse survival surgery, genotyping, and breeding colony management.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 Immunology and molecular biology techniques (e.g., ELISA, PCR, Western blotting, lung histology, cell culture).<\/span><br \/>\n<span>\u2022 General laboratory management and organizational skills.<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:mbosmann@bu.edu\">mbosmann@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Markus.Bosmann\"> BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/pulmonary\/about-us\/people\/markus-bosmann-m-d\/\">Bosmann Laboratory<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Katrina Steiling, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Project Title: <\/strong> Lung Cancer Screening<\/p>\n<p>Our group evaluates the utility of lung cancer screening, health disparities in lung cancer screening, and interventions to mitigate disparities in lung cancer screening and follow up care. Several projects are available for students with varying time commitments. Students would be mentored by Dr. Steiling, and closely work with the multi-disciplinary Lung Cancer Screening group, a nurse practitioner screening coordinator and patient navigators.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:steiling@bu.edu\">steiling@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Katrina.Steiling\"> BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Rheumatology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Andreea Bujor, MD, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project Title: Translational Studies of Fibrosis and Microvascular Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Type:\u00a0<\/strong>Translational research<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project Description:<\/strong> Our group conducts translational systemic sclerosis research that links human biospecimens, advanced imaging, and mechanistic models. Major goals are to:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Define how monocyte\/macrophage dysregulation and fibroblast\u2013immune crosstalk drive skin and cardiac fibrosis, using conditional Fli1 knockout mice, in vitro co\u2011culture systems, and omics approaches;<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Leverage a large, longitudinal SSc biorepository at BUMC (including detailed clinical phenotyping, skin biopsies, blood, and cardiac data) to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets;<\/li>\n<li>Develop and validate noninvasive imaging biomarkers of microvascular and tissue involvement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Current projects include optical imaging studies (such as spatial frequency domain imaging of skin) as objective outcome measures, and OCT\/OCTA of the retina plus nailfold capillaroscopy to quantify systemic microvascular dysfunction and its relationship to Raynaud\u2019s phenomenon, digital ischemia, and cardiac involvement. The lab is supported by multiple NIH R01 awards and industry collaborations, and includes a undergraduate and postgraduate fellows, and a full\u2011time research coordinator, with access to a dedicated computational biologist in our center for advanced imaging and omics data analyses. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Students can typically commit 4\u201310 hours\/week during the academic year (or full\u2011time in summer) and may engage in bench work, animal models, imaging and omics data analysis, and biorepository\u2011based clinical\/translational projects, with opportunities to contribute to abstracts and manuscripts<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:andreea@bu.edu\">andreea@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Andreea.Bujor\"> BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Medicine: Vascular Biology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Jessica Fetterman, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Title<\/strong>: Complex IV Deficiency in Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anticipated Time Commitment<\/strong>: 10-20 hours\/week with flexibility<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Sources<\/strong>: Internal funds<\/p>\n<p>The goal of our project is to determine the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial complex IV deficiency in human cardiomyocytes by affected complex IV subunit. We will utilize antisense oligonucleotides to knockdown each of the complex IV subunits implicated in mitochondrial cardiomyopathy in human induced pluripotent derived stem cells differentiated to cardiomyocytes with comprehensive evaluation of cardiomyocyte phenotype and mitochondrial function.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jefetter@bu.edu\">jefetter@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Jessica.Fetterman\"> BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Neurology<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Hugo J. Aparicio, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Project Title:<\/strong> Stroke Epidemiology in a National Veterans Cohort<strong>Project Goals and Description:<\/strong> VA Cardiovascular Epidemiology working group w\/ collaborators from BU, BI, Brigham, Emory, and other institutions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>E-cohort\u201d w\/ electronic health record, administrative data, pharmacy data, death records<\/li>\n<li>10,000\u2019s of stroke events<\/li>\n<li>Many ongoing and in-development projects on stroke risk prediction, US risk mapping, health disparities, statin use, and mortality outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment:<\/strong> 1\u20132-year commitment with close mentoring. Research proposal meetings Fridays 2x per month 10-11am<br \/>\n<strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:hugoa@bu.edu\">hugoa@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Hugo.Aparicio\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/neurology\/\">Neurology: Neurocritical Care\/Stroke<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Andrew Budson, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>C<span>urrent research projects involve (1) understanding the relationship between memory, consciousness, and dementia, (2) the use of EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), structural MRI, and amyloid PET scans to understand changes in veridical and false memories in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer\u2019s disease, (3) assessing the impact of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with and without Alzheimer\u2019s disease, (4) developing cognitive strategies and interventions (e.g., using theta-band neurofeedback, or transcranial alternating current stimulation) to compensate for changes in memory, (5) understanding consolidation in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and (6) understanding the cause of visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies and posterior cortical atrophy. The anticipated time commitment 10 hours per week (minimum) for two semesters OR 30-40 hours per week for one semester. Our funding sources include the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation. Research interns have the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of research assistants, graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and cognitive behavioral neurologists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:abudson@bu.edu\">abudson@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Andrew.Budson\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Brandon Frank, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Current Project Descriptions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span>1) Retrospective review of memory patients with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and related dementias <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>2) Combining Machine Learning Methods and Scalable In Vivo Biomarkers for the Early and Accurate Detection of Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease in Veterans. Research interns are expected to commit to 8-10 hours per week (minimum) for two semesters OR 30-40 hours per week for one semester. Research interns have the opportunity to join a dynamic group of research assistants, graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows, neuropsychologists, and cognitive-behavioral neurologists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:bfrank@bu.edu\">bfrank@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Brandon.Frank\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Anna Hohler, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals and Description<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Evaluation of music therapy to reduce anxiety in dementia patients.<br \/>\nGroup project &#8211; Time commitment is about 10 hours a week<\/li>\n<li>Evaluation of wearable device in PD patients.<br \/>\nGroup project &#8211; Time commitment is about 10 hours a week<\/li>\n<li>Evaluation of the Impact of weather on admissions for Parkinson&#8217;s disease patients.<br \/>\nGroup project &#8211; Time commitment is about 10 hours a week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: anna.hohler@steward.org\"> anna.hohler@steward.org <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Anna.Hohler\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\nLocation: St. Elizabeth&#8217;s Medical Center<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Charlene Ong, MD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a list of research projects for students interested in working with Dr. Ong and her team in the Neurology Department:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pupil-Alert<\/strong><span>: Collaborate with Drs. Ong, Gilmore, Sheth, Abdalkader, and Mohammed from Yale and BMC to investigate how pupillometry relates to neurologic deterioration, seizures, medication effects, infections, agitation, and imaging features.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>CSF Volume and Pupillometry<\/strong>: Join Drs. Ong, Dhar, Abdalkader, and Smirnakis from Wash U, MGB, and BMC to explore how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume can improve predictions of neurologic deterioration and its association with pupillometry.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quantified Eye Movements in Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients<\/strong>: Work with Drs. Ong, Greer, and Shin from UNC to apply machine learning algorithms to quantify eye movements in post-cardiac arrest patients and analyze their link to patient outcomes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cerebral Edema Detection through EEG<\/strong>: Partner with Drs. Ong, Cheng, Al-Faraj, and Noviawaty from epilepsy and BUSPH to develop machine learning algorithms for detecting cerebral edema in patients after cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Large Language Models for NIHSS Classification<\/strong>: Collaborate with researchers from the BU Hairiri Center for Computing Sciences, NYU, and MGB to utilize large language models for classifying the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) from unstructured clinical exam data.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brain4Care Device Feasibility<\/strong>: Assist Dr. Ong in recruiting participants and evaluating the feasibility of Brain4Care, a non-invasive device for measuring brain compliance in patients at risk of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:cjong@bu.edu\">cjong@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Charlene.Ong\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/neurology\/\">Neurology Department<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Rafael Romero, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title 1<\/strong>: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) and Stroke in Minorities<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goal<\/strong>: To characterize the relation of CSVD in brain imaging (CT and MRI) and stroke characteristics and outcomes in minorities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title 2<\/strong>: Inflammation and Enlarged Perivascular Spaces in the Framingham Heart Study<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goal<\/strong>: To study the relation of a comprehensive panel of inflammatory biomarkers (vascular and systemic) to topography and burden of enlarged perivascular spaces on brain MRI.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways you can get involved<\/strong>: Writing of research proposal, interpretation of results, preparation of abstract for presentation at a meeting, preparation of manuscript.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learning Opportunities<\/strong>: Develop a research proposal, understand concepts on study design, statistical analyses, interpretation and presentation of results, poster\/platform presentation, manuscript preparation and submission.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong>: 1 year. A timeline will be discussed on the initial meeting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:joromero@bu.edu\">joromero@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Jose.Romero\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/neurology\/\">Neurology<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Marie Helene Saint-Hilaire , MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Parkinson\u2019s Progression Markers Initiative<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals and Description<\/strong>: APDA\u2019s Centers for advanced Research support research trainees, fellowship programs, early-stage discovery, and later-stage clinical translation. The Centers facilitate investigative research into the causes, treatments, and ultimately a cure for Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Several other randomized controlled clinical trials<\/li>\n<li>Patient and care partner education projects<\/li>\n<li>Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Parkinson\u2019s disease projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Funding Sources:\u00a0<\/strong>Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson&#8217;s Research (10\/01\/2010-01\/31\/2024)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:neuromsh@bu.edu\">neuromsh@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/MarieHelene.SaintHilaire\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/neurology\/\">Neurology, APDA Centers for Advanced Research<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Kara Smith, MD MSCI <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: A music-based intervention to improve hospital-acquired delirium: A pilot study in patients with neurodegenerative diseases<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical<\/p>\n<p><strong>Goals:<\/strong> We will pilot test a novel music-based intervention called DyNAMIC (Delirium in Neurodegenerative disease: A Music therapy intervention for hospital Care). A preliminary protocol for the DyNAMIC intervention has been created in our previous work. In the current work, we will refine the DyNAMIC intervention protocol for the target population to enhance its reproducibility and treatment fidelity. We will assess feasibility and acceptability. To explore future potential physiologic markers of effectiveness, we will assess the feasibility of using pupillary responses (measured by pupillometry, PM) and heart rate variability (HRV) to track response to the DyNAMIC MBI in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anticipated time commitment:<\/strong> It is preferred to be available at least 4 hours\/week regularly. The project will occur between March 2026 and Feb 2027. Study activities can be adjusted depending on time availability.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Sources:<\/strong> Spivack Neuroscience Pilot Program, Gertler Grant for Neurology Pilot Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:kara.smith@bmc.org\">kara.smith@bmc.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Kara.Smith\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Kushak Suchdev, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Project Title: <\/strong> Lung Cancer Screening<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Clinical and diagnostic predictors of functional outcome in patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) at Boston Medical Center<\/p>\n<p><strong>Description of Research Project:<\/strong> The TBI study is a collaborative study between the departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Trauma surgery, Radiology and Anesthesia. The study aims to establish a TBI database at Boston medical center, which is the largest level 1 trauma center in New England. The other aims of the project are studying the clinical and diagnostic predictors of outcome in patients with TB.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research and Public Health<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:ksuchdev@bu.edu\">ksuchdev@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Kushak.Suchdev\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Katherine Turk, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Current Project Descriptions: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1) How mindfulness can impact memory, cognition, mood, and self-awareness in healthy older Veterans and in Veterans with early-stage Alzheimer\u2019s Disease. Older Veterans are randomly assigned to participate in a 10-week virtual mindfulness class or a social group or a passive waitlist. EEG, surveys, and questionnaires are administered before and after the random assignment.<\/p>\n<p>2) How thinking and memory change with aging and due to head injuries and aging. Specifically, we are interested in looking at how people\u2019s behavioral responses to surveys, questionnaires, and computer games change with age and due to head injuries and how that differs from non-traumatic cognitive impairment, e.g., due to neurodegenerative disease.<\/p>\n<p>3) Investigating the impact of regular spaced-retrieval review of daily life images on autobiographical memory retention and neurophysiological correlates of memory immediately after a two-week training period. The spaced-retrieval review is administered via a smartphone application. Research interns are expected to commit for 8-10 hours a week (minimum) for two semesters OR 30-40 hours per week for one semester. Funding comes from the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust and the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Research interns have the opportunity to join a dynamic group of research assistants, graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows, neuropsychologists, and cognitive-behavioral neurologists.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:kturk@bu.edu\">kturk@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Katherine.Turk\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Occupational Therapy<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Daniel Fulford, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Neurobehavioral Mechanisms Involved in Social Perception and Motivation in Individuals w\/ and w\/o Serious Mental Illness<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Stable and dynamic neurobehavioral phenotypes of social isolation and loneliness in serious mental illness (R01MH125426)<\/li>\n<li>Passive sensing of social isolation: A digital phenotyping approach (R01MH122367)<\/li>\n<li>Modeling Dimensions of Individual Variation in Adaptive Foraging Decisions (R21MH124095)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These projects test hypotheses regarding motivation, social isolation, and loneliness in serious mental illness. One project examines the neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness, as well as associations with cardiometabolic health. In two projects we investigate the specific dynamic interactions among social experiences in daily life. We also conduct experimental research on decision making processes and links with psychopathology.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding: <\/strong>The above funded projects will last between 2 and 5 more years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:dfulford@bu.edu\">dfulford@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Daniel.Fulford\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/\">Occupational Therapy, Rehab Sciences, and Psychological &amp; Brain Sciences (PhD programs) <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/research\/research-labs-centers\/\">Health &amp; Rehabilitation Science Research<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Ophthalmology &amp; Vision Sciences<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Andrew Taylor, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Immunobiology of the Retina<\/p>\n<p>Within the healthy eye, mechanisms to control and manipulate immunity are necessary to preserve vision. Several specific neuropeptides present within the healthy eye regulate different immune cells and different immune cell functions. Collectively, they suppress inflammation and promote immune cell-mediated anti-inflammatory activity and immune-tolerance. Understanding how these neuropeptides alter immunity and work together to suppress inflammation profoundly impacts finding ways to reestablish health in the eyes following infection, graft rejection, autoimmune disease, and trauma. Our experimental approach uses molecular biology, biochemistry, histology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, gene delivery, cultured immune cells, and immune model techniques. Each student has a separate research opportunity linked to the general study of vision science and immunobiology.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science.<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:awtaylor@bu.edu\">awtaylor@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Andrew.Taylor\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ophthalmology\/research-programs\/andrew-w-taylor-phd\/\">Ophthalmology Department<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Pharmacology, Physiology &amp; Biophysics<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Shannon Fisher, MD, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Research Project:<\/strong> The Fisher lab uses zebrafish as a model organism to study the genetic risks and developmental biology underlying craniofacial birth defects. We focus on craniosynostosis (CS), one of the most common birth defects, affecting 1\/2000 newborns. At birth, the major bones of the top of the skull are normally held together by connective tissue at sutures. In infants with CS, one or more of the sutures are replaced by solid bone, restricting brain growth and potentially leading to neurological problems. We use zebrafish to understand better the genetic risk factors for CS in the human population, and to characterize the process of suture development through live imaging. There are several ongoing projects of potential interest to medical students:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Gene dysregulation in ERF mutants<\/strong>: We have made a zebrafish mutant for the gene encoding ERF, one cause of CS in humans. ERF is a repressor of gene expression, and we are using the zebrafish model to identify the critical target genes upregulated in ERF mutants during skull development.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Live imaging in CS zebrafish model<\/strong>: Using live confocal imaging, we are following the process of skull development in ERF mutants. Imaging at equivalent stages in other animal models, like mice, is not possible, so we have a unique opportunity to understand the biology underlying this common human birth defect.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Functional assay for SMAD6 protein function<\/strong>: Individuals carrying a mutation in SMAD6 are at increased risk of CS, and SMAD6 mutations are also linked to heart defects and other cardiovascular malformations. Despite these health risks, SMAD6 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in the human population, and many carriers are apparently healthy. In some cases, computational predictions disagree about whether a mutation will adversely affect protein function. We have developed an assay for SMAD6 protein function using RNA injections into zebrafish embryos, and are using it to test mutations found in patients with CS, with other birth defects, and in apparently healthy carriers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We have identified a single base change (SNP) within an enhancer for a gene in the BMP signaling pathway (BMPER) <\/strong>that increases risk of CS for carriers by 4-fold. We are using transgenic zebrafish to test the hypothesis that the SNP adds a new transcription factor binding site to the enhancer and increases BMPER expression during a critical period of skull development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Time commitment<\/strong>: Flexible, but would prefer students willing to make an ongoing commitment to a project.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding<\/strong>: We are supported by a grant from NIH\/NIDCR.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:shanfish@bu.edu\">shanfish@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Mary.Fisher\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Rachel L. Flynn, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Research Project:<\/strong> Telomere elongation is a requisite for cellular immortality and a hallmark of cancer cells. Most cancer cells rely on reactivation of the enzyme telomerase or activation of the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway (ALT) to promote telomere elongation. The prevalence of ALT across all cancers is approximately 10%, however the prevalence of ALT in cancers of neuroepithelial and mesenchymal origin are estimated to be over 50%. Although comprehensive studies in children are limited, analysis in our lab suggests that ALT is prevalent in approximately 95% of pediatric osteosarcoma. Given that ALT activity is absent in normal tissue, targeting the ALT mechanism has become an attractive target in the treatment of ALT positive cancers including pediatric osteosarcoma. While several therapeutic modalities have showed promise in vitro, there are currently no clinical trials specifically for the treatment of ALT positive cancers. Therefore, defining the genetic and molecular underpinnings of ALT activity could not only identify genetic vulnerabilities in the ALT pathway, but drive therapeutic development for the treatment of ALT positive cancers.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Specific Aim 1<\/strong>: Define the prevalence of TERC mutations in pediatric osteosarcoma. Our preliminary data demonstrate that approximately 30% of our pediatric osteosarcoma samples (N=20) harbor mutations in the TERC gene. To increase the power of our analysis we will acquire 50 new tumors from the Children\u2019s Oncology Group and analyze the TERC gene using custom designed primers that extend coverage into both the promoter and 3\u2019 UTR. In parallel, we will determine ALT status by quantifying C-rich extrachromosomal telomeric repeats (C-circles) from gDNA. C-circles are the gold standard in the field for analysis of ALT activity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specific Aim 2<\/strong>: TERC mutations as an early driver event in the genetic evolution of ALT positive tumors. Our identification of TERC mutations in a subset of ALT tumors suggests that functional inactivation of telomerase may increase the likelihood of ALT activation. Therefore, in collaboration with the Data Science Core we will use whole-exome sequencing (including custom designed TERC probes) in TERC mutant ALT positive tumors to infer genetic evolution of pediatric osteosarcoma using a computational pipeline called PhylogicNDT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Mentoring:<\/strong> Myself and a senior Graduate Student (Joshua Keegan)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding:<\/strong> Start-up with the goal of generating preliminary data to acquire funding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:rlflynn@bu.edu\">rlflynn@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/busm\/profile\/rachel-flynn\/\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Christopher Gabel, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project title<\/strong>: The Role of Gap Junctions in Anesthesia.<\/p>\n<p>Our lab employs advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative behavioral measurements to study the effects of anesthetics on neuronal function in the nematode worm C. elegans. The simplicity of the C. elegans nervous system (exactly 302 neurons) facilitates the comprehensive, quantitative analysis of its behavioral neural circuitry.<\/p>\n<p>We are currently studying the effects of specific genetic mutations on susceptibility to volatile anesthetics with the ultimate goal of understanding the molecular, cellular and circuit level mechanisms of action of these widely used but poorly understood drugs. In parallel to neuronal imaging experiments, we perform quantitative video analysis of C. elegans behavior to assess anesthetic state of the animals.<\/p>\n<p>We are looking for an interested student to assist in behavioral assays testing C. elegans strains with mutations in neuronal gap junction genes. Results will identify genes that alter anesthetic susceptibility that will then be further investigated in our multi-neuron imaging assays.<\/p>\n<p>Students will gain experience in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Basic C. elegans neurobiology and genetics<\/li>\n<li>Identifying regulators of the Hippo Pathway<\/li>\n<li>Computer automated video and data analysis<\/li>\n<li>Advanced volumetric multi-neuron functional imaging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Students will work closely with Prof. Gabel as well as members of his research team within The Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics on the BU medical campus.<\/p>\n<p>For more info visit <a href=\"http:\/\/biophysics.bumc.bu.edu\/faculty\/gabel\/index.html\"> our website<\/a>. Interested applicants should send an e-mail with resume and brief background to <a href=\"mailto:cvgabel@bu.edu\">cvgabel@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong>: The project is expected to run ~1 year. Hours are flexible but a consistent ~5hrs a week would be desirable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:nganem@bu.edu\">cvgabel@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Christopher.Gabel\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Neil J. Ganem, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The Ganem lab is currently comprised of 6 PhD students. MD students who join the lab will be mentored initially by a senior PhD student.<\/p>\n<p><strong>General Research Areas Include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defining mechanisms of genome instability<\/li>\n<li>Identifying regulators of the Hippo Pathway<\/li>\n<li>Working with mouse models of sarcoma and melanoma<\/li>\n<li>Using synthetic-lethal screens to identify cancer-specific gene dependencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Funding<\/strong>: NIH and Foundation funding is available for all projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment<\/strong> is variable, depending on the project and whether it is during the academic or summer term.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:nganem@bu.edu\">nganem@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Neil.Ganem\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Olga Gursky, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Our small protein and lipid biophysics\/biochemistry lab works on two major NIH-funded basic research projects:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Structural stability and functional remodeling of model and plasma lipoproteins, including HDL, LDL and VLDL, in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases<\/li>\n<li>Molecular basis for protein misfolding in amyloid diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Local, national and international collaborations with fundamental and clinical scientists add strength to our basic research.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:gursky@bu.edu\">gursky@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Olga.Gursky\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Zhen Jiang, MD, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jiang Laboratory Research Focus:<\/strong> Obesity and Systemic Inflammation<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Understanding the role of neutrophils in the development of obesity-related systemic inflammation, tissue damage, and remodeling.<br \/>\nUsing a quantitative serum proteomic approach, we discovered that obesity leads to the imbalance between serine protease neutrophil elastase and serine protease inhibitor alpha-1-antitrypsin both in mouse models and human subjects. Our studies also revealed that obesogenic diet feeding induces alternation of hematopoiesis with a dramatic increase of pro-inflammatory neutrophil production and pro-inflammatory phenotype in mice. Interestingly, mice lacking neutrophil-specific protease neutrophil elastase are resistant not only to diet-induced neutrophil production but also to obesogenic diet-induced vascular damage, adipose inflammation and fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and insulin resistance. We are in the process to study how nutritional factors are involved in the regulation of neutrophil differentiation, immune cell interactions with vascular wall and tissue-resident cells, and how these processes are related to the development of systemic inflammation, NASH, adipose tissue fibrotic remodeling, and metabolic disorders.<\/li>\n<li>Neutrophils play a pivotal role in obesity-related vascular injury and vascular aging.<br \/>\nOur study revealed that neutrophils contribute to obesity-related vascular leakage and immune cell infiltration in adipose tissue by releasing neutrophil elastase. The latter increases vascular permeability through activating protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) signaling in vascular endothelial cells. Our recent studies also revealed that neutrophils are involved in vascular aging and related arterial stiffness. We are currently investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms by which obesity and aging regulate the interactions between neutrophils and vascular cells.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>We are applying cell culture and animal models to our study using a variety of basic techniques. We encourage medical students to visit the lab and discuss potential projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding:<\/strong> Funded by an NIH R01 grant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:zyjiang@bu.edu\">zyjiang@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Zhen.Jiang\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">William Lehman, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: Dr. Lehman\u2019s research is focused on characterizing the role played by muscle thin filaments in regulating cardiac and smooth muscle contractility. To accomplish his research goals, he takes a structural approach involving a combination of molecular biology, cryo-electron microscopy, and image processing as well as uses computational tools such as molecular dynamics and protein-protein docking protocols. His laboratory was the first to directly visualize the steric-blocking mechanism of muscle regulation by identifying the positions assumed by tropomyosin on actin in the presence and the absence of Ca2+. His molecular models of actin-containing thin filaments provide a framework to investigate disease-bearing mutations leading to cardiomyopathies and for drug discovery to counteract corresponding disease development.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Lehman&#8217;s team consists of Drs. Rynkiewicz, Karpicheva and Ramachandran. He collaborates actively with Dr. Bullitt in the PP&amp;B department as well as with colleagues at Yale University, UMass-Lowell, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington and the University of Kent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Grant:<\/strong> NIH- Thin Filaments and Muscle Regulation; Computational Pipeline for Identification of Disease-Causing Variants in Genes of the Cardiac Sarcomere; and Pathogenesis and In Vivo Suppression of Thin Filament Based Cardiomyopathies.<br \/>\n<strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:wlehman@bu.edu\">wlehman@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/william.Lehman\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/wci-training-programs\/mentors\/william-lehman-ph-d\/\">Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Marisol Lopez, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Project Title<\/strong>: Implementing Visual Frameworks as a Trauma-Inclusive Pedagogy to <\/span><span>Increase Accessibility in a Physiology Course<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals:<\/strong><br \/>\n<span>1. To create a visual framework of a Physiology course unit to support student learning.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>2. To evaluate the effectiveness of the framework on student content knowledge.<\/span><br \/>\n<span>3. To explore students\u2019 perceptions of the use of visual frameworks in learning Physiology.<\/span><br \/>\n<span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Project Description:<\/strong> This project seeks to increase the accessibility of the Physiology course for all students enrolled in a postbaccalaureate pathway program. A trauma-inclusive teaching practice will be used to provide specific support to students from underrepresented groups and other students who may have experienced trauma in their lives. With a visual framework that organizes the content of a Physiology course unit (cardiovascular), students will be able to organize their knowledge in a way that will allow them to understand the overarching idea of how the organ system works. In addition, as students go through the unit, they will be able to add what they learn in each lesson to this visual framework. This mind-mapping activity will help students increase their understanding of the topic which may lead to better outcomes in course assessments.<\/span><br \/>\n<span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>What will you learn:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>IRB protocol submission<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Inclusive teaching practices<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Survey design<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Identify and utilize theoretical frameworks to study scientific question<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Quantitative and Qualitative analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Abstract and poster preparation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Manuscript preparation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Educational Research<\/span><br \/>\n<span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Funding:<\/strong> Supported by NBME grant. Covers study participant compensation for participation in surveys and focus groups.<\/span><br \/>\n<span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>To apply:<\/strong> Send a CV and statement of interest and availability to Dr. Marisol Lopez at <a href=\"mailto:mlopez@bu.edu\">mlopez@bu.edu<\/a>. Since this project includes the development of visual resources and materials, please discuss your interest in Physiology and any background\/examples of sketchnoting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Time Commitment:<\/strong> 12-15 months involvement ideal with close mentoring by Dr. Lopez. Flexible hours but an ongoing commitment of 6-8 hours a week is desirable. However, I am willing to consider other options if recruiting 2 students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:mlopez@bu.edu\">mlopez@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Marisol.Lopez\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Clint Makino, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Molecular Determinants of Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Outer Segment Structure<\/p>\n<p><span>Retinal rod photoreceptors capture photons so that we are able to see under very dim light. Photon capture occurs within the outer segment, an elaborate nonmotile cilium, that contains nearly a thousand flattened membranous disks that are jam packed with the visual pigment rhodopsin. Genetic mutations that affect rhodopsin and several structural proteins, RDS\/peripherin and ROM1, prevent disk formation or alter disk structure. Inability to form disks, or the formation of defective disks can cause rod cell death and blindness. We are imaging disks of mutant mice with varying levels of rhodopsin, peripherin and ROM1 using transmission electron microscopy, to understand how the expression levels affect disk structure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: cmakino@bu.edu \"> cmakino@bu.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Clint.Makino \">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/profile\/clint-l-makino\/\"> Pharmacology, Physiology &amp; Biophysics Department <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/the-makino-lab\/\/\">Makino&#8217;s Laboratory <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Assen Marintchev, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Project Title: <\/strong> Lung Cancer Screening<\/p>\n<p><strong> Research Project:<\/strong> Our research is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms and regulation of protein synthesis (translation) in human cells and the integrated stress response (ISR). Dysregulated ISR is a causative factor in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.<br \/>\nSpecific areas of interest include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The architecture of the translation initiation complexes, the molecular mechanisms of key steps in the process, and their regulation.<\/li>\n<li>The coordination between translation initiation and ISR and how ISR inhibitors can be used to protect neurons from apoptosis.<\/li>\n<li>Quantitative analysis of the translation process in dividing vs. resting cells or under stress conditions. In particular, we want to understand how the entire protein synthesis machinery in dividing cells is reset to a new, more efficient state by changes in the concentrations of ribosomes and proteins, and modulation of individual binding affinities and reaction rates, e.g. by phosphorylation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment: <\/strong> Interested students need to be able to commit to at least 10 hours a week on average. The nature of the work here requires blocks of at least a few hours, preferably on consecutive days.<\/p>\n<p>The students will be mentored by me, with the help of Paul Wagner, a research technician in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:amarint@bu.edu\">amarint@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Assen.Marintchev\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Daniel Taub, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Transcriptional Complexes in Degeneration and Regeneration<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Description:<\/strong> <span>The Taub Lab is interested in how neural degeneration occurs and how to invigorate regeneration. We have recently identified a large macromolecular complex involved with promoting a regenerative response and are looking for a talented student to examine how this occurs at the cellular level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Students will gain experience in:<\/span><br \/>\n<span>&#8211; transcriptomics<\/span><br \/>\n<span>&#8211; proteomic methods<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Students will work closely with Prof. Taub as well as members of his research team within The Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics on the BU medical campus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Reseach:\u00a0<\/strong>Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time Commitment: <\/strong>The project will run for 1 year and require ~10 hours per week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:dgtaub@bu.edu\">dgtaub@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Daniel.Taub\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Psychiatry<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Shamaila Khan, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>This Project would be &#8220;Programmatic evaluation&#8217; for the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology (CMTP), looking at the data gathered from students over the years, conducting new surveys, and compiling it all to reflect on the program&#8217;s trajectory, highlighting successes, lessons learned, and future areas of enhancement.<strong>Type of Research: <\/strong>Public Health<a href=\"mailto:khansh@bu.edu\">khansh@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Shamaila.Khan\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Radiology Research Program<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Radiology Research Program <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nPlease visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/radiology\/research\/active-research-attendings\/\">Radiology Research Program&#8217;s website<\/a> to explore the list of faculty mentors involved in research.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Mohamad Abdalkader, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><strong> <\/strong><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Multiple research projects involving patients with acute ischemic stroke and patients with pulsatile tinnitus.<strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical Research<a href=\"mailto:adbkader@bu.edu\">abdkader@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:mohamad.abdalkader@bmc.org\">mohamad.abdalkader@bmc.org<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Mohamad.Abdalkader\">BU Profile<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Ami Makwana, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><strong>Radiology | Breast Imaging<\/strong><strong>Project Title:<\/strong> <span>Breast Imaging Clinical and Educational Research Projects<\/span><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>Range of projects including those related to artificial intelligence, social determinants of health, patient education, radiologic-pathologic correlation, contrast-enhanced mammography and other emerging technologies in breast cancer detection, and collaborative projects with the multidisciplinary team. Current ongoing projects include projects related to CEM, MRI, and IGM. Clinical\/educational review articles and case reports represent other potential venues for engagement with our team.<span><strong>Time Commitment: <\/strong>Variable depending on scope of research as it could range from a case report (2 hours\/week for several months) to a retrospective chart review (2-4 hours\/week for 6-12 months) or even a prospective project (2 hours\/week over the course of 1-2 years).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:ami.makwana@bmc.org\">ami.makwana@bmc.org<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Ami.Makwana\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Surgery Research Program<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Surgery Research Program <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/surgery\/research\/medical-student-research\/\">Department of Surgery Research Program<\/a> prioritizes research to advance the field, focusing on areas like immunobiology of sepsis, intraperitoneal adhesion formation, and genomic analysis of circulating tumor DNA. Its comprehensive Clinical Research Program supports various studies, including NIH, pharmaceutical, and industry-sponsored trials, as well as quality improvement and investigator-initiated projects.<\/p>\n<p>Review the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/surgery\/research\/research-interests\/\">faculty research interests and projects<\/a> to find a potential research project that matches with your own interests.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Sabrina Sanchez, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong> Project Title <\/strong>: Functional Outcomes and Recovery after Traumatic Emergencies (FORTE)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Goals<\/strong>: The FORTE project is a prospective, longitudinal, multi-institutional research collaboration that collects, analyzes, and interprets long-term patient-centered outcomes after traumatic injury in the U.S. in order to informs policy and program development. It has 5 specific goals:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Create knowledge- Develop new measurement tools and techniques for routine collection of long-term patient-centered data<\/li>\n<li>Disseminate knowledge- Demonstrate the value of long-term patient-centered data in trauma and advocate for their inclusion in national trauma registries<\/li>\n<li>Transform practice- Identify best practices to improve the efficiency and quality of trauma care and mitigate disparities in long-term outcomes<\/li>\n<li>Collaborate- Build partnerships at the local, national and international levels to achieve our mission<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Project Description<\/strong>: Patients meeting inclusion criteria for the study are identified via the BMC institutional trauma registry and contacted via telephone at 6 and 12 months post-injury. After informed consent, multiple validated survey instruments and questionnaires focused on long-term outcomes and quality of life after trauma are completed with each patient and recorded via RedCap. Data collected is then used to develop research studies investigating different aspects of patient&#8217;s long term recovery after traumatic injury.<br \/>\n<strong>Research Assistant Responsibilities<\/strong>: Students joining the team as research assistants will be responsible for collaborating with the institutional trauma registry on an ongoing basis to obtain a monthly list of trauma patients that meet inclusion criteria for the study. Based on that list, they will be responsible for calling patients to conduct survey interviews at 6 and 12 months post-injury for each patient.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time commitment<\/strong>: 5-10 hours a week, flexible and depending on the number of eligible patients at any given time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Assistant Opportunities<\/strong>: After completion of at least 75 interviews research assistants will be able to access the FORTE data and lead investigational projects under supervision from the BMC research team. Mentorship in study development, data analysis, and manuscript writing and publication will be provided by the BMC research team.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>BMC Principal Investigator: Sabrina E. Sanchez, MD, MPH<\/li>\n<li>BMC Associate Investigators: <span>Dane Scantling, DO, MPH; Megan Janeway MD; Lisa Allee, LISW<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Associated Institutions: BWH, MGH<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:<\/strong> Clinical research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: Sabrina.Sanchez @bmc.org\"> Sabrina.Sanchez @bmc.org <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Sabrina.Sanchez\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Andrea Geisz-Fremy, PhD<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><span>Join a translational lab studying how abnormal pancreatic protease activation drives inflammation and tissue injury in hereditary pancreatitis. You\u2019ll work with genetic mouse models to map how protease activation links to inflammation, and help test therapeutics (antibodies, protease inhibitors, AAV gene delivery).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>What you\u2019ll do \/ learn:<\/strong><br \/>\n<span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Help with supervised animal work (genotyping, dosing, welfare monitoring) and randomized experiments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Run biochemical assays (pancreatic trypsin activity, amylase\/lipase), process tissue for histology and immunostaining, and assist with flow cytometry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Analyze data, present in lab meetings, and have opportunities to co-author abstracts\/manuscripts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Gain hands\u2011on experience in preclinical translational research relevant to clinical pancreatology.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Translational research<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time commitment: <\/strong><span>8\u201310 hours\/week preferred (flexible around rotations); 6\u201312 month involvement ideal. Shorter summer or block rotations considered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding: <\/strong><span>Supported by federal and foundation grants; lab covers core reagents and animal costs for pilot work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Who should apply: <\/strong><span>Med students interested in bench-to-bedside research, willing to work with animal models and complete required training. Prior lab experience helpful but not required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>To apply: <\/strong><span>Email a CV, 1\u2011paragraph statement of interest, and availability to Andrea Geisz-Fremy <a href=\"mailto:geisz@bu.edu\">geisz@bu.edu<\/a>. Include expected start date and weekly availability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>We welcome motivated students eager for meaningful translational research experience in a collaborative, well-supported lab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:geisz@bu.edu\">geisz@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Andrea.Geisz\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #303437;\" width=\"4%;\">\n<h6><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/th>\n<td><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Brian Andersen<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Department:\u00a0<\/strong> Neurology<strong>Research Description: <\/strong>Funded by the VA and located at the VA in West Roxbury, our research program focuses on identifying novel cell interactions in the brain tumor microenvironment that drive immunosuppression. We recently reported a novel mechanism of crosstalk between astrocytes and glioblastoma cells. Now we are identifying other avenues of crosstalk among glia and malignant brain tumor cells. Anticipated time commitment ranges from 3 to 5 days a week and involves extensive bioinformatic analysis using Seurat, immunofluorescence microscopy on human tumor samples, mouse models of brain cancer, and numerous immunology tools.Recently published work: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40562937\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/40562937\/<\/a><strong>Type of Research: <\/strong>Translational research<a href=\"mailto:brian.andersen@va.gov\">brian.andersen@va.gov<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Jonathan F. Bean MD, MS, MPH <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Research project<\/strong>: We are completing enrollment for a clinical trial evaluating the benefits of an exercise based physical therapy program on middle aged and older community dwelling Veterans at risk for adverse health outcomes including disability, falls and hospitalization. The medical student\u2019s work would under my direct mentorship and include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Data entry, management and cleaning<\/li>\n<li>Participation in data analyses<\/li>\n<li>Literature search and synthesis<\/li>\n<li>Potential for authorship on posters and\/or papers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: Jonathan.bean4@va.gov\"> Jonathan.bean4@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Catherine Fortier, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: The years from 2001 to 2014, when the United States was engaged in military operations following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, were momentous in many ways. For the VHA in particular, the post-9\/11 conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan produced a new generation of returning veterans with deeply complex and challenging mental and physical problems resulting from their combat experiences.<\/p>\n<p>Since its inception in 2009, TRACTS has collected a vast array of longitudinal data detailing the complexities of the mental, physical, and brain health of post-9\/11 veterans. Our well characterized group of participants includes over 1000 individuals recruited in Boston. MA and Houston. TX. This representative group has allowed us to study the intellectual, emotional, neural, and molecular correlates of brain injury and traumatic experiences, which will lead directly to improved treatment for post-9\/11 veterans now and into the future as they age.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: Catherine.Fortier@va.gov\"> Catherine.Fortier@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: catherine_fortier@hms.harvard.edu\"> catherine_fortier@hms.harvard.edu <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Jason S. Gold, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: Our federally-funded laboratory studies the mechanisms through which inflammation promotes colorectal cancer development and growth.<\/p>\n<p>We also study disparities in cancer care and outcomes of cancer surgery.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: Jason.Gold@va.gov\"> Jason.Gold@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/connects.catalyst.harvard.edu\/Profiles\/display\/Person\/59710\"> Jason Gold HMS profile <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Erin Hisey, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>My lab is interested in how early life trauma affects the development and function of neural circuits in adulthood. We have a particular interest in how top down control by the prefrontal cortex is altered by early life trauma and how the timing of the trauma (pre vs peri vs postpubertal) affects prefrontal innervation of downstream targets.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: ehisey@bu.edu\"> ehisey@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Erin.Hisey\"> BU Profile <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Yonghui Jia, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nThe VA Central Biorepository plays a crucial role in supporting various VA research programs, such as the Million Veteran\u2019s Program and Cooperative Studies Programs, along with local research studies. Leveraging state-of-the-art high throughput automation technologies, the Biorepository efficiently processes biospecimens for downstream applications. The laboratory adheres to good lab practices to ensure the proper processing and storage of high-quality specimens. This particular project aims to optimize DNA recovery after prolonged storage at ultra-low temperatures due to evaporation. Student researchers participating in this project will employ diverse methods to measure DNA quantities and evaluate DNA integrity. Moreover, they will gain valuable knowledge pertaining to cryogenics and automation technologies.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: yonghui.jia@va.gov\"> yonghui.jia@va.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Junghee Lee, PhD, MS <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<strong>Research title<\/strong>: A neuropathological mechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Ewsr1 deficiency leads to oligodendrocytic dysfunction.<br \/>\n<strong>Research description<\/strong>: We have identified that the multifunctional protein EWSR1 (Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1\/EWS RNA binding protein 1) is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We found that immunoreactivity for EWSR1 was significantly reduced in oligodendrocytes in the spinal cord of ALS patients and ALS transgenic [mutant SOD1(G93A)] mice. Through total RNA sequencing in the spinal cord of wild-type (WT) and Ewsr1 Knockout (KO) mice, we found that myelination- and axonal sheath-related genes, including Plp1, Map, and Utg8a, were significantly downregulated in EWSR1 KO mice. We are currently actively conducting detailed research on this topic. If any student has a strong interest on this neuropathogenetic topic and wishes to conduct various cellular and molecular laboratory techniques such as cell culture, transfection, differentiation, qRT-PCT, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and confocal fluorescence microscopy, please contact me at <a href=\"mailto: junghee@bu.edu\"> junghee@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: junghee@bu.edu\"> junghee@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Junghee.Lee\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Lewina Lee, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: My research broadly addresses the role of psychosocial stressor exposure in health and aging and health, and mechanisms which transmit or alter the effects of stress on health across the lifespan. I also study psychosocial factors that promote good health, especially in the context of adversity exposure. Projects relevant to MSSRP participants are listed below. Assignment to tasks will be determined based on participant interest and qualifications, and project needs.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Contributing to ongoing projects that analyze data from the Boston Early Adversity and Mortality Study (BEAMS; NIA RF1 064006) to examine the associations of adverse childhood exposure (lead, family- and neighborhood level socioeconomic deprivation) with later-life health outcomes include premature mortality, cardiometabolic disease, and dementia. Our data on childhood exposures were derived from administrative data sources including the US Census and public works records; data on later-life health outcomes were derived from a combination of archival cohort data and linkages to the Medicare and National Death Index databases. Ambitious students are welcome to work with me to develop their own project using this data resource if time and effort allow.<\/li>\n<li>Contributing to ongoing research on geriatric mental health, with an emphasis on PTSD in older adults.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong> Type of Research<\/strong> Public Health<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: lewina@bu.edu\"> lewina@bu.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: lewina.lee@va.gov \"> lewina.lee@va.gov <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/lewina.lee\">BU Profile<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/www.ptsd.va.gov\/about\/divisions\/behavioral\/lee_l.asp \/\"> National Center for Posttraumatic Stress\u2013 Behavioral Science Division <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Frank Meng, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: My colleagues and I lead the Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP), an OAA-funded advanced fellowship for training data scientists in the VA. We work closely with the Boston CSP Coordinating Center and have access to multiple projects that students could join. For instance, we have a study that will utilize patient social\/behavioral data derived from retrospective VA electronic health record (EHR) to analyze their impact on various aspects of VA clinical trials including recruitment, retention, adherence, randomization, data collection, logistics, multi-site administration, and general operations.<br \/>\nStudents will also have the opportunity to participate in various BD-STEP activities including monthly seminars, roundtable meetings, weekly office hours with staff data scientists, and the potential to participate in a junior investigators research conference in collaboration with NCI.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: Frank.Meng2@va.gov\"> Frank.Meng2@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/www.research.va.gov\/programs\/csp\/boston.cfm \">Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) Informatics Center &#8211; Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Marilyn Moy, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Staff Pulmonary Physician at VA Boston Healthcare System | Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep &amp; Critical Care Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Description: <\/strong>My clinical research program studies behavioral change interventions to promote physical activity and exercise in patients with chronic lung disease. Specifically we aim to improve the functional status and health-related quality of life of patients with COPD. We have two studies (VA and NIH funded) in active recruitment and enrollment. Study visits with participants are conducted to collect baseline and follow-up outcomes data. This opportunity would be a great fit for a summer medical student looking to learn about the full breadth of clinical research. The student would be an integral part of the team, working full-time, contributing to all aspects of human subjects research.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research: <\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:marilyn.moy@va.gov\">marilyn.moy@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Marilyn.Moy\">BU Profiles <\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Michelle Pebole, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Department of <span>Psychiatry \/ The Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Title: <\/strong>Developing and testing a trauma-informed exercise intervention for women Veterans with histories of sexual violence<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Goals: <\/strong>Exposure to sexual violence disproportionally impacts women Veterans and can have profound negative impacts on daily functioning. Current treatments for sexual violence focus on psychiatric symptoms and ignore frequently co-occurring physical and psychosocial concerns. Exercise can improve trauma-related physical, mental, and psychosocial health conditions and may help women who have experienced sexual violence. Yet, women Veterans experience many barriers to participating in exercise and prefer interventions that are tailored to their preferences. This proposal will develop and test an exercise intervention tailored specifically to women Veterans who have experienced sexual violence. The treatment will be informed by women Veterans with histories of sexual violence and their providers. Feasibility and acceptability will be tested, and outcomes will be explored to inform future research. This intervention is urgently needed to address gaps in integrative care and persistent trauma-related health concerns among women Veterans with histories of sexual violence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Responsibilities:<\/strong> There are several opportunities to support the lab, including analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, data collection, exercise program support, and opportunities for papers and presentations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding Source:\u00a0<\/strong>Department of Veteran Affairs<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Translational Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:michelle.pebole@va.gov\">michelle.pebole@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Michelle.Pebole\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"> Jason L. Vassy, MD, MPH, MS <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>I direct the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.genomes2people.org\/research\/genomes2veterans\/\">Genomes2Veterans (G2V)<\/a> research program, a translational genomics research program spanning VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women&#8217;s Hospital, and Ariadne Labs.<\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Research Overview: <\/strong>The G2V research program encompasses several studies aimed at advancing precision medicine and improving healthcare outcomes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The Prostate cancer, Genetic Risk, &amp; Equitable Screening Study (ProGRESS) is a national pragmatic randomized controlled trial focusing on precision prostate cancer screening for 5,000 Veterans, incorporating monogenic genetic variants, polygenic risk scores, and family history.<\/li>\n<li>Pragmatic randomized trial of polygenic risk scoring for common diseases in primary care (the Genomic Medicine at VA, GenoVA, Study) extends this approach to six common diseases, utilizing polygenic risk scoring in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.<\/li>\n<li>The REFLECTION: Real World Evidence for Learnings in Cancer Detection Study investigates the Galleri blood-based, multi-cancer early detection test.<\/li>\n<li>The ScreenShare Study (Building a shared decision making implementation strategy for the emerging paradigm of precision cancer screening) addresses shared decision-making in precision prostate cancer screening.<\/li>\n<li>The Million Veteran Program \u2013 Return of Actionable Results (MVP-ROAR) Study explores the impact of immediate vs. delayed return of actionable genetic testing results.<\/li>\n<li>The VA All of Us Research Program, in which the VA is a participating organization, contributes to building one of the most diverse health databases in history.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Type of Research:\u00a0<\/strong>Clinical Research<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:jvassy@bu.edu\">jvassy@bu.edu\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: jvassy@bwh.harvard.edu \"><\/a><a href=\"mailto:jvassy@partners.org\">jvassy@partners.org<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Jason.Vassy\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Emily Wan, MD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: I\u2019m a member of the pulmonary section at VA Boston who conducts research related to chronic lung disease epidemiology and genomics. Potential projects which would fit into the time period described include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Examining epigenetic changes (e.g. DNA methylation) associated with black carbon (and other airborne particulates) among COPD patients<\/li>\n<li>Examining the association between epigenetic age and cause-specific mortality in COPD cohorts<\/li>\n<li>Examining the performance of a new phenotyping algorithm to identify Veterans with Chronic Lung Disease in the VHA.<\/li>\n<li>Examining the interplay of cardiac and respiratory diseases in exercise tolerance (involves data collection through chart review) among heavy smokers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Best way to contact me is at<a href=\"mailto: emily.wan@va.gov\"> emily.wan@va.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: emily.wan@va.gov\"> emily.wan@va.gov<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.bu.edu\/Emily.Wan\">BU Profile<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Mark Zielinski, PhD <\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p><strong>Research Project<\/strong>: I am the Director of the Neuroimmunology and Sleep Laboratory at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School. My lab investigates how neuroinflammatory mechanisms and cerebral vascular hemodynamics regulate homeostatic sleep, as well as sleep responses to sleep deprivation, infection, and traumatic brain injury. Students in the lab have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research using a wide range of techniques, including polysomnography, fiber photometry, confocal microscopy, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectral analysis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Type of Research<\/strong>: Basic Science<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto: mark_zielinski@hms.harvard.edu \"> mark_zielinski@hms.harvard.edu <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto: Mark.Zielinski@va.gov\"> Mark.Zielinski@va.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Last updated on April 6, 2026<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#top\">BACK TO TOP\u2191<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Below are several potential research projects available through faculty and mentors at the BU Chobanian &amp; Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. Interested BU medical students are encouraged to contact the listed mentors for more information. Additionally, you can explore the following links for guidance on finding mentors and explore more NIH-funded research [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10364,"featured_media":0,"parent":184,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2125"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10364"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2125"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7016,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2125\/revisions\/7016"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/medstudentresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}