Student Research 

 

To apply for one of the listed opportunities, send an email with the subject line " Medical Student Research Enhancement Program" by clicking "apply". 

Include the following information in your email:

  • Full Name
  • Academic Level
  • Contact Information
  • CV (include previous research experience)
  • Cover Letter
  • CITI Certificate

 

PI: Suresh Alahari, PhD, FAAS, FASCB

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary: 

Conduct research on various aspects of cancer including the role of microRNAs and discovery of novel drugs for breast cancer therapies. 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring and Fall Semester)

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements:

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 or above
  • Current CITI Certification (Biomedical/Social)
  • Good Academic Standing



ApplY

PI: Majel V Miles, MD

Burn Center UMCNO

Type: Clinical

Summary:

Multiple ongoing projects in the area of burn hypermetabolism and burn nutrition with the potential for publication.

Location:

University Medical Center

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring, Fall and Summer Semester)

Full time (Spring, Fall and Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

 

Apply

PI: Majel V Miles, MD

Burn Center UMCNO

Type: Clinical

Summary:

The student will participate in ongoing clinical burn research regarding hypermetabolism in burns and the effects of concomitant trauma on burn patient outcomes.

Location:

University Medical Center Burn Unit

Expected Time Commitment: 

6 months - 1 year pending progress

Requirements: 

 

Apply

PI: Ifechukwude Biose, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary:

Project 1: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with deficient gut butyrate production and circulating butyrate levels. We hypothesize that low gut production and transport of butyrate drives HFpEF progression and severity and that improved butyrate concentration in circulation will attenuate endothelial dysfunction, and impaired repair in HFpEF. This project will interrogate the mechanisms underlying deficient butyrate bioavailability and transport in HFpEF whilst investigating the mechanistic detail by which improved butyrate bioavailability is beneficial for ameliorating HFpEF progression.
 
Project 2: Age-related and post-stroke cognitive impairment is significantly correlated with hypertension, a condition associated with deficient blood levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) due to depleted colonic SCFA transporter -solute carrier family 5 member 8 (SLC5A8). We hypothesize that gut microbiota drives the expression and function of colonic SLC5A8 and that increased blood SCFA mitigates blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability by ameliorating glia activation via brain SLC5A8 function. In this project, in addition to assessing whether gut microbiota influences colonic SLC5A8 function and cognition in aged hypertensive rats, we will determine how modulation of colonic and brain SLC5A8 influences BBB permeability and the impact of blood SCFA levels on glia activation in long-term stroke survival.
 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring, Fall and Summer Semester)

Full time (Spring, Fall and Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

 

Apply

 

PI: Si-Qiong June Liu, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary:

Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of emotional memory.
 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring and Fall Semester)

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

 

Apply

 

PI: Guoshun Wang, DVM, PhD

Type:  Basic, Translational

Summary:

Primary focus is on developing genetic therapies to treat both inherited and acquired diseases by utilizing gene supplementation with viral vectors, genome editing through CRISPR/Cas9, and stem cell transplantation.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment:

Full time (Whole Academic Year) 

Requirements:

 

Apply

PI: Li, Shen, MD, PhD

Type: Basic

Summary: 

Primary focus is on the pathogenesis of Chlamydia Trachomatis using molecular, genetic, biochemical, cell biology, next-generation sequencing, and computational approaches. Two ongoing projects include:

  • Regulation of the chlamydial pathogenicity associated developmental program
  • The role of microbiome and its metabolites in the female genital tract in supporting Chlamydia intracellular survival

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Whole Academic Year)

Requirements: 

 

apply

PI: Deidre Devier, PhD

Type: Clinical

Summary: 

We are performing a longitudinal study on the cognitive effects of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CALS and Seton Building

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 
  • Current CITI Certification(Biomedical/Social)
  • EPIC Access
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Rajani Maiya, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary: 

My lab is interested in understanding molecular mechanisms by which repeated exposure to social stressors confers vulnerability to developing substance use disorders specifically alcohol use disorders (AUD). Using state of the art techniques in mice ranging from single cell transcriptomics and chemogenetics in recombinant Cre-lines developed in my lab, we have honed in on neuropeptide signaling in key limbic brain areas in regulating stress-escalated alcohol consumption behavior. Several projects are available in the lab to examine neuropeptide signaling and single cell sequencing using preclinical mouse models of stress-escalated alcohol intake. Please take a look at my lab website (www.maiyalab.org) for more information.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Whole Academic Year)

Part time (Spring Semester)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 or above
  • Current  CITI Certification
  • Animal training
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Minghao Jin, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary: 

The long-term goals of our research are to 1) decipher the mechanisms that regulate the visual cycle in the physiological and pathological conditions, 2) identify the signaling pathways leading to retinal neurodegeneration in mouse models with aberrant visual cycle, and 3) develop viable interventions alleviating neurodegeneration caused by mutations in the visual cycle genes.
 
The phototransduction that converts light energy into electrical energy and neural signal starts with photoisomerization of 11-cis retinaldehyde (11cRAL) to all-trans isomer in Opsin protein, a G-protein coupled receptor in the retinal photoreceptor neurons. Since an Opsin without 11cRAL chromophore is not responsive to light, sustained vision requires continuous regeneration of the light sensitive visual pigment consisting of an 11cRAL and an Opsin protein. In vertebrate eyes, the visual pigment is generated via the visual cycle, a series of enzymatic reactions taking place in the photoreceptor neurons and the retinal pigment epithelium. Dysfunction in any proteins involved in the visual cycle causes vision impairment and retinal degenerative diseases such as Leber’s congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa. Although the visual cycle is essential for sustaining vision, its intermediates and byproducts are toxic to cells and are involved in the pathogenic mechanisms for Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration.
 
To achieve the research goals, we are currently focusing on 1) screening for new regulators of the visual cycle, 2) generation and characterization of new mouse models for retinal neurodegenerative diseases, and 3) pharmacological rescue of retinal function in mouse models of retinal neurodegeneration. We use molecular biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, and mouse genetics to accomplish these research projects.
 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus Lion's Eye Center

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Summer)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 or above
  • Current CITI Certification
  • Animal training
  • Epic Access
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Monika Rak, PhD

Type: Basic, Computational (Bioinformatics/Neuroscience/Biostatistics)

Summary: 

Exploring the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the development and progression of glioblastoma and low-grade glioma. Research approach includes in silico, in vitro, and in vivo techniques.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus LCRC

Expected Time Commitment: 

Flexible

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Flexible
  • Current CITI Certification (Biomedical/Social)
  • Animal training
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Nicholas J. Skill, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational

Summary: 

Immune markers of treatment response to Protein Receptor Radionucleotide Response Therapy (PRRT) in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). LSUHSC has one of the largest NEN programs in the country. PRRT is a standard of care treatment for NEN. However the response rate is poor. The purpose of this project is to perform flow cytometry and ELISA analysis on whole blood samples collected before and after PRRT. Moreover the project will include analyzing the effect of different PRRT isotopes (lu177, Pb212, etc) on circulating immune signatures.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Whole Academic Year)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • High School
    • Undergraduate
    • High School Teacher
    • M1 and above
  • Current CITI Certification(Biomedical/Social)
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Kelly Sherman

Type: Basic

Summary: 

Cancer Research

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

 

apply

PI: Elizabeth Avegno, PhD

Type: Basic

Summary: 

Our research focuses on the neurocircuitry involved in alcohol dependence and withdrawal-associated behaviors. To investigate this, we use a preclinical alcohol vapor exposure model to induce dependence and combine circuit tracing, behavioral, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Whole Academic Year)

Requirements: 

 

apply

PI: Stefany Primeaux, PhD

Type: Basic, Translational, Clinical

Summary: 

Investigating factors related to taste, alcohol intake and preference and food intake and preference

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring and Fall Semester)

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • High School Student
    • High School Teacher
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 and above
  • Current CITI Certification(Biomedical/Social)
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Janos Paloczi, PhD

Type: Basic

Summary: 

Our research aims to investigate the intricate crosstalk between the gut and heart in alcohol misuse-related pathologies. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, including echocardiography, cardiac pressure-volume catheterization, laser speckle contrast imaging, cell culture models, histology, or other in vitro techniques, we aim to uncover the complex interplay among gut bacteria-derived substances, cardiovascular endocannabinoids, and dysfunction associated with alcohol misuse.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Whole Academic Year

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 or M2
  • Current CITI Certification (Biomedical/Social)
  • Animal Training
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: Sydney Vita, PhD

Type: Basic

Summary: 

My research looks at the combination of binge-like alcohol consumption and repeated mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI, or concussion) during adolescence on the blood-brain barrier.

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus CSRB

Expected Time Commitment: 

Full time (Summer Semester)

Requirements: 

 

apply

PI: Michael Celestin, PhD

Type: Public Health

Summary: 

The LSUHSC-NO Tobacco Control Initiative (TCI) program is seeking a student worker to assist with various public health research studies that will lead to more effective tobacco use screening and treatment. Visit our website to see a list of ongoing studies to determine interest. Students can work up to 20 hours per week. Tasks associated with the position include, but are not limited to:
• Preparing study documents and packets;
• Recruiting, enrolling, and following up with study participants;
• Data entry, management and analysis;
• Reviewing completed survey instruments and logs for completeness and legibility;
• Coding and verifying data;
• Maintaining records of work completed in a lab notebook;
• Performing simple clerical work, including copying and collating study material;
 
Student qualifications include:
• Current enrollment in a graduate program in a full-time status;
• Available to work on campus;
• Ability to follow all standard operating and project-related procedures;
• Proficiency in using basic word processor and data management software;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Excellent communication skills orally in-person and over the phone and in writing;
• Must be friendly, outgoing and have a conversational tone of voice; and
• Must be able to follow sets of procedures, including the ability to read scripts verbatim;
 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus Lion's Eye Center

Expected Time Commitment: 

Whole Academic Year

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • Undergraduate
  • Current CITI Certification(Biomedical/Social)
  • Epic Access
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply

PI: David Welsh, MD

Type: Basic, Translational, Clinical, Computational (Bioinformatics/Neuroscience/Biostatistics)

Summary: 

Many projects - preclinical, translational biology, clinical studies.
Meet with Dr Welsh to learn about opportunities.
Scientific domains include, but not limited to, microbiota-host interactions, aging biology, pulmonary comorbidities, computational biology / AI-ML, HIV, alcohol use disorders.
 

Location:

LSUHSC-NO Downtown Campus MEB, CSRB, CTRC

Expected Time Commitment: 

Part time (Spring and Fall Semester)

Full time (Summer Semester)

Full time (Whole Academic Year)

Requirements: 

  • Academic Level
    • High School Student
    • Undergraduate
    • M1 and above
  • Current CITI Certification(Biomedical/Social)
  • Good Academic Standing

 

apply