Today is the day!
The official passing of the torch!
Please welcome our seventh, and most notably, our first female department chair, Dr. Michelle Starz-Gaiano!
https://umbc.edu/stories/michelle-starz-gaiano-department-chair/
Name:Vincent Brown
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Towson University
Position Title: Research Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology B.A/ Ancient Studies
Work Term:Summer 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I am conducting research at Towson University in the Devadas Lab. My research consists of synthesizing and characterizing gold nano-clusters which can be used for energy responsive applications such as light harvesting and theranostic applications with specific aims: (i) to enhance light collection efficiency using quantum sized clusters, (ii) to develop better labelling agents with enhanced two-photon cross-sections, and (iii) to generate efficient nano-vehicles for targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy. My day-to-day responsibilities include synthesizing the gold nano-clusters, and purifying and washing the products before characterizing them with UV-Vis Spectroscopy.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I was able to obtain this research position because my brother attends Towson University and has been apart of the research group since the spring semester. He was the one who told me about the opportunity to work in the lab for the summer and told his research mentor about me. I then scheduled a meeting with Dr. Devadas and she allowed me to join her lab for the summer.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
What I have enjoyed most about my position is the fact that I am learning something new everyday. I am a biology major working in an inorganic chemistry lab so I didn't understand a lot of the things I had to do in the beginning. However, after performing my day-to-day responsibilities and reading research articles, I have gained a strong understanding of the reasoning behind my research. Reading so many various research articles has also helped me to learn how to efficiently read a research article and genuinely understand the material. It has been very enjoyable to go through this process and I look forward to continuing to learn throughout the summer.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe that I have brought in my hardworking character and my love for learning to my research lab. I hope that my biggest impact I make through my work is that I accomplish all the tasks I have been assigned for the summer and fulfill what has been asked of me to the best of my ability. Along with this, my intentions are that other researchers will believe the data I have collected is significant and will want to try to reproduce my results and improve my methods.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Don't be afraid to ask for internship or research opportunities! The easiest way to get involved is to simply ask a professor or faculty member if they are looking for an intern. The worst thing they can say is no.
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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is looking for students and recent graduates to participate in research opportunities. Most of the ORISE opportunities are twelve month research opportunities, with the possibility to be renewed for additional twelve month research periods (5 years max). U.S. Citizenship is required to participate at the DoD installations.
To see all of their available opportunities, please visit: www.orau.org/dodprogramsYou can sign up for their Talent Network to received alerts with new opportunities that match candidate interests: https://stayconnected.orau.org/en-us/
Project Title & Project ID examples:Chemical Eng. & Physical Science Research (BS&MS) APHC-1911526380
Molecular Biology Research (BS) APHC-1637893744
Analytical Chemistry (MS/PhD) APHC-1817392923
Chemistry/Physics Research (MS/PhD Candidates) APHC-1768507089
Molecular-Based Testing (BS or MS) APHC-1894785476
Data Analysis Research (MPH) APHC-1577623820
Public Health Data Research APHC-1012174837
Chemistry Research (BS Candidates) APHC-1813938639
Lab Assistant Research (AA or BS Candidates) APHC-7074581681
Nanomaterial Research USACE-EL-9004168835
Geochemistry (PhD) USACE-EL-1829709278
Opportunity in Infectious Disease Research MAMC-6702227045
Biomimetic Nanofibrous Scaffold Research (MS/PhD) N39467-027
Wound Infection Research (PhD) N39467-047
Battlefield Health and Trauma Fellowship (PhD) N39467-034
Combat Casualty Care Postdoctoral Research NAMRU-SA-1934167300
Concussion & Head Injury Research (BS - PhD) AARL-2029475795
Injury Biomechanics Researcher USAARL-5922256836
Defense Opportunity in Olfactory Science (MS -PhD) ECBC-8778949652
Synthetic Biology Research (BS Candidates) ECBC-1534316068
Inhalation Toxicology Postdoctoral Research MRICD-5749861507
Neuroprotection Research (BS Candidates) MRICD-5519479992
Medicinal Countermeasures Postdoctoral Research MRICD-1440454992
Cyanide Countermeasures - Postdoctoral Research MRICD-1364081190
Cellular Responses to Toxic Chemicals (BS) MRICD-9215848906
Chemical Threat Countermeasures (BS Candidates) MRICD-2669633143
Chemical Threat Medical Countermeasures (PHD) MRICD-1898138247
Military Cognitive Performance Research USARIEM-3532383181
Program Analysis Research (BS/MS) USARIEM-1857696418
Epidemiology-Population Health/Analysis (MPH/MS) NMCPHC-3487387313
Health Informatics Research (BS/MS) NMCPHC-3346146432
Malaria Vaccine Postdoctoral Research WRAIR-4937463993
Biochemistry Research (BS & MS Candidates) WRAIR-1259684897About ORISE:
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) connects the most talented and diverse students, recent graduates, faculty and educators to programs closely aligned with the interests of a variety of research facilities, including those managed for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and more than a dozen other federal agencies.
ORISE administers a broad range of internships, fellowships, and research experiences available primarily to those pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, including undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, postdocs, and university faculty members. Programs are offered at DOE national laboratories and other federal agencies with research facilities located across the country as well as some locations outside the United States.
Ariana is a double major in Biology (BA) and Psychology (BA), who will graduate in 2019. She is a member of the Honors College and 2018-19 URA Scholar.
Title of your research project: Rat Prostate Cancer Model
Describe your project: To create a floxed P53 rat, for prostate specific P53 loss.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project? My mentors are Michael Rubenstein and Dr. Bieberich from the Biology Department. I found my mentor by talking to my bio 141 TA, who advised me to email specific professors at UMBC that encompassed my interests in genetic research, cancer research, and working with animal models.
How did you become interested in this project? I became interested in this project because I had a passion for cancer treatment and research, and have a strong interest in how genetics influence disease initiation and progression. I also was excited to work closely with rats and mice given I had previously worked in animal care. Another aspect of my research that caught my interest is that I would conduct different surgical procedures on rats and mice. Given that I want to become a physician, this is exciting because I am able to learn and practice some skills I will later learn in medical school.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? The hardest part about research is that a seemingly simple experiment can fail countless times before it will work. Often, these experiments are composed of dozens of steps that take up anywhere from several hours to several days. It can get disheartening, but it’s important to not give up. From watching my mentor, I have found that resiliency is an important quality of a strong researcher.
What has been the most rewarding part? The most rewarding part about my research is that I am able to contribute to the progress of cancer research, even though my role is small. By being a part of the research community, I am able to see all the progress cancer research has already made, and this inspires me to work hard.
How will you disseminate your research? I presented at the UMSOM 9th Annual Cancer Biology Research Retreat on April 30th. I have also presented at URCAD in the spring of 2017, and will again next spring (2019).
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? My advice is to not delay. The sooner you can get started in research, the better understanding you will have about what your passions are, and the more time you will have to contribute to your lab.
What are your career goals? My career goals are to become a Pediatric Oncologist and to integrate research into my daily working life.
[Article originally posted on Undergraduate Research's myUMBC group]
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