Search results

Search for "blood" returned 3 result(s).

Steven Ackerman

Email Address: sackerma@uic.edu
College: Medicine Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Title: Professor
Office: 1370 MBRB M/C 669 Phone: 9966149
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Participating in the Summer Research Opportunities Programs for Undergraduates: Yes

Research Interest:
Transcriptional regulation of hematopoietic (blood cell) development and myeloid (eosinophil) lineage-specific gene expression; Molecular and structural biology (structure-function relationships) and biologic activities of eosinophil-derived mediators of inflammation and tissue damage in asthma, and allergic and parasitic diseases; Characterization of in utero/post-natal risk factors and mechanisms for the development of atopy and asthma. Eosinophil effector functions in inflammation and fibrosis; Clinical-translational studies on Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) including the development and validation of a novel minimally invasive diagnostic test, identification of disease-specific biomarkers, and clinical studies on the mechanisms of esophageal remodeling and fibrosis in EoE.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 15

Qualifications of a Student:
Sophomore, junior, or senior standing; Biology, biochemistry or chemistry major; Demonstrated excellence in coursework and labs for major; Willing to work a minimum of 15 hour per week.

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Student would be expected to participate on ongoing studies, learn the necessary research techniques, perform experiments at the lab bench, and participate in weekly lab meetings and other lab-related activities by presenting research progress reports. Student will also be expected to perform routine tasks related to the day-to-day functioning of the laboratory.

Please contact the researcher directly at sackerma@uic.edu.

Naiche Adler

Email Address: naiche@uic.edu
College: Medicine Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Title: Scientific Director
Office: 2131 COMRB Phone: 67151
Webpage: https://kitajewski.lab.uic.edu/
Participating in the CCTS Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Participating in the Summer Research Opportunities Programs for Undergraduates: Yes

Research Interest:
The Kitajewski laboratory studies the genetic pathways that control the formation of blood vessels, called sprouting angiogenesis. Our lab studies how new blood vessels form in normal, healthy contexts like retinal vessels in the back of the eye, and also how new blood vessels form in pathological contexts such as cancer.

We are currently exploring the role(s) of Notch signaling and Ackr1 proteins in endothelial regulation of inflammation and immune cell function. Our lab examines these processes using a variety of techniques. Depending on the experiment, we may introduce genetic mutations in mice, downregulate or overexpress genes in cells in tissue culture, sequence whole-genome mRNA, or assess protein activity via biochemical assays.

Work in the Kitajewski lab is highly collaborative and involves team efforts both within the lab and with external collaborators. We are committed to excellent science and training. Young scientists can expect to learn to perform techniques in angiogenesis and cell biology, collect and analyze data, and design presentations to communicate their results.

The Kitajewski lab is looking for motivated undergraduate students. Students will work with experienced lab members to develop a mentored project that contributes to overall lab research. Current positions require willingness to work with lab animals (mice), including paying careful attention to their health, taking tissue samples, and euthanizing as needed. If interested, please contact Dr. Naiche Adler, the scientific director for the Kitajewski lab, for further information at naiche@uic.edu.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 12

Qualifications of a Student:
Preferred majors: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Computer Science with an interest in bioinformatics. Honors College and GPPA students will be given priority.

We are looking for a student who is:
- Organized, reliable, timely
- Curious and willing to ask questions, also willing to find answers independently
- Rigorous about note-taking, including recording instructions and results
- Careful about following instructions exactly and with close attention to detail
- Willing to work with mice

Preference will be given to freshmen or sophomores who expect to continue work in our lab through multiple school years, or to juniors/seniors with previous lab experience. Those with previous lab experience should provide letters of reference.

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Time commitment:

12-15 hours per week, with 3-5 hours per work day.

We will work with you to design a schedule that conforms to your classes. You will be expected to arrive promptly, reliably, and be committed to working during your scheduled hours.

Depending on budget, motivated students may be offered paid hourly work over the summer.

Training:

Initially, students will be expected to learn basic lab maintenance and support skills to contribute to overall running of the lab. Learning to work with lab mice will be required for most projects.

After an initial learning and evaluation period, you will consult with other lab personnel to select a project that complements your research interests and skills. With the help of a mentor, you will be expected to learn the scientific background of your project and be able to justify the experimental approach you are taking to solving the research question.

You will be expected to keep a notebook of the procedures that you learn and to accurately document and report all results. Some results may be unexpected! Students will be expected to present their research in periodic lab meetings and poster presentations. Exceptional students may be asked to present their results at seminars or meetings or to co-present with their mentors.

Please contact the researcher directly at naiche@uic.edu.

Paul R Hibbing

Email Address: phibbing@uic.edu
College: Applied Health Sciences Department: Kinesiology and Nutrition
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: AHSB 506C Phone: 312-355-1088
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes

Research Interest:
Wearable technology, calorie burn, accuracy testing, exercise and health

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 8

Qualifications of a Student:
Qualified students must be:
* detail-oriented and interested in research
* reliable and responsible (e.g., demonstrated in prior job experience or strong GPA, etc.)
* interested in scientific reading and writing (e.g., the possibility of writing a paper for publication in a scientific journal)

Preferred qualities include:
* prior experience with research, or coursework on research methods, etc.
* in junior/senior year at UIC
* studying in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition or another department in the College of Applied Health Sciences

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
The primary expectation would be for the student to assist in data collection for one or more projects that are focused on testing the accuracy of research tools in exercise science (e.g., smartwatches that predict blood pressure or calorie burn). This requires a reliable physical presence in the lab, typically for 2-4 hours at a time. The specific times are negotiable, and if necessary, they may sometimes occur early in the day (e.g., 7am) or later in the evening (e.g., 6pm). A strong mental presence is also necessary (e.g., willing to not use a cellphone when in the lab).

Data collection entails meeting with participants in the lab, setting them up with an array of gadgetry, and guiding them through protocols that involve a range of activities--including exercise.

Motivated students will likely have opportunity to participate in (and potentially lead) the creation of conference presentations and scientific publications.

Please contact the researcher directly at phibbing@uic.edu.