(02-21-2023, 10:24 PM)lesteary Wrote: that's a good project

color by number

(11-12-2022, 06:25 AM)drmdphd Wrote: Training on Research for Interanational Undergraduates & Medical Graduates wtih Physician-Scientists (TRIUMPHS)
There is an opportunity for research training in a well-established lab at the University of Iowa. The lab has wide array of NIH funded projects focused on many areas related to auditory system:

1. Neuroimmune interactions in auditory system

2. Inflammatory foreign body response following implant surgeries

3. Auditory functions and inflammation in Alzheimer's disease

 

The Department and Lab: The department is considered one of the top ones in the nation both in clinical and research fields. University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology consistently ranks among top ten clinical centers in the nation. It has a rich history of research and one of the top five NIH funded research centers in the nations. Cochlear implant research has been a mainstay of research at The University of Iowa. Iowa Cochlear Implant Clinical Research Center has been playing a leadership role in the nation. Currently used “hybrid” cochlear implant with which combines acoustic and electrical hearing, was developed at the University of Iowa.

Marlan Hansen is the current head of the Department of Otolaryngology. He is a clinician-scientist, an otolaryngology surgeon, is a leader of the university clinical translational center, and a national leader of the field. Hansen lab currently employs 2 MD-PhD students, 1 postdoctoral scholar (MD-PhD), 3 research track residents (MD): all of them are awardees of 'National Research Service Award'. In addition, the lab currently has 5 undergraduate students, 1 medical student working in the lab: all of them are awardees of national and/or University awards for researching territorial io. 

The lab has collaborations with many labs and biomedical companies in different continents. Therefore, this training will provide the exposure to fundamental and translational research using cutting edge technologies, with talented physician-scientists.

Open positions: Currently, the lab is considering applications for 2 types of positions:

1.    Volunteer position: This will be a full/part time, temporary volunteer research assistant position. The duration of training will be a minimum of 2 semester (or one semester and a summer/approximately 6 months).

2.    Paid position: This will be full time, temporary research assistant position for 1-2 years which might be extended based on performance and availability of funds. This position will require US citizenship or permanent resident status (Green Card). Previous research experience is preferred for this position.

Benefits for TRIUMPHS trainees:

1.    Training in basic and translational science: The lab has expertise in cochlear implantation, auditory function test, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, tissue whole mount preparation, cyrosectioning, light sheet microsopy, image analysis using image analysis softwares among many other techniques. The lab has animal surgery suit with surgical microscopes, animal perfusion systems, light microscopes, stereomicroscope, fluorescent microscope, and cutting-edge confocal microscope (Stellaris V), among many other research tools. Moreover, many of the department resources are housed in Hansen lab space: eg. Automated cryostat, IMARIS image analysis software, Auditory Brain Response (ABR) systems. We also develop new research tools in collaboration with engineers.

2.    Work with a group of physician-scientists and undergraduate students interested to become physician-scientists. We have multiple MD-PhD students, research track residents, postdoctoral fellows: most of them are winners of nationally competitive National Research Service Awards from NIH (F30, F31, F32, T32). Our lab is the home of another training program named ‘TULIPS’ (Training of Undergraduates in Long-term Investigations with Physician-Scientists) approved by GME. Undergraduates interested to become physician-scientists work in this physician-scientist lab as TULIPS trainees. IMGs will work closely with students/trainees at different levels of their career as physician-scientists.  

3.    Intellectual contributions: A significant contribution by trainees in a research project will result in co-authorship in posters in local and international conferences and publications in peer reviewed journal articles. All our current trainees have contributed to at least 2 posters. We anticipate that they will also be contributors to at least 2 original, peer reviewed research articles by the time they complete their training.

4.    Letter of recommendations: Based on performance, trainees will receive letter of recommendation(s) from Dr. Hansen. To date, all our trainees have got letters of recommendations for residency applications from Dr. Hansen. 

5.    By the end of their training, TRIUMPHS trainees are expected to be trained for working in basic science labs. This includes working as a research assistant, graduate research assistant (PhD or masters students). The lab will provide needed support for this transition.

6.    Upon arrival at the University of Iowa, all TRIUMPHS trainees will receive University id (hawkid), University email address, University ID card as ‘Research Assistant’ of the University of Iowa, access to university facilities as Research assistant including libraries.

7.    The current positions are in a basic science laboratory and will not involve any direct clinical exposure. However, we encourage (and support) trainees to communicate with medical faculties within and outside the university for clinical rotations, observerships. Volunteer research assistants will have the opportunity to take gaps during their research training if they join some clinical training (e.g., Clinical observership or externship). We currently have 2 trainees, and both have done some form of clinical training (observerships) in the university: they arranged it with the University faculties.

Eligibility and application process:

An optimum candidate for either of these positions will be a medical graduate or undergraduate student with following:

1.    Interest in basic science research

2.    Some experience in research is preferred. However, we strongly encourage applicants without experience to apply if they are interested.

3.    USMLE scores: We encourage IMGs who have completed steps of USMLE examinations.

4.    Strong communication skills: Both verbal and written communication skills

Contact information:

For further information, please contact: drnomank57@gmail.com Please use the subject line: Training on Research of IN Undergraduates and Medical graduates with Physician-Scientists Please attach: Your CV In body of the email: mention your USMLE step scores.

(09-25-2023, 03:48 AM)superrobe Wrote: I'm intrigued by the possibility of receiving research training at the University of Iowa, especially in the area of study on the auditory system slope