Student Research Fellow - School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado

The University of Colorado School of Medicine trains physicians and other health professionals. It is a major research center for basic science and clinical biomedical investigations. The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology is one of six basic science departments in the medical school. Faculty in this department study diverse types of scientific questions, using cell biological techniques. See the website for more detail: www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/CellDevelopmentalBiology

Summer interns provide assistance to researchers in the laboratory.

Dr. Wendy Macklin, Chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, studies brain development in mouse and zebrafish models. The laboratory focuses primarily on the molecular control of oligodendrocyte differentiation during brain development. They have generated numerous transgenic animal models to investigate these problems. Interns in this laboratory learn about central nervous system development and about repair mechanisms when the central nervous system is damaged. Thus, summer interns gain valuable experience through exposure to a broad range neuroscience research questions.

Dr. Wendy Macklin leads this laboratory at The University of Colorado School of Medicine. For many years, funded by NIH and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the lab studies brain development using mouse and zebrafish models. The focus of the laboratory is on the myelinating cell of the central nervous system: the oligodendrocyte, and this group investigates mouse and zebrafish brain development and responses to injury, focusing on myelination and remyelination, in models of multiple sclerosis and stroke. What molecules control oligodendrocyte development so these cells can wrap myelin around brain axons to allow rapid transmission of signals in the brain? Green fluorescent protein tags are used to track migration and differentiation of oligodendrocytes in real time in live animals.

This is a 40hr/week job, working with a postdoctoral fellow or graduate student, for undergraduates after their junior year. Business hours are 9am-6pm, but can extend if required by experiment timing. Specific research will depend on the student’s past experience and available projects in the laboratory. Previous laboratory research experience is highly desired, particularly in neuroscience. Strong quantitative and analytic skills are helpful, and attention to detail and accuracy are extremely important. The ability to work with a team is essential. Summer interns will likely work on imaging samples, either for immunochemical analysis of protein expression or imaging/quantification of cell migration and development.

The student will be responsible for transportation to and from the workplace at 12801 East 17th Avenue Aurora, CO 80045 from the CLIMB housing.

Summer interns should be able to manage their time on multiple work tasks and coordinate with their postdoctoral/graduate student mentor. They are expected to work effectively with the mentor and with the team of other scientists in the laboratory. They should be flexible and willing to take on assignments as they arise. They should be able to meet deadlines.

Experience with statistical software such as Prism and MatLab is preferred but not required.

Transportation: The University of Colorado School of Medicine is located in east of Denver in Aurora. It will require a car or bus/light rail to get there. This is a paid internship.

 

Despite the deadlines posted here, applications are reviewed on rolling basis and hiring can occur once the right candidate is found, so apply as soon as you know you want to pursue this opportunity. Cover letter and resume should be uploaded and submitted through Handshake.

 

Please address cover letter to:            

Wendy B. Macklin, Ph.D.

University of Colorado School of Medicine

12801 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop 8108

Aurora, CO 80045