Project Mentor

Dr. Henry Smilowitz
Department of Cell Biology

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	1. The Smilowitz lab in collaboration with Nanoprobes, Inc. pioneered the use of heavy atom nanoparticles to enhance radiation therapy of tumors. Going forward our lab will focus on a novel nanoparticle for radiation dose enhancement that may be better suited for translation to the clinic. Experiments will designed to understand how these nanoparticles can be used to maximize radiation dose enhancement of tumors–including tumor loading, distribution, mechanism of action and efficacy studies. 2. Collaborative studies are also ongoing in our lab on the targeting of nanoparticles to breast and brain tumors for therapeutic RNA delivery. 3. A third area of interest is the delivery of iodine nanoparticles to brain tumors in relation to the blood brain barrier. Experiments this summer will build on recent findings. 4. A new area of interest in the lab is therapy induced tumor dormancy (please see our 2023 publication in Cancer Immunology immunotherapy). Students who may have an interest in our lab are encouraged to look at the Smilowitz Lab Cell Biology blurb for our publications since 2000 and to set up an appointment to talk about projects in the lab.
Project Direction	1. Radiation therapy, used to treat > 50% of cancer patients, is limited by normal tissue toxicity. Specific radiation dose enhancement of tumor would be expected to extend life. Our lab is collaborating with Nanoprobes, Inc to study a new nanoparticle that might allow dose enhancement to tumors and not normal tissue. 2. Therapeutic RNA delivery to tumors holds great promise. Specific delivery to tumors is needed to minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy. Our collaborative research with the lab of Dr. Jessica Rouge at UCONN, Storrs, is now focusing on delivery of RNA to tumor. 3. We plan to further our work on the delivery of iodine nanoparticles to brain tumors (Ridden, 2021)–specifically in relation to vaculogenic mimicry and blood brain barrier. 4. We have shown that radiation induced tumor dormancy is affected by inflammation–and hence the tumor environment. This is an understudied area that could be of great therapeutic significance.
Mentorship and Supervision	My style is to work closely with the student. I generally follow the work closely. I help arrange for training and help with experiments when I am able. I have regular discussions about the research and papers in the literature. Progress is monitored by daily interactions in the lab.
Student Qualifications	I prefer students that have completed their junior year and wish to do a senior thesis in our lab. That said, I have taken students who have completed their second year. A student accepted for the summer should be prepared to devote the entire 10 week block to research and should not plan vacation or travel during that time. A high GPA, particularly in the sciences, is preferred. Prior lab experience is preferred but not required.
Summer Schedule Options	M-F, 9AM to 5 PM Occasionally an experiment requires weekend work. I usually come in–but if I cannot, I would hope the student would be able to help out.
Project Continuation	Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Academic Year Time Commitment	6-9 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP24-29. The application deadline is Monday, January 29, 2024.

This application requires a Resume or CV, Cover Letter, Unofficial Transcript, GPA, Science GPA, Statement of Qualifications, Statement of Research Interests, and Statement of Career Interests. References should be available upon request.