Project Mentor
Dr. Yi Wu
Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | We are seeking a motivated undergraduate intern to join our research team and to help unravel the remaining mysteries in regulated secretion. The available projects involve using cutting-edge imaging technologies to observe individual secretory granules and their associated proteins in several model systems include neurons, pituitary cells and pancreatic beta cells. The student are expected to learn how to interrogate different cellular and signaling dynamics involved in secretion and hopefully gain new insights into the regulatory mechanisms. In addition to these biological projects, we are also welcome students who are interested in developing imaging tools in optogenetics and synthetic biology. |
| Project Direction | Regulated secretion is central to functions of neurons and neuroendocrine cells in multicellular organisms. In human misregulation of the process can lead to neurological disorders, diabetes and many stress-related diseases. Although primarily basic science-oriented, the projects described above can be instrumental to understand the causes of diseases and to develop therapeutics. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | The student will primarily work with a postdoctoral fellow or a senior PhD student in the lab. The student is expected to attend weekly lab meeting and meet with the principal investigator weekly to discuss research plan and progress. |
| Student Qualifications | Motivation is the only essential one. Depending on your background, we can discuss and decide the most suitable project and scope. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 28 to August 2, 2019 Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2019, Spring 2020 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 3-9 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP19-26/. The application deadline is Monday, February 4, 2019.
This application requires a resume or CV and a brief statement of research interests.