Project Mentor
Dr. Kepeng Wang
Department of Immunology
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | My lab is developing novel oncolytic viral therapies for advanced cancer. The project aims to generate a new viral platform that, when delivered systemically, homes to tumor in a specific manner. On top of the new platform, we are testing different immune modulating payloads to activate cancer-killing immune cells and bypass immune suppression. The student will generate new oncolytic viral agents, and test their safety and efficacy on mouse models of cancers. |
| Project Direction | The summer research program in my lab will train students in the areas of immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, and cancer biology. This training will provide an opportunity for students to understand current progress in cancer immunology, and prepare them for future research in the field of immunology and cancer biology. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | I will meet with the student on a daily basis to provide guidance on literature search/reading, project guidelines, experiment design, and readouts. We will also hold regular lab meetings and journal clubs, and the student will be asked to present their data/reading and provided with feedback. |
| Student Qualifications | Students should qualify for the program by showing strong interest and motivation in biomedical research. Prior research experience in related fields are not required. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 22 to July 28, 2023 Schedule: Expected working schedules are Monday to Friday 9am through 6pm, with a good degree of flexibility. Occasional work during weekends may be needed depending on the design of experiments. |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2023, Spring 2024 |
| 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/HRP23-42. The application deadline is Monday, January 30, 2023.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, and a brief statement of research interests. Names and email addresses for three references should be provided in the application.