MARC and START - Lab Availability Summer ' 2023

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K
1			Lab Website	Project Title	Project Description	For START Students: Skills and Prior Experience Required	For MARC Students: Skills and Prior Experience Required	Do you envision being able to host a MARC student in your laboratory beginning in Summer of 2023 through graduation in 2025?	Do you envision being able to host a START student in your laboratory for AY 2023-2024?	If Yes, please indicate semesters you can host	For a START student, would you be in the position to offer the student the opportunity to continue in your lab, if this was mutually agreeable?

2	Robert Bodenheimer
3	Audrey Bowden	a.bowden@vanderbilt.eddu	https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/bowdenlab/		N/A in 2023			No	No
4	Mariana Byndloss	mariana.x.byndloss@vumc.org	https://www.vumc.org/byndloss-lab/byndloss-laboratory	Disruption of microbiota-host interactions in childhood obesity	This project is focused on understanding how exposure during early life to detrimental environmental factors (e.g., obesogenic high-fat diet, antibiotics) contributes to obesity and related complications. Specifically, the project focuses on understanding how disruption of beneficial interactions between the gut microbiota and intestinal epithelium due to detrimental environmental factors may lead to childhood obesity and intestinal inflammation. We use a combination of microbial genetic manipulation, molecular biology, in vitro intestinal epithelium models, and conventional and germ-free mouse models of obesity in this study.	Basic microbiology skills (pipetting and plating using selective media) and molecular biology (e.g., PCR) are preferred but not necessary	Basic microbiology skills (pipetting, serial dilutions, plating using selective media) and molecular biology (e.g., PCR) are preferred but not necessary	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
5		bruce.carter@vanderbilt.edu	https://www.brucecarterlab.com/index.html	Investigating the mechanisms of neuropathy in CMT1A	Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common hereditary neuropathy involving degeneration of peripheral nerves. There are several forms of the disease with CMT1A being the predominant form. CMT1A is caused by duplication of the Peripheral myelin protein 22 PMP22) gene; however, the mechanisms by which excess PMP22 causes dysmyelination are not known. Similarly, why improper myelin formation by Schwann cells results in axon degeneration has yet to be determined. This project will involve exploring the mechanisms leading to the dysmyelination and axon degeneration.	Introductory chemistry and biology are required and some lab work is preferred.	Some chemistry and biology coursework is required. Previous experience with cell or molecular research is preferred.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
6	Catie Chang	catie.chang@vanderbilt.edu		Imaging brain activity across vigilance states	We are investigating how human brain activity is altered as one transitions from being more alert to more drowsy and falling asleep. This project would involve assisting with gathering and analyzing measurements of brain activity (fMRI, EEG).	Matlab and/or python programming experience is optional but helpful.	CS 1101, CS1104, or similar. Matlab and/or python programming experience, and a course in linear algebra, would also be helpful.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
7	Walter J. Chazin	walter.j.chazin@vanderbilt.edu	http://structbio.vanderbilt.edu/chazin	Structural Biology of genome propagation and maintenance, and innate immunity/inflammation	We have projects available in both research programs. One project is focused on testing the hypothesis that mutationsin, or inhibition of, a specific DNA repair pathway will sensitize cancer cells to current standard of care treatments such as cis-platin adn carboplatin. A second project is directed to determining how bacteria are able to steal essential zinc ions from host proteins that are part of the innate immune response to infection. Laboratory experiences will range from bacterial expression and purification of proteins to characterization of binding interactions using biophysical techniques, and determining atomic resolution structures to peforming DNA repair assays in cancer cell lines.	Knowledge of weighing reagents and making solutions at specific concentrations. Basic laboratory safety and keeping a neat and organized notebook. Experience with molecular biology, biochemistry, or computation is a plus, but is not required.	Knowledge of weighing reagents and making solutions at specific concentrations. Basic laboratory safety and keeping a neat and organized notebook. Experience with molecular biology, biochemistry, or computation is a plus, but is not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes- see this as essential to an effective experience.
8	Daniel Claassen (PI) / Katie Hay (Contact)	kaitlyn.r.hay@vumc.org	https://www.vumc.org/claassen-lab/welcome	Human MRI and PET imaging techniques in neurodegenerative populations	The student will learn about PET and MRI imaging techniques. They will learn how to process the images and compare amyloid binding and cerebral blood flow to cognitive data outcomes.	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
9	Mariana Byndloss	d.cliffel@vanderbilt.edu		Biosensors for Organs on a Chip Physiometry	The replacement of animal testing in toxicology assays with integrated organs on a chip is a major goal of the Human Microphysiological Systems initiative. In order to readout physiological changes in these organs in real time, we have built a multianalyte microphysiometer that detects multiple analytes involved in the cellular bioenergetics simultaneously. Metabolic processes such as glycolysis, mitochondrial ATP generation, and glycogenesis are all directly related to the flux of these analytes. Temporal resolution of metabolic responses is much faster than conventional well-plate studies, leading to dynamic metabolic data. By combining all of the information contained in the multianalyte "biosignature" we can observe metabolic pathway shifting from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, the depletion of internal energy stores, and the dynamic decoupling of metabolic parameters. The adaption of this technology to instrumenting organs-on-a-chip is currently underway. Current organ on a chip platforms being instrumented included the neurovascular “brain”, liver, and the fetal membrane. The toxicological applications of these organ systems are neurotoxicity and stroke modeling in the brain, hepatic toxicity in the liver, and chemical toxicity in the developing fetus.	General Chemistry required, nothinig else.	General Chemistry required, nothing else.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
10	Nicole Creanza	nicole.creanza@vanderbilt.edu	nicolecreanza.com	The evolution of learned behaviors: insights from birds and humans	Our lab has multiple projects available, involving computational modeling and data analysis of human behaviors and bird songs in an evolutionary and genetic context.	Discussion with Dr. Creanza - depends on project	Discussion with Dr. Creanza - depends on project	Yes	Yes	Summer, Spring	Yes
11	Barbara Fingleton
12	Kathy Friedman	katherine.friedman@vanderbilt.edu	https://my.vanderbilt.edu/thefriedmanlab/	Telomere addition as a mechanism of DNA damage tolerance in yeast	The Friedman lab is interested in mechanisms of double-strand break repair. In rare cases, a new telomere can be added to a broken chromosome. This event is mutagenic since it results in loss of the end of the chromosome, but may allow the cell to survive an otherwise fatal chromosome break by "capping" the broken end. Researchers in the lab use a variety of genetic, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to study the DNA sequences and protein factors that regulate these important repair events.	No prior research required. Must have completed the General Chemistry series.	Completion of General Chemistry and Introductory Biology series required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
13	Frederick Guengerich
14	Maria Hadjifrangiskou
15	Suzana Herculano
16	Julian Hillyer	Julian.hillyer@vanderbilt.edu	https://as.vanderbilt.edu/biosci/bio/julian-hillyer	Biology of mosquitoes that transmit disease	The lab hosts a variety of projects on mosquito physiology, focusing on the immune responses mounted against invading pathogens, and the structural and functional mechanics of the circulatory system	No prior research skills are needed (we teach everything). BSCI 1510/1511 is preferred but not required.	No prior research skills are needed (we teach everything). BSCI 1510/1511 is preferred but not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
17	William Holmes
18	Shane Hutson	shane.hutson@vanderbilt.edu	https://my.vanderbilt.edu/shanehutson/lab/	Cellular responses to epithelial damage	Epithelia are sheets of cells that provide boundary functions, e.g., the linings of your digestive tract or lungs. Cells within epithelia need to respond rapidly to repair damage and restore epithelial integrity. We investigate these responses using laser-wounding of an epithelial layer on the back of fruit fly (Drosophila) pupae. We track the responses from milliseconds to hours with live-cell confocal imaging. The collaborative team pursuing this research includes both cell biologists and biophysicists. Our approach combines expertise in cell biology, in the genetic manipulations available in Drosophila, and in image analysis, laser ablation and computational modeling. All students are immersed in this highly interdisciplinary training environment.	Enthusiasm and an interest in interdisciplinary research.	Introductory Biological Sciences. Calculus. Introductory Physics, which can be satisfied by having taken AP physics in high-school and plans to take Phys 1501-2 as a Junior.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
19	Rebecca Ihrie	rebecca.ihrie@vanderbilt.edu	my.vanderbilt.edu/ihrielab	Studying Stem Cells and Tumors in the Brain	We use microscopy and other cell biology approaches to understand pro-growth signaling in stem cells of the brain in mouse and human, as well as how these pathways are disrupted in multiple types of pediatric and adult brain tumors.	Excellent attention to detail; experience in completing and documenting some type of research project (literature-based, computational, or experimental)	At least one science course with a laboratory component.	No	No		Yes
20	Carl Johnson
21	Rachelle Johnson	rachelle.johnson@vumc.org	https://www.vumc.org/vcbb/person/rachelle-w-johnson-phd	Effects of cancer immunotherapy on the skeleton	This project will examine how immunotherapy, which is used to treat many different types of cancers, impacts the skeleton. Published research and our data indicate that patients who receive immunotherapy may be an increased risk of breaking their bones. This project would be to determine which cells in the bone the immunotherapy targets in order to find better ways to prevent fractures in patients receiving immunotherapy as their cancer treatment.	A basic biology course would be very helpful before starting in the lab.	A basic biology course would be very helpful, as would cell biology and biochemistry, but these are not required.	No	No
22	Jeff Johnston	jeffrey.n.johnston@vanderbilt.edu	www.johnstonchemistry.org	Synthesis of new therapeutics for arrhythmia	Chemical synthesis is the basis for all new drug development, and we are interested in new anti-arrhythmia therapeutics. Through multistep organic synthesis, derivatives of a hit compound are prepared and evaluated. A current target of interest is ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), a calcium channel in humans whose dysregulation is known to induce arrhythmia. Promising therapeutics restore proper regulation by promoting the closed state of the channel.	The laboratory work is entirely organic synthesis. Completion of two semesters of organic chemistry lecture and lab is a prerequisite.	The laboratory work is entirely organic synthesis. Completion of two semesters of organic chemistry lecture and lab is a prerequisite.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
23	Antonia Kaczkurkin	antonia.kaczkurkin@vanderbilt.edu	https://brains-lab.webnode.com/	Emotion and Your Brain	The purpose of this study is to understand the brain mechanisms that underlie internalizing symptoms, which include anxiety and depressive symptoms, in a sample of youth ranging from 12 to 23 years of age. To do this, we examine a variety of measures including brain structure and function measured with neuroimaging methods (MRI) as well as electrical signals from the brain measured with electroencephalography (EEG). We also collect information on symptoms using self-report measures and clinical interviews. We measure cognitive functioning using cognitive tests. And finally, we collect daily ratings of emotions to better understand how emotions change throughout the day.	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
24	Michael King
25	Bennett Landman
26	Clare McCabe	c.mccabe@vanderbilt.edu	https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/mccabegroup/people/	Molecular Modeling of Self-Assembling Skin Lipids	The outermost layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) consists of skin cells embedded in a rich lipid matrix, whose primary role is to provide a barrier to foreign agents entering the body and to water leaving the body. This lipid system is unique in biological membranes in that it is composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, with phospholipids, which are the major components of most biological membranes, being completely absent. This unique composition enables the organization of the stratum corneum lipids into lamella, which in turn is believed to control barrier function. While much is known about the nature of the skin lipids from extensive experimental studies, a clear understanding of how and why these molecules assemble into the structures observed through microscopy and biophysical measurements does not yet exist. In order to probe the molecular level arrangement, this project will use molecular based models for the key stratum corneum lipids and water to simulate complex mixed lipid systems and study their structural characteristics on timescales accessible to molecular dynamics simulations.	Interest in computational research, experience with python a plus but not necessary.	Interest in computational research, experience with python a plus but not necessary.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
27	Douglas McMahon	douglas.g.mcmahon@vanderbilt.edu	Is terribly out of date, sorry. Best just to contact me.	Neurobiology of the Brain's Circadian Clock	Ongoing research into the cellular and molecular basis of the mammalian brain biological clock, the neural basis of Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter depression), and the honeybee circadian clock.	Completed at least one semester of Gen Chem.	Generally, Bio and Neuro majors have performed research in my lab, but many additional backgrounds are welcome.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
28	Ipek Oguz
29	Bunmi Olatunji
30	Sohee Park
31	Marjan Rafat	marjan.rafat@vanderbilt.edu	https://my.vanderbilt.edu/rafatlab/	Investigating the Tumor and Tissue Microenvironment After Therapy		The Rafat Lab is accepting undergraduate students who would like to conduct breast cancer research.	The Rafat Lab is accepting undergraduate students who would like to conduct breast cancer research. Knowledge of basic research approaches are favored but not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
32	Rena Robinson	rena.as.robinson@vanderbilt.edu						No	No
33	Antonis Rokas	antonis.rokas@vanderbilt.edu	https://as.vanderbilt.edu/rokaslab/	Evolution of fungal primary and secondary metabolic pathways	Interested students will conduct computational evolutionary analyses of genes involved in fungal primary and secondary metabolism to gain insights into pathways' distribution across fungi and the ways in which they have evolved.	Students should be familiar with basics of genetics, genomics, and biochemistry and have a keen interest in learning more about evolutionary and fungal biology. Because all the work will be computational, students should have a keen interest in using evolutionary and genomic software to conduct analyses of DNA sequence data. Familiarity with unix systems preferred, but not required.	Students should be familiar with basics of genetics, genomics, and biochemistry and have a keen interest in learning more about evolutionary and fungal biology. Because all the work will be computational, students should have a keen interest in using evolutionary and genomic software to conduct analyses of DNA sequence data. Familiarity with unix systems preferred, but not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
34	Charles Sanders
35	Michelle Southard-Smith	michelle.southard-smith@vanderbilt.edu	https://www.vumc.org/southard-smith-lab/welcome	Analysis of neural crest lineages in the development of visceral organs	Students will train alongside staff and graduate students in the Southard-Smith lab to learn methods in developmental genetics to assess how discrete mutations alter development of neural crest lineages that contribute to innervation of the intestine or lower urinary tract. Project methods may span genomic DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, image quantification, and statistical analysis of biological data.	It will be advantageous for students to have solid background in chemistry and some experience with genetics would be advantageous. Knowing how to calculate molarity of solutions will be important. Prior experience with pipeting would be a plus.	Prior knowledge of chemistry, genetics, and statistics are preferable. Familiarity with coding (either Python or R) would be advantageous although not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
36	Keivan Stassun	keivan.stassun@vanderbilt.edu	http://astro.phy.vanderbilt.edu/~stassuk/	Mapping the formation of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy	We are using the latest data of the distances, positions, and motions for millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy to develop a new model for the history of star formation in our galaxy, including a detailed understanding of the places where new stars form as well as how stars disperse from their birth sites to far-flung locations across the galaxy.	Basic comfort level with coding, preferably in python. Also prefer at least one physics course taken.	Some experience with coding, preferably in python. Also prefer the introductory physics completed, but not required.	Yes	Yes	Summer, Fall, Spring	Yes
37	Frank Tong	frank.tong@vanderbilt.edu	http://www.psy.vanderbilt.edu/tonglab/web/Home.html	Studies of human visual perception and cognition	This research focuses on understanding how radiologists detect lung nodules in chest X-ray images, by evaluating the performance of non-expert undergraduate participants, radiology residents, and radiologists. The long-term goal is to better understand what makes a particular image easier or more difficult to diagnose, and to develop a computational model that accounts for expert human performance.	None are required, but experience with or a willingness to learn computer programming (using Python or Matlab) is a plus, as this is required for any student who wishes to gain more in-depth and hands-on experience with research in this lab.	None are required, but experience with or a willingness to learn computer programming is a plus, as this is required for any student who wishes to gain more in-depth and hands-on experience with research in this lab.	Yes	Yes	Fall, Spring	Yes
38	Steven Townsend
39	John Wikswo
40	Danny Winder (PI ) / Elana Milano (Contact)	elana.j.milano@vanderbilt.edu	vcarscience.com https://www.winderlab.org/	Neural circuitries of AUD/SUD abstinence	We focus on mouse models of drug/alcohol exposure and withdrawal with an emphasis of the behaviors that emerge during the absence of the drug/alcohol. We use a variety of technologies ranging from histochemical to optogenetic to chemogenetic approaches.	No pre-requisites, just an interest in STEM and the brain.	course completion evidence of interest in STEM.	No	Unknown at this time		Yes
41	Thilo Womelsdorf
42	David Wright
43	Laurence Zwiebel
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