Current Projects: Role of glial cells in feeding and glucose metabolism, role of hunger in reward seeking behavior, and effect of sleep deprivation on energy metabolism. Research: Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project. Read and review articles as directed. As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypotheses for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.

The Brain Lesion and Neuromodulation Laboratory (BLNL) investigates neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior. We do so primarily using lesion-deficit mapping, and brain stimulation (i.e., "neuromodulation"). Current topics of interest in the BLNL include: linking cognitive and personality changes to brain network damage in patients with focal brain lesions (e.g., in patients who have had a stroke), and using direct electrical stimulation of the brain in neurosurgical patients to alter brain network connectivity and cognition. We are also broadly interest in topics that span clinical neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience.

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated undergraduate students who are interested in immunology and want to investigate intestinal mucosa in two disease models, namely graft-versus-host disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Our projects are captured by the question “How do the different kinds of cells work together in an epithelium to orchestrate ion transport?”. Duties include making solutions, help in preparing experiments, and mouse genotyping.

We are looking for motivated students with a strong interest in research as a career, and eager to gain skills in molecular biology, fungal genetics and bioinformatic data analysis. Research projects in the lab span a wide range of topics but are mostly focused on understanding the evolution of stress response regulation in a group of yeast species. This group includes several opportunistic pathogens that based on our preliminary data have rewired their stress response networks.

The Tung Lab is focused on the development of novel genomic technologies in the diagnosis of rare cancers and blood disorders. We study the roles of both somatic and germline genetic variants in various cancer predisposition syndromes, with a specific interest in hereditary hematological malignancies and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. We are also interested in the development of novel diagnostic tools in pediatric cancers. Click here to learn about ongoing projects and how to get involved.

Our research seeks to understand how lipotoxic lipid metabolites ceramides impair nutrient sensing and leads to the development of metabolic diseases. The students will have the opportunity to acquire multiple skills in bioinformatics, molecular, biochemical, and cellular assays as well as mouse handling (if comfortable) and be co-authors on scientific manuscripts.

Students are expected to code/run deep learning algorithms to solve specific problems in biomedical imaging.

Join my team on cutting-edge dementia research projects! We're seeking enthusiastic volunteer RAs to assist with recruitment, data collection and analysis, and manuscript preparation. This is a unique opportunity to gain co-authorship on high-impact publications and present at conferences.

Our lab focuses on human immune response to polyomaviruses JC and BK. The project seeks to prospectively follow kidney transplant patients' blood and urine samples to determine immune control of the virus. We are also creating individualized kidney organoids from urine stem cells.

The Iowa-Undiagnosed Diseases Program is attempting to solve undiagnosed diseases by using orthogonal omics-based research tools. The Chandra lab is seeking a motivated undergraduate student wanting to be involved with clinical translational research. Click here to learn more.

Students in this lab will have the opportunity to assist data collection in behavioral, sleep EEG or MRI experiments, organize and maintain databases, and aid in preprocessing of data. They may receive training on EEG and MRI data acquisition, sleep scoring, RedCap, and MRI safety. This is an attractive position for those who are interested in pursuing graduate careers in neuroscience, clinical or cognitive psychology in the future. There is opportunity to conduct honor theses if the student’s research interest aligns with the goals of our lab, and they demonstrate commitment and excellence.