2018 Summer Internship Openings

O’Halloran Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Damien O’Halloran Location: George Washington University (Washington D.C.) Research Focus: Molecular Neuroscience

Lab Description: The O’Halloran Lab investigates the family of sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) genes in the nervous system using a microscopic worm called Caenorhabditis elegans. Their research focuses on investigating the role of NCX in animal behavior and in the formation of neural circuits. NCX genes play a critical role in maintain calcium homeostasis in the cells of living organisms and have been implicated in diverse neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s, and autism. A summer intern in the O’Halloran lab would work towards uncovering a role for the NCX genes in the functioning of the nervous system.

Jeremic Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Aleksander Jeremic Location: George Washington University (Washington D.C.) Research Focus: Cell and Molecular Biology

Lab Description: The Jeremic Lab studies the biology of a pancreatic hormone called amylin. They are interested in understanding the production, secretion and degradation of this hormone, both from a physiological and pathological standpoint. Amylin interacts with another pancreatic hormone insulin, to regulate glucose levels in the blood. In

 

 

disease states, amylin can form toxic clumps and inhibit healthy cell functioning. Although amylin is implicated in diseases such as Type II diabetes, there is still much left to be discovered about its cellular functions and a summer intern in the Jeremic lab would work towards discovering more about this hormone.

Besson Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Claire Besson Location: George Washington University (Washington D.C.) Research Focus: Molecule Design for Quantum Computing

Lab Description: The Besson lab is part of the Department of Chemistry of the George Washington University. The main goal of their research is to design and build new molecules tailored to function as the elementary building blocks, called quantum bits, of a quantum computer (theory predicts that a quantum computer will be capable of running calculations at speeds that no regular computer could ever reach, but only a handful of extremely small scale prototypes exist so far, and none includes molecules as quantum bit). In practice, the work conducted by all researchers in the laboratory, including interns, covers three areas: synthesis, purification and characterization of new molecules.

Subiaul Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Francys Subiaul Location: George Washington University (Washington D.C.) Research Focus: Social Cognition

Lab Description: The Subiaul Social Cognition Lab performs cognitive studies with young, pre-school age, children to gain insights into the developmental interplay between social and asocial (individual) learning. Specifically, we seek to answer how individual differences in asocial learning predict imitation performance. Students in the lab help in

 

 

the recruitment and testing of children as well as adults. Students also learn how to code and analyze behavioral data and summarize results.

Podini Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Daniele Podini Location: George Washington University – Mount Vernon Campus (Washington D.C.) Research Focus: Forensic Molecular Biology

Lab Description: The Podini Lab works on developing advanced molecular techniques that can be deployed for forensic and crime scene analysis. Research conducted in the Podini lab ranges from developing single nucleotide polymorphisms assays to infer biogeographic ancestry and physical traits, to working on high throughput detection of sperm cells from sexual assault evidence, and from obtaining DNA from fired cartage cases to developing a rapid bloodstain age prediction device on a smartphone platform. A summer intern in the Podini Lab would work on forensic molecular biology projects which utilize cutting edge DNA analysis.

Plavchan Lab Principle Investigator: Dr. Peter Plavchan Location: George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)

Research Focus: Exoplanet Discovery Lab Description: Dr. Peter Plavchan works on the detection of exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) using the Doppler and transit methods. His research involves a mix of instrumentation, observation and simulation, and ranges from the use of telescopes on the ground worldwide to planning for future NASA space observatory missions to directly image Earth twins. A student can be directly involved in the hands-on use of our campus 0.8 meter telescope for the confirmation of transiting exoplanet candidates discovered by the Kepler mission.

 

 

Hinnov Lab Principle Investigators: Dr. Rocio Caballero-Gill, Dr. Linda Hinnov Location: George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)

Research Focus: Geology-understanding environmental change in the geologic past Lab Description: Dr. Caballero-Gill and Dr. Hinnov study a variety of themes within geology, to explore and understand how external and internal forcing factors influence fluctuations in Earth’s climate and environment. To quantify environmental and climate change over time, they analyze physical, chemical, and biological clues left in the fossil record. For this project, they are interested in further constraining the application of the alkenone paleothermometer (reconstructs surface ocean temperatures) in the Southern Ocean, during the Pliocene Epoch.

MetroLink Networks CEO: Husein Sharaf Location: National Harbor, Maryland

Company Description: MetroLink Networks is a strategic consulting firm that specializes in using today's technology to streamline and secure business processes, data, and operations. They specialize in enterprise architecture, cloud computing, cyber-security, compliance, and big data. The company’s mission is simple: Enabling client success through excellence in technology services, delivered in a friendly and trustworthy manner. A summer intern will assist the company with day-to-day operations, client/prospect outreach and database cleansing, while learning how to work in a modern tech company.