Summer Internships
2013 Internships Available for OHSU Medical Students
SUMMER RESEARCH in Otolaryngology and Auditory/Vestibular Neuroscienceat Oregon Health & Science University
As in previous years, the Department of Otolaryngology will be offering 1 or 2 summer research opportunities to first-year OHSU medical students for the summer of 2013, with a stipend of ~$5000 for each three-month fellowship. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Successful students will work with a faculty member to conduct a research project during the summer months with the aim of a published article, a (inter)national conference presentation, or both. Research projects currently in progress are:
Auto-immune disease and otitis media in the inner ear
Causes and treatment of otologic autoimmune disease and otitis media. For more information, contact Dennis Trune PhD at truned@ohsu.edu
Cochlear blood flow and mechanisms of sound-induced oxidative damage to the cochlea
Studies on the regulation of inner ear blood flow and the influence of sound as an agent that can induce ischemia and metabolic overload in the cochlea. Studies on the pathways of oxidative damage to the sensory cells and blood vessels in the cochlea. For more information, contact Alfred Nuttall PhD at nuttall@ohsu.edu
Cochlear implants and hearing aids
Psychophysical studies of plasticity, learning, and optimization of cochlear implants and hearing aids. Animal studies of residual hearing preservation with cochlear implantation. For more information, contact Lina Reiss PhD at reiss@ohsu.edu
Drug trafficking across the blood-labyrinth barrier
Identifying mechanisms of ototoxic drug trafficking across the blood-labyrinth barrier into the cochlea that induces sensory cell death, hearing loss and vestibular disorders. For more information, contact Peter Steyger PhD at steygerp@ohsu.edu
Gene therapy in tissue engineering
In a rat calvarial model, we are examining bone reconstruction using a plasmid gene therapy vector. Various substrates such as VEGF, EGF are being tested. For more information, contact Mark K. Wax, MD at waxm@ohsu.edu
Innate immune response gene variations in chronic otitis
Project will involve collection of saliva from subjects in the ENT clinic, subject recruitment, data entry, possible lab work with DNA extraction, PCR of middle ear fluid for bacterial subtypes. For more information, contact Carol MacArthur MD at macarthc@ohsu.edu
Otoaccoustic emissions
Electrophysiological examination of cochlear mechanics and oto-accoustic emissions. For more information, contact Tianying Ren MD at rent@ohsu.edu
Pathophysiology of cochlear microcirculation
Studies on the control of cochlear blood flow and regulation of the blood–labyrinth barrier, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie noise-induced hearing loss, and cochlear vascular remodeling after damage. For more information, contact Xiaorui Shi, MD, PhD at shix@ohsu.edu
Quality of life and outcomes in Otolaryngology
Prospective evaluation of quality of life measures and outcomes of treatment, particularly relating to chronic rhinosinusitis. For more information, contact Timothy Smith, MD, MPH at smithtim@ohsu.edu
Quality of life outcomes for Down syndrome children with otitis media
Down syndrome children suffer from otitis media at higher rate than other children. Quality of life measures before and after tympanostomy tube placement will be measured with the OM-22 quality of life questionnaire. Study will involve time in ENT clinic recruiting and collecting data, as well as possible data entry and analysis. For more information, contact Carol MacArthur MD at macarthc@ohsu.edu
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Head and Neck Cancer Patients after Surgery
This 100-patient pilot study will be the first to determine if the routine use of prophylactic lovenox reduces the incidence of VTE among head and neck cancer patients after surgery. Data obtained from this study will likely impact patient care at OHSU and provide a valuable contribution to the literature regardless of outcome. For more information, contact Neil Gross, MD at grossn@ohsu.edu
How to apply:
Interested students should identify a mentor and with whom they should submit a single PDF document containing: (i) the title of your research, your name and the PI’s name who has agreed to mentor you, and a brief research plan (2-3 paragraphs), along with (ii) a resume, and (iii) a short statement the importance of a research internship to your career goals by email to Peter Steyger (steygerp@ohsu.edu) by March 18th 2013.
Applicants will be informed by April 8th, 2013 regarding their applications.
