RIT/NTID Science Supported Student Summer Co-op/Internships

In the summer of 2012, the following RIT/NTID students particpated in a variety of co-op, internship and shadowing experiences in fields related to health care. 

1. Laura Battisti: Summer Research Internship Program (SRIP),University of Virginia

The program’s goals are to expose undergraduates to laboratory research and to familiarize them with the opportunities that exist for careers in biomedical research.   Opportunities are extended to qualified college undergraduates considering a career in biomedical research. The program targets, but is not limited to, racially and ethnically diverse students in their junior and senior years

2. Robin Ching: Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Canandaigua, NY

This nutrition internship splits the student’s time between shadowing a Registered Dietician and working with the food service department at the hospital.  Success in this program could lead to a clinical rotation with the VA; students are required to complete such a rotation in addition to their course work before they can sit for the national exam to become a Registered Dietician.

3.  Ryan Constien:  Kresge Hearing Research Institute at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor

The institute has been offering a summer experience in biomedical sciences and computing since 1990. Each year up to five deaf or hard-of-hearing students are accepted into this popular program, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health.  Students will not only be involved in laboratory work but also in seminars and discussions, and will have the opportunity to describe their results in a presentation or a paper. In return, mentors help students in every way to master the necessary techniques and the theoretical background so that they can fully participate on the team.

4. Tina Feng: Gallaudet University

This program provides a summer internship in molecular genetics and bioinformatics for deaf or hard-of-hearing undergraduate students to study the molecular genetics of a common deafness gene, connexin 26.  This project combines molecular genetics with physical anthropology and computational statistics and examines the reason for the unusually high number of connexin 26 (also called GJB2) mutations, which altogether are responsible for 30-40% of congenital hearing loss in this country.  These summer positions are funded by the Mellon Foundation and NASA via the DC Space Grant Consortium.

5. Kyle Gahagan: Summer Clinical and Translational Research Program at Harvard University

The SCTRP Program will provide students with the opportunity to be mentored by a Harvard affiliated clinical/translational researcher as they conduct research projects in their laboratory. In addition, students will participate in weekly seminars with Harvard Faculty focusing on topics such as research methodology, health disparities, and ethics. Most importantly, they will receive guidance on how to further their careers in biomedical research.  This program works to increase underrepresented minority and disadvantaged college student exposure to clinical/translational research.

6. Daniel Latimer: Leadership Alliance, Summer Research Program, Columbia U Medical Center

This summer program offers research experience in Ph.D. Programs grouped in five divisions of biomedical science at the university medical center.   The program has a dual purpose: to expose underrepresented students to graduate‐level academic research so that they can begin to view the academy as a viable and realistic career path and to address the shortage of under-represented minorities in doctoral study.  In addition to taking part in research, interns will participate in weekly seminars and workshops.

7. Victoria Mac Pherson: SUPERS@PENN, University of Pennsylvania

The goal of this program is to attract talented undergraduate students into research careers in the disciplines of radiobiology, radiation physics, cancer biology, cancer imaging or pathophysiology. Previous experience is not required nor expected. The program is aimed at attracting rising juniors and seniors that have an interest in scientific research as a career trajectory.

8. Deanna Walden: NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program, University of Georgia

A wide variety of research topics will address the diverse functions of bacteria and archaea. State-of-the art techniques will be used in interdisciplinary approaches that combine knowledge from the fields of genetics, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, and ecology.   Special consideration is given to applications from minorities, and deaf/hard-of-hearing students.

May 2012: Post -Baccalaureate Work for COS/CHST or Multidisciplinary science-focus students

1.   Tiffany Panko, BS CAST Multidisciplinary Studies, 20073, MBA COB 20083; has been accepted to University of Rochester Medical School for the September 2012 class.

2.   Barbara Spiecker, BS COS Biology, 20103; has been accepted to graduate school at Northeastern University to study Marine Biology.

3.   Jason Panarra, anticipated BS in COS Chemistry 20114 has accepted a job with Rochester-area firm American Aerogel as an analytical chemist.

4.  Sarah Gluck, anticipated BS COS Biology, 20113 will be starting a post-bac  program at the University of Rochester this summer.

5.  Alicia Wooten, BS Biomedical Science, 20103 will be starting a post-bac  program at the University of Rochester this summer