General Research Interest: Our laboratory is seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for cardiac dysfunction in diabetes, obesity and insulin resistant states. We are pursuing these studies in various mouse models of diabetes including transgenic and knockout mice that we have generated. Our studies range from physiological studies of cardiovascular physiology in intact animals, as well as isolated perfused hearts to anaylisis of mitochondrial function, metabolic and signaling studies in siloated hearts and cells and protein and gene expression analyses.

Student Participation: Students are welcome to participate in any aspect of the studies outlined above depending on their background and skills. Undergraduates are initially paired witha more experienced post-doctoral fellow or graduate student, but many will go on to work on independent projects.

Background Needed: Biology and/or Biochemistry. Some prior laboratory experience would be helpful.

Outside Majors Accepted: Molecular biology, chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, genetics.

Key Words: Diabetes, heart failure, glucose transport, insulin signaling, genetically modified mouse models.

Student generated projects may be considered.

Anderson, Jeffrey L.*
4A100 SOM
Phone: 581-7715
Email: j.anderson@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Novel risk factors for coronary heart disease; genetic polymorphism as risk factors for heart disease; infection as a coronary risk factor.

Student Participation: Develop specific project (w/help); analyze samples (plasma, DNA) for genetic polymorphism of interest; participate in database entry and statistical analysis (SPSS 10); write-up and present results.

Background Needed: None required. Advantage if laboratory and computing interest. Also, advantage if statistical/mathematics/public health interest.

Outside Majors: Genetics, Microbiology, Public Health, Biostatistics.

Student generated projects may be considered.

*Working in collaboration with Dr. John Carlquist and Dr. Brent Muhlestein

Carveth, Holly
729 Wintrobe
Phone: 581-7806
E-mail: h.carveth@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Protocols in respiratory care to enhance efficiency, quality of care and patient safety.

Student Participation: Chart reviews and data gathering on hospitalized patients (typically patients were in the ICU), tabulating data, assessment of protocols for patient care.

Background Needed: No restriction. Interest in health care field preferred.

Key Words: Clinical research, respiratory care.

Student generated projects may be considered.

Granger, Don
4B322 UUMC
Phone: 581-7726
E-mail: dgranger@hsc.med.edu

General Research Interest: Macrophage biology.

Student Participation: Lab assistant, cell culture, micro techniques.

Background Needed: Biochemistry, microbiology.

Outside Majors: Pre-Medicine, Biology, Genetics.

Key Words: Infectious disease, immunity, macrophages, pathogenic microbes.

Student generated projects not possible.

Hobbs, Maurine R.
4C108 SOM
Phone: 585-1677
Email: m.hobbs@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Human genetics of complex traits:
1. Host genetic factors regulating malaria susceptibity or resistance.
2. Genetics of Endocrine syndromes (diabetes, hyperparathyroidism).

Student Participation: Analyze DNA samples (from blood card, bucal cells, or while blood) for genetic polymorphism of interest; participate in primer design, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequesnce analysis, database entry, statistical analysis, write-up and present results.

Background Needed: Laboratory courses in molecular biology or the equivalent (i.e.. proficiency with basic techniques is desired).

Outside Majors: Human Genetics, Biology, Statistics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pre-Medicine.

Key Words: Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Malaria, Diabetes.

Student generated projects may be considered. The first year the student would learn and assist with current projects. If the student performs well and wishes to continue work in the lab, the student may select a candidate gene of interest as an independent project.

Liou, Theodore G., M.D.
725A Wintrobe Bldg.
Phone: 581-7806
Email: ted.liou@m.cc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: 1) Neutrophil interactions; 2) Inflammatory diseases; 3) Mathematical modeling of Cystic Fibrosis.

Student Participation: Work one-on-one with the faculty sponsor to develop neutrophil cell biology or CF related projects of interest to the student. Successful projects may lead to publication in a peer reviewed journal.

Background Needed: Some lab skills would be nice but not required. For modeling, 1st year Calculus and programming skills would be helpful. An interest in learning the principles of scientific investigation is required.

Outside Majors: Math, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics.

Key Words: Inflammation, neutrophils, modeling, medicine, communication.

Markewitz, Boaz A.
701 Wintrobe Bldg. - 50 North Medical Drive
Phone: 581-7806
E-mail: boaz.markewitz@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Acute lung injury, pulmonary hypertension, quality improvement.

Student Participation: Chart review, data collection in the intensive care unit, bench research.

Background Needed: No experience required.

Outside Majors: Biology.

Student generated projects not possible.

McClain, Donald A.
Radiobiology Bldg.
Phone: 581-7755
E-mail: donald.mcclain@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications.

Student Participation: DNA preparation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, cell culture.

Background Needed: Genetics or biology or zoology or molecular biology or biochemistry courses through sophomore level or higher.

Outside Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, Genetics, Molecular Biology.

Key Words: Molecular genetics, calcium, bone metabolism, endocrine tumors.

Student generated projects may be considered.

Movsesian M.D., Matthew
4A100 SOM
Phone: 581-7715
E-mail: matthew.movsesian@hsc.utah.edu

General Research Interest: Cyclic nucleotide-mediated signal transduction in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle; Phosphodiesterases; Phosphatases.

Student Participation: An undergraduate would carry out specific projects involving expression of recombinant proteins, phage display and study of protein-protein interactions.

Background Needed: Courses in molecular biology (required) and cell biology (useful but not required).

Outside Majors: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology.

Key Words: Recombinant DNA; cyclic nucleotide hosphodiesterases; phosphatases; signal transduction; heart failure.

Student generated projects may be considered.

Shami, Paul
2100 HCI
Phone: 585-5136
Email: p.shami@m.cc.utah.edu

General Research Interests: Study of the effect of nitric oxide on leukemia and normal bone marrow cells.
Leukemia and cancer drug discovery and development.

Student participation: Participate in conduct of laboratory experiments.

Background needed: Biological Sciences.

Outside Majors: Biology, chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry.

Key words: Leukemia, cancer, nitric oxide.

Student generated projects may be considered.

General Research Interests: Improving efficacy of existing drugs without increasing side effects; new treatment option for hematologic malignancies

Student Participation: I have a project using blood samples from patients with chronic lumphocytic leukemia dissecting one of the tyrosine kinase signaling pathways to improve stratification of patients who need chemotherapy. An undergraduate can work on relating the data we have obtained from the bench work to the patient's clinical picture by chart review.

Background Needed: Committed student with a strong work ethic

Outside Majors: Biological sciences, oncological sciences, pharmacy, toxicology

Keywords: hematologic malignancies, drug efficacy, kinase signaling

Student generated projects may be considered.