The Gibbs laboratory is focused on the development of novel fluorophores and fluorescence imaging technologies to improve cancer detection and treatment. The main research focuses of the group are on fluorophore development for image-guided surgery, fluorescent labeling of small molecule therapeutics to improve understanding of effective cancer therapy, and development of highly multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging technologies to permit deep multiplexed imaging on tissues. Current projects in the Gibbs laboratory include (1) development of near infrared nerve-specific fluorophore to improve nerve sparing during surgery, (2) contrast agent and imaging methodology development to improve cancer margin assessment in the operating room, (3) design and synthesis of fluorescently labeled small molecule therapeutics for personalized therapy prediction in cancer, and (4) development of improved cyclic immunofluorescence methods to permit up to 50 color staining on a single tissue sample.
The Gibbs lab is engaged in team science, where success is garnered by the success of each member. The intern will join the team to work on a project in any of our four scientific focus areas, where we meet regularly throughout the week to check in on progress and challenges. They could expect to learn laboratory skills including fluorophore synthesis and purification strategies, cancer cell culture, spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, mouse handling and in vivo imaging depending on the project of interest. This is a full-time internship, with the expectation that the intern will work at least 300 hours over the course of the summer.
Students must be minimum age specified by June 16. These age requirements are strictly enforced by the mentoring organization, and there are no exceptions. Applicants should be aware that on-site parking may be limited and/or unavailable throughout the summer; interns may be required to rely on public transit or alternative transportation.
We strongly encourage students to apply who are from one or more systemically and historically excluded group, including but not limited to, non-cis-gendered students, girls, BIPOC, first-generation college bound students, low-income/low-resourced students, students with disabilities, who are neurodivergent, and those who speak a primary language other than English.
This internship will be taking place in-person, as permitted by Federal/State/Local/OHSU guidelines. To reduce the risks of coronavirus exposure, mentors and interns will act in accordance with applicable COVID guidelines and procedures. Selected applicants will be required to review and sign a waiver agreement.
Please note: OHSU policy states that applicants must have received current and up-to-date vaccines for both Flu and COVID-19 (given after September 12, 2023) and have them recorded in Enterprise Health, or they must submit a declination form for the Flu or COVID vaccines in Enterprise Health. Applicants receive access to Enterprise Health during their onboarding. Applicants who decline to receive Covid-Flu vaccines must adhere to OHSU guidelines for the prevention of infectious disease.
If you have any questions about the application, website technical issues and/or this position description, please contact Saturday Academy at ase@saturdayacademy.org. Do not contact the mentor directly. Contacting the mentor directly is grounds for disqualification of your ASE application.