The mentor’s laboratory investigates electron microscopic/histological changes in synapses in mice following the loss of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway as a model for Parkinson’s disease (PD). These findings are correlated with functional/protein changes using motor behaviors (gait) and western (protein) blot analysis, respectively. The lab uses a progressive mouse model of PD that involves administering increased doses of the toxin MPTP, which causes a loss of dopamine and mimics the effects of PD. Using this model the mentor has found that exposing mice to a socially enriched environment can, after initiation of the loss of dopamine, slow down or block the neurochemical and motor behavioral deficits that typically result from continued treatment with MPTP. The team has previously investigated the therapeutic effects of treadmill exercise in this same progressive MPTP model of PD in young and aged mice, along with testing several drugs to determine if this treatment will result in recovery/restoration of function.
The candidate will carry out protein analysis of brain tissue, along with light and electron microscopic analysis of brain tissue synapses. When possible, the intern will analyze motor behavior of the rodent. The intern will work closely with one or more of the research assistants, plus the mentor, in learning about the functions of the brain and the parts of the brain that are associated with PD. Once trained, the intern will work independently on their own project. The intern's primary activities will include Protein Analysis (Western Immunoblotting), Light and Electron Microscopic Analysis of Brain Tissue, and Data Analysis of Motor Behavior.
The mentor's mentoring philosophy is to empower each student to be responsible for their own project. Whenever possible, he prefers that each ASE intern has their own individual project to work on based in the topics listed in the Position Description.
Per VA federal regulations, applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Students must be minimum age specified by May 15. 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/VA Healthcare Systems 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.
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.