Description

Overview of Department & Mentor
Please provide an overview or description of the department, research/administrative/clinical area, and Sponsor/Mentor.
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) is one of the nation?s premier academic pathology departments.  The DPLM provides exceptional diagnostic support to help physicians guide patient therapy at CSMC and its affiliated hospitals.  CSMC is ranked by US News and World Reports as one of the top-10 hospitals in the nation.
In addition to world-class patient care services, the DPLM has 10 basic and translational research laboratories which study a wide range of biomedical topics including cancer biology, microbiology, renal disease and physiology, immune function, neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration.  Dr. Tourtellotte?s lab is funded by the NIH to study molecular mechanisms regulating neurodevelopment and peripheral and central neurogenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.  He has mentored many PhD and MD/PhD students who have performed their dissertation research in his lab, and he is actively involved in mentoring undergraduate students, medical students and clinical residents and fellows.
Role Summary & Objectives
Provide a description of overall role including goals and objectives. This should highlight how this role will be an educational opportunity or foster collaboration. Include specifics of the project, skills, and techniques the candidate will learn or be trained on.  
The research intern will work closely under the supervision of senior scientists and the PI in the lab to learn molecular and biochemical techniques and participate in ongoing research projects.  A wide range of molecular, biochemical, morphological and tissue culture techniques are used in the lab to elucidate basic mechanisms of development and neurogenerative diseases.  In addition, the lab generates transgenic and gene targeted mice to model disease mechanisms that require behavioral, microsurgical, histological and physiologic techniques to analyze disease-related phenotypes and mechanisms.
The typical undergraduate intern will join the lab by enrolling in the Student Research Program (SRP-99) course to learn basic biomedical laboratory research techniques, learn to read and critically review the relevant scientific literature and learn to present data and lab results at lab meetings.  If the student continues to show interest and has learned sufficient technical skills to become more independent in the lab they typically begin conducting a more independent research project under continued direct supervision of the PI and senior scientific lab staff.  This typically occurs with the student registering for the Student Research Program course (SRP-199) for several consecutive quarters to have sufficient time to complete a project and write up the report.
Role Activities & Timeline
Provide a detailed description of the activities that will be completed during this appointment. For interns, this should include specific information regarding mentorship and curriculum, including an intended timeline for the activities. 
By the end of each quarter (3 months)
?    The intern will broaden their research skills through training under the mentorship and supervision of the lab?s faculty mentor.
?    The intern will learn how to perform molecular cloning using RT-PCR, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, ligation, and cell transformation.
?    The intern will learn proper recordkeeping by documenting data in lab notebooks and presenting findings to the mentor and in departmental presentations.
?    The intern will learn how to conduct a literature review related to the project they are training on.
?    The intern will learn how to design experiments based on specific research questions.
?    The intern will practice implementing experimental designs and troubleshooting issues that may arise.
 

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience 
?    Must be 18 years of age or older.
?    Must have a HS Diploma or GED.
?    Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area or surrounding cities while conducting all activities related to the intern or visitor appointment.
?    INTERNS: Those participating for academic credit must receive academic credit for the duration of the internship. 
?    VISITORS: Must be receiving funding from an eligible sponsoring institution (employer, educator, funder, etc.).
Preferred Education & Experience
Undergraduates enrolled in a life sciences degree program with strong interest in biomedical research.  Interest in pursuing advanced graduate medical (MD), life science graduate (PhD) or physician-scientist (MD/PhD) is the typical aspiration of students who are particularly successful in this internship program.  A passion for advancing scientific discovery and medial knowledge is highly desirable.