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Comparative Medicine Institute

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Initiative

Summer 2025 Projects Now Accepting Applications on CURiOuS

The Comparative Medicine Institute (CMI) Summer Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (SIRI) develops future research leaders in the biomedical sciences through:

  • Hands-on, in-depth training
  • Mentoring opportunities in many disciplines including genetics, stem-cell and regenerative medicine, pharmacology, infectious disease
  • Interdisciplinary coaching – preparing future-ready scientists ready to tackle 21st century challenges

The CMI invites undergraduate students at NC State University in their freshman and sophomore year who do not already have an existing internship to apply for our competitive Summer Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (SIRI). Applications are now available on the CURiOuS website.

Each of these student research positions provide a unique opportunity to develop valuable research skills through working with multiple CMI faculty, post doctoral and graduate student mentors on exciting new interdisciplinary research projects.

The students who are selected for these positions will initially enroll in a research course and train in the laboratory in the Spring Semester.  Students will then receive payment during the summer for their research work from May – July.  By the end of the summer, they will prepare a research poster and present it at the Undergraduate Research Forum and the CMI Annual Research & Innovation Summit.

To apply the projects once they are posted, go to the CURiOuS website, and select “Find a Research Position. Filter positions by selecting the category “CMI Spring/Summer Internships” from the drop-down menu on the right. Or search for “CMI” or “CMI-SIRI.”

Projects posted: November 1, 2024

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024

SIRI Interviews: November 18-22, 2024

Decisions: November 25, 2024

Explore Past Projects

  1. Pluripotency of human trophoblast stem cells and the differentiation to cardiac lineage–Mentors: Kiran M. Ali & John Britt, Rao lab
  2. Determining the efficacy of IPEC-J2-derived exosomes on intestinal epithelial wound healing–Mentors: Madison Caldwell & Halle Lutz, Ziegler lab
  3. Determining the effects of microbiota-produced factors on intestinal epithelial cell cycle dynamics and proliferation–Mentors: Jason Flynn & Madison Caldwell, Ziegler lab
  4. Dual-component scaffolds for diabetic wound healing–Mentors: Nooshin Zandi & Mengnan Dennis, Brown lab
  5. Exploring epithelial repair: development of an in vitro model for investigating the role of LGR5+ MSCs in allergic asthma–Mentors: Amanda Trindade Hill & Emily Satterwhite, Piedrahita lab
  6. Investigating a 3D dynamic culture system for scalable production and non-invasive quality monitoring of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and exosome-assisted maturation–Mentors: Nafi Ahmed, Nasif Mahmood, & Mahe Jabeen, Shirwaiker lab
  7. Developmental toxicity assessment of fluorinated and fluorine-free firefighting foams using the zebrafish model–Mentors, Ashley Connors & Fatema Tuj Jahara, Yoder lab
  8. Hormonal impact on cartilage and ligament homeostasis and knee osteoarthritis progression–Mentors: Jacob Thompson & Brenna Pugliese, Fisher lab
  9. Machine learning models to predict PTSD and TBI from neuroimaging and cognitive data–Mentors: Alex Dwulit, Kin Gomez, & Archana Neupane Timsina, Breen lab
  10. Revealing predictable drug bioavailability and distribution in the inner ear via hyperpolarized MRI–Mentors: Mustapha Abdulmojeed, Adele Moatti, & Megan Pike, Theis lab

Contact

Executive Assistant

Valerie Baker – compmedinst@ncsu.edu