Faculty Accepting Undergraduate Students for Research

Contact: Heng Ban, heng.ban@pitt.edu, Multiscale Thermophysics Laboratory Website

Keywords: Multi-scale material thermal properties characterization; experimental technique development; heat transfer analytical modeling; nuclear engineering applications

What to expect: Undergraduate students can expect to participate in data acquisition and analysis for various optical (laser-based) and electrothermal experimental techniques. The student will work closely with a current graduate student mentor who will provide the necessary training and background knowledge to perform experiments effectively. The student will also learn the analytical modeling and data analysis methods employed for these techniques so they can assess and interpret results.

Requirements: Desired Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science major; other majors will be considered based on an individual’s experience and course work.

Preferred course prerequisites: differential equations, heat transfer. Experience with Matlab and/or Python required. Previous hands-on experience in a laboratory setting is not required, but is helpful. 

Positions: for pay, for credit

Looking for: Juniors, Seniors

Interested? If interested, students should contact Dr. Heng Ban (heng.ban@pitt.edu) and Dr. Alison Hake (aeh166@pitt.edu) to set up a meeting to discuss the specific project. Please also include a brief description of your research-related experiences, research interests, and future goals (e.g., grad school).

Contact: Takashi Kozai, tdk18@pitt.edu, BIONIC Lab Website

Keywords: Neural Interface, Brain Computer Interface, neuromodulation, neurodegenerative disease, brain injury

What to expect: signal processing, mouse experiments, electrophysiology, optical imaging

Requirements: at least 10hr/wk for 1 semester

Positions: for pay, for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please send the lab a resume and a one-page letter stating why you are interested in joining the lab, and what you hope to gain from the experience. (to TDK18@pitt.edu)

Contact: Partha Roy, par19@pitt.edu, Cell Migration Lab Website

Keywords: cancer, cell migration, cell signaling, immunology, metastasis, ALS

What to expect: Undergraduate researchers are expected to gain experience in cell/cancer biology-related research and independence to work on a well-defined project under the guidance of a grad student/post-doc and contribute to publications.

Requirements: Our lab recruits undergraduate students (sophomore, junior and senior) either for research volunteering, or course credit or paid position. Cell Biology courses, some wet lab skills, major in Bioengineering/Biology/Molecular Biology are desirable.

Positions: For pay, for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please send an email to par19@pitt.edu to set up a meeting. 

Contact: Jonathan Vande Geest, jpv20@pitt.edu, STB Lab Website

Keywords: Tissue engineering, 3d printing, cell mechanobiology, computational biomechanics

What to expect: Undergraduate student researchers in the STBL will work on clinically translatable projects in ocular, vascular, and neural bioengineering . Students have the potential to gain a variety of skills through their STBL experience including but not limited to 3D printing, cell mechanobiology, intravital multiphoton imaging, image processing, tissue biomechanics, and finite element modeling. Current active research areas within the STBL include vascular tissue engineering, glaucoma mechanobiology, idiopathic vocal fold paralysis, and medical device design and optimization.

Requirements: An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a willingness to work at least 12 hrs/week during all remaining semesters of your undergrad and at least 30 hours/week during each summer of your undergrad. 1 summer internships/co-ops are an option for freshman and sophomores. The STBL seeks undergraduate students that have a willingness to commit to a long term (through undergraduate years) relationship with the laboratory for mutual benefit. 

Positions: For pay

Looking for: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors

Interested? Send a 1/2 page statement of interest (including a confirmation of a willingness to work at least 12 hrs/week during the semester and at least 30 hours/week during each summer of your undergrad), your most recent unofficial transcripts, your resume/CV to jpv20@pitt.edu

Contact: Kang Kim, kangkim@pitt.edu, Multi-modality Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab Website

Keywords: Ultrasound technology, Ultrasound imaging, Ultrasound device, Multimodality imaging 

What to expect: Motivated students will have the opportunity to participate in the research activities of soft tissue modeling, signal and image processing algorithms development, device design and 3D printing, in vivo ultrasound scan on animal or human subjects, excised sample preparations. 

Requirements: Experiences with MATLAB or Python, 3D printing, animal handling will benefit but not require.

Positions: for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Send email to Dr. Kang Kim, kangkim@pitt.edu.