Naiche Adler
Email Address: naiche@uic.eduCollege: Medicine Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Title: Scientific Director
Office: 2131 COMRB Phone: 67151
Webpage: https://kitajewski.lab.uic.edu/
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
The Kitajewski laboratory studies the genetic pathways that control the formation of blood vessels, called sprouting angiogenesis. Our lab studies how new blood vessels form in normal, healthy contexts like retinal vessels in the back of the eye, and also how new blood vessels form in pathological contexts such as cancer. We are currently exploring the role(s) of Notch signaling and Ackr1 proteins in endothelial regulation of inflammation and immune cell function. Our lab examines these processes using a variety of techniques. Depending on the experiment, we may introduce genetic mutations in mice, downregulate or overexpress genes in cells in tissue culture, sequence whole-genome mRNA, or assess protein activity via biochemical assays. Work in the Kitajewski lab is highly collaborative and involves team efforts both within the lab and with external collaborators. We are committed to excellent science and training. Young scientists can expect to learn to perform techniques in angiogenesis and cell biology, collect and analyze data, and design presentations to communicate their results. The Kitajewski lab is looking for motivated undergraduate students. Students will work with experienced lab members to develop a mentored project that contributes to overall lab research. Current positions require willingness to work with lab animals (mice), including paying careful attention to their health, taking tissue samples, and euthanizing as needed. If interested, please contact Dr. Naiche Adler, the scientific director for the Kitajewski lab, for further information at naiche@uic.edu. Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 12 Qualifications of a Student:
Preferred majors: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Computer Science with an interest in bioinformatics. Honors College and GPPA students will be given priority. We are looking for a student who is: - Organized, reliable, timely - Curious and willing to ask questions, also willing to find answers independently - Rigorous about note-taking, including recording instructions and results - Careful about following instructions exactly and with close attention to detail - Willing to work with mice Preference will be given to freshmen or sophomores who expect to continue work in our lab through multiple school years, or to juniors/seniors with previous lab experience. Those with previous lab experience should provide letters of reference. Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Time commitment: 12-15 hours per week, with 3-5 hours per work day. We will work with you to design a schedule that conforms to your classes. You will be expected to arrive promptly, reliably, and be committed to working during your scheduled hours. Depending on budget, motivated students may be offered paid hourly work over the summer. Training: Initially, students will be expected to learn basic lab maintenance and support skills to contribute to overall running of the lab. Learning to work with lab mice will be required for most projects. After an initial learning and evaluation period, you will consult with other lab personnel to select a project that complements your research interests and skills. With the help of a mentor, you will be expected to learn the scientific background of your project and be able to justify the experimental approach you are taking to solving the research question. You will be expected to keep a notebook of the procedures that you learn and to accurately document and report all results. Some results may be unexpected! Students will be expected to present their research in periodic lab meetings and poster presentations. Exceptional students may be asked to present their results at seminars or meetings or to co-present with their mentors. Contact researcher via URE Email Webform
