UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Deadline is Feb. 1, 2024
Infectious Disease
In the Fauver Lab we are interested in studying infectious disease transmission dynamics, specifically of vector-borne diseases. As a part of a summer research opportunity, students would conduct entomological collections of mosquitoes and ticks around the Omaha area, participate in basic molecular lab activities such as RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, RT-qPCR, etc. As well, our laboratory is focused on Next-Generation Sequencing and bioinformatics. Accordingly, students would have the opportunity to perform library preparation, sequence samples in the lab on the Oxford Nanopore MinION, and conduct bioinformatic analysis. For undergraduates, student would be supervised for all activities by either myself or a postdoctoral researcher.
Chronic Disease Prevention & Control
Dr. Michaud’s research program focuses on the chronic disease prevention and control by addressing behavioral risk factors (e.g., obesity, smoking, and vaping) and health disparity. Her approach to research utilizes approaches in health decision science, such as simulation modeling for informed decision making; and behavioral economics to improve evidence-based program reach, engagement, and retention. Her approach to research utilizes skills in implementation science, decision analytic modeling, health economics, and comparative effectiveness research. Dr. Michaud is a co-investigator for several federal funded projects (e.g., NIH R01 and R21, ADA, and CDC U18). Her current projects include vaping cessation program among young adults, smoking behaviors and product transition, and cost-effectiveness analysis of community-based diabetes prevention program, family-based diabetes management and control program, childhood obesity management program, and colon cancer screening program.
Infectious Disease
The Cross lab is focused in applying next generation sequencing approaches to understand infectious diseases, especially tick-borne diseases. This is done with three major branches of the lab: technology development, surveillance, and biological characterization. Technology development: the lab has a funded project to develop and deploy sequencing approaches to understand pathogens that are circulating in swine herds in Nebraska. We are establishing ways to deploy these approaches internationally with the tick-borne pathogen African swine fever virus. Surveillance: the lab aims to survey the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in Nebraska and the greater Midwest/Central states area. We are establishing a project to screen ticks collected from bison for various pathogens as well as are involved with a group in the Nebraska Tick Network for collecting and screening ticks for pathogens from the general public. Biological Characterization: We are deploying high resolution approaches to understand tick and host biology at the bite site during blood feeding. We are also interested in understanding how microbes within the ticks, especially viruses, may impact tick behaviors and their ability to acquire, harbor, or transmit pathogens.
Latino & Immigrant Farmworkers Health Promotion
In my lab, we study people and communities. One of our priorities is to promote health and well-being of the agricultural community, specifically Latino and immigrant farmworkers. However, we also work more generally with Latino communities throughout Nebraska. As part of a summer research opportunity, students would participate in planning and delivery of health promotion programs, program evaluation, and onsite field data collection activities across Nebraska. Students must be willing travel with our team and have wide availability including possibly early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural students are preferred.
Water, Climate Change and Health
SURP students selected to work with the Water, Climate and Health program will work on interdisciplinary research to address public health challenges associated with water and climate in Nebraska and around the world. Faculty will work with the accepted candidate to target aspects of the research that interests them. The Water, Climate, and Health Program works with stakeholders and communities to water and climate issues by conducting research, training the next generation of problem solvers to address water and climate issues, working with policymakers to provide them scientific expertise to improve the health of citizens.
Jessica Tschirren, MPA
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Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
College of Public Health
University of Nebraska Medical Center
984359 Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha, NE 68198-4359
Phone: 402.552.9870 | email: jtschirren@unmc.edu
More details at: https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/pathway-programs/summer-undergraduate-research-program/apply.html