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The PREP Program is no longer being offered. No applicants are being taken for the Summer 2012 or subsequent years.
Thank you for your interest in the program. |
What is the PREP Program?
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Some of the most challenging areas for today's college graduates
are in the field of modern biomedical sciences. Environmental pollution, new
infectious diseases, and the continuing human health problems of cancer, heart
disease, diabetes, neurological disorders and inherited genetic diseases are
more prominent today than at perhaps any other time in history. At the same
time, today's biomedical scientist is equipped with some of the most powerful
tools and technologies for understanding basic disease mechanisms. Ultimately,
the proper use of these new tools and technologies will provide insights into
potential remedies for these diseases.
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At the forefront of the biomedical sciences is the relatively
new field of molecular pathology. Scientists trained in molecular and cellular
pathology use the tools of molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology to
probe into the processes which underlie human diseases. |
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The UAB Department of
Pathology and The Graduate Program
in Molecular and Cellular Pathology are pleased to offer to
qualified college-level science majors an undergraduate research program in
molecular and cellular pathology. This program is designed to introduce students
to this exciting and challenging field of modern experimental pathology.
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PREP Curriculum
Students will become an integral part of an investigative team and will
spend approximately 10 weeks during the summer months working in the
laboratories of scientists in the Department of Pathology at the University of
Alabama Medical Center on projects related to the molecular basis of disease.
Investigators with research programs in such diverse areas as cardiovascular
disease, carcinogenesis, metabolic disorders, immunobiology, and signal
transduction will participate in the undergraduate training program.
Students will receive first-hand laboratory experience participating in and
conducting experiments with the faculty and other laboratory personnel. A weekly
conference series with faculty and other students in the program will also be
held allowing students the opportunity to learn the scientific principles
underlying research in molecular and cellular pathology.
The goal of the program is to introduce students to the nature of scientific
research, and to foster an appreciation for experimental approaches used to
understand disease processes.
Application and Admission
Process
Applications from interested students will be evaluated on the basis of
grades, courses taken, a statement of interest in pursuing graduate education,
and recommendations from faculty members at the student's institution.
Evaluations of complete applications received in the office of the Graduate
Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, will commence on March 16 and will
continue until all openings are filled. Thus, to ensure the best chance for
acceptance into the program it is recommended that completed applications be
received by March 11, 2011.
After a screening process, successful applicants will be invited to
participate in the program and will be assigned a summer project with a member
of the graduate faculty in the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate
Program, based on the student's statement of interests. Successful applicants
will be notified by March 31, 2011.
Students invited to participate in the PREP will receive a stipend for the
10-week program of $3,000 plus free housing. At the end of the summer research
program, students will discuss the results of their work in the form of poster
presentations. The poster session will be followed by a faculty-student
reception given in honor of the summer undergraduate research participants. All
of the undergraduate participants will be encouraged to apply to graduate
programs in the biomedical sciences at UAB including the Graduate Program in
Molecular and Cellular Pathology.
Apply to PREP
Please mail completed PREP applications to the following address:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of
Pathology
Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology c/o MCP PREP
Program
Volker Hall, G019
1530 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama
35294
PREP Student Projects
The summer of 1995 was the inaugural year for the Program for Research
Experience in Pathology (PREP). Nine students representing colleges and
universities from around the United States were engaged in original research in
the laboratories of the mentors of the PREP program.
Listed below are past PREP students and their projects. The success of the
program in previous years assures an equally successful program for all students
selected each year.
PREP Faculty and Research
Programs
Listed below are some of the participating faculty in the PREP program and
their research projects for summer students. Students expressing an interest in
one or more of these research projects will be put in contact with the
appropriate faculty member upon acceptance into the PREP.
For further information, visit the UAB Department of Pathology Web site at http://www.path.uab.edu/.
- Dr.
Scott Ballinger: Molecular cardiology. Effects of environmental factors on
cardiovascular oxidant load, function, and damage.
- Dr.
William H. Benjamin, Jr.: Bacterial genetics. Role of specific genes in
Salmonella resistance in mouse and human diseases.
- Dr.
Pat Bucy: Immunology and transplant rejection.
- Dr.
Steven Carroll: Molecular events responsible for axonal regeneration in the
injured mannalian nervous system.
- Dr.
Xu Cao: Osteoblast differentiation.
- Dr.
Victor Darley-Usmar: Biochemistry of free radicals. Mechanisms of free
radical injury in cardiovascular disease.
- Dr.
Joanne Douglas: The development of adenoviruses as vectors for gene therapy
and the mechanisms by which the adenovirus interacts with cellular receptors
during the process of infection
- Dr.
Xu Feng: Molecular mechanisms controlling the formation and function of
osteoclasts. The intracellular signaling pathways involved in osteoclast
formation and function and treating diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid
arthritis.
- Dr.
Andra Frost: Biomarkers in breast cancer.
- Dr.
Candece Gladson: The molecular mechanisms involved in malignant glial cell
adhesion and invasion.
- Dr.
Robert W. Hardy: Metabolic regulation. Role of fatty acids in the modulation
of glucose transport and calcium homeostasis in normal and cancer cells.
- Dr.
Dennis Kucik: Single particle tracking and manipulation of microscopic
objects with laser tweezers to detect how cells perform and regulate these
functions.
- Dr.
Robin Lorenz: Mucosal immunology. The role of the immune system in
regulating gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric and intestinal infections,
autoimmune diseases and cancer.
- Dr.
Upender Manne: Mutational analysis of the p53 gene in adenomas and
adenocarcinomas of the colorectum.
- Dr.
Jay McDonald: Biochemistry of signal transduction. Regulation of apoptosis
by calcium signaling in cells.
- Dr.
Joseph L. Messina: Molecular endocrinology. Role of hormones, growth
factors, and signaling pathways in the regulation of gene expression, diabetes,
and cancer.
- Dr.
Joanne E. Murphy-Ullrich: Cell biology of the extracellular matrix.
Mechanisms of extracellular matrix protein signaling in cultured endothelial
cells.
- Dr.
Rakesh Patel: Nitric oxide, heme proteins, blood substitutes, free radicals
and cell signaling.
- Dr.
Selvarangan Ponnazhagan: Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy.
Improving the characteristics of the vector for efficient and cell-specific
targeting.
- Dr.
Kevin Roth: Neuronal apoptosis in development and neurodegenerative
diseases.
- Dr.
Casey Weaver: Costimulatory molecules, T-cell receptor signaling.
- Dr.
Dan Welch: Biology, genetics and biochemistry of cancer metastasis (spread).
- Dr.
Majd Zayzafoon: Cancer biology and bone development. The role of
calcium signaling in the genetic pathogenesis of diseases such as prostate
cancer, bone metastases, osteoporosis, and inflammatory bowel
disease
Contact PREP
PREP Office Phone: (205)
934-2445
PREP Office Fax: (205) 975-1126
PREP
Chair: Dr.
Selvarangan Ponnazhagan
PREP
Administrative Contact: Nicole Newton
Volker Hall G019
Phone: 934-2445
Fax:
975-1126
Email: nicolen@uab.edu
© Copyright by the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Site Last Updated: Feb 14th, 2012 - 11:23:28
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