Student Research Position Available
Dr. Andrea Meredith Department of Physiology University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD
Electrical conduction forms the basis for information encoding and transmission in the brain, regulated by proteins in neuronal cell membranes that pass current (ion channels). My lab studies the contribution of a particular ion channel, the BK potassium channel, to information encoding in the brain and physiology. I am seeking a highly motivated individual to contribute to our studies of how time of day (circadian rhythmicity) is encoded in the brain. Specifically, we are studying how BK channels regulate electrical activity in the brain’s “clock�, the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. The lab uses a variety of techniques to address these questions, including molecular biology, mouse transgenics, electrophysiology, and behavioral assays. The available electrophysiology project involves culturing suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons on planar multi-electrode arrays to record circadian patterns of electrical activity from days to weeks.
Requirements: Applicants should be able to work at least 10 hours per week, with a long-term commitment of one semester or more. To apply, students at the junior/senior level or recently graduated should possess excellent skills in communication and be highly organized and self-motivated. Relevant backgrounds include: Pre-med, biology/biochemistry/molecular biology, chemistry, engineering, or computer science. Engineering students with experience or an interest in biology are especially encouraged to apply. Please send your CV, names and contact information of three references, and a letter describing your scientific interests by email to Dr. Andrea Meredith (ameredith@som.umaryland.edu).