Research opportunity in the BSOM Department of Physiology

Heart cells express a protein called ephrinA1 in their cell membrane. We have discovered that injecting more of it directly into the heart when a heart attack is happening reduces the damage and cardiac dysfunction. This novel and patented finding could help reduce the downstream effects of a heart attack that lead to heart failure and death in humans. Understanding how it affects the cells in the heart as well as studying the translational potential in terms of optimal delivery strategy (dose, timing, frequency) to patients are critical elements in developing a novel therapeutic to combat this prevalent and currently untreatable disease.

To this end, we are looking for curious and motivated students to join our team (currently comprised of the PI, a technician, 2 undergraduates, and one PhD student) to help advance the science by participating in experiments and/or finding new ways to promote this innovative treatment paradigm so that it can ultimately be implemented clinically to improve the current standard of care. This can be done by a variety of means including market analysis and commercialization strategies, communicating with potential partners/investors, healthcare providers, and insurers under the direction of ECU’s NSF grant funded I-Corps program.

In addition to working with great people and gaining valuable experience in a medical research facility, dedication to the program may be compensated by acquiring credit toward your degree and also funding when available. There are also opportunities to present findings at local and state conferences, enter competitions, and be included as co-author on publications. There are also exciting programs such as the URCA and ICOR which foster creative achievement. To learn more, please contact Dr. Jitka Virag at viragj@ecu.edu or 744-2777.