Opportunities:
- shadowing – accompanying experienced lab research students
- training – hands-on training in basic molecular laboratory skills
- mentored research training – students will participate with or lead an approved project under guidance from Dr. Tsuji & experienced lab members
Please be advised that this is NOT a lab where pre-med students simply get to ‘check off’ the research requirement for medical school applications. Students are expected to be productive members of our research lab. Please read below, and contact Dr. Tsuji directly via email (ptsuji@towson.edu). Especially when contacting during the semester, please allow for at least two business days for a response.
Generally, the following applies for any interested candidates:
• Candidates for lab positions should provide their transcripts, their goals statement (career plans after TU) and their CV at least 3 months prior to intended start in our research lab.
• Prerequisites: students who wish to participate in mentored research must have passed successfully both introductory chemistry (CHEM 131) as well as BIOL200/L. Students who have successfully completed BIOL309 are especially encouraged to apply. Student then may start by attending lab meetings and shadow in the lab (depending on space and time) and receive basic lab techniques training, but won’t be allowed to work in the lab by themselves. That way we can make sure, all lab members grasp the fundamental principles of the lab techniques they are going to learn. Students should be prepared to take the Cancer Biology class (when offered, and if schedule allows).
• The techniques we employ in our laboratory span the basic molecular research tools (e.g., PCR, Western Blotting, Gel electrophoresis, Cell Culture) as well as advanced techniques (e.g., Next Generation Sequencing, Epigenetic Analyses). Depending on the student’s aptitude, the time and resources available, some but likely not all techniques may be taught to the student. Whereas projects may vary, we are currently focusing three major areas:
- the role of dietary selenium and the 15kDa selenoprotein in inflammation and colorectal cancer
- impacts of diet on the gut/fecal microbiome (horses, polar bears, elephants, ….)
- effect Sorghum (flour, bran, leaves, supplements) on the hallmarks of cancer, inflammation, and other cell signaling pathways using cell culture models.
• Undergraduate students should be able to spend at least one full summer in the lab, as most intensive research activities take place then. If students are unable to spend the majority of a summer in lab, then only shadowing will be allowed (no research project) depending on space and availability. This is typically an unpaid position, unless a scholarship is awarded (see https://www.towson.edu/academics/research/undergraduate/)
• Undergraduate students will most likely be able to sign up for research credits (BIOL490, BIOL491) after their first semester of training and shadowing, some of which can be used towards credits of a biology/MBBB major. These are graded ‘courses’, and high standards and high expectations are the norm, not the exception. Completion of Research Honors (BIOL499) is also an option (this requires completion of BIOL491 in the semester prior).
• All students are expected to present their research each semester in the form of a research poster at local (Towson University) and/or regional or national conferences (see https://wp.towson.edu/ptsuji/home/student-poster-presentations/)