Previous SIP Alumni 2006 SIP Alumni
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Of 95 past summer interns who have completed their undergraduate studies, 12% are currently employed within the life sciences sector; 41% are attending medical school; and 25% are attending graduate school.
Jayshiv Badlani
Northwestern University
Jayshiv recently completed his freshman year at Northwestern majoring in economics. His future plans are to attend Medical School. This summer Jayshiv will be working with Johnny Huard, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh. His research includes focus on muscle-based gene therapy and tissue engineering for application to the musculoskeletal system, mainly as related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and orthopaedic diseases and injuries. Jayshiv enjoys soccer, acting and creative writing. He is looking forward to spending a day at Kennywood this summer. Brenna Brucker
Brown University
This summer Brenna will be working with Connie Chu, PhD. Her research will focus primarily on articular cartilage transplantation, tissue engineered articular cartilage replacements, and the role of antioxidants in the prevention of arthritis.Aaron Butler
CCAC-Boyce Campus
This summer Aaron will be working with Dr. John Pollock, at Duquesne University. His work will focus on advanced quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using fluorescence based real-time reactions.Christopher Carruthers
University of Rochester
Christopher, will be a senior this year, majoring in Biomedical engineering. His future plans are to obtain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. This summer, he will be working with Savio L-Y. Woo, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on 1) Mechanical and biological characterization of tissue engineered collagen scaffolds utilizing stretching equipment; 2) Perform mechanical testing of healing ligaments treated with tissue derived scaffolds. Since Christopher is new to the Pittsburgh area, he is looking forward to exploring the city and finding out what it has to offer.Steven Chirieleison
University of Pennsylvania
A senior in the fall, Steven in the future would like to obtain his PhD. His hobbies include cycling, whitewater kayaking and Frisbee golf. Steven hopes to take in some Frisbee golf at Schenley Park during his internship. This summer Steven is working with Sandeep Kathju, PhD at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. His research will focus on the use of protein, cell, RNAi, and other molecular biological approaches to elucidating and understanding gene expression differences between scarless wound healing in the mammalian fetus and scarification in the post-natal mammal. Sheena Dohar
Carnegie Mellon University
An incoming junior this year at CMU, Sheena is a biology major. She plans to attend medical school or graduate school upon graduating in May 2008. Sheens will be working with Col. John B. Holcomb, MD, at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. His Clinical Research includes Resuscitation. Sheena enjoys reading and creative writing. She is also an EMS volunteer at CMU Emergency Medical Services.Jonathan Douds
Grove City College
A junior this fall at Grove City, Jonathan is a molecular biology major and is currently enrolled in the pre-med program. Jonathan enjoys playing the picnic and volunteering at nursing homes. He hopes to spend sometime at the Carnegie Science Center and PNC Park this summer. Jonathan is working with Allan Waggoner, PhD at Carnegie Mellon University. His summer research will focus on fluorescence probes and microscopic imaging systems for studying the protein regulatory networks and pathways of living cells.Jeremiah Escajeda
Washington and Jefferson College
A junior this year, majoring in molecular biology. Jerry hopes to pursue his medical degree at Allopathic Medical School. His hobbies include boxing and movies. He hopes to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo while he is here in Pittsburgh. This summer he is working with Garth Ehrlich, PhD, at Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. Jeremiah’s summer research work will focus on using protein, cell and molecular biological interventional techniques in an attempt to modify normal synostonic growth that occurs at the leading edges of the bony plates of the calvaria.Christopher Lee Groth
Iowa State University
Christopher, a biochemistry major will be a Junior this year with hopes to graduate in May 2007. His future plans are to attend medical school. This summer, Chris will be interning with Tom Walters, PhD, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Clinical Research: Bone Tissue Injury. Chris’s interest range from weightlifting to music.Audrey Sue Lieb
Clarion University of PA
Audrey, a senior this year plans to graduate in May 2007 and attend medical school. Her hobbies include volleyball, shopping and research. New to Texas, she hopes to tour San Antonio. This summer she will be working with David Baer, PhD, of the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. His Clinical Research includes Soft Tissue Injury.Tobias Long
Penn State University
A junior this fall at Penn State University, Tobias will intern with Dr. Steve Abramowitch at the Musculoskeletal Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on mechanical testing of ligaments and treatment with a soft-tissue scaffold. Tobias is looking forward to the surgery observation this summer, as well as the opportunity to interact with researchers from the Pittsburgh region.Chris Lucas
Penn State University
An incoming junior at Penn State University, Chris, will be interning with Robert Parker, PhD, University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on Pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic (mathematical) modeling of anticancer drugs. Chris’s future plans consist of attending graduate school for Chemical Engineering. He is looking forward to seeing the Pirates at PNC Park and traveling to the south side to enjoy a salad from the Cheesecake Factory. Mahesh Madhavan
University of Pennsylvania
Mahesh hopes to obtain his MD/PhD following achieving his Biology degree in 2008. Mahesh enjoys watching movies and playing video games. He hopes to catch a Pirate game this summer and spend sometime at the Waterfront. This summer Mahesh is working with Joseph M. Ahearn, MD, University of Pittsburgh. His work will focus on various aspects of immunology and molecular biology, utilizing state of the art technology. Rita Marie Mateja
University of Pittsburgh
A senior this year, Rita will be interning with Charles McTiernan, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research will focus on studies which seek to understand how TIMP gene therapy may limit adverse remodeling of the failing heart. Rita enjoys sports and spending time with her new puppy. Rita is looking forward to spending her summer in Pittsburgh with friends and family.John McCauley
University of Alabama at Birmingham
John hopes to attend graduate school after completing his degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2007. John enjoys computer games and playing the bass guitar. This summer John will be working with Tom Walters, PhD of the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. His Clinical Research includes Bone Tissue Injury.Sean McGuire
Duke University
Sean will be a Junior this year at Duke University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. His future plans are to either attend medical or graduate school. Sean is working with David Vorp, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. His research will focus on pursuing research efforts in the field of vascular biomechanics (i.e., integrating mammalian vascular physiology with finite elasticity and other theories). Sean is looking forward to catching a Pirate’s game this summer with friends and family. James Morrow
Penn State
A sophomore this year at Penn State University, James plans to attend medical or dental school upon graduation. This summer James will be interning with Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on development of a tissue compression system capable of delivering compressive pressure to intervertebral disc tissues from the spine. James is looking forward to having lunch at The O or Primanti Brothers, and then heading to PNC Park to catch a Pirates Game.Courtney Ondeck
Carnegie Mellon University
Courtney recently completed her sophomore year at Carnegie Mellon University where she is a Materials Science and Engineering/Biomedical Engineering major. This summer she will be working with James Kang, MD, University of Pittsburgh. Here research will focus on gene therapy of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. This summer in Pittsburgh she is looking towards spending a day at Sandcastle Water park and catching a baseball game at PNC park. Amy Plotkin
Washington and Jefferson College
Amy, a senior this year, majoring in Biochemistry and Spanish plans to someday attend medical school in a MD/PhD Program. This summer she will be working with, Charles Wade, PhD, US Army Institute of Surgical Research Clinical Research: Resuscitation. Amy is looking forward to indulging in great Mexican food in Texas.Laura Rohleder
Allegheny College
Laura came to PTEI through recommendations from several of her friends. She recently completed her junior year at Allegheny College majoring in Biology. She plans to obtain her PhD in the future. Her hobbies include reading, music, and traveling. Laura is interning with Heather Pidcoke, PhD, at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Her Clinical Research is Soft Tissue Injury.Rachel Stewart
Lehigh University
Rachel recently completed her sophomore year, majoring in bioengineering. She is looking forward to spending sometime at Pittsburgh’s Waterfront this summer and maybe catching a Pirate’s Game. This summer she is working with Phil Campbell, PhD, at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research will focus on the study and develop control over biological behavior.Jennifer Stipanovic
Duquesne University
Jennifer, a Forensic Science and Law Major, will be a senior this year at Duquesne. She will be interning this summer with Steven Wolf, MD US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Clinical Research: Soft Tissue Injury, Regenerative Medicine for burns. Jennifer enjoys cooking, traveling and site seeing. She is looking forward to spending her summer in Texas.Rena Tchen
University of Pittsburgh
Rena recently completed her sophomore year, and will graduate in 2008 with her bioengineering degree. She enjoys reading and watching movies. This summer she hopes to visit the strip district and sample different foods from around the world. Her work this summer will be with Stephen Badylak, DVM, PhD, MD from the University of Pittsburgh, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Her work will focus on insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Erin Walsh
University of Pittsburgh
An incoming junior this year, Erin is a chemistry major at the University of Pittsburgh. She enjoys watching the pirates on a sunny day and water-skiing. This summer Erin will be working with Jeffrey Hollinger, PhD, DDS, Carnegie Mellon University. Her work will focus on bone regeneration therapies consisting of biomaterials and soluble signaling molecules. The biomaterials are biodegradable, biocompatible polymers (e.g., polyurethanes, hydrogels) and the signaling molecules include bone morphogenetic protein, platelet derived growth factor and DNA plasmids encoding transcriptional factors runx-2 and osx. Erin plans to pursue her masters degree in chemistry or medicine.Eriko Yoshimaru
Western New England College
Eriko will be a junior this fall at the Western New England College. This summer she will be interning with Jill Sondeen, PhD,US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Clinical Research: Resuscitation. Her future plans are to attend graduate school in the field of biomedical engineering.Nikki Zevola
University of Pittsburgh
Nikki recently completed her third year in the microbiology program at Duquesne. She plans to attend medical school and obtain her MD/PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Her hobbies include dancing, traveling and interior design. Nikki would enjoy spending time with her family in South Park or shopping away the day at the South Side Works. This summer she is working with Alan Russell, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh. Her work will focus on ovarian follicular development.