Apply for Research In Paris by March 8th at 3pm
International Interdisciplinary Research and Cultural Immersion Experience in Paris
Dr. Justin Link in Physics, Dr. Dorothy Engle in Biology, and Dr. Stephen Mills in Chemistry are pleased to announce a summer research opportunity in Paris for two students from the departments of Biology, Physics, or Chemistry. This is a paid 9-week summer internship in Paris and includes a 1- to 2-week research tutorial immediately following the Spring 2020 semester. This program is a continuation of our previously supported National Science Grant which expired in April 2020 and current funding comes from a variety of sources throughout the University. Housing in Paris and airfare will be provided as well as a stipend. An information session will be held February 26th in LND 103 from 4:30-5:30. Application deadline is Sunday March 8th, further information will be forthcoming.
What are Cryptochromes?
Cryptochromes are blue light photoreceptor proteins which regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. Plants respond to the light environment through an array of specialized photoreceptors, which are soluble proteins bound to pigments that undergo chemical reactions in response to light. Blue light responses are regulated through flavoprotein photoreceptors known as cryptochromes, which have dramatic effects on virtually all aspects of plant adaptation to the environment including defense against stress and pathogens.
How we study Cryptochromes?
To this day, we still have unanswered questions about how cryptochromes function in a variety of organisms including plants and humans. This project involves analysis of mutant plant cryptochrome proteins. Each student will be given a personalized, individual project of two mutant proteins to express and study. The students will work on their individualized protein expression protocols in close collaboration with the mentoring team while sharing experiences and progress with other members of the cohort. Students will participate fully in all technical aspects of the project. They will perform protein expression, purification, and photobiological experiments directly under the guidance of the mentor and the lab team at Paris. Finally, returning students will follow up the Paris experience by participating in detailed structural analysis at Xavier under the guidance of Dr. Link during the following academic year.
Do I need to speak French?
The research lab language is English so students will not need to learn French to participate but must be open to immerse themselves in the French culture. As international students in Paris, the participants will have inexpensive access to museums and art galleries and other cultural venues through University discounts available through the international student services office. Furthermore, Paris is in the heart of Europe, within easy reach of UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and Spain, which can be easily visited on day or weekend trips.
Requirements
All students who have been accepted into the program will be required take the introductory research techniques tutorial offered by Dr. Engle, Dr. Link, and Dr. Mills; other interested students may participate as well. This intensive research tutorial will meet daily during the one or two weeks following the end of the spring semester. Topics to be covered are good scientific techniques, lab book maintenance, responsible conduct of research, standard methods in protein preparations, SDS gel electrophoresis, Western blotting with respect to antibody detection techniques, and best practices for spectroscopic experiments coupled with photobiology. Introduction to French culture and Paris will also be presented.
Eligibility:
- All students can apply, both domestic and international.
- Unless you are an Engineering/Physics student, ideal candidates have completed the following courses before the summer begins: PHYS 160 - 163 or PHYS 170 - 173, BIOL 160 - 163, BIOL 230 - 231 and or BIOL/CHEM 440. In special cases, we may select students with a majority of these requirements, so when in doubt, please contact Dr. Link or Dr. Engle.
- Cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
The ideal cohort will be two students, with a variety of academic strengths and majors, with special attention to the inclusion of historically under-represented STEM students.
All students who go abroad must register through the Center for International Education, enroll in CISI international insurance coverage, and submit the XU required risk management paperwork (three forms plus a copy of US medical insurance card and passport).
International students, if selected, will have to complete a few other forms involving student visas, I-20 paperwork, and possibly gain a visa to France. This can all be done in consultation with Ms. Tsvetoslava Karaivanova in the Center for International Education.
Contact Us
Justin Link
Principal Investigator
linkj2@xavier.edu
Dorothy Engle
Co Principal Investigator
engle@xavier.edu
Co Principal Investigator
Lab Webpage
International Research Mentor
margaret.ahmad@courriel.upmc.fr
Project Funding
This project was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.1658640 for May 2017-April 2020. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Current funding is provided through Xavier University, the College of Arts and Sciences, Borcer Fund, McDonald Fund, and various departmental funds and grants.