UAB Research Opportunities
Microbiology Research TechnicianDEPARTMENT: Department of Microbiology at UAB
SUPERVISED BY: Amy Weinmann, Ph.D.
Contact (Email): firstname.lastname@example.org
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, perform experiments to address the mechanisms by
which lineage-specifying transcription factors contribute to cellular differentiation and activation in the
Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Contribute to individual research project: perform experiments and help analyze data.
2. Perform experimental techniques including PCR, Western blot, DNA preparation and cloning,
chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, cell culture and transfections, and flow cytometry.
3. Responsible for mouse colony maintenance and oversight.
4. Willingness to work both as a team member and individual.
5. Other duties as requested.
Education Requirement: A Bachelor's degree in biological sciences. Applicants projected to complete
their Bachelor’s degree in the Spring of 2014 are also encouraged to apply. Opportunties for
undergraduates are also available.
Desired Experience: Highly motivated individuals of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. At
least one year of experience in immunology or molecular biology research and experience working with
mice is perferred.
Laboratory Research Interests/Description
The Weinmann laboratory studies the mechanisms by which lineage-specifying transcription factors
regulate cell fate specific gene expression patterns in immune cell development. It has long been
appreciated that individual cell lineages have distinct gene expression profiles that are necessary for the
appropriate functioning of each unique cell type in the body. During development, there is a dynamic
regulation of gene expression patterns that allows multipotential progenitor cells to differentiate towards a
defined and committed endpoint lineage. This type of process starts at the outset of the organism, as
embryonic stem cells begin with the potential to become any cell type of the body, but progressive
decisions during development commit each cell to a well-defined lineage. In the immune system,
hematopoietic stem cells can self renew, and in response to environmental signaling events, have the
potential to become any cell type in the immune system. The complement of lineage-specifying
transcription factors present in a cell is ultimately responsible for determining the cellular phenotype by
creating a cascade of gene expression changes that defines its functional capability. Even minor
alterations in the activities of developmental transcription factors can severely compromise the
commitment process and have pathogenic consequences. This has been well documented, with genetic
mutations in several key transcription factor families associated with birth defects and cancer. Most
notably in the immune system, numerous types of leukemia and lymphoma are attributable to
translocation events that disrupt transcription factors.
A major focus of the research in the Weinmann lab has been defining the mechanisms that the Tbox
and BTB-ZF factors utilize to promote cellular transitions that lead to the specialization of CD4+ T cell
functional subsets. We are defining the mechanisms these families utilize to establish epigenetic
patterns in a cell-type and activation-state specific manner as well as their role in other aspects of gene
regulation. Collectively, our mechanistic studies will provide new insight into many human diseases that
are associated with dysregulation of these pathways, including a major emphasis on blood cancers,
autoimmunity, and pathogenic immune responses.
Research Focus: Investigating mutant mouse strains that have altered genes to see how the genetic changes affect skin cancer development from exposure to UV light. Students can assist my researchers when tumors need to be monitored - once a week.
The work would require at least one hour a day, every other day, 3 days a week (M, W, F). There are always other opportunities for assisting us, if the student is interested.
For more information contact Nick Bieser Coordinator of Undergraduate Research email@example.com
Infectious Diseases Research
Research Focus: Work Study Student Needed
Student Assistant - student position needed to perform research based work in laboratory using bio-chemicals. Research will include protein purification, enzyme assay, and DNA analysis. Hired Student is expected to prepare reagents and set up crystallization in the lab. Training will be provided
Prefer student with lab experience but not mandatory
Part Time - 20 hrs/week (flexible), $10/hr with work study awarded for Summer and possible Fall Term
For more information contact Sharon Montgomery - firstname.lastname@example.org | 205-934-6748
Human Obesity Research
School of Public Health
Obesity research mainly focused on collecting information from the published literature and /or existing electronic databases, coding data, analyzing data (with support), and preparing summaries of results. Students may at some point be involved in studies that would involve collecting data from human participants. Would like students to be able to devote at least 10 hrs/week.
Looking for students with: Computer, Blazer I.D., Mathematical literacy, IRB Training (or willing to take)
For more information contact Nick Bieser Coordinator of Undergraduate Research email@example.com
Lee Ann Riesenberg, PhD, RN
Director Medical Education Outcomes and Research
Phone: (205) 975-3729
Office location: Jefferson Towers (JT909)
Lab location: Research Assistant Office (JT910)
Brief description of research focus:
Medical education outcomes research and quality improvement research; writing systematic reviews of the medical
education literature; shift-to-shift handoffs and transitions of care; medical education curriculum development and faculty
development outcomes research; medical education evaluation research; stressed resident research; quality improvement
curriculum in medical education and interdisciplinary education research.
Example Recent projects: 2008-Present
Horne A, Morrone D, Malebranche LJ, Kolm P, Zhang W, Jurkovitz CT, Riesenberg L, Aguiar RT, Weintraub W. Bayesian meta-analysis of PCI compared to OMT in patients with SIHD or post AMI.Abstract submitted to American College of Cardiology Annual Conference, March 9-11, 2013, San Francisco, CA.
Riesenberg L, Consiglio-Ward L, Stofferahn M. How to integrate quality improvement and patient safety curriculum into Graduate Medical Education. Presented at 6 conferences; manuscript in process.
Read A, DeCouto S, Stofferahn M, Kunkel E, Blair P, Consiglio-Ward L, Elliott D, Friedland A, Palmer TL, Schenck S, Riesenberg L. RITE-O (Residents Improving Transitions of Care: ED to Outpatient). Multiple presentations; manuscript in process.
Riesenberg L, Elliott D, Anderson J, Mody P, Ryan J, Burch M, Unnikrishnana D, Palmer TL, Justice E. Notification of the primary care physician after one of his/her patient’s has been seen in the emergency department: A systematic review of the literature. (In Process).
Riesenberg L, Davis J, Patel R, Riley-Holdinsky S, Ragozine-Bush H, Donnelly J. Bedside report for shift-to-shift handoffs: A systematic review of the literature. (In Process).
Aboff B, Donnelly J, Elliott D, Genuardi J, Riesenberg L. Ambulatory block scheduling: A better model for an Internal Medicine curriculum—one program’s experience using a “4+2” design. (In Process).
Berg K, Riesenberg L, Berg D, Mealey K, Davis J, Weber D, King D, Justice EM, Davis J, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for radial arterial line insertion: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Process).
Riesenberg L, Berg D, Berg K, Mealey K, Davis J, Weber D, King D, Hargraves R, Little BW. Resident and Attending Physician Perception of Maladaptive Response to Stress in Residents. Academic Medicine (Submitted).
Riesenberg L, Berg K, Mealey K, Little B, Hargraves R, King D, Davis J, Berg D. Early detection and intervention for the stressed resident. MeEdPORTAL (Submitted).
Berg D, Berg K, Riesenberg L, Mealey K, Davis J, Weber D, King D, Justice EM, Davis J, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for (male and female) Foley catheter insertion: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Press).
Riesenberg L, Berg K, Berg D, Mealey K, Weber D, King D, Daves J, Justice EM, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for nasogastric tube insertion: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Press).
Berg K, Riesenberg L, Berg D, Mealey K, Weber D, King D, Justice EM, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for lumbar puncture: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Press).
Riesenberg L, Berg K, Berg D, Mealey K, Weber D, King D, Justice EM, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for paracentesis: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Press: Ahead of Publication—available via the Internet).
Berg D, Berg K, Riesenberg L, Weber D, King D, Mealey K, Justice EM, Geffe K, Tinkoff G. The development of a validated checklist for thoracentesis: Preliminary results. American Journal of Medical Quality (In Press: Ahead of Publication—available via the Internet).
Riesenberg L. Shift-to Shift Handoff Research: Where do we go from here? [Editorial]. J Graduate Med Educ 2012;4(1):4-8.
Elliott DJ, Robinson EJ, Sanford M, Herrman J, Riesenberg L. Systemic barriers to diabetes management in primary care: A qualitative analysis of Delaware physicians. Am J Med Quality 2011;26(4):284-290.
Riesenberg L, Leitzsch J, Cunningham JM. Nursing handoffs: A systematic review of the literature. American Journal of Nursing 2010;110(4):24-34.
Riesenberg L, Leitzsch J, Massucci JL, Jaeger J, Rosenfeld JC, Patow C, Padmore JM, Karpovich KP. Residents’ and attending physicians’ handoffs: A systematic review of the literature. Academic Medicine 2009;84(12):1775-1787.
Padmore JS, Jaeger J, Riesenberg L, Karpovich KP, Rosenfeld JC, Patow CA. “Renters” or “Owners”? residents’ perceptions and behaviors regarding error reduction in teaching hospitals: A literature review. Academic Medicine 2009;84(12):1765-1774.
Patow CA, Karpovich KP, Riesenberg L, Jaeger J, Rosenfeld JC, Wittenbreer M, Padmore JS. Residents’ engagement in quality improvement: A systematic review of the literature. Academic Medicine 2009;84(12):1757-1764.
Riesenberg L, Little BW, Wright V. Nonphysician medical educators: A literature review and job description resource. Academic Medicine 2009;84(8):1078-1088
Riesenberg L, Leitzsch J, Little BW. Systematic review of handoffs mnemonics literature. American Journal of Medical Quality 2009;24:196-204. DOI 10.1177/1062860609332512. http://ajm.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/24/3/196?ijkey=hobC./mQrqaOo&keytype=ref&siteid=spajm&utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1J22
Riesenberg L. Free them up…Effective patient safety and quality improvement require skill [Editorial]. American Journal of Medical Quality 2008;23(6):418-419.