Summer Research Internship - CCASSIP

This internship is offered through the Columbia College Alumni-Sponsored Student Internship Program, (CCASSIP). To learn more about CCASSIP go to http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/findajob/cce-internship/CCASSIP. CCASSIP Positions and the program are open to CC students only. All CCASSIP 2017 positions will be posted on LionSHARE during the Fall 2016/Spring 2017 semester on a rolling basis. To find CCASSIP internship postings, search under the Internships tab on LionSHARE, and use the “Label” function. There is no application limit for CCASSIP positions. Having your resume and cover letter reviewed by a CCE counselor is strongly recommended before applying. Quick Questions happen at CCE M-F 1pm – 4pm. There are also information sessions where you can learn more about all CCE’s summer internship programs. http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/calendar.

The following documents must be submitted through LionSHARE for each position of interest:

1. Resume
2. Transcript (This is your spring course schedule which you should access by logging onto Student Services Online, clicking on “My Schedule” and copying and pasting your Spring 2017 course schedule into a Microsoft Word Document. The schedule should show your full name, your school, your Spring 2017 Courses, and your enrollment status.)
3. Cover Letter (if required, click Apply Now and check for required documents)
4. Other materials (ex: Writing Sample, etc. if required, click Apply Now and check for required documents)

Submit your completed applications via LionSHARE by Sunday, February 12, 2017.

Internship Description:

Hospital for Special Surgery is seeking students for 6-8 week lab-based summer internships. Laboratory research at Hospital for Special Surgery is focused on mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal, and autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, and discovering and developing effective therapeutic approaches for rheumatic and orthopedic diseases. Faculty in interrelated Programs in Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration; Autoimmunity and Inflammation; Musculoskeletal Integrity; and Tissue Engineering, Regeneration and Repair carry out research projects in basic and translational science.

To apply for this experience, review the listings of research programs and faculty and provide a statement explaining which lab(s) you are interested in applying for and your relevant lab experience. In addition to your statement, submit a resume which includes your lab experience and GPA.

Applicants should review research programs and faculty using the links below in addition to the information at the bottom of the posting.
Research Programs https://www.hss.edu/research-programs.asp
Research Faculty https://www.hss.edu/research-professional-staff.asp

There is a $5,000 stipend for the research internship.

Research:
Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration- Cells resident in musculoskeletal tissues, including osteoclasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and fibroblasts mediate homeostatic remodeling and maintain tissue integrity. Dysregulation of the balance between the destructive and reparative functions of these cells during the course of arthritis and related orthopedic and rheumatic diseases results in tissue damage. To define cellular and molecular mechanisms important in musculoskeletal tissue destruction and to develop novel approaches to preventing tissue destruction in patients with arthritis and related diseases ongoing research studies include mechanisms of cellular signaling in disease and tissue regeneration, transcriptional regulation of inflammatory gene expression, inflammatory osteolysis, signal transduction and epigenetics in inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bone destruction, and osteoimmunology.

Autoimmunity and Inflammation- The cells and mediators of the immune system function together in a highly complex network to maintain the integrity of the body in the face of potentially damaging microbes in our environment. When control of the immune system is impaired, autoimmunity and tissue damage due to inflammation can result. The prototype diseases studied include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and vasculitis. In addition, the inflammatory contributions to musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis, are investigated. Research studies include mechanisms of immunoregulation, role of nucleic acids in autoimmunity, inflammatory effector mechanisms in SLE, molecular mechanisms of T cell dysfunction in autoimmunity, and lymphoid tissue organization and function.

Musculoskeletal Integrity- Research is focused on addressing mechanisms of bone biology, skeletal fragility, tissue mineralization, and skeletal adaptation to various stimuli and the osseointegration of orthopedic and dental implant materials. Studies include bone quality and analyses of mineral and matrix structure in normal conditions and in diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and osteogenesis imperfecta; and the use of osteoinductive materials to alter adaptation and fracture healing.

Tissue Engineering, Regeneration and Repair- Mechanisms of joint injuries commonly seen in active individuals, including injury to articular cartilage, tendon, ligament, meniscus, and intervertebral disc are being determined to develop cell- and tissue-based strategies to prevent, repair, regenerate, or replace injured tissues. Research studies include determining the relationship between joint mechanics and the biological response of tissues, basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing of joint tissues, understanding the altered signaling pathways that lead to joint tissue disruption in osteoarthritis, and the developmental biology of intervertebral discs of the spine.