RaMP Spring 2026 Project Descriptions

Olivia Chohan, PhD Student

CCHMC

In person

We are investigating metabolic changes in neurons following Traumatic Brain Injury. Student will work 8-10 hours per week and analyze metabolic data and prepare tissue sections for immunohistochemistry. They will also aid in imaging and quantification. 

Qing Goh, PhD

CCHMC

In person

Injury to the brachial plexus at birth is a common cause of childhood neuromuscular disorders. It leads to the formation of disabling muscle contractures, or limb stiffness, which severely limits joint motion in the injured arms. As these contractures are incurable, our lab seeks to understand how they develop, and design strategies to prevent them and restore quality of life in affected children. Currently, we are exploring how a muscle grows in length, and investigating drug therapies for preventing contractures. 

Our lab takes a holistic approach in your development as a future professional in the biomedical sciences. We offer you a unique opportunity to work with and learn from both scientists and clinicians. You can expect a strong commitment from us in our mentoring relationship, which we hope will extend beyond this program. For your part, you will be challenged to think critically, be engaged and proactive in learning, and develop your research communication skills. Above all else, a strong desire to learn and willingness to be involved will greatly enhance your research experience!

While your lab schedule is flexible, a weekly commitment of 8-10 hours across 2-3 days/week would enhance your experience with us.

June Goto, PhD

CCHMC

In Person

Our lab focuses on studying the etiology and potential new therapies for neonatal hydrocephalus. We recently developed a novel tool to eliminate the cerebrospinal fluid-producing organ, the choroid plexus, in the brain. The goal of this student study will be to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel tool in rodents by conducting laboratory work using histology, rodent brain MRI, human ChP organoids, by assisting ongoing work in the lab by postdocs and a graduate student. 10+ hours a week

Chamindu Gunatilaka, PhD

CCHMC

Remote

Premature birth interrupts normal airway development, potentially leading to structural differences that impact airway size, stability, and overall respiratory function. However, the effect of prematurity on airway structure is not well understood. This study aims to quantitatively analyze the airway of babies born prematurely and compare them with respiratory-control neonates.

The student will gain experience in airway segmentation and quantitative geometric analysis using medical imaging data (e.g., MRI). Analysis will be conducted primarily with a programming language such as Matlab, so basic coding knowledge is recommended. The project involves performing geometric measurements of the airway and integrating these results with clinical data to explore possible structure–function relationships. Beyond technical skills, the student will also develop presentation abilities and may be acknowledged through publications. A minimum commitment of 8 hours per week is expected. Additional details about the research group are available at the following link. 

(https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/divisions/p/pulmonary/labs/bates).

Priyanka Gudsoorkar, BDS,MPH,MBA

UCCOM

Remote

This project explores the use of an AI-powered tele-dentistry platform, to expand access to oral health screening in global communities. The student researcher will gain hands-on experience in survey design, data collection, and analysis, while also developing skills in digital health, global health research, and ethical study conduct. A commitment of 5–8 hours per week is expected, with mentorship focused on building transferable research and critical thinking skills.

By the end of the project, the student will understand how AI tools can be applied in global health, gain practical skills in survey-based research and data analysis, and strengthen their ability to think critically about ethical and equity issues in digital health.

Carson Hartlage, MD/PhD Student

CCHMC

Online

Despite decades of medical advances, socioeconomic and geographic health disparities persist, calling for novel approaches to identifying root causes and targeting interventions. The Brokamp group seeks to address these gaps; working at the intersection of population health and informatics, we study place-based factors impacting pediatric health outcomes at an individual and community level. 

The RaMP role can be tailored to the skills and interests of the student. We have several student projects in mind, including:

-using large language models to extract structured data from psychiatric intake notes

-assessing the health impacts of housing-related exposures using 311 reports

-evaluating associations between hyperlocal gunshot events and psychiatric exacerbations

The student will gain experience in R programming (previous coding experience is helpful but not required), biostatistics and machine learning, and integration of clinical and geospatial datasets. They will also have the opportunity to participate in biweekly group meetings and receive close, hands-on mentorship. We anticipate a workload of ~8 hours/week, with a flexible schedule.

Heather Huerman, Research Associate III

CCHMC

In Person

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) affects 2 million people worldwide and is caused by variants in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes, leading to altered cell signal transduction and hyperactivation of the (mTOR) pathway. Epilepsy is the most common neurological manifestation (~90%) with early onset (90% by 12mo) and a high source of morbidity (Salussolia et al., 2019).  TSC1/2 mutations are spread across the entire protein coding sequence of the two genes, with TSC2 mutations usually presenting a more severe disease phenotype than TSC1 mutations (Martin et al., 2017). Specific TSC2 mutations within certain gene regions have been linked to varying epilepsy phenotypes, but overall genotype-phenotype relationships are unclear (Eeghen et al., 2016). This project will investigate the effect of a specific TSC2 mutation found in patients (hTSC2XY) that leads to a truncated TSC2 protein. The student will participate in cryosectioning of mouse brains from neonatal mice expressing the TSC2 mutation. They will also assist in immunostaining of these brain sections, imaging on a Widefield microscope, and proceeding with analysis and quantification to assess the effects of the TSC2 mutation on cell signaling and brain morphology.

The Gross lab is looking for a motivated student interested in participating in hypothesis-driven neuroscience research with the goal to understand disease mechanisms of neurological disorders. The student will have the opportunity to learn different skills related to cell and molecular techniques, as well as building their background on reviewing scientific journals and presentation skills. Ideally the student would work 6-9 hours per week.

Md Iftekhar Islam, PhD Student

CCHMC

In Person

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs, blocking normal blood flow. It often affects people with sedentary lifestyles, long periods of immobility, or certain medical conditions, and can lead to serious complications if untreated, such as amputation. Our lab is working on a new medical technology called histotripsy, which uses focused ultrasound waves to break up harmful blood clots in the body without invasive surgery. The idea is similar to using sound as a super-precise jackhammer, shattering clots into tiny pieces so the body can naturally clear them. One challenge is that as ultrasound travels through tissue, it loses its precise focusing because different tissue layers (such as fat, skin and connective tissue) cause the waves to arrive at the clot target at different times. As a result, maintaining precise focusing of the ultrasound waves can be difficult. While many methods have been proposed to correct this, few have been rigorously tested or compared for their effectiveness in real-world scenarios. 

In the first stage of this research, which will be the focus of this RaMP project this spring, we will develop computer-based simulations to model real-world conditions and test the efficiency of different ultrasound focusing algorithms. In later stages of the project (beyond this spring), phantom experiments with heterogeneous tissue layers will be performed to evaluate and further improve the computational models. Ultimately, these findings will be integrated into the development of histotripsy therapy, where blood clots in pigs will be treated. 

As a student researcher, you will work with our team involving researchers from renowned institutions including Virginia Tech and the University of Chicago. The student is anticipated to work ~10 h per week on the project. It’s a great way to get hands-on experience on ultrasound technology, computational modeling, and problem-solving in biomedical engineering.

Lara Kanbar, PhD

CCHMC

Remote

Current school-based violence prevention strategies rely on school personnel and manual risk assessment interviews. We developed an Automated Risk Assessment (ARIA) system to predict risk levels using natural language processing (NLP) of structured interview transcripts. The long-term goal of the research is to analyze participant interviews, detect students with elevated risk for aggressive acts, provide risk characteristics (e.g., impulsivity, negative thoughts), and suggest support for the preemptive prevention of these acts. Participants are interviewed by Psychiatry using a specific risk assessment scale, after which the interview is transcribed. Natural language processing is then used to identify key risk factors in the interview that could predict future aggression using machine learning.

The objective of the proposed project is to determine the predictive utility of automatically classifying the sentiment of an interview for future risk. The student will learn about large scale subject recruitment, data management, programming, data processing, natural language processing, and machine learning depending on their interest. The student will be provided a laptop and require Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training upon starting the project. This position is remote.

Jihye Kang, PhD Candidate

Allergy & Immunobiology, CCHMC

In Person

Inflammation is a major cause of disease and early death. One important immune cell involved is the macrophage, which can either help heal or make things worse. Thus, Ty Troutman lab study to understand what causes macrophages to act in harmful ways during disease.

In a chronic liver disease called MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), macrophages experience cellular stress due to the unhealthy environment in the liver. One type of stress, called ER stress, happens when the cell’s protein-folding system (the endoplasmic reticulum) gets overwhelmed—often due to cholesterol buildup in MASH.

My research studies how this stress changes macrophage behavior and leads to more inflammation and liver damage. We use a mix of Molecular biology, genomics, and computer-based analysis to explore these questions.

We’re looking for highly motivated undergraduate students who are:

• Curious about science

• Eager to learn

• Excited to make a real impact

 As a student in our lab, you’ll get hands-on experience with:

• Designing and running experiments (cell culture, Western blot, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry)

• Analyzing data using bioinformatics tools

• Discovering how immune cells behave in disease

Time commitment: 10–20 hours/week, with stretches of at least 5 hours, 2 days (flexible) a week.

Lab website: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/divisions/a/allergy-immunology/labs/troutman

We welcome students with a curious mind and a passion for discovery to join our team!

Bo Li, Postdoctoral Fellow

CCHMC

In Person

This project will help us understand how uterine glands are formed and how they contribute to successful embryo implantation. Using advanced 3D imaging and tissue-clearing approaches, we aim to visualize uterine gland development in three dimensions, providing a comprehensive view of their structure and function. The student researcher will play an active role in this process by assisting with tissue preparation, immunostaining, and microscopy, as well as analyzing 3D reconstructions and organizing experimental data. Depending on progress, the student may also contribute to gene expression analysis and literature review. Through this project, the student will gain hands-on training in developmental and reproductive biology, modern imaging techniques, and data interpretation.

Waseem Nasr, Postdoctoral Fellow

CCHMC

In Person

Chronic inflammation is responsible for several diseases, including clonal hematopoiesis, acquired bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFS), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). All these conditions are characterized by one or more lineage loss of hematopoiesis in the peripheral blood with cells' dysfunction. Clinical studies demonstrate that immune activation and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNFα, IL-6, TGFβ) directly result in ineffective hematopoiesis in MDS and BMFS. However, the mechanisms by which chronic inflammation promotes MDS initiation and progression remain unclear. 

There is growing evidence that mitochondria, aside from their role in energy metabolism, are signaling hubs that integrate stress and immune pathways. Mitochondrial has the potential to augment inflammatory signaling and bias stem cell fate and thereby be a critical bridge between inflammation and hematopoietic failure. Our lab is interested in exploring cellular and molecular pathways that regulate HSC regenerative functions and how these pathways are disrupted following inflammatory and replicative stress.

The overall objective of this project is to investigate how mitochondrial-associated proteins regulate inflammation and cause hematopoietic failure, with a focus on high-risk MDS at the hemopoietic stem cells (HSC) level. To achieve this goal end, we employ transgenic mouse models, patient samples and cell culture assays, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy.

The student will gain hands-on experience in general cell biology techniques, assistance with experiments, and participation in data analysis. A minimum of a 10 hour per week commitment is expected, ideally in two sessions of approximately 5 hours each. 

Surya Prasath, PhD

Biomedical Informatics, CCHMC

Remote

We are looking for strong and motivated students for a variety of artificial intelligence (AI) + biomedical data science projects. Prasath Lab is interested in leveraging AI to solve challenges in biomedical informatics domain. Given the expertise and experience with the multidisciplinary projects and the proven track-record in bringing quantitative approaches from mathematics, computer science, and statistics we are well-poised to be a connector among different domains. The following are three major directions:

1. Imaging Informatics

Application of image processing, computer vision, machine learning and deep learning techniques to biomedical imaging data

2. Applied Clinical Informatics

Application of natural language processing, signal processing, image processing, computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to clinical, heath, and medical informatics problems.

3. AI Text Analytics

Application of Large Language Models (LLMs) from GPT to LLaMA for extracting valuable insights from diverse medical texts across the healthcare system to decode complex medical narratives and uncover hidden knowledge and help healthcare practitioners, medical professionals in decision

Kristina Preusse, PhD, Associate Staff Scientist

Developmental Biology, CCHMC

In Person

Notch signaling is a highly conserved signaling pathway important for a wide variety of processes during development and homeostasis. Disruptions in Notch signaling can lead to a range of developmental disorders, including Adams-Oliver Syndrome (AOS) and Alagille Syndrome (ALG), as well as contribute to diseases like cancer.

Adams-Oliver Syndrome (AOS) is a rare congenital disorder caused by mutations in components of the Notch signaling pathway, including NOTCH1, DLL4, and RBPJ. Patients with AOS typically present with aplasia cutis congenita (scalp defects), transverse terminal limb abnormalities, and cardiovascular defects.

Our lab has developed a transgenic mouse line carrying the RBPJ-E89G allele, which is associated with AOS. In a Notch1 heterozygous background, these mice exhibit severe vascular and cardiac defects, resulting in reduced viability. Our current research focuses on:

• Establishing an inducible mouse model for postnatal vascular analysis.
• Investigating why the RBPJ-E89G mutation disrupts NOTCH1-dependent processes but not those regulated by NOTCH2.

The RaMP student will assist with:

• Genotyping mice using PCR and gel electrophoresis.
• Performing immunofluorescent staining on mouse tissues.
• Conducting microscopic imaging and quantitative image analysis.

Note: The student will not be required to handle live animals. We anticipate a commitment of 8–10 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate academic responsibilities.

Yasmin Sahlloul, PhD Student

UCCOM

In Person

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain disorder, marked by comorbidities such as fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and cognitive symptoms. Recent studies suggest that crosstalk between the immune system and sensory neurons play a crucial role in the persistence of pain. With this, our previous research showed how viral immune receptors expressed in sensory neurons contribute to pain processing. We particularly focus on stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) receptors.

In our current study, we are investigating the role of STING and RIG-I in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and their contribution to FM's underlying pain mechanism. Our study utilizes behavioral and molecular approaches, such as Von Frey Test, Rotarod, Open Field Test, Western Blot, PCR, and ELISA. Student researchers would be exposed to such approaches with an opportunity to work on molecular assay and score behavior. Additionally, we encourage students to actively participate in our weekly lab presentations.  We expect students to need 10-12 hours per week to collect valuable data, however we are flexible according to the students’ schedule. This opportunity is great for contribution and exposure to the neuroimmunology and pain!

Sripriya Nannu Shankar, PhD, Assistant Professor

Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences

CCHMC

In person

My group investigates the transmission of aerosols (such as smoke particles, chemicals, and microbes) and their impact on human health through laboratory and field investigations. While the latter involves collecting samples from the real world, laboratory studies focus on mimicking real-life scenarios under controlled conditions. The impact of aerosols on human health will be studied using novel engineered tools to generate and deliver aerosols to in vitro cultured lung cells at the air-liquid interface (similar to how particles deposit in our lung). This aligns with the USEPA’s focus on the development of novel alternative methods to minimize the use of animal models in research. Furthermore, the effectiveness of different interventions in minimizing exposure risks will be evaluated.

The student(s) will gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art instrumentation related to measuring aerosols, as well as collecting and analyzing them through different techniques. They will be given the opportunity to work as a team as well as an independent researcher, after training. Upon successful completion of the program, the scholars will have gained interdisciplinary training (on either or more than 2 fields: aerosol science, microbiology, toxicology, and instrumentation). The student(s) will also be trained in scientific writing for publication(s) and are encouraged to present their research at professional conferences/symposia. Post-completion of the first semester as a RaMP scholar, there are opportunities to conduct long-term research through different programs (RaMP, SURF, etc.).

Dilip Kumar Singh, Research Scientist

CCHMC

In Person

This project, Metabolic Enzymes in the Epidermis: Implications for Drug Design and Delivery, investigates how enzymes present in the skin influence the metabolism, efficacy, and safety of topically and transdermally delivered therapeutics. The student researcher will play a key role in conducting literature reviews, assisting with experimental design, participating in laboratory assays to profile enzyme activity, analyzing data, and contributing to the interpretation of results for translational drug delivery strategies. The role is designed to provide hands-on research training and exposure to both the biological and pharmacological aspects of drug development. The student is expected to commit approximately 8–10 hours per week to this project. 

Debora Sinner, PhD

Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, CCHMC

In Person 

The Sinner lab is dedicated to unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern the patterning of the mammalian respiratory tract. Our research, which is crucial in understanding and potentially treating congenital diseases of the respiratory tract, is also relevant for acquired and adult diseases of the central airways, such as injury after extended intubation, and peripheral lung. We are particularly interested in understanding how chromatin remodeling influences the crosstalk between the epithelium and the mesenchyme, thereby mediating the differentiation of the respiratory tract cell lineages. We are studying models to define the role of Arid1a and Arid1b, two genes mediating chromatin remodeling in the differentiation of mesenchymal lineages of the airways and distal lung. We are also developing a model of ex vivo airway injury to define the role of chromatin remodeling and Wnt signaling pathway in healing and repair of the trachea (windpipe) and lung.

We employ a wide range of advanced tools and methods, including molecular biology techniques, cell and tissue isolation and culture, live imaging, next-gen sequencing, and state-of-the-art microscopy. These techniques allow us to delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the patterning of the mammalian respiratory tract, offering an exciting opportunity for those interested in respiratory and molecular biology. 

While we can accommodate a flexible schedule, we anticipate that the undergraduate student will devote 10-12 hours per week to research. We recommend two consecutive days for this commitment, as it aligns well with our experimental design.

For more information, visit:

https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/divisions/p/pulmonary-bio/labs/sinner/members

Courtney Stockman, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

CCHMC

In Person

Alveolarization is the final stage of lung development and is essential for establishing the vast surface area required for efficient gas exchange. During this stage, the lung undergoes secondary septation, a process where large primitive air sacs (saccules) are subdivided into smaller units called alveoli. These mature alveoli dramatically increase the surface area of the lung and bring capillaries into direct contact with the alveolar airspace, allowing oxygen to diffuse into the blood and carbon dioxide to exit the body. Proper alveolarization is therefore critical for postnatal lung function, and disruptions to this process are associated with developmental lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Project Goals:

• Visualize and compare the expression of CXCL12 and CXCL14 at postnatal days 7, 14, and 21, and changes in BPD

• Identify which endothelial subtypes or fibroblast populations may be associated with CXCL12/CXCL14 expression by co-staining with key markers.

• Determine how CXCL12 loss impacts the localization and expression of CXCL14 and endothelial markers.

• Learn and apply fundamental histological techniques, including sectioning paraffin blocks, antibody staining, and confocal imaging.

• Present findings in a lab meeting to practice scientific communication.

Kate Von Handorf, PhD Candidate

UCCOM

In Person

In glioblastoma (GBM), reduced overall survival is associated with the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases such as AXL. AXL plays pro-tumor roles in GBM cells as well as macrophages, the most prevalent immune cell type in GBM tumors. My project seeks to determine the impact of AXL targeting on both GBM cells and macrophages. Our in vitro model systems include human patient-derived glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), human primary macrophages, and newly developed chimerasphere co-culture systems. Our preliminary data supports that AXL inhibitors alter gene expression in a similar fashion to EGFR and BRAF inhibitors, differentially kill GSCs, reduce cell proliferation, and differentially alter macrophage immunophenotypes. This work suggests that the choice of AXL inhibitor is critically important when considering effects on the tumor immune milieu and on GBM growth suppression.

The role of the student researcher would be to learn and assist with bench work that may include glioblastoma cell culture, western blot, RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, and other molecular and cell biology techniques. Light bioinformatics work may also be an option (no coding skills necessary). Desired hours per week: 8-10.

Qiwei Xiao, PhD

CCHMC

In Person

This project employs advanced CT image analysis to segment pulmonary vasculature and quantify morphological characteristics in patients with lung disease. Using computational imaging techniques, we extract detailed vascular measurements including vessel geometry, branching patterns, and density metrics, then correlate these quantitative parameters with clinical diagnoses to identify disease-specific vascular signatures and develop imaging-based diagnostic tools.

Yang Yu, PhD

CCHMC

In Person

Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) is the key gene on the Y chromosome that triggers male development by activating SOX9 and promoting testis formation. We generated the sry reporter mice which can be used for the lineage tracing in vivo. We will study the expression pattern and function in different male tissues and at various developmental stages.

Simin Zhang, MD

UCCOM, CCHMC

In Person

This projects investigates the role of granzyme B in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Student will learn molecular biology techniques including immunofluorescence and ELISA to determine levels of granzyme B in the human esophagus, and determine its distribution in healthy and disease states. Depending on time commitment, students may further investigate the functional role of granzyme B in EoE.