Internships 2020 – Page 3 – Cancer Research Experiences for Students (CaRES)

31EJ – End-of-Life Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer in AL: Patterns and Disparities

Status: Filled – Intern: Tawa Alabi
Intern: Tawa Alabi
Faculty Name: emily-e-johnston
UAB Department: Peds Heme/Onc
UAB School: Pediatrics
Campus Address: 1600 7th Avenue North
Telephone Number: (205) 638-2133
Email: ejohnston@peds.uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 1
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 1
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Elizabeth Davis (Data Analysts and previous CARE student)
2. Dr. Julie Wolfson
Title of Project: 31EJ – End-of-Life Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer in AL: Patterns and Disparities
Project Description:

Important steps in improving end-of-life care for adolescents and young adults with cancer include determining what what patterns of end-of-life care are. We can then use that data to determine if those patterns are consistent with patient and family goals. It is known that adolescents and young adults with cancer are more likely to die in the hospital and have medically aggressive care than their older or younger counterparts. However, little is known about hospice enrollment or how palliative care involvement affects those end-of-life outcomes, particularly in the Deep South. Therefore, we will conduct a chart review of adolescents and young adults who died of cancer at UAB to determine the patterns and disparities in their end-of-life care.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: July 31, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer topic: Palliative Care, Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: No
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Chart abstraction regarding EOL care

Analyze Data

Abstract Preparation

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Very likely
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
NONE OF THE ABOVE (just the willingness to learn)

30PK – Suppression of glioblastoma growth through modulation of RNA regulation in tumor associated microglia and macrophages

Status: Filled – Intern: Kruthika Gurukkal
Intern: Kruthika Gurukkal
Faculty Name: peter-king
UAB Department: Neurology
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: 545 Civitan
Telephone Number: (205) 934-2120
Email: phking@uabmc.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 1
CCC Research Area: Neuro-Oncology
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 3
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. 2
2. Raji Chellappan
Title of Project: 30PK – Suppression of glioblastoma growth through modulation of RNA regulation in tumor associated microglia and macrophages
Project Description:

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common central nervous system malignancy and is treatment resistant with a median survival of only 15 months. Treatment resistance centers on the tumor’s remarkable ability to manipulate the microenvironment in which it exists, including suppression of anti-tumor immune responses and induction of factors that support maintenance of the tumor itself, including the therapy resistant brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs). Major facilitators of these tumor promoting pathways are glioma-associated microglia and macrophages (GAMs) which comprise 30-50% of the cellular content of GBM. Through crosstalk with glioma cells, the molecular signature of GAMs is shaped to promote tumor progression through the production of cytokines such as IL-6, TGF-β, and VEGF which sustain BTICs and promote angiogenesis and invasion or through membrane-based proteins like PD-L1 which suppress anti-tumor T cell responses. A common regulatory thread for many of these GAM-derived factors is at the mRNA level where AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) modulate mRNA stability, translational efficiency, and ultimately protein expression. We and others have shown that HuR is a major positive regulator of these mRNAs through binding to the ARE and translocating to the cytoplasm to augment translation. Recently, we demonstrated that deletion of HuR in GAMs suppresses glioma growth and prolongs survival. Key factors that promote tumor growth, including maintenance of BTICs and immunosuppression were attenuated with a concomitant increase in recruitment of anti-tumor effector T cells. This exciting discovery provides strong support for the hypothesis of this application that HuR in GAMs modulates GAM/glioma cell crosstalk to create a microenvironment favorable for tumor progression. A corollary is that altering GAM RNA regulation can create a microenvironment that is detrimental to glioma progression. We propose three specific aims to address this hypothesis: (1) Assess the impact of HuR on molecular networks within GAMs and the cellular constituents of glioma tumors and correlate with tumor phenotype, (2) Assess the impact of HuR KO in GAMs on the immune landscape in the glioma microenvironment, (3) Determine whether HuR deletion in GAMs decreases BTIC maintenance and therapeutic resistance. The long term objective of this proposal is to gain a mechanistic understanding of how ARE-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in GAMs modulates GBM growth such that new therapies can be developed. The immunosuppressive microenvironment in GBM, for example, remains a major impediment to successful immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T. The innovation of this proposal is its investigation of post-transcriptional regulation as a novel pathway in GAMs that is critical for glioma/GAM crosstalk. The significance of this application extends beyond GBM as HuR is expressed in macrophages associated with other solid tumors such as breast and lung.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 18, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 18, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Animal Research
Cancer topic: Brain
Does this project involve human subjects: No
Does this project involve animal subjects: Yes
Duty:
1.

Assist with animal breeding and genotyping

Assist with glioma tumor cell injections in mice and tracking tumor progression by in vivo imaging

Assist with analysis of tumor phenotype by flow cytometry, qPCR ad Western blot

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Laboratory work bench space, Supplies needed to complete project, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Possible
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Animal Research, Laboratory Skills, basic knowledge, Molecular Biology

29MP – Adapting MultiPLe behavior Interventions that eFfectively Improve (AMPLIFI) Cancer Survivor Health: Participant Assessments

Status: Waiting list student #2: Melissa Sun
Intern:
Faculty Name: dr-maria-pisu
UAB Department: Medicine / Division of Preventive Medicine
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: Medical Towers 636, zip 4410
Telephone Number: (205) 975-7366
Email: mpisu@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 3 or more
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 10
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Aquila Brown
2.
Title of Project: 29MP – Adapting MultiPLe behavior Interventions that eFfectively Improve (AMPLIFI) Cancer Survivor Health: Participant Assessments
Project Description:

Adapting MultiPLe Behavior Interventions that eFfectively Improve [AMPLIFI] Cancer Survivor Health is a large study of cancer survivors from Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. AMPLIFI will test the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions (diet, weight loss, physical activity) to improve their quality of life. These interventions were previously tested and found efficacious. In AMPLIFI they are being adapted to be disseminated widely through technology.
CARES interns will participate in study assessments of participants. They will travel with a team of assessors and assist with setting up assessments, receiving participants, collect basic information, entering data, and other. By assisting assessors, students will observe and learn how to collect a variety of physical function tests and phlebotomy procedures. They will also learn about interacting with study participants and how to implement rigorous research protocols. Interns will also gain experience working with older research participants, utilize interpersonal and organizational skills to assist with the study implementation, and have the opportunity to train across similar studies to observe implementation. Travel may be involved at the study expense.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule (as for students who are instructed how to proceed and are permitted to work independently with weekly guidance) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Community-Based or Field Research
Cancer topic: Diet and Nutrition, Obesity, Survivorship, Multiple Cancer Sites, Exercise
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Participate in participants’ assessments for the AMPLIFI study.

Assist with data collection and study procedures related to assessments.

Assist with assessment preparation and data (chart) organization.

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Possible
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Cancer Rates, Trends and Statistics, Clinical Trials, Interview Skills, Literature Review Skills, Scientific Writing Skills, Statistics and Data Management, basic knowledge, Survivorship

28BL – Age-associated molecular signatures in cancer data sets

Status: Filled – Intern: Chandan Basetty
Intern: Chandan Basetty
Faculty Name: brittany-lasseigne
UAB Department: Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
UAB School: School of Medicine
Campus Address: 946 Tinsley Harrison Tower
Telephone Number: (205) 934-8156
Email: bnp0001@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 0
CCC Research Area: Experimental Therapeutics
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 3
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Dr. Vishal Oza
2. Tabea Soelter
Title of Project: 28BL – Age-associated molecular signatures in cancer data sets
Project Description:

Age is a major risk factor for cancer, with some cancers displaying age-related driver mechanisms. Older patients have historically been underrepresented in studies. A comprehensive assessment of the genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic characteristics of clinical tumor samples with respect to age is now possible with large public cohorts. Preliminary data indicate that a biomarker associated with a subset of cancer types in older patients may suggest clinical benefit by deploying approved therapeutics in novel contexts. This intern will contribute to a collaborative project aimed at establishing age-associated molecular signatures in publicly available glioblastoma multiforme, hepatocellular carcinoma, and skin cutaneous melanoma data sets. Additionally, we aim to establish molecular signatures associated with TERT promoter mutations cancer drug response in those cancers by evaluating pre- and post-treatment molecular signatures in public cell line-by-perturbation databases. While we would love to have an intern with previous programming and/or data analysis experience, we fully expect and have training plans to help the student learn R programming, genomics, and cancer biology needed to complete this project. Interest and enthusiasm are the most important prerequisites.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Analytical/Statistical Research
Cancer topic: Brain, Genetics, Liver, Skin, Treatment, Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: No
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Analyze data

Report and present results

Attend lab meetings, etc.

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Very likely
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Cell Biology, Computer Programming, Genetics and Genomics, Literature Review Skills, Molecular Biology, Statistical Genetics, Statistics and Data Management, basic knowledge, NONE OF THE ABOVE (just the willingness to learn)

27BL – Bioinformatics analysis to uncover molecular signatures of drug response

Status: Filled – Intern: Will Haynes
Intern: Will Haynes
Faculty Name: brittany-lasseigne-2
UAB Department: Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
UAB School: School of Medicine
Campus Address: 946 Tinsley Harrison Tower, 1900 University Blvd
Telephone Number: (210) 332-2953
Email: bnp0001@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 0
CCC Research Area: Experimental Therapeutics
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 3
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Dr. Vishal Oza
2. Jennifer Fisher
Title of Project: 27BL – Bioinformatics analysis to uncover molecular signatures of drug response
Project Description:

Recently, the FDA has approved chemotherapeutics that are tissue and/or site agnostic, allowing molecular profiles to drive which patient receives which drug instead of the cell type from which the cancer originated. Here the student will analyze cell line-by-perturbation database omics profiles for signatures indicating drug response irrespective of cancer type. While we would love to have an intern with previous programming and/or data analysis experience, we fully expect and have training plans to help the student learn R programming, genomics, and cancer biology needed to complete this project. Interest and enthusiasm are the most important pre-requisites.

Project Status: Will begin on or before the CaRES student’s start date
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Analytical/Statistical Research
Cancer topic: Genetics, Treatment, Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: No
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Analyze data

Report and share findings

Participate in lab meetings, etc.

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Very likely
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Computer Programming, Genetics and Genomics, Literature Review Skills, Molecular Biology, Statistics and Data Management, basic knowledge, Statistics and Data Management advanced, NONE OF THE ABOVE (just the willingness to learn)

26LR – Exercise, gut microbiome, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors

Status: Filled – Intern: Shelbie Cole
Intern: Shelbie Cole
Faculty Name: laura-q-rogers-md-mph
UAB Department: Medicine/Preventive Medicine
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: MT 614
Telephone Number: (205) 934-9735
Email: lqrogers@uabmc.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 3 or more
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 4
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Joshua Graham
2. Kaitlyn Waugaman
Title of Project: 26LR – Exercise, gut microbiome, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors
Project Description:

Exercise provides multiple biopsychosocial benefits after cancer diagnosis. Little is known about the human microbiome in cancer survivors, how exercise may affect the human microbiome, and whether these effects are related to persistent cancer-related symptoms (e.g., fatigue). Fecal microbiome samples are being collected as part of a randomized controlled trial testing the effects of exercise on the gut microbiome in fatigued breast cancer survivors. A CaRES student is needed to assist with completing microbiome related data entry, assays, and analyses. The student will work with Dr. Rogers, Dr. Rogers’ staff, and the UAB microbiome resource lab to process, analyze, interpret, and disseminate their results. This project offers the student the opportunity to participate in a translational project that involves both lab-based (e.g., DNA extraction, etc.) and patient-oriented research activities. The CaRES student will also participate in other exercise and cancer survivorship activities occurring within Dr. Rogers’ research program with the goal of better understanding exercise benefits and promotion in the target population. For example, the student may be able to assist with assessments done as part of several randomized controlled exercise trials in cancer survivors. The student may also participate in data management, scientific writing, and literature reviews, as part of secondary data analyses. The student will be expected to write an abstract for submission to a scientific meeting and participate as a co-author on a peer-reviewed manuscript, when appropriate.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer topic: Breast
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Prepare and help with gut microbiome assays

Data entry

Other duties based on interest and research trial progress at that time

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Supplies needed to complete project, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Possible
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Laboratory Skills, basic knowledge, Microbiology

25LR – Improving the health and well-being of cancer survivors through increased physical activity

Status: Filled – Intern: Sarah Shaner
Intern: Sarah Shaner
Faculty Name: laura-q-rogers-md-mph-2
UAB Department: Medicine/Preventive Medicine
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: MT 614
Telephone Number: (205) 934-9735
Email: lqrogers@uabmc.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 3 or more
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 4
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Ildiko Nyikos
2. Joshua Graham
Title of Project: 25LR – Improving the health and well-being of cancer survivors through increased physical activity
Project Description:

Physical activity improves the health and well-being of cancer survivors yet the majority of cancer survivors do not engage in regular physical activity. This is especially true for older cancer survivors and those living in rural settings. A multidisciplinary team of UAB investigators is working to overcome this gap through the adaptation of evidence-based weight loss and physical activity interventions for technology-based distance-delivery (web-based, text messaging, etc.). The CaRES intern will assist with developing physical activity and other health promotion materials, web-page refinement, intervention beta testing, intervention evaluation, and assisting with other aspects of the study. The CaRES student will also participate in other exercise and cancer survivorship activities occurring within Dr. Rogers’ research program with the goal of better understanding exercise benefits and promotion in the target population. For example, the student will be able to assist with assessments done as part of randomized controlled exercise trials in cancer survivors. The student may also participate in data management, scientific writing, and literature reviews, as part of secondary data analyses. The student will be expected to write an abstract for submission to a scientific meeting and participate as a co-author on a peer-reviewed manuscript, when appropriate.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 4, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Not very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day (as may be necessary to interview patients, attend lab meetings, process samples, etc.) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer topic: Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Help with refining the web-based intervention

Help with intervention evaluation data

Other duties based on interest and status of project at the time

24SS – Epidemiology and Co-Morbidities of HPV-Associated Cancers

Status: Filled – Intern: Munsa Manandhar
Intern: Munsa Manandhar
Faculty Name: sadeep-shrestha-phd
UAB Department: Epidemiology
UAB School: School of Public Health
Campus Address: R217L, Ryals Building
Telephone Number: (205) 934-6459
Email: sshrestha@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 3 or more
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 8
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Amrita Mukherjee
2. Anna Junkin
Title of Project: 24SS – Epidemiology and Co-Morbidities of HPV-Associated Cancers
Project Description:

In the United States, incidence of HPV-associated cancers have increased over the past couple of decades. Even though the incidence rate of cervical cancer continues to decline with routine screening, increase in incidence of other HPV-associated cancers like oropharyngeal and anal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is concerning. With advancements in cancer therapies, cancer survivors are surviving longer than before. Recent evidence suggests that nearly half of the cancer survivors die of non-cancer related causes specifically, cardiovascular and neurological comorbidities. We will use various publicly available databases to examine the prevalence and trends of these co-morbidities in HPV-related cancers.

Project Status: Already up and running
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 11, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 21, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule (as for students who are instructed how to proceed and are permitted to work independently with weekly guidance) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Analytical/Statistical Research
Cancer topic: Cervix, Head and Neck, Oral Cavity, Multiple Cancer Sites
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Literature search and catalogue references

Manage and analyze data

Produce basic tables and figures

23SS – Comorbidities in HPV-Related Cancers: An Analysis of Electronic Medical Record from UAB Hospital

Status: Filled – Intern: Lily Bond
Intern: Lily Bond
Faculty Name: sadeep-shrestha-phd-2
UAB Department: Department
UAB School: School of Public Health
Campus Address: R217L
Telephone Number: (205) 934-6459
Email: sshrestha@uab.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 1
CCC Research Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 8
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Amrita Mukherjee
2. Howard Wiener
Title of Project: 23SS – Comorbidities in HPV-Related Cancers: An Analysis of Electronic Medical Record from UAB Hospital
Project Description:

Viruses cause approximately 15% of human cancers, and of these, nearly half are attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV). In the U.S. various cancers are attributable to HPV infection at higher proportions. Studies show that HPV infection is attributable to 35% of oropharynx, 25% of oral cavity, 40% of penile, 90% of anal, 40% of vulval, 40% of vaginal, and 99.9% of cervical cancers, and oncogenic HPV types 16/18 are responsible for 89%, 98%, 63%, 92%, 80%, 80%, and 70% of all these cancers, respectively. There are 34 clinics and medical extensions in the Birmingham area that are networked to UAB hospital system and patient data are electronically centralized. We will review data from the UAB hospital comprehensive electronic medical record (EMR) data between 2012-2019 to identify all individuals with HPV related cancers (cervical, vaginal, vulval, anal, penile, oral cavity, oropharynx) and assess co-morbidities associated with disease pathogenesis and treatment.

Manage and analyze data

Abstract charts

Literature search and make basic tables/figures

22SR – Perioperative Blockade for Pheochromocytomas

Status: Available
Intern:
Faculty Name: Sushanth Reddy
UAB Department: Surgery
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: Boshell Diabetes Building 607, 1808 7th Avenue South
Telephone Number: (205) 975-3984
Email: sreddy@uabmc.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 1
CCC Research Area: Other/Unsure/None of the Above
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 15
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Sushanth Reddy
2. Elizabeth Rabun
Title of Project: Perioperative Blockade for Pheochromocytomas
Project Description:

Pheochromocytomas are malignant behaving tumors of the adrenal gland that secrete catecholamines. They can cause significant morbidity and mortality both from tumor recurrence as well as inability to control blood pressure. Prior to surgical resection, each patient must undergo rigorous blood pressure control–the schemes to do so are not clearly defined. In this project we will review the outcomes of blood pressure control in UAB patients who undergo resection of pheochromocytoma in hopes to determine which approach is most beneficial.

Project Status: Will begin on or before the CaRES student’s start date
Location of Project: Birmingham, AL (UAB)
Proposed Start Date: May 5, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule (as for students who are instructed how to proceed and are permitted to work independently with weekly guidance) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer topic: Adrenal
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Abstract charts: Each patient with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma will be identified. Each chart will need to be reviewed for demographic information, medication approach, laboratory values, surgical outcomes.

Analyze data: The primary outcome measured will be variations in blood pressure measurements during tumor removal. Secondary outcomes will be (1) cost per each approach, (2) time to surgery from diagnosis, and (3) overall survival of the cohort(s)

Publication: The student will be expected to generate an abstract from these data for submission to the Academic Surgical Congress and/or the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. Working with mentorship, the student will generate a manuscript for publication.

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Supplies needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project: Very likely
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
NONE OF THE ABOVE (just the willingness to learn)