Megan Tseng

Sam Schonwald

Emily Wolfe

David Flynn

Noah Hartwick

Through the Summer Research Program at Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS), I was able to not only experience working in an actual laboratory environment but also witness novel research being conducted right before my eyes. As a rising high school senior, I had never worked in a professional laboratory setting before; in fact, I was a little unsure of what to expect. However, after working in the RITMS lab under the guidance of my mentors, Dr. Gaoyuan Cao and Brian Deeney, in addition to others in the lab, I quickly learned that it is a truly supportive learning environment. The members of the lab were always willing to teach us protocol, about what they were studying, and about what we would be studying, which they seemed to genuinely enjoy as well. That is what I believe has helped me to greatly increase my knowledge and interest in molecular biology and translational research.

In my high school science classes, we perform experiments, but there is often an expected result or a predetermined procedure. However, during this program, I was challenged to think critically about designing my own experiments to investigate a relatively new and unknown topic. In fact, I quickly realized that at laboratories such as that at RITMS, doing research into unknown mechanisms or pathways in cellular function and beyond is the norm.

With the help of my mentors, I learned Airway Smooth Muscle (ASM) cell culture techniques, Western Blot procedure, precision cut lung slicing, and experimental design, in addition to observing tissue extraction from donor lungs. Additionally, I learned about the mechanisms of ASM cell contraction and relaxation, the receptors present on these cells, and how they relate to the research being conducted at the lab. Dr. Cao gave me the opportunity to work on a project that investigated the effect of blue light exposure on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in ASM cells. I utilized Western Blot techniques in order to measure the phosphorylated MLC (pMLC) levels in the cells after they were exposed to varying durations of blue light. After learning the Western Blot procedure and receiving some guidance from Dr. Cao and Brian Deeney, I was soon able to plan and execute experiments of my own, which I would have never been able to do had it not been for this program. For this reason, I am deeply grateful to have had this amazing opportunity and for such an enriching experience working at Dr. Panettieri’s lab at RITMS. For more information about Noah’s experience.

Sanjiv Sunderram

Working in the Panetierri Lab has been an amazing experience for me. Coming into the lab I had very minor experience from school, but it was nowhere near as professional as this lab. Even though I am a high school student, this lab never treated me as such, they treated me like I was a part of the team and they trusted me to work on their projects. They made me feel valued even though I did not know nearly as much as them in this field. In the lab, I worked on single cell calcium, Cyclic-AMP assay, western blots, and lung slicing. This opportunity is a great experience for anyone who is interested in science and the Panetierri lab is the best place to get this kind of exposure. I have enjoyed my time thoroughly here and look forward to doing research in the future. For more information about Sanjiv’s experience.

Sahana Kannan

As a rising senior in high school, I was keen on expanding my interest in science by gaining exposure to a real-world setting. Learning about notions and techniques in biology class is one thing, but applying them facilitates a deeper understanding. My time at the RITMS laboratory was an incredibly rewarding experience as it provided me with a way to practice hands-on biomedical research. Under the guidance of Dr. Cynthia Koziol-White, I was able to conduct a study centered on the histone modifications in asthmatic cells.

Alongside these experiments, I continuously collected a multitude of skills such as the proper way to plate cells, to run a western blot, and to conduct a calcium assay. The lab meetings offered a way for me to get feedback on my studies while allowing me to gain an insight as to what my coworkers were working on. This collaboration formed an extremely supportive environment within the lab. At the beginning of the program, I was slightly intimidated by the numerous amount of accomplished students and mentors whom I would be working with. Even though I had little knowledge of the research that was conducted specifically at this lab, the lab techs and research investigators seldom hesitated to explain the ideas and mechanisms behind a study. Overall, this program provided a unique experience with long-lasting impacts in and outside the realm of research. For more information about Sahana’s experience.

Shreyas Hebbal

A few words to describe my experience in Dr. Panettieri’s lab are astonishing, supportive, and breathe taking. From the moment I started, the lab has been more than welcoming and has understood the learning curve that is present coming from classes to real life application. Within the first couple of days, I had observed how donor lungs are processed and how to grow human airway smooth muscle cell cultures. Shadowing the other members in the lab helped me learn more about the techniques used to test and analyze reactions found in both human airway smooth muscle cells and lung slices.

With a little more time and practice, I was conducting my own experiments, analyzing data, and presenting the results I found weekly in lab meetings. Along with the laboratory portion of my time in Dr. Panettieri’s lab, I have had the pleasure of working in the Clinical Research Center (CRC) by helping run tests for clinical trials. Working in the CRC has allowed me to understand the complete process of initiating and concluding clinical trials while having the opportunity to interact with patients diagnosed with asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and more. The exposure I have had in both the laboratory and clinical setting have reassured my interest in the medical field and have given me experience and skills I hope to refine in the coming years. For more information about Shreyas’ experience.

Virginia Tanner

I am about to start my fifth and final year at Drexel University majoring in biomedical engineering with a concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering. I am working in Dr. Panettieri’s lab for my third and last co-op and I have learned so much in my time here. Everyone here is very willing to teach and help out in any way they can. This lab and the people here have shown me what it takes to be a researcher and talking with people from different educational backgrounds has helped me plan for a future in research. Working on Dr. Koziol-White’s team has given me the chance refine my lab skills and learn new techniques that will make me a better scientist and engineer in the future. This has been the best co-op experience I have had and I can’t thank the lab enough for the great opportunity. For more information about Virginia’s experience.

Varun Gongireddy

The summer research program at RITMS has truly been one of a kind for me. The Panettieri Lab has offered me an in depth perspective on laboratory procedures and different methods of experimentation. Under the clinical research division, I received the opportunity to observe the effects of various lung diseases and a diverse group of patients which were part of different studies. Through the program I started to grasp how pharmaceutical companies conduct studies to examine the effects of medications we take in our daily lives. I began to realize just how intricate the process is for companies to conduct studies, verify results, and sell their product. And within these studies, each patient was very different from the previous with each having a unique disorder or the same disorder but with a differing severity.

The Panettieri Lab consists of a great group of dedicated doctors, researchers, co-ops, and interns who work together. Weekly lab presentations served to be a great learning experience for future lab write ups, and procedures like Western Blots not only made me simply follow the steps but explained why each step and chemical was necessary. From examining patients to organs such as lungs and to smooth muscle cells, the program has definitely extended my perception of biology and modern day health care. For more information about Varun’s experience.

Alina Lou

This lab helped me learn molecular biology techniques related to my field of study. I was able to connect concepts and methods from class to protocols. Furthermore, I have a better sense of what translational research is. Although there’s a lot of patience involved, everything is very interesting. With this lab, seeing the connection between your work and its impact on human lives is very easy. For more information about Alina’s experience.

Jennifer Ben Nathan

I discovered my love for science in high school biology class, when I was first exposed to the science behind life. Reading the textbook and listening to class lectures was only part of what sparked my interest; performing lab experiments was an interactive way to incorporate what I had learned. We performed simple experiments in the course of an hour, like extracting the DNA from a strawberry or dissecting a frog. Little did I know I would soon be spending my summer in a research lab working with live human lung cells. Taking part in research at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science was truly a one of a kind experience. Coming into the program, I could have never imagined that I would learn so much. Treating cells, changing media, running Immunoblots, and preparing human precision cut lung slices became part of a normal day in the lab.

When I first walked into the lab, I was slightly overwhelmed. There were massive freezers lining the hallway, rows and rows of shelves housing countless bottles, and equipment I had never knew existed. It was hard to believe that anyone could easily find their way around. But my perspective was quickly changed when I met the people who worked there. Everyone was always willing to help if I had questions, and they made sure I understood the task at hand; they were the true reason I was able to absorb so much knowledge. By the end of a few weeks, I was capable of running my own experiments, which involved making dilutions, treating cells, running Western Blots, and collecting data. My experience at RITMS has altered my entire outlook on science. I felt as though I was part of the research community, and I look forward to making real contributions in the near future.

Pierre Saad

I thoroughly enjoyed my time researching at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science under Dr. Panettieri, alongside a group of very talented and intelligent researchers. Beginning my experience this summer, I was very impressed by the structural organization of the lab, which although having many investigators studying different projects, works together as a coherent unit. The incorporation of new student researchers is very seamless, and this efficient immersement facilitates our growth as future investigators. Strong mentorship and collaboration are the basis for the progress of this lab. When I first began, after gaining a background on the research being done, I was quickly taught the various techniques and protocols that this lab uses under the mentorship of Dr. Gaoyuan Cao, Brian Deeney and others in the lab. I learned by observing them, then being watched performing the procedures, and then I was left to perform the experiments on my own, as they made themselves always available to answer any questions I had. I believe this is an excellent way to teach. Through this, I learned how to perform this lab’s methods for cell culture and passaging of airway smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells, western blotting and analysis, bicinchoninic acid assays (BCA), precision cut lung slicing, and PCLS assays.

Furthermore, the collaboration between the different researchers is very evident; every week we have a lab meeting where each member of the lab presents the progress of their research to the rest of the team. After each presentation, there’s a brief discussion led by Dr. Panettieri, giving the opportunity to receive feedback from experienced investigators, and getting ideas for future experiments. Such meetings are vital to the progress of the research—they give the chance to see different perspectives, providing potential to see your own research in a different light, both by hearing other’s comments about your research and by listening to the progress of other projects that may have similar elements. These presentations have afforded me an excellent opportunity to practice my presentational skills, as each week I prepare and present my research with a background, methods, results, and conclusions section as I would a poster presentation.

During my time at the lab, I have been studying the effects of Vitamin D and Dexamethasone on Gα12 expression at the protein level, seeking to determine whether this treatment is able to decrease the expression of Gα12. We further assayed the phosphorylation of myosin light chain under varying concentrations of treatment, a process downstream to Gα12 and the last committed step to smooth muscle contraction, directly linking the potential effects of Vitamin D to asthma pathophysiology. We finally wanted to determine if Vitamin D and Dexamethasone treatment is able to reverse the inflammatory effects of TGF-B.

What I’ve most appreciated from my experience, was the opportunity afforded to me to independently design my own experiments. After choosing my project from a few options available, and receiving excellent mentorship from Dr. Cao, I was given free license to plan out the experimental designs of the study. After designing the different experiments, I’d consult with Dr. Cao for any further suggestions he would have and then I would proceed with the experiments. This form of mentorship has really allowed me to grow, and encouraged me to continue this research into my second year of med school. Moreover, it continues to encourage me to pursue both a clinical and academic career in medicine, incorporating research in my future practice.

Julian Rana

When I became interested in biological sciences in high school, I found myself intrigued in the molecular mechanisms that govern life processes. Considering the vast nature of life science, I knew there would always be areas left to explore. When I started college at Drexel University and had my major and area of interest established, I was prepared to dive deeper into the research aspect that the field offered. Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science has offered everything I wanted out of my co-op experience, solidifying my interests and aspirations in both biological research as well as clinical medicine.

RITMS is a place to learn and develop skills in the sciences, and the PhDs, MDs, and research assistants make the experience one to value. When selecting a co-op it is important to find one that fits your interests and will help facilitate your growth into the profession. Throughout my time at RITMS I have not only dwelled deeper into the mechanisms surrounding the exacerbations of airway diseases, but I have also been able to fine tune skills imperative to working in research. While working here has helped prepare me for medical research, I think one of the most valuable lessons I have learned is to enjoy the place you work and value the applications it has in the real world. For more on Julian’s experience.

Nila Kirupaharan

It has always intrigued me that human processes could be attributed to actions at a cellular level. With this interest in mind, I pursued laboratory research in hopes of expanding my knowledge with some hands-on experience. As a rising high school senior, it was such an incredible opportunity to work with the Panettieri Lab at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science. A focus on asthma pathology and the mechanisms of airway exacerbations by environmental pollutants under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Jude has furthered my interest and understanding of biomedical research.

Prior to the start of my research experience, I wasn’t expecting great involvement in experiments as I was only a high school student. However, much to my delight, I truly had the full experience of working in laboratory research as I was treated as an equal and responsible for conducting my own experiments. While I was still working independently, I could always find a helping hand in my mentors and other lab faculty. The entire lab comes together for weekly lab meetings, at which I can present my findings to Dr. Panettieri and other researchers and in turn receive valuable feedback for my future experiments. I also listened to other presentations which gave me further insight into research outside the realm of my experiments. The perfect balance between independence and collaboration in the lab makes for an enjoyable and efficient work place.

While I enjoyed learning lab techniques like cell plating, treating cells, and Western Blotting, my summer was truly made enjoyable by the friendly and supportive lab atmosphere. It is rare to find such a setting like this one that provides invaluable experience in cutting edge scientific research while still creating a lively and enjoyable environment for the summer. The program truly provides an authentic research experience, which carries a long-lasting impact in and out of the lab.

Caroline Ben Nathan

The first time I stepped into the lab, I was unsure how well I would transition from a science classroom environment to an advanced research lab. At the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, the transition could not have been easier or more enjoyable. After taking classes like biology and chemistry in school, I knew that science would be a major part of my future; taking advantage of the opportunity to work in a research lab would help me pursue my interests in science and gain hands-on experience. The skills I developed and the researchers I worked with exceeded the expectations I had about spending my summer in a lab. Being immersed in the lab environment at Rutgers and picking up skills was quickly accomplished with the help of my mentors, lab technicians, college students, and other summer students. Everyone in the lab was eager to help when it came to teaching me basic skills, like pipetting, and later learning advanced skills, such as western blotting, changing the media of cells, and countless more.

Before this summer, I never imagined getting the opportunity to work with human tissue every day. From working with an entire lung down to the cells of that lung, there were always experiments to do and new information to learn. In any situation, whether it is at school or at work, I believe the most important part is to enjoy what you are doing and who you are doing it with. My experience at RITMS combined receiving valuable research knowledge in an engaging environment with researchers who made every day more exciting than the last.

Keerthana Akkisetty

This summer, I had the privilege of being part of the of Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) research program. I initially accepted the position with a little bit of trepidation: I did not have any previous research experience. In fact, despite being a rising sophomore attending a university literally called the University of the Sciences, due to my interest in pursuing a pharmaceutical industrial fellowship and a Doctor of Pharmacy, I never considered research in my future. However, on a whim to explore the ins and outs of research, I decided to join the RITMS research team. After spending almost two and a half months at RITMS, I can say with great confidence that I could not have a better research experience than this one.

From doing research, whether through Pub-Med or just a simple google search, it’s very apparent that the lab is distinguished and recognized; the faculty all have various papers, studies, and titles under their belt and after their names. But it is truly after meeting these amazing people that you understand that aside from their intelligence, the faculty also have an amazing capacity to teach and mentor others in research. I personally worked under Dr. Joseph Jude, a Ph.D. who specializes in the effects of environmental pollutants in Human airway smooth muscle cells. Under his direction, I learned a lot, not only about lab technique and running experiments, but also about the rationale and reasons behind many of the lab procedures and experiment behavior. Amid the Western Blots and human airway cells I plated, Dr. Jude made sure to always follow up on what I was doing and be available so that I could ask questions and learn about asthma pathology. However, though I spent a majority of my time working under Dr. Jude, I also learned a lot from the other faculty, students, and researchers at the Panettieri lab. In any spare time I had between running gel electrophoresis and treating cells with ozone, I would wander around the lab, shadowing other faculty and learning about their experiments as well. Everyone I encountered would take the time to explain their procedure with patience. In addition, I also had the opportunity to present and learn about other experiments in the lab during weekly lab meetings. During these meetings, we would gather together as an entire lab and discuss the experiments done by all members of the lab and advise each other on the future direction of the experiments.

As the summer internship ends, I feel both content with my time here and yet know that I will miss the lab. However, I am satisfied that I gained what I set out to do when I entered this lab; I have an understanding of research, lab technique, and asthma pathology that I did not previously have. In addition, due to my time here, I now seriously consider research as a part of my future career.

Eric Gage

Spending the summer doing research at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science has been an enriching experience that I am tremendously thankful for. During the past few months, I worked in Dr. Panettieri’s laboratory which focuses on the mechanisms in human airway smooth muscle cell regulation with the goal of developing new therapeutic treatments for those suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases. Personally, I researched the potential use of Vitamin D to reduce airway smooth muscle contraction in cells affected by asthma. Over the course of the summer, I learned a variety of techniques including how to perform Western Blots, maintaining and treating cell lines, and taking part in Human Precision-Cut Lung Slicing of donor lungs.

My main goal this summer was to continue improving my laboratory skills along with gaining further experience in conducting research and how to approach the research process. I am part of a lab during the school year, but devoting the whole day to research, as opposed to going when you can between classes, has allowed me to truly devote myself to a project. Being at the lab every day has taught me not only how to carry out new techniques and procedures, but also why they are done and understand how everything relates to the lab’s research. The staff and other students in the lab have also made it a very comfortable and fun experience. The lab techs and research investigators are more than willing to help you when needed and made me look forward to coming to research every day. These experiences will undoubtedly help me in my future endeavors and have provided additional skills to help accomplish my career goals.

Jazmean Williams

Working under Dr. Panettieri has been a wonderful experience. As a clinical researcher, I not only saw the “behind the scenes” of clinical research (such as the approval process, how it is conducted, and how collaborative it can be at times), but I was also fortunate enough to work in the lab and help run experiments, and even run some of my own. Coming in with limited clinical knowledge and lab techniques, I was very nervous that I would get lost and fall behind. However, because this lab fosters such a friendly, supportive, and cooperative atmosphere, I have learn so many valuable clinical and lab skills that will stick with me as a continue on with my schooling and other future endeavors. Being introduced into the complicated world of respiratory diseases like asthma has taught me that there is a tremendous amount of dedication and labor that goes into discovering what causes the disease to occur and the measures that can be taken to cure it. Working in a lab like Dr. Panettieri’s gives you more of an appreciation of the blood, sweat, and tears scientists put in to help improve the conditions of everyone’s lives.

Whenever you embark on a new journey, you cannot help but to be nervous. You want to make all the right moves. You wonder if the people you meet along the way will at least stand you, let alone like you. You want to come out of the journey with wisdom, a newfound appreciation of hard work, and a renewed sense of accomplishment. You just want to do well. That nervous energy you feel spreads to all parts of your body and in some way, energizes you; it feeds your drive. And as you go forth in your journey, that nervous energy turns into confidence. You become more comfortable walking that path. You forge new friendships, new memories, and new skills. You learn so much. And as you take your final steps and reflect on that experience, you begin to wonder why you even felt nervous in the first place.

I want to thank Dr. Panettieri and everyone in his lab for giving me the opportunity to transform my nervous energy into confidence. And if you are thinking about joining this lab, do it. You will not regret it! For more on Jazmean’s experience.

Sabina London

I really enjoyed my summer at the Rutgers Translational Institute of Medicine and Science. I studied the guanylaye cyclase pathway in asthma and learned about different pharmacological mechanisms. We focused on an alternate path that could be potentially used as to develop drug therapies. To do so, I investigated the subunits of the enzyme by measuring their gene expression. We found that it seems the enzyme is impaired in asthma compared to normal patients.

I performed techniques ranging from cell culture to western blotting. I also gained more insight when attending lab meetings about the main pathways being investigated in asthma. I really enjoyed performing new experiments, and constantly thinking of new ways to optimize project methods.

Corinne Corbi

I’m Corinne and I’m currently a senior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Nutrition at Rutgers. I started doing research in the Panettieri lab with Dr. Koziol-White in Fall 2016 through the Aresty program which continued through the summer. Working in this lab has been such a great opportunity for me as a student. Not only have I been able to be a part of research that is changing the future of science and medicine, but I’ve also been able to meet and learn from many passionate people with similar goals as me.

Ana Lucia Fuentes

This summer I had the opportunity to work in the Panettieri lab and I absolutely loved it. As a medical student, we learn a lot about different procedures, but never actually do them. In the lab, my mentor taught me how to do several of these and I was finally able to fully understand them. One of my favorite parts of this experience was working with everyone in the lab. They were all so open to helping me learn and they were also a ton of fun. This was a great way to spend my summer and it has motivated me to continue to do research throughout my future career. For more on Ana Lucia’s experience.

Riva Patel

The summer of 2016 has been the best summer since I started college. I am so grateful to have this opportunity of working with researchers who are experts in their fields. I was introduced to the Panettieri lab through a Rutgers research program. This was my first research opportunity after I started college. Consequently, I was not sure what I was expecting. Even after I was interviewed and shown around the lab I did not know what it would be like to work in that environment. However, I knew that working in this lab would be a memorable experience.

I gradually learned common lab techniques and the importance of research under the guidance of Dr. Cindy Koziol-White and Nathan Neavling. Specifically, I learned lab techniques such as, Western Blotting, ELISA, cell culture, calcium assays, and more. I was given the responsibility of running my own experiments, but my mentor was always available to answer all of my questions. If at any time my mentor was not in the lab, I could easily ask a graduate student or a senior researcher for help. Aside from running my own experiments, I was able to observe other investigators perform different experiments. To add, the best part of working in Panettieri lab was that I was never treated as an inexperienced student. I was given the opportunity to express my ideas and receive constructive criticism.

My summer experience overall has surpassed all my expectations. It was a truly memorable experience and it has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medical research. The translational nature of this lab has allowed me to understand the direct impact of research on society. At first, the idea of working with experienced researchers was overwhelmingly intimidating, but the open, friendly, and helping environment of the lab, motivated me to learn and participate. My experience has been extremely enriching and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this lab.

Krishna Sunder

This summer, I returned to the RITMS summer program as a rising senior in high school to continue working under the guidance of Edwin Yoo in Dr. Panettieri’s lab. As a high school student, I often lacked the extensive depth of knowledge to take part in the research experience; however, other members within the lab were always kind and willing to help me whenever I needed it. I greatly appreciated this opportunity to be treated as an equal member of the research team. Whether I was at the bench performing procedures such as Western Blotting or siRNA-induced gene knockdown, or in the conference room presenting the work I had done over the past week, I was always given the chance to speak my mind and receive helpful feedback about future directions to pursue.

I strongly encourage any high school student interested in medicine to apply to RITMS. This program is the closest representation you can get of a “real” research experience. Regardless of your prior experience, the environment is extremely independent yet encourages cooperation and mentorship to quickly bring you to the “cutting edge” of our current understanding of the field. The amount of independence, respect, and creative freedom I was given at RITMS was insurmountable by any other research program, and has inspired me to pursue a career in medical research. For more on Krishna’s experience.

Fady Soliman

My experience in Dr. Panetteri’s Lab this summer has definitely been one of the most influential experiences in my undergraduate studies. I was working in the lab as a research assistant with Professor Joseph Jude, and as an RITMS Summer Program Student. Everyone in the lab has been very supportive and helpful which has set a perfect atmosphere for learning and prospering. In the few months I spent in the lab, I became familiar with most of the research methods and techniques, as well as many of the pieces of equipment in the laboratory. Also, I have built a clear idea of many of the known mechanisms that bring about airway contraction. What I enjoyed and learned most from, were the lab meetings we had in the lab every Tuesday. Now, thanks to the efforts and support of everyone in the lab, I can know confidently pursue my interests in the medical research field with confidence, knowing that I have built a strong knowledge base that I can rely on.

John Gow

I entered into the Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine and Science summer research program upon the conclusion of my sophomore year of college at Colgate University. I was looking for a way to fortify what I had learned in my course study and increase my knowledge in the realm of respiratory illness, a topic I might be interested in pursuing as a career. During the start of my work in the lab I came to realize what I was doing was very different from the rudiments of the classroom; instead of learning in theory I was discovering with hands on research, under the guidance of knowledgeable scientists. Throughout the summer I was under the supervision of Dr. Joseph Jude and researched Airway Smooth Muscle Cells [ASM] by performing numerous probing western blots, cultivating cells, and running a Calcium assays. My first research experience in a scientific laboratory has taught me a plethora of techniques that I would never have experienced otherwise. Going to the laboratory has shown me the way that science is done in the real world with constant trial and error and frequent repetition of experiments to strengthen conclusions about never before answered questions.

What makes RITMS unique is the open atmosphere in which they operate. The scientist are always willing to assist and mentor, but are also willing to step back and let you run your own experiments. Overall RITMS is the best thing that I could have done this summer, because it gave me distinctive and valuable experience in the researching field and all in a great atmosphere. I would recommend anyone who is looking to learn about research in the scientific community to take advantage of the remarkable opportunity at RITMS. For more on John’s experience.

Dennis Lo

This summer, I have been honored to take part in the RITMS research program. A rising junior in high school, I saw an opportunity to participate in a lab at the forefront of asthma research. In school, I have been enrolled in AP Biology, although I didn’t have the chance to explore a particular field in depth. In Dr. Panettieri’s lab, however, I had the outstanding experience of delving into the myriad aspects involved in pathogenesis of asthma. Additionally, I have been exposed to the modern laboratory setting, learning about techniques such as ELISAs, Western blots, BCAs, calcium assays, as well as cell culture. I have been able to engage in several projects, applying my knowledge to understand the science under each experiment.

Overall, I really appreciate the experience of working with my peers and learning from seasoned researchers at RITMS. As an intern working out-of-state for the first time, I felt that everybody around me was very friendly and more than willing to share his/her experience. Especially helpful was my mentor Dr. Koziol-White, guiding me through the ins and outs of experiments. Collectively, all aspects of the lab contributed to the authenticity of the research experience. The degree of scientific inquiry at the Panettieri lab has encouraged me to continue exploring my area of research and extending the boundaries of current knowledge.

Athmika Vaseeharen

My experience this summer at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science was absolutely fascinating. This was my first research internship as a high school student and I would like to thank the Panettieri Lab and my mentor, Dr. Jude, for giving me this opportunity. Not only was I able to gain a strong understanding of how the human body reacts and responds to various inflammatory diseases like asthma but also have a hand-on experience with science research.

I worked side by side with my mentor in order to study and analyze how different compounds could potentially induce an anti-oxidant effect on human airway smooth muscle cells. Most importantly, I was able to design experiments, grow cells, and perform western blots and calcium assays. I was even able to observe how lung slices were extracted from mice. I was constantly encouraged to analyze and interpret the results of my experiments and even present my findings to the other lab professionals. Overall, this delightful experience significantly strengthened my passion for science and medicine and has inspired me to pursue a career in medical research.

Krishna Sunder

When I first came to the Airways Biology Initiative, I was worried – I was only a rising junior in high school and had no research experience whatsoever. At first, I thought my experience would be of little use to anyone, however, I quickly learned that this was untrue. I worked under the guidance of Edwin Yoo in Dr. Panettieri’s lab, and gained the experience of working on the “cutting edge” of medical research. Although I enjoyed learning to use modern lab techniques such as gel electrophoresis, Western Blotting, and siRNA-induced gene knockdown, my favorite part of the ABI program was the opportunity to perform authentic research. Over the summer, I was encouraged to pursue my own ideas, and design experiments to support these findings. Additionally, instead of being treated as an inexperienced high school student, I was given the independence to present my ideas to senior researchers and gain insightful feedback.

One amazing part of my experience was working alongside extremely helpful senior researchers who created an environment where I could learn as much as possible. My mentor made time to answer any questions I had, and helped guide me through the huge amount of information and activity at every step of the way. Other researchers in the lab were also excited to tell me about their research, and happy to help me with anything I needed. As an out of state student with no family nearby, the faculty at the ABI helped me get more comfortable with the environment and settle into the program.

In addition, the ABI offered experiences that were very rare for a high school student like me. I got to see dissections of real human lungs, listen to researchers from across the country present at the annual Respiratory Research Retreat, and attend seminars where I could speak with scientists from other facilities at UPenn. Most importantly, I got to experience what life as a researcher is really like. With the help of the internet, the answers to most questions are just a click away. The ABI introduced me to the edge of our current understanding of lung disease, and offered me a chance to expand it myself. Having the opportunity to ask (and answer) a question that no one has thought of before was an incredible experience, and has inspired me to pursue research past this program.

Ankit Shah

I spent the summer of 2015 at ABI, and it was one of my favorite summers to date. Just finishing my junior year, I had already taken AP Biology but had never really gotten the physical experience of lab work I wanted. However, ABI definitely changed that for me. When I talked to older friends about their research experiences, many said that they had been given menial tasks like aliquoting solutions into 100 tubes and not really being involved in experiments. My experience at the Panettieri Lab under the guidance of Dr. Jude completely changed this perception. I was able to actively perform Western Blots, siRNA experiments, cell cultures, and more. I was given my own project to work on, and all experiments for that project would be my responsibility. However, whenever I needed help, my professor was always available to answer any questions I may have, both theoretical and practical. And if he was busy, I was easily able to talk to the other undergrads, PhDs, and professors in the lab. Aside from working on my own project, I was also able to watch mice lung extractions, lung slicing, and others working with actual human lungs. They were all more than happy to explain what they were doing and allow us to watch. But it is important to remember that the lab experience is not all experiments. I read a lot of papers in my time here, which helped me both when preparing for lab meeting presentations as well as increase my reading abilities. The lab meetings were definitely a new experience for me, but they ultimately made me a better speaker and critical thinker as I needed to anticipate questions about what I was presenting.

I think the most memorable part of my experience was how friendly everyone was and how close we got given the short amount of time we got to know each other. From going out to Cucina Zapta for lunch or sitting around talking during experimental downtime, it was a very enjoyable experience. I would recommend this program to any student looking for significant lab experience but who also wants to enjoy their summer.

Damie Juat

I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to work and learn at ABI during the Spring/Summer quarters of my junior year at Drexel University. In this lab, I was exposed to countless opportunities to help with experiments and have learned several different techniques including: Calcium, BCA, and LDH assays, Western blotting, ELISAs and cell culture. I also had the opportunity to work with human smooth muscle tissue which is unique and exciting for me because not many labs provide this opportunity to their students.

Additionally, ABI has many senior scientists that are very helpful and supportive of a positive learning environment. Every week, I showcase my analyzed results to everyone including Dr. Panettieri. Presenting data in front of people was not my strong point, especially in such a professional setting, but after a few weeks, I was able to become more comfortable with it. Aside from research, we are also invited to other fun activities such as lab picnics and volleyball tournaments. I love that we not only learn most of the techniques we would ever need for a career in research, but we also create great relationships with each other on the way. ABI has given me a very meaningful research experience that I will be proud to take with me into my future. I am very happy and thankful that I was able to be a part of the team.

Sofia Gomez

Working at ABI has given me the opportunity to explore my interests in both research and medicine. Over the past two summers, I have had the opportunity to shadow other lab members and take part in their projects as well as run experiments more independently. In this way, I have been able to learn about a wide range of projects as well as delve into a more specific topic of interest to me. Additionally, the collaborative environment at ABI has made it easy for me to find answers to any questions I have had and to strengthen my understanding of the research being performed. Weekly lab meetings provide a platform for sharing ideas or experimental issues that arise. Others can then propose solutions to these issues or potential collaborations to reinforce results. These meetings have been helpful for improving both my technical lab skills as well as my communication skills, giving me the opportunity to practice presenting my findings and questions in a clear, timely manner.

My experience at ABI has strengthened my desire to enter the field of medicine, wherein I can continue to take important steps to positively impact the health of others. I have grown to love the type of questions asked by researchers in the lab, and the challenges of research that make valuable results so rewarding. The translational nature of ABI’s research has also allowed me to see the effects research can have on the wellbeing of individual patients. Being able to envision these effects while working in the lab has made my experience that much more satisfying. Sofia was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School.

Piyush Pillarisetti

During the summer before my junior year of high school, I had the rewarding opportunity to work in the lab of Dr. Horace DeLisser under the tutelage of Dr. Valsa Abraham. I was interested in the academic research that was being done to elucidate the influences of cell adhesion molecules on angiogenesis and cancer metastasis, so the opportunity to perform and oversee such assays was certainly an invaluable experience. With the supervision and help of professional researchers, doctors and graduate students, I performed tissue culture of various REN cell transductants and tumor cell lines. I used several of the cultured cell lines to perform co-culture experiments in which I investigated the effects of conditioned media obtained from REN transductants on the proliferation of tumor cell lines through ELISA assays. I then studied the correlation between different REN transductants and the localization of paxillin through indirect immunofluorescence. This research is important to understand the adhesive interactions of endothelial cells that aid in angiogenesis; while performing these assays, I used the hemocytometer to count cells, froze many cell lines, was familiarized with confocal microscopy, and analyzed paxillin localization and length using various software.

While working in Dr. DeLisser’s lab, I not only learned of the functional involvement of cell adhesion molecules in transendothelial migration and tumor progression, but the interactive and open atmosphere of the ABI lab made the summer research program far more enriching. The scientists and researchers were always encouraging and provided helpful advice and guidance when needed. Because all the lab members were encouraging and were open to discussion, my experience in the lab was augmented to a great degree. The conservations that I had with the professional researchers, graduate students and high school students broadened my knowledge about translational medicine and made me more inspired to pursue a field in medical research. The experience of working at the ABI lab was insightful and enriching, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the medical sciences.

Hollie Brown

I have been privileged to spend my spring and summer actively participating in the research efforts of the Airways Biology Initiative in Dr. Panettieri’s lab. With this being my first and only co-op experience I was thrilled with how much I have learned. Throughout the experience, I was given the chance to learn and practice several lab skills such as cell culture techniques, western blotting analysis and calcium assays. I have enjoyed having the chance to be involved in several different projects throughout the lab.

This position has also helped me grow into a more confident and conscientious researcher. I have learned that research takes time and careful consistent work. Although I worked for the most part independently, it was comforting to know that someone was always there (“watching me”) if I needed help. Having to present my own work in weekly lab meetings has given me a better understanding of the work that I was doing as well as the reality of research.

Although working in a lab seemed at first daunting, I soon learned that the ABI atmosphere is both uplifting and inspiring. This lab is the perfect place for any prospective scientist to learn, work and play. Although I have generated a lot of results, the friendships I have made at ABI were the most valuable and significant part of my summer. ABI TILL I DIE!! Hollie was accepted to Drexel University Medical College.

Ricki Levitus

As a rising senior in high school, I had the opportunity to return to the Airways Biology Initiative for a second summer. I was able to take on all of the responsibilities I had last year, as well as add new things that I learned this year. Each day I was in awe of the opportunities available to me at the ABI. There was no such thing as a boring day in the Panettieri lab. If I was not doing my own research, I could always find someone who would allow me to assist them with their own experiment. I have simultaneously done my own project on an emerging contractile pathway and worked on a team tackling a gene expression contract from a pharmaceutical company, as well as assisting my mentor Christie Ojiaku with her TGF-b work. With the help of the ABI staff, I became comfortable performing RNA Extractions, Real Time PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, Western Blots, various cell assays, and cell culture independently. As well as training in lab procedures, my coworkers helped me learn how to research procedures, order materials, plan experiments, interpret results, write lab write-ups, and manage time. These skills are just as valuable as my hands on experience, because they provide the background knowledge and documentation necessary for each procedure, which are just as important as the results.

I am determined to pursue a career in medical research. I’m going to dedicate my life to finding new ways for sick children to recover and have a long life. I hope that in the future, I am lucky enough to work in a lab like the Airways Biology Initiative. My coworkers at the ABI make this lab unlike any other. The lab is really a learning environment, where it is okay if I make a mistake and I am encouraged to ask for help. My summers at the ABI have given me the confidence and experience I need to continue on in what I know is the right direction for me. The ABI staff is truly a family, from the lab bench to the lunch table. Rikki was accepted to Brandeis University.

Jossie Carreras-Tartak

I came to the Airways Biology Initiative to conduct research for a rare and poorly understood condition called Castleman’s disease. During my time here, I have familiarized myself with laboratory techniques like isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells and preparing reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions for genotyping. I am currently in the process of completing my training for flow cytometry and cell sorting analysis in order to be able to analyze blood samples from Castleman disease patients. The aim of my research is to characterize the type of immune cell that drives Castleman disease, which could in turn lead to finding potential treatments for this condition. Outside of the bench, I am also working on analyzing proteomics data from Castleman patients in the hopes of uncovering patterns of upregulated proteins during disease flares versus during remission. What I’ve enjoyed the most from my experience has been the mentorship and support I’ve obtained from investigators and colleagues, both inside and outside of the lab. Everyone is eager to teach you and let you participate in their experiments. As a medical student with virtually no lab experience, I’ve gained a lot of insight on how the basic science that serves as the foundation for subsequent clinical research is conducted. I’ve also had fun throughout the process!

Ngan Nguyen

Working in Dr. Panettieri’s lab is the most invaluable experience that I ever had. My mentors and co-workers taught me many things from lab techniques to communication skills. My research primarily focused on how different growth factors and cytokines enhanced hyperresponsiveness along with contractile agonists in both normal and asthmatic human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC). After treating cells for one or two days, I collected cell lysates and performed western blots to determine the results. Doing this on a daily basis helped me to master these laboratory skills. At ABI, I also had the hands-on experience working with human tissue by maintaining cell lines and harvesting lung tissue whenever it became available.

In addition to lab skills, I also developed other skills, such as communicating in the scientific language to other professionals. The weekly lab meetings were a particularly rewarding experience to me because I had the opportunity to present my work as a real scientist. Receiving feedback from experts in the field and listening to other people’s projects helped me understand my projects better and helped to guide me in my own research. Working at ABI I received a lot of support and assistance with my research and this helped me to grow as a scientist. ABI also gave me the chance to work with the friendliest and kindest scientists I have ever met. This experience was extremely beneficial for me as I continue my studies of biology in the future.

Sayaka Ogawa

The experience and knowledge I have gained from the internship in Dr. Panettieri’s lab is invaluable. I have learned an incredible amount about research, ranging from lab techniques to how to efficiently read a paper (and understand it!). Being in an environment with extremely intelligent people who genuinely cared about expanding your knowledge and experience is something I will carry with me forever.

In the lab, I mostly did experiments to test the effect BMI has on airways smooth muscle function. I ran numerous calcium assays, with various stimulants, to see if people who were obese had higher intracellular calcium release in their human airway smooth muscle cells. I was able to work alongside various researchers in order to learn other lab techniques, such as ELISA, RT-PCR, etc. I also learned how to culture cells, how to do takedowns, and how to analyze various types of data. Another important aspect of this lab was the weekly meetings, where everyone would show their results and discuss the next steps. This was something I found to be absolutely vital, in the sense of learning how to present data, as well as talk about results, and come to conclusions.

Alongside of being co-workers with the researchers in Dr. Panettieri’s lab, I have also found that outside of the working environment, I have a group of friends whom I am very grateful to have met and shared my time with. Not only was this lab professional, but there was a “family” atmosphere, and it was very apparent that everyone was there to help you better yourself, academically and personally. For this whole experience, I am indebted to Dr. Panettieri and his staff.

Akber Sheikh

In the summer of 2015, I was blessed with the opportunity of working in the Airways Biology Initiative under Dr. Cynthia Koziol-White. Since she helped with everything in the lab, I was able to learn about various experiments conducted. I was blessed to have been alongside a group of exceptionally intelligent and impressive researchers. It has been a great experience in my life.

I gained a deeper understanding on many biological processes and the reasoning behind many experimental techniques. I gained experience in mediator release and contractile experiments. I was able to perform an experiment to measure and research the effects of different serotypes and microclades of human rhinovirus. No main difference between microclades has been proved because different RVs of the same microclade have been shown to display very distinct phenotypes and mediator release. I also ran experiments to see how various cytokines affect chemokine secretion such as Eotaxin 2 and IL-8 release. This is important because chemokines like IL-8 attract cells to sites of infection/inflammation.

The lab environment greatly surprised me. I was greeted by a very welcoming and friendly workplace. Everyone was very social. Under their guidance, I learned a great deal of laboratory and experimental techniques. I have experienced a great deal of human and mice lung tissue work. I sliced lung cores into precision cut lung slices. I worked with tissue cultures and passaged cells for future experimental work. I performed Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), Protein Assays, and Western Blot Assays. It has been a great growing experience and has shaped my future medical aspirations. I highly recommend this opportunity to anyone who wants to explore research or medicine as a future career. It opens the doors to future opportunities and explores the possibility of a medical or research related career path.

Sara Hartenbaum

This summer, I have had the opportunity to work at Airways Biology Initiative as part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Short Term Educational Experiences for Research in Environmental Science for Undergraduates (STEER) Program. Although this was my first time working in a research lab, my coworkers and mentors were very helpful in teaching me essential lab procedures and techniques. By working with researchers in both Dr. Krymskaya and Dr. Panettieri’s lab, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience in the field of asthma and rare lung diseases such as Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Additionally, attending weekly lab meetings allowed me to learn about all of the research that is taking place at ABI as well as the discoveries that my peers and mentors are making.

With the STEER program, I attended weekly field trips and lectures that addressed various topics in Environmental Health. These experiences enhanced what I learned in the lab at ABI by allowing me to see first-hand how the research being conducted here applies to the real world. Overall, my experience at ABI has been extremely rewarding and I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given to work here.

Sasha Vasserman

During the summer of 2015 I was accepted into the ABI summer research program, and my time here has been an invaluable learning experience. During my ABI internship I worked under the supervision of Dr. Vera Krymskaya and Dr. Blanca Himes to study the role of TSC2 in LAM. My project focuses on analyzing RNA-Seq data using a designed computational algorithm to investigate whether or not the loss of TSC2 could affect the transcriptome. Under the guidance of both my mentors I have learnt how to analyze large RNA expression datasets. The ABI team, all of whom are experienced professionals in the field of pulmonary medicine, were all tremendously open and friendly, and have taught me a great deal about all aspects of scientific investigation, ranging from simple procedures, to in-depth explanations of cellular functions. In my time at the ABI I have learnt how to perform many procedures such as PCR, cell isolation, cell counting, gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. I have also had the chance to observe mouse takedowns and human lung dissection, both of which were incredible learning experiences.

Danielle Foltz

I’m Danielle Foltz and I am a rising high school senior. This summer in ABI, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work under Dr. Vera Krymskaya and learn about the disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which she focuses on. In a partnership between the Gene Therapy program and ABI, I have learned more about the lung and the disease and how it could be targeted with gene therapy. In the lab I learned important techniques like cell culture and PCR, which I know I will be able to use again in the future. Specifically, I work with cells where the gene for tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) has been knocked out. Mutations or loss of heterozygosity of the TSC2 gene is one of the trademarks for LAM, and so by infecting those cells with adeno-associated virus (AAV) of different types and in different concentrations, I hope to figure out what is the most effective and successful procedure in infecting the TSC2 null cells and also hopefully help this lab’s future research with gene therapy in the treatment of LAM.

ABI is a very welcoming lab with many people always willing and happy to answer questions and help you. I have never been in a work environment before where I felt so comfortable around everyone that I was working with. Working at ABI has been a great experience and I am extremely excited about having the opportunity to work here.

Christina Kim

Working in Dr. DeLisser’s lab under Dr. Abraham at the ABI this past summer has been a truly rewarding experience. I was able to learn many new techniques, as well as understand experimental design and conduct a small project. Most of the time, I worked in tissue culture – keeping our cell lines actively growing to use in experiments. The project that I worked on was a continuation of elucidating the role that a molecule, PECAM-1, has on tumor metastasis. Hopefully, our research will be able to aid in treatment therapies for patients with advanced metastatic cancer. At the ABI, I have also been fortunate to meet many wonderful and welcoming people, from fellow students to researchers to managers and staff. My experiences at the lab have been enriching and beneficial, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in medical research.

Ashley Nutt

Working at ABI has given me the opportunity to explore cancer biology, as well as acquire training in lab techniques including cell culturing, primary endothelial cell isolation, ELISA, and FACS sorting. I have also gotten tons of practice analyzing scientific journal articles. During my time at ABI I have independently conducted my own experiments, as well as assisted others; sharing ideas and probing experiments with other students in the lab has been my favorite part of the experience.

Weekly lab meetings at ABI have improved my communication skills by presenting opportunities to pose questions, propose solutions, and present data in a concise manner. I undertook a project at the airways biology initiative in the hopes of discerning whether or not I wanted to pursue an MD/PhD. The most satisfying part of being in the lab this summer is that I can now better envision what an MD/PhD would entail.

Michael Croglio

This summer, as a part of my translational research position working with Dr. David Fajgenbaum through the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, I was able to engage in basic science research in the Airways Biology Institute under the direction of Dr. Vera Krymskaya. Having a basic science background from college, I was excited to apply my prior experience to help advance Castleman disease research in the lab, which previously has not been done, and feel very fortunate to have had such a great experience working in this lab. Experiments that I performed included tissue culture of immune cells from Castleman disease patients and treatment of these cells with various immune system triggers. Ultimately, the objective of this type of experiment is to determine if there may be differences in immune-mediated reactions to various stimuli in Castleman patients versus healthy controls. Various methods of testing this are currently being carried out through gene expression analysis and examining what proteins the cells are secreting.

This experience has been a great way for me to further understand and appreciate the research that happens behind the scenes of patient care. As a medical student, engaging in research such as this has allowed me to gain massive amounts of perspective into how much must be done in researching a disease before treatments are approved, and reminds me of how great of an impact this type of research can make. On top of how great the science has been, the lab community itself has been one of the best parts, as everyone from PIs to post-docs and other students are incredibly welcoming and helpful, intent on teaching and collaborating. It is a light-hearted and fun atmosphere; the type of lab environment that I think allows research and learning to thrive. I am extremely glad that working in the ABI lab became a part of my summer experience, and will be sad to leave at the end of the summer!

Yuxin Ouyang

Working at the ABI is a truly immersive experience. From innovative experiments to dynamic wing bowl showdowns, it has been a fascinating journey every step of the way.

I joined as a rising junior studying at Drexel University. During my tenancy, I was fortunate enough to work alongside a number of exceptionally intelligent individuals. Under their guidance, I became well acquainted with several laboratory techniques, of which includes extracting DNA, mice work, culturing cells, and western blots.

One of the first things that drew me to this lab was its approachable environment. The close-knit staff is populated with professionals who are very good at what they do. They also happen to be quite friendly. From making career decisions to bantering about Breaking Bad, I’ve found their counsel to be invaluable. As the months rolled by, they have become good friends, colleagues, and mentors who’ve helped me evolve as a scientist.

While I’ve worked in research labs before, ABI is unique in the high level of involvement it affords its students. Each student is given the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of a research specialist and is encouraged to actively participate in high impact experiments. Once comfortable with the necessary techniques, students are even given their own projects to research. Perhaps most rewarding are the weekly meetings during which students and staff discuss and receive feedback on their findings. These not only helped me to better understand the projects I was working on, but also to learn about other colleague’s research as well.

As a Biology major with aspirations of one day practicing medicine, my experience at ABI has been a terrific practical supplement to my course studies. ABI has proven to be a pioneer on the world stage of pulmonary research, and I highly recommend it to all students interested in building a strong research background.

Alexa Carboni

My time spent at Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) has been such a rewarding experience. I have learned so much about laboratory work and techniques that goes beyond a classroom practice. Prior to working at ABI, I had had little to no experience working in a laboratory besides the lab components of a few classes. The wonderful managers and supervisors were more than willing to give further detail and explanation on not only what we research, but also how we research. Through the weekly laboratory meetings, I have had the privilege to listen and participate in thorough conversations about all the research conducted. This opportunity also allowed me to present my work to the rest of the lab to receive feedback and future experiments to try.

Of all the different techniques practiced, I enjoyed handling the human lung tissue. I learned how to inflate the lungs with low melting agarose, core sections of the lung containing airways, and slice the cores using Krumdieck tissue slicer to turn them into Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS). Then, we used the PCLS to test all sorts of ?2 adrenergic receptor agonists and steroids such as Carbachol, Budesonide, and Formoterol. I also had the opportunity to work with mouse lungs provided by collaborators to study the effects of other pretreatments correlating to human diseases. I was able to learn other basic laboratory techniques such as cell culturing, BCA assays, Western Blotting, and DNA extractions. It was beneficial that every day was different from the next because each day entailed pure learning. This experience was all around the best opportunity I could have asked for.

Stephen Zachariah

I had the pleasure of working at ABI for my 2014 spring/summer co-op under the tutelage of Dr. Gaoyuan Cao. During my time here, I performed many different treatments on both normal and asthmatic cell lines followed by western blots on the corresponding lysates. Specifically, my experiments centered upon the role of PI3 kinase in regulating asthmatic airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperresponsiveness and the short-term effects of interleukin (IL-13 and IL-17A) treatment on ASM cells. Whenever the lab received a human lung from a donor, I also aided in harvesting and storing the tissue and vessels.

My experience at the Airways Biology Initiative was insightful, challenging, and enjoyable. I benefited from the positive work environment, my coworkers, and the responsibilities that I had been given. When I presented my results in lab meetings, I did so alongside many of the senior staff members, very much treated as their equals. No less was expected of me than would be of the senior staff. I was also given a degree of independence to decide for myself which projects to pursue and what experiments to perform. My coworkers were individuals from whom I was constantly learning: medical doctors, PhD candidates, and medical students. As an aspiring medical student, I gained tremendous insight from the medical students regarding their premedical experiences as well as what I should expect in medical school and the changing face of medicine as a career. I also had the opportunity to attend various pulmonary research and clinical seminars. This really has given me a perspective of how the contents of biology textbooks are discovered. My work with the postmortem lungs that the lab received allowed me to observe firsthand the union of physiology and medicine. The time I spent here has further reinforced both my passion for biology and my desire to be involved with its translation to patient care. Steve was accepted to Thomas Jefferson University Medical School.

Jackie Scala

I returned to work at Airwas Biology Initiative (ABI) during the summer before my second year of medical school. I had previously worked as both a summer student and full time employee after I graduated from college. It was a great experience to be back in Dr. Panettieri’s laboratory and to work alongside Dr. Koziol-White again. I quickly fell back into the swing of things and began working with human lung tissue. I dissected human lung tissue to create the 350µM thick precision cut lung slices (PCLS) I used for PCLS experiments. In the PCLS experiments, I examined the bronchoconstriction or bronchodilation of airways in response to certain drugs and compounds to look for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for severe asthma. Additionally, I ran ELISA assays of the PCLS supernatants to investigate chemokine and cytokine secretion. Dr. Panettieri’s laboratory definitely promotes student learning and I was able to learn new techniques this summer, such as a cAMP assay with hPCLS, in order to expand my skill set.

I have always enjoyed my work at ABI, particularly the translational aspect of this research. It is awesome that the work that is completed at the bench is directly related to the clinic. I would definitely recommend this summer research experience for any medical student, graduate student, or undergraduate student that is looking for research experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of so many intelligent and talented MDs and PhDs. Jackie was accepted to Drexel University Medical College.

Hilary Yankey

My time in the ABI lab has been by far the most rewarding experience I have had. Prior to working at ABI, I had very little experience working in any research lab but it didn’t matter, I still was given this opportunity to work in this prestigious laboratory.

For someone interested in medicine, clinical research was something I was looking for before I committed to the profession of medicine and this lab afforded me great avenues to bolster my interest in medicine. I have learned a lot in my time here and it will only serve me better in the future.

During the internship, I worked under the tutelage of Dr. Vera Krymskaya and more directly with Alla Volgina. They encouraged me during my time here when I was overwhelmed with unfamiliar techniques in the lab. I worked mostly performing western blots, protein assays, cell counting and some data analysis during the internship. As I became more comfortable with the techniques in the lab, I was afforded the opportunity to investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in relation to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). My experience here has given me insight into what I had learned in my cell biology classes and in a way bridged the gap between theory and practice. The weekly lab seminars, where people presented on their various researches, has given me firsthand knowledge to the dedication and effort people are putting into helping find cures for diseases.

My experience in ABI was enlightening, rewarding and gave me ample opportunity to better myself and also give back what I had learned.

Ricki Levitus

I have been privileged with the opportunity to work in the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) during this summer, and I could not imagine a better place to have spent my time off from school. As a rising junior in high school, I entered the lab on my first day with almost no lab experience except for what was provided by my high school science classes, and I am leaving capable of doing high level experiments independently. Some of these procedures include: cell culture, Real Time PCR, Western Blots, ROS Assays, LDH Assays, ELISAs, and using the Vitrocell smoke machine, Nano-Drop spectrophotometer, and the sterile tissue hoods. All of these experiments can be used to learn important things about cells, particularly Airway Smooth Muscle Cells (ASM cells), and how they respond to the treatments we give them. The practice I gained in the lab was more than I could have ever expected to have available at my age. Being able to participate in Dr. Panettieri’s lab meetings and giving my input on the various research projects that the lab was running was truly beyond any scientific discussion I could have ever hoped to have been a part of at my age. Also, I had the chance to work in an environment with so many helpful and fun people. The staff at the Airways Biology Initiative was always happy to help me when I needed it and always allowed me to observe what they were doing and teach me about it. The other summer interns gave me a lot of insight and advice concerning college and medical school, particularly the application processes. It was so beneficial for me to get to work with this diverse group of people and I could not have gained the experience or skill I did without their mentoring. Overall, my summer at the Airways Biology Initiative gave me an unheard of advantage for someone of my age and preliminary skill level.

I was given the chance to spend a summer as an intern doing the job I hope to make my career. It was surreal to be living in my own future, as I entered this experience determined to enter the cancer research field and leave it reassured in my decision. It’s rare to know what you want to dedicate your life to doing before it is time to choose, and even rarer to have the chance to experience that career in a realistic, day-to-day fashion. I cannot thank the staff of the ABI enough for allowing me to be a part of that rarity, and will not forget my summer here in the lab.

Kevin MacDonald

I worked at ABI two years ago as a Drexel co-op student and have tried to keep in touch over the years. Attending events like the annual ABI picnic and the business person special Phillies game made this relatively easy for me. I was happy to come back and help with some data analysis this summer following the completion of my first year of medical school. This summer experience has definitely been a bit different, but the relationships have remained the same. I never feel uncomfortable asking or answering questions and actually feel much more involved now that I know a lot more about disease and medicine than I did in previous years. As usual, they wasted no time putting me back to work running ELISAs on day one and continuing the remainder of my summer grouping about a year and half’s worth of data together for statistical analysis. I am definitely looking forward to my future career in clinical medicine, but it’s also been nice to play a part in the process of discovery that leads to the continuously growing number of treatment options available for various illnesses. Kevin was accepted to Thomas Jefferson University Medical College.

Kim Nguyen

As a medical student, I found this summer research experience to be a tremendous opportunity to see the link between research and health care. I was responsible for the project that explored the effect of vitamin D on the secretion of certain cytokines and the possible use of nanoparticles to therapeutically deliver vitamin D to asthma patients. For this project, I cultured and treated cells with various conditions and performed ELISAs.

I also worked on another project that looked into the relationship of obesity and asthma by comparing the calcium release of human airway smooth muscles by donors with healthy BMIs and donors with BMIs that are considered obese. This afford me the opportunity to learn a new lab technique, Fluo-8 calcium assay, which was very exciting.

While conducting research in Dr. Panettieri’s lab, I met individuals from various backgrounds who had a plethora of help and advice to give. Fellow lab members have become mentors and friends. The lab environment is welcoming and encouraging, which allowed me to have fun while learning a lot. My time in the lab has been truly enriching and will definitely have an influence on my future career.

Ryan Rue

I started working at ABI in Dr. Vera Krymskaya’s lab, it was my second co-op experience, and has been extremely beneficial. I learned a great deal of new techniques and experiments in my time at ABI. My work was quite varied, and that is part of what made the job so beneficial. In one week I would work with mice, perform Western Blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, and those were just three of the most common tasks. The range and depth of the work was very satisfying and nothing was repetitive or boring. Not only was I able to develop many unique and different techniques at the bench, but I received great feedback and help in my presentation skills and even had the opportunity to teach some of the techniques I learned while working at the ABI.

On top of all the great benefits I already mentioned, I was lucky enough to work with highly skilled scientists from different backgrounds. I was able to learn a great deal from many people, and was treated as a more than a student. My time with the lab was relatively short, but it was a great learning experience and will help me greatly in the future.

Sofia Gomez

Over the past six weeks as a summer intern at the Airways Biology Initiative, working in Dr. Panettieri’s lab, I have had the opportunity to learn much about both the research process and specific studies being performed in the lab. Shadowing researchers in the lab and learning important techniques, such as cell culturing and ELISAs (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays), have been central to my summer experience, allowing me to learn about the types of questions researchers ask and what methods are used to answer them. Attending weekly lab meetings has introduced me to the process of analyzing and presenting data in the most effective ways. Apart from this, I have spent much of the summer reading and asking questions about the papers published by Dr. Panettieri and his colleagues, which has helped improve my scientific writing and reading skills. My experiences this summer have been my first in a scientific laboratory, and have thus given me an extremely valuable introduction to biological research. Sofia was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School.

Tony Xia

With only a short summer to spend at ABI, I hit the ground running with a project of my own working in Dr. Horace DeLisser’s lab. I was fortunate enough work closely under the mentorship of Dr. Valsa Abraham, carrying out novel studies researching tumor cell proliferation. As a medical student with previous research experience, I was given the autonomy to design and execute experiments independently. UPenn also provides an overwhelming amount of resources to draw from – I trained in and was allowed access to use state-of-the-art flow cytometry facilities, and was able to attend conferences and lectures from distinguished speakers.

Being at ABI has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The people are diverse, in both background and experience, and the environment here is collaborative. Though my lab group is small, we work side by side with researchers from the high school level all the way up to the doctorate level. It has been great to learn about the various career paths that people have pursued, and to share my own experiences to open ears. Working at ABI has been a challenging and fulfilling experience that I would recommend for any student seeking to learn more about research, science, and medicine.

Sarah Orfanos

As a medical student from the University of Marseille France, I was given the opportunity to study over the summer of 2014 in Dr. Panettieri’s lab. It was my first experience in basic research, despite my lack of experience after 2 weeks of intensive training in the different lab skills required for the project (ELISA, human airway smooth muscle cells culture, treatment of cells, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction…), I was independent.

I was given a project on Vitamin D nanoparticles, with some guidance and the reassurance that I could ask questions anytime I was able to work on the project with another med student. The fact that we were able to work on the project independently was an incredible opportunity and developed our scientific thinking. We looked up the literature that inspired our next course of action; of course we could seek advice from knowledgeable MD and PhD surrounding us. The lab meeting every week was an opportunity to share our results and doubts and obtain invaluable guidance, as well as keep in touch with the many projects going on in the lab. II became quite passionate about the subject of Vitamin D in asthma and evolving in a result driven environment within an enthusiastic team was stimulating. Everyone on the team was always willing to help, and a good team spirit was present.

This experience in the ABI lab has introduced me to basic research; the training was the best I could wish for in a limited 3 month time. This experience has also confirmed my wish to go into academic pulmonology and ally clinical medicine with research. Sarah is doing her residency at Robert Wood Johnson.

Martin Johnson

Even though they tried to get rid of me, I still kept coming back to Dr. Reynold Panettieri’s laboratory at the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI). I first came to ABI during my sophomore year of undergrad, and I returned in my senior year. Coming back was very easy to pick up the technical and research skills as well as returning to the friendly ABI community. This summer, I worked with Post-Doctoral Fellow, Cynthia Kiozol-White. One of her many projects focuses to elucidate the effect of the Rhinovirus or one of the causative agents of the common cold on Airway Hyper-Responsiveness (AHR). A model we use to study the project is a co-culture of Airway Epithelial cells and Airway Smooth muscle cells known as Air Liquid Interface (ALI). Through this model we were able to study rhinovirus induced AHR through fluorescent microscopy, qtRT-PCR, ELISAs, Western blots, and other cellular or molecular assays.

Once again my time at ABI was a tremendous experience for me. It wasn’t just the introduced cellular and molecular techniques that was valuable, but more importantly it was the opportunity to think like a research scientist. ABI is a great place to do research! As an undergraduate student, doing research at a large and prestigious academic laboratory can be quite daunting. However, ABI has many senior scientists that are immensely helpful to students. ABI also has its students actively involved in the reasoning of the research. Actually, my time here had really persuaded me to pursue a career as a physician scientist, and right now I am applying to MD/PhD programs! Martin has been accepted to Penn State Hershey College of Medicine’s M.D./PhD. program.

Eleni Papanikolaou

My experience at the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) has been truly invaluable. I was very fortunate to be a part of exciting and innovating research in the field of asthma. I expanded my lab techniques and learned so much working in Dr. Panettieri’s lab. I worked with experienced and intellectual researchers of a wide diversity who were all very friendly and helpful with areas that I was unfamiliar with. I especially enjoyed our weekly lab meetings, where my coworkers and I would present our work, receive feedback and evaluation, but most importantly receive guidance on how to proceed next. I primarily ran calcium assays to measure intracellular calcium in airway smooth muscle and also performed western blots to study pathways that lead to contraction in human airway smooth muscle. I even had the opportunity to work with human lung tissue, making slices, harvesting tissue, and learning how each part of the lung can be isolated and used in the laboratory. I was also involved with cell line maintenance and preparation of samples for collaborators. Aside from the scientific aspect of the lab, the ABI hosts fun social events that bring everyone together and make for a very welcoming atmosphere. Altogether, I really enjoyed the challenge of working at the ABI and its pleasant environment. My experience at ABI was very rewarding and truly unique.

Brendan McEwen

In the summer of 2014 I was fortunate enough to secure a position in the ABI program working under Dr. Vera Krymskaya. As my first formal research experience, it was extremely informative both in performing techniques in practice and developing a feel for how a lab truly operates. I was surrounded on a daily basis by both established professionals in the pulmonary field and highly driven students at the high school, undergrad, and medical level. My time was split between the animal facility and the bench. In the animal facility, I worked hands-on with the mice in tasks ranging from basic husbandry to anatomical procedures. In the lab, I performed various bench procedures such as DNA isolation, PCR, Electrophoresis, and Western Blot Analysis.

During my time here I was treated by my coworkers and managers as a peer, not a subordinate. The lab environment was extremely friendly and conducive to gaining knowledge through asking questions and being tasked with independent projects. The diverse body of work being performed in the lab opened my eyes to the different avenues of work I can pursue later in my career, and will surely assist me in any future scientific endeavors I undertake.

Sabrina Pogrebivsky

Going into my second year working at ABI, I looked forward to getting lots of experience in the lab working under Dr. Elena Atochina-Vasserman, in the lab of Dr. Vera Krymskaya. Working with Drexel co-ops and undergraduates in the ABI summer program, I not only had the opportunity to work on my own project but also to watch and learn while the other students did their projects. I started out learning how to perform a BCA Protein Assay, using computer skills attained from my time at ABI last year to analyze the data I collected. Once I got enough practice pipetting by doing the protein assays, I moved on to Western Blots. These tests are much more complicated but after observing the other ABI students a few times I was able to do a full Western Blot by myself. I also attended scientific lectures, learning about the harmful effects of various forms of air pollution on people as well as the research of many professionals at Penn.

All in all, I have really enjoyed my summer at ABI and I have learned so much in the lab. I am hoping to use my new knowledge in the years ahead doing research in college, and ABI has prepared me well. Every day at the lab was a new experience and everyone was so welcoming and willing to teach me. Sabrina was accepted to Duke University.

Kelci Holman

I began working at the Airway Biology Initiative as a part of Drexel’s co-op program. Throughout my co-op, I have learned many new skills, as well as strengthened some familiar laboratory techniques. Currently, I am working under the guidance of Dr. Vera Krymskaya, whose research is dedicated to the study of a rare respiratory disease called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). My work includes growing and splitting different cell types, preparing cell lysates, and analyzing expression of various proteins through the use of Western Blots. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to shadow other members of the Krymskaya lab as they carry out experiments on mice, such as lung inflation and extraction.

Megan Levis

One of the best aspects about this lab is that it is a very friendly and welcoming environment. Whenever Ihave a question about a procedure or how something works, I know that someone will always be willing to explain it to me. Overall, being a part of ABI has been an extremely valuable and enjoyable experience. Having completed an internship in ABI, I can say it is the perfect place for up and coming scientists, researchers, and doctors alike. I chose ABI because of the exposure it would afford me to different types of learning at various education levels. The ABI labs are full of the erudite; PhDs, MDs, graduate students, any and all combinations.

Through my time here I have had the honor of working at the forefront of the pulmonology in the asthma field. My time here has been nothing short of an engaged academic experience. Through my studies of biomedical research I have gained a wealth of knowledge which I have been able to apply to my time here at ABI. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain context for my book studies. This opportunity has guided my interests though exposure and enabled me to determine my future in research. Working at ABI has given salient context for my future in research.

Kevin Truskowski

I began working at ABI in the spring of 2013 as my first and only Drexel co-op. As someone who is interested in graduate school and in doing research as a career, I think my decision to work at ABI was the best decision I could have made. Here, I was treated like part of the lab, not just as a set of hands. I was encouraged to think like a scientist and was able to discuss my own ideas for experiments relating to what interested me. I think this is something very unique in a co-op. I was allowed to have my own ideas and those ideas were actually taken seriously. By about half way through my time here I was given my own project to look into. It was something our lab had not looked into yet, so I was able to really dive into the literature and learn what I needed to learn to design my own experiments, something I had never had the opportunity to do before. I think this is something quite unique; most labs will lay out experiments for an undergrad to carry out, but here (with some help of course) I was really encouraged to do my own thing.

In the lab I got the chance to work with incredibly intelligent, experienced scientists, both M.D.s and P.h.Ds, from many different backgrounds. They are all experts at what they do and I was fortunate to learn different assays and techniques from them that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else. I was able to see all of the different ways they think and go about trying to answer questions which definitely helped me to grow as a scientist. Despite their experience and intelligence, they were all super friendly and were always willing to discuss any questions I had. The experience and knowledge I’ve been able to gain here has far exceeded my expectations.

John Gow

I entered into the Airways Biology Initiative’s summer research program upon the conclusion of my junior year of high school. I was looking for a way to fortify what I had learned in my AP Chemistry course and increase my knowledge in the realm of respiratory illness, a topic I might be interested in pursuing as a career. During the start of my work in the lab I came to realize what I was doing was very different from the rudiments of the classroom; instead of learning in theory I was discovering with hands on research, under the guidance of knowledgeable scientists. Throughout the summer I was under the supervision of Dr. Atochina-Vasserman, in the Krymskaya lab, and researched a rare respiratory illness called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis by performing SP-A and SP-D western blots, turning frozen lung into homogenate, counting cells, and preforming BCA protein and ELISA assays. My first research experience in a scientific laboratory has taught me a plethora of techniques that I would never have experienced in my high school and all from a friendly knowledgeable group of scientists. Going to the laboratory has shown me the way that science is done in the real world with constant trial and error and frequent repetition of experiments to strengthen conclusions about never before answered questions.

What makes ABI unique is the open atmosphere in which they operate. The scientist are always willing to assist and mentor, but are also willing to step back and let you run your own experiments. Overall ABI is the best thing that I could have done this summer, because it gave me distinctive and valuable experience in the researching field and all in a great atmosphere. I would recommend anyone who is looking to learn about research in the scientific community to take advantage of the remarkable opportunity at ABI. John was accepted to Colgate University.

John’s hard work during the summer was recognized nationally, as he was selected as, one of one hundred regional finalists to compete in the 2013 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology.

Aakanksh Jaikumar

In the summer before my senior year of high school, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Airways Biology Initiative’s Summer Research Program. This was my first experience working in a scientific laboratory. This amazing opportunity allowed me to learn a multitude of general yet necessary lab techniques from a very friendly, supportive and knowledgeable group of mentors. Unlike learning in a classroom, I was able to get hands-on experience by performing several procedures such as RNA extraction, ozone exposure, feeding and stock media preparation, western blotting, BCA protein assay, cell-counting and data analysis with Microsoft Excel. In addition, I was able to observe many other advanced techniques and procedures performed throughout the lab. This program is a great introduction to translational research for students interested in a career in science.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the program at ABI. The opportunity to work with such a great team of professionals while gaining a remarkable amount of knowledge and experience was definitely positive and worthwhile. Aakanksh was accepted to Temple University.

Guovanna Shoukri

I entered ABI as part of the Drexel University cooperative education program under the guidance of Dr. Vera Krymskaya. During the start of my internship in the laboratory I was quite overwhelmed despite my previous experience with research. I learned that clinical research can be very different from academic research and that a good work ethic and dedication are two of the most important driving forces needed to achieve success. Within my first two weeks as a member of the laboratory, I was asked to study the project that I would be dedicated to for the summer and learned all of the techniques that would help me to do so. Much of my work included cell line maintenance and harvesting, as well as, measuring protein levels and expression through the use of Western blotting and ELISA. Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in animal work with our mouse models. Through this experience I took part in experiments involving tail vein injections of the mice with tumorigenic cells, drug treatments and clinical trials, as well as, DNA extraction and genotyping of the mice. My work in the laboratory varied, but one thing remained consistent: there was always an opportunity to learn.

If there is one thing that I was able to take away from this experience is that with the ambition to learn and advance in the fields of science and research, many opportunities are possible. And with the mentorship and guidance I received I was afforded a unique and valuable experience. Guovanna was accepted to Drexel University Medical College.

Michael Phan

My second summer at ABI was even more enjoyable than the first. A lot of the same people were still there which made coming back much easier. The best change I’ve noticed between my first and second time is how well they are interfacing with the summer students. This was great, because now they get each individual students up to speed at a much faster and more efficient manner and as a result they now have them doing research in no time. The time between orientation and beginning of actual learning and performing experiments was almost nonexistent.

Here at ABI they were very good with allowing me to explore techniques that fascinated me. You can approach any of the investigators about your interests and they will help guide you in the right direction and show you how to set up experiments utilizing the techniques that interested you. But the best part of ABI is how relevant the research that you perform is. I have had the opportunity to work on studies that have been applicable to the lab’s publications and grants.

Sabrina Pogrebivsky

The summer after my sophomore year in high school I worked as an intern for the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) at University of Pennsylvania. Under the supervision of Dr. Elena Atochina-Vasserman, from the Dr. Vera Krymskaya lab, I have learned a lot these past few months. Every day at ABI was a new experience. I focused on a rare genetic lung cancer called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which mainly affects young women by destroying their lung tissue. Two months ago I was not aware this disease existed, but today I know a lot about it. Dr. Atochina-Vasserman’s research involved tests of two different drugs on mice with LAM and whether or not they slow down the progression of lesion growth. I was responsible for calculating data collected in the lab using Excel, GraphPad Prism, and PowerPoint. I learned how to analyze the scientific results of a BCA Protein Assay, qRT PCR and ELISA, and statistical differences between the treatment groups and made graphs to be presented at lab meetings. I created a summary table for the entire experiment of 80 mice, which demonstrated the magnitude of all the data collected during the past 2 months. I learned how to do a search of scientific articles on the Internet and attended scientific lectures. Additionally I got a tour of the entire campus and visited other labs, including the Institute for Environmental Medicine with the historical hyperbaric chambers and laboratories in UPENN’s new Smilow Research Center. I had the opportunity to meet and speak to a lot of interesting scientific professionals who were happy to answer my questions and share their knowledge about research.

Now that the ABI summer research program is almost over, I have experience in biomedical engineering, which I have always been thinking of as my future career. I loved coming into the lab every day and being around very smart people who were all dedicated their time to find the cure for diseases. My experiences at ABI have taught me not only about biology, but also about having a career that can help others. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in gaining experience in the lab and pursuing a career in biology or medicine.

Andrew Parambath

Before going into college, I had the opportunity to be an intern at ABI, Airway Biology Initiative, at the University of Pennsylvania. I was really fortunate because in high school you have limited exposure to the lab. However, at ABI you are able to learn and practice lab techniques that you would never have the opportunity to in high school. One of the most remarkable experiences I had at ABI was observing Dr. Koziol-White work with an actual human lung. In addition to observing, I had the opportunity to perform several different experiments such as exposing cell lines and lung samples to ozone, analyzing calcium data, and preparing media. Furthermore, as an intern, I was given the independence and responsibility to do things on my own, however, there was always someone with the knowledge and experience I could turn to if I needed help. On top of that, the staff at ABI was very friendly and approachable with any question or concern that I had.

As a result of my experience at ABI, I have learned and implemented various lab techniques, gained valuable connections with the staff and students of ABI, and strengthened my decision to pursue a career in the field of medicine. I would recommend this program to any student interested in medicine or biomedical research. If a student is looking for a rewarding and enlightening experience during the summer then ABI is the place to be! Andrew was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania.

Monica Soni

This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at the Airways Biology Initiative as a summer researcher. This was my first experience conducting bench research, so my main goals for the summer were to learn several basic laboratory techniques and to gain a hands-on experience in order to gauge my interest in further pursuing bench research. And, after this internship, I can truly say that I have met these goals and more!

I had the privilege of being part of the Haczku lab and had some wonderful mentors who patiently taught me how to perform BCA protein assays, western blots, differential cells counts, cytospins, and cell cultures, as well as how to use a pipette properly. I have also learned how to use Excel effectively for analyzing and presenting data, which was necessary for weekly lab meetings. Additionally, I attended a hands-on mouse training class and, thus, was able to assist with experiments involving live mice, such as lung function tests and genotyping.

In addition to my lab experience, I participated in the Penn Undergraduate Environmental Health Scholars Program (STEER), which exposed me to many public and environmental health issues in Philadelphia through lectures and field trips. This was also a very valuable experience and culminated in a final summer research presentation. Overall, I had a wonderful research experience at the ABI and I am very thankful to all in the Haczku lab for their support and mentorship.

Stephane Guillou

As a student from Drexel University, the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) really stood out to me due to having friends whom had positive experiences at the laboratory and its close proximity to campus. Also, my previous co-ops were more geared towards engineering, so I knew ABI would provide me with a new and completely different experience, and it would be able to teach me important biological skills and techniques needed for working in a laboratory setting as biomedical engineer.

At ABI, I performed many experiments under Dr. Banerjee’s tutelage to ascertain the effects of Vitamin D and Trichostatin A on human airway smooth muscle cells. To do this, I was taught how to carry out ELISA experiments to determine chemokine and cytokine expression levels in human airway smooth muscle cells after they were stimulated with Tumor Necrosis Factor and/or Interferon; this began with the proper aliquoting of laboratory solutions and ended with operating the ELISA plate reader and analyzing the resulting data. Throughout the ELISA process, I was able to hone my skills in pipetting and work at decreasing cross-contamination when moving from project to project. Not only did Dr. Banerjee help me with my technique and provide me with academic guidance, but I also learned a lot from my other colleagues in the laboratory. I learned how to perform Western Blots and I used this assay to determine protein expression levels. I was also introduced to cell culture and the procedure for maintaining the cell lines used in the laboratory. In addition to these techniques, I was able to aid in the prepping of human fatal asthmatic and normal lung tissue, and I was taught how to perform precision cut lung slice experiments, which I used to generate preliminary in vivo data for several projects.

Overall, my experience at ABI was very enlightening. Having never worked in a laboratory before, I enjoyed the family-like atmosphere between my colleagues and myself. ABI also helped me augment my presentation skills by having weekly lab meetings where I was responsible for presenting the data that I generated. At lab meeting, there were knowledgeable experts who were able to critique, question, and examine what I had done and provide me with helpful comments to point me in the right direction and the next step that I needed to take. With the experience and knowledge that I have gained, I can say ABI has had a positive impact on me and provided me with the proper tools for my future endeavors. I would recommend ABI to anyone, beginner or expert, looking to gain meaningful laboratory research experience.

Mi Thant Mon Soe

My co-op at the Airways Biology initiative (ABI) has been a great and invaluable experience. I was able to learn from a team of awesome researchers and be at the forefront of scientific innovation. One of the first things that I learned to do was performing Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the amount of cytokines and chemokines released by the precision cut lung slices (PCLS) under the tutelage of Dr. Zhao and Dr. Koziol-White. I would then present the results at the weekly lab meetings where my results were evaluated and pieced together with the results from other ongoing experiments done by other researchers. Before my time at ABI, I had very little experience with cell culture and biological pathways and signaling. Under Dr. Cao’s guidance, I was able to have a hands-on experience with cell line maintenance, Western blots, and immunofluroscence staining. He would explain why I was doing every step of the procedure and how the procedure could be modified to optimize the usage of my time and resources. I love challenges and when I spoke to our lab manager about learning more techniques, I was trained to maintain transgenic mice colonies for Dr. Goncharova. This involved cross breeding different strains of mice and genotyping the pups to test for homozygosity and heterozygosity of the target genes.

Since there were other interns and students in the lab, in between different steps in my experiments, I had the opportunity to learn from them about their projects and the experiments they were working on. To make this amazing experience complete, everyone in the lab was very helpful and we had amazing social events every now and then. It is truly a place of sharing not just of knowledge but of ideas and culture, too. I had a wonderful experience working at ABI and I strongly recommend it to any student looking for a wonderful learning experience. Thant was accepted into Drexel University PhD program.

Stephanie Kubala

As a Mayock Fellowship recipient for the summer of 2013, I had chosen to work in Dr. Angela Haczku’s laboratory in order to expand my passion for allergy/immunology research by investigating ozone’s effects on asthma. I am very glad I chose to work in this lab this summer because of all the techniques I learned and all the people I was able to meet. I was able to foster collaborations between laboratories and perform independent projects utilizing patient nasal polyps and air liquid interface co-cultures.

Also, as a participant in the STEER program, I was able to simultaneously learn about the public and environmental health side of pollution through lectures and field trips. It culminated in an end of the summer symposium where I was able to present my summer research. This summer has been a mixture of fun and hard work that has increased my interest in conducting research concerning allergies and asthma. I hope to also present my work at the 2014 AAAAI Annual Meeting.

Megan Milavec

I have had a great experience working in the Airways Biology Initiative’s research program this summer. I came to ABI with limited lab experience, and everyone was very patient and helpful. I have learned so much over the past few months, which I am extremely thankful for. I have learned many different techniques and other information that I believe will be useful to me in the future.

The ABI lab has a very relaxed atmosphere, so not only was I learning a ton, but I was also enjoying myself while doing it. The staff is friendly and approachable, and they are all experts at what they do. My mentors were very knowledgeable and I had a great time working with them and learning from them. It was also nice to get to know some of the other students working in the lab and hearing about their projects. ABI is really a unique place to work because there are so many different projects in different areas of research going on at the same time. Overall, my summer experience with ABI has been very positive and beneficial, and I’m so glad I was given this opportunity!

Edwin Yoo

During the summer before my second year of medical school, I was very fortunate to do an internship through the Airways Biology Initiative’s Summer Research Program. ABI is a world class airway biology lab with human asthma models that are difficult to find in other airway biology labs.Under Dr. Panettieri’s mentorship, I was given the opportunity to measure intracellular calcium in airway smooth muscle using calcium fluorimetry.Additionally, I was able to practice presenting data during weekly lab meetings. I also learned a great deal about cutting edge asthma research during these lab meetings.

As a result of the mentorship and encouragement of the researchers at ABI, I’ve really come to love research and hope to pursue it as part of my career. I’ve also become friends with the awesome students who work at ABI. I would encourage anyone interested in biomedical research/medicine to participate in this internship.You can be sure that you will obtain valuable research experience and mentorship that would be difficult to find elsewhere. Edwin was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania’s M.D./PhD. Program.

Gloria Lin

During the summer of 2012, I was fortunate to participate in the Airways Biology Initiative’s Summer Research Program. I had the opportunity to work with several professionals while learning many basic science techniques. Under Dr. Hong and Mrs. Li’s guidance, I learned about Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, a genetic disease of which I had never known of before this summer. The research I participated in was focused on understanding the TFE3 transcription factor and more specifically the over-expression of lysosomal genes that occurs due to the starvation of HEK293 cells. By contributing to the research, I was able to gain valuable hands on experience culturing cells, performing Western blots, RT-PCRs, as well as, learn many other laboratory techniques and procedures. I also was given the opportunity to analyze and interpret the data I generated from the experiments I performed.

As a Penn student, I feel that I am extremely lucky to be able to attend various science and laboratory courses taught by experts in their fields. With the ABI summer program, the research and experimentation that I was able to perform allowed me to put into practice, what I learned in the classroom and it provided me with invaluable hands-on experiences. All of the ABI researchers were more than willing to answer all of my seemingly never-ending questions and there seemed to be endless opportunities to learn something new, during my summer internship. Overall my summer spent at ABI was enlightening and most definitely, rewarding.

Christina Nikolos

When I arrived to the Airway Biologics Initiative (ABI) lab at the University of Pennsylvania I received such a warm welcome that I knew my experience here was going to be great. On the start of my first day, I was immediately working with human lung tissue, making slices, harvesting tissue, and learning how each part of the lung can used in the laboratory. As a Drexel University student enrolled in the co-op program we are told that some of the best learning is by actually doing. It was clear that I was going to be doing a lot of learning.

One of my main focuses here at ABI was cell line maintenance and preparations for many of our collaborators. I also investigated pathways involved in many asthmatic and inflammatory responses within airway smooth muscle cells. Some of the laboratory techniques that I used during my time at ABI were: Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS), immunohistochemistry staining, gel electrophoresis, tissue culture, RNA and DNA isolations.

My favorite aspect of working at ABI was the environment. Every last person that is a part of ABI has been endlessly helpful and have given me such guidance. I never felt hesitant to ask a question or to propose an idea. Whatever I had to say, it was accepted and explored which makes science so exciting. The ABI team is very committed in teaching young students how to make a career out of science. The team members have a variety of degrees and have taken various different roads in their careers, which was useful in asking questions to help guide me into my path. My experience at ABI helped me build strong laboratory technical skills and well as learning where I fit in the science field. Christina is an MBA candidate at CASS Business School in London.

Caroline Zhong

This summer at the ABI was my first formal experience in a scientific laboratory, and I learned a lot of basic and advanced techniques including cell culture, assaying cellular samples, and harvesting lung tissue samples for the study of asthma and other lung diseases. For cell culture, I learned how to prepare feeding and stock media for the cells to grow or “starve” in, I learned to plate and passage cells, to treat and stimulate cells, and finally how to lyse the cells for further analysis.

I also learned a lot of general lab techniques that included performing ELISAs, Western Blotting (immuno-blotting), BCA protein assay, cell-staining and cyto-spin, cell-counting, and of course, how to perform the data analysis in Microsoft Excel, all of which I had the opportunity to present at the weekly lab meetings.

In regards to harvesting and processing samples, I had the opportunity to observe my mentor Dr. Cynthia Koziol-White inflate a human lung with low-melting point agarose, core sections of the lung containing airways, and slice the cores using Krumdieck tissue slicer to turn them into Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS). These lung slices were then treated with different drugs which would cause the airways to either contract or dilate in response to drugs like Carbachol, Isoproterenol, Formoterol, Salmeterol, Albuterol, Forskolin, Dexamethasone, Budesonide, and other beta adrenergic receptor agonists and steroids, which I was already familiar with thanks to the scientific papers also provided to me by my mentor. It wasn’t just about watching my mentor perform these techniques. I also had hands on opportunity to harvest and process mouse lung samples, I got to inflate the left lung through a catheter in the trachea, and perform a retro-orbital eye bleeds to collect blood samples for future analysis.

The summer flew by before I knew it, but it was full of learning and I made a lot of friends. I would definitely recommend the ABI’s summer program to anyone interested in getting some lab experience; its fun and rewarding and a really awesome way to spend the summer. Caroline was accepted to Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Kevin MacDonald

I began working at ABI in April 2012 for my third and final co-op as a Drexel student. I had previous lab experience and felt very comfortable working in a laboratory setting. Like any new job, however, my work at ABI was a little intimidating at first, but everyone was dedicated to helping and teaching each new employee, making the transition much smoother. We received a human lung on my first day and I began working immediately, coring and slicing airways in the lung tissue. The best part about my experience at ABI has been the fact that you gain your independence very quickly, but you are never alone. Whenever I needed help or clarification for an experiment, there was never a shortage of knowledge and experience within the lab to turn to. I could always turn to Dr. Cao when running western blots, Dr. Koziol-White with any questions about PCLS experiments, Dr. Zhou for help with ELISAs, and of course my mentor, Dr. Banerjee, for learning new techniques, plating and stimulating cell lines, learning about his interest in vitamin D and HDAC inhibition, and guidance in my decision to follow a career in medicine. Dr. Panettieri is one of the most knowledgeable and respected doctors I have ever had the privilege of meeting, and he is never too busy to stop and explain, in detail, every receptor, cascade, and pathway involved in asthma symptoms and treatment.

Many people may think an internship is all work and no play, or vice versa, but at ABI I think there is a good mix of both. There’s no doubt that they expect a lot of work to get done, and done correctly, but events such as the ABI annual picnic and the business persons’ special at the Phillies game are a great escape from the busy work day. It was at these events that I really had the opportunity to get to know my co-workers and supervisors on a personal level. Overall, my time at ABI has been one of the most interesting, knowledge-building, and interactive research opportunity I have had the privilege of experiencing. Kevin was accepted to Thomas Jefferson University Medical College.

Jackie Scala

This past summer I had the opportunity to work as an intern at Airways Biology Initiative’s Summer Research Program. ABI provided me with a valuable research experience that would be very difficult to find elsewhere. I was supervised by Dr. Koziol-White, who showed me what projects were going on in the lab and taught me many laboratory techniques. In addition to observing human lung and trachea dissections, I was able to perform ELISA assays, complete dose response curves with human lung slices, maintain human airway smooth muscle cell cultures, present data at weekly lab meetings, and be a part of an excellent research team. I now feel very confident in my ability to complete the laboratory techniques that I learned this summer because of the way that ABI trained me. First, I was shown a laboratory procedure. Then, I was observed while completing that same procedure. Finally after that, I was able to complete that procedure independently. By teaching in this manner, it was extremely valuable and I can say with confidence that I know exactly how to do an ELISA or how to maintain cells in culture. This approach to teaching the various laboratory protocols procedures was very beneficial and significantly helped me to increase my laboratory skills.

This summer research program also helped me decide what type of career I would like to pursue in the future. By asking PhDs and MDs at ABI about their graduate school or medical school experience, I gained helpful career advice. I would definitely recommend this internship for anyone who is interested in a career in science or medicine. Not all research programs for undergraduate students will offer the opportunity to work with human tissue and learn so many laboratory techniques. I learned a lot in just one summer at ABI and this program was definitely a worthwhile experience. Jackie was accepted to Drexel University Medical School.

Martin Johnson

I had the privilege of working for the University of Pennsylvania’s Airways Biology Initiative (ABI) as a laboratory research intern under the guidance of Dr. Cao & Dr. Panettieri. This was far from the normal monotonous undergraduate job of staring at a computer or accomplishing mindless clerical work. In my position, I was held to the same standards and expectations as the other hardworking ABI laboratory staff. Although it was a little overwhelming at first, the experience was well worth it since I learned a quite bit about medicine, medical occupations, laboratory techniques, and the professional work environment. As a result, I was constantly busy with complicated molecular biology experimental work and I was given the opportunity to learn and practice many cutting edge experimental techniques.

My specific responsibilities included assisting in the maintenance and propagation of ABI’s human airway smooth muscle cells. These cells are essential for the experiments and different collaborations of the ABI labs. In maintaining and propagating these cells, I was afforded the opportunity to learn many different techniques such as, dissecting human lung tissue, trypsinizing cells, freezing cells, stringent aseptic methods, and several different immunohistochemistry techniques which were necessary to characterize these cells. In addition, to those responsibilities I also had the opportunity to perform experiments under Dr. Cao’s supervision, to investigate the protein signaling pathways used by contractile agents to elicit contraction in human airway smooth muscle cells. It was extremely rewarding for me to independently (of course guidance was given often) design, perform, and present the results of these experiments. I found it to be very gratifying and exciting to be a part of the innovation and experimentation of such groundbreaking research. Dr. Cao’s research also required me to learn several other techniques such as western blotting, RNA isolation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Overall, this was an extremely positive experience for me and I strongly recommend any motivated and interested student to apply for this fantastic opportunity to work at the ABI labs. The experience to work with a strong professional team and great people, as well as, learn life lessons and have fun is well worth it!

Michael Phan

I spent my first co-op at the Airways Biology Initiative (ABI). I really enjoyed working there, as this was my first job-related work experience in a professional environment. Working at ABI was unlike any of the other typical internships/co-ops that I had heard about. There wasn’t any filing papers or weeks spent at the computer endlessly surfing the web, counting the minutes until the end of the day. As a student at ABI, I was kept very busy and felt the pressure to perform and to be productive. Every individual there has a wealth of knowledge which can be somewhat intimidating, yet at the same time they were all extremely friendly and helpful, and they were always willing to answer any of my questions or help me whenever I needed it. 

During my co-op at ABI much of my time was spent performing cell biology and molecular biology experiments. One of my main responsibilities was to maintain and culture cell lines developed in the lab. I had the opportunity to routinely isolate human airway smooth muscle cells, fibroblast and macrophages from human lung tissue. Another of my responsibilities included measuring mediators released through an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays or ELISAs. In addition to these responsibilities I had the opportunity to learn or observe several other techniques and procedures performed in the laboratory. They included Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS), murine FlexiVent (mouse lung function testing), immunohistochemistry staining, and immunocytochemistry staining. 

Overall my experience at ABI has been extremely positive and it has given me a strong sense of the demands required to work in a wet bench laboratory. I would strongly recommend the Airways Biology Initiative laboratory to any student who is interested in a career in science and who is looking to gain practical experience in translational research.