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Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The Post-Doctoral fellowship program in the Cardiothoracic Research Program creates an environment in which basic science knowledge is used within a clinical setting. The Post-Doctoral fellow will work with the program mentor in examining the molecular basis of congestive heart failure (CHF) so that therapeutic strategies can eventually be developed to interrupt the progression of this fatal disease. One of the main research focuses the laboratory has been to elucidate the important contributory events leading to the development and progression of CHF. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a central component in the development of CHF. LV pump dysfunction in CHF, along with changes in LV geometry, are referred to as myocardial LV remodeling. An important constituent of the LV myocardium is the fibrillar collagen matrix. All processes that involve degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix macromolecules require the action of various proteolytic enzymes. Among these proteases are the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a class of zinc-dependent metalloenzymes that contribute to both normal tissue remodeling and pathological processes. It is now clear that MMPs are implicated in a variety of tissue remodeling events such as those leading to tumor invasion.
This organized fellowship program provides a solid scientific foundation that will prepare the fellow for an independent medical research career by engaging in both basic and translation research during their experience. The Cardiothoracic Surgery Research laboratory is a learning environment in which one’s talent may be challenged and further developed with commitment and purpose.
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Veterinary Research Fellowship
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, has available a post-doctoral position for a recent or May 2000 veterinary medicine graduate (DVM). The position focuses on the development of new therapies, which include both medical and surgical approaches, for treating poor cardiac function. An important dimension of the ongoing research is the use of large animal models of heart failure and the effects of new treatment interventions. Educational activities will include extensive cardiovascular training, hands-on training in ventriculography, echocardiography, and opportunities for independent research. Another benefit of this position will be full interaction with physician/scientists in cardiovascular medicine. The successful candidate will report directly to the Director of the Cardiothoracic Research Program. The Program currently involves 5 clinicians/basic scientists, and approximately 15 graduate students and technicians. Many of the technicians have extensive laboratory animal experience and are AAALAS certified. The cardiothoracic research program is fully funded by NIH, private foundation and industry support.
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Graduate Program
PhD: A number of exciting graduate programs are offered at MUSC. Important opportunities exist in the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology or Physiology programs. Contact us for more information about these programs.
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Novartis Medical Student Fellowship
| (left to right): Mytsi Coker, a recent PhD recipient in Cardiothoracic Molecular Biology, Dr. Frank Spinale, Director of the Research Program, and Allyson Walker, a Novartis Medical Student Fellowship recipient. |
This program will be considered an institutional award for medical students, in good academic standing, currently enrolled at MUSC. The objective of the program is to provide a full time medical research experience in the cardiovascular sciences to medical students in order to attract promising medical students into career choices, which include cardiovascular research. The students perform the research at the MUSC campus for a 12-month period, usually beginning the third or fourth year of medical school training. The program is for 12 consecutive months beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the following year.
During the tenure of the fellowship program, the medical students participate in full time cardiovascular research. During the first three weeks of the program, the students will rotate through the different cardiovascular research programs at MUSC: Cardiology, Cardiothoracic, Anatomy, and Pharmacology. Through interactive discussions, the medical student selects an area of interest and develops a schedule of research objectives and project outline for the upcoming 11 months.
The expected outcome of this program will be to enhance the education provided to the medical students with respect to cardiovascular physiology. Through direct participation in an ongoing and productive cardiovascular research environment, it is anticipated that this fellowship program will promote an interest in academic medicine and medical research.
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Undergraduate Coop Student
| Anne DeChamps, a recent Northeastern Cooperative Program student and Karla Ziegler, a College of Pharmacy student. |
The overall goal of this cooperative education experience with Northeastern is to directly engage the undergraduate student in medical research in an academic medical center environment. In his particular instance, the medical research is in cardiothoracic surgery and is focused upon developing new medical and surgical treatments for acute and chronic heart failure. As part of the research team, the student is expected to directly participate in every facet of the research program an then to develop a more focused activity profile in one of the research areas mentioned in the "Research Programs" section. The student is encouraged to participate in clinical activities when appropriate. These include assistance in the blood collection for the cardiac surgery procedures and to be on transplant call. Other possible activities include physician shadowing and surgery ICU time.
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