We are always very interested in recruiting talented graduate and undergraduate students to become involved in cutting edge biomedical research. There are many opportunities involving a range of scientific questions. We use state-of-the-art genetic and biochemical techniques in combination with technological improvments in computer automation and image processing to explore novel aspects of aging and aging-related disease.
For information on specific projects, please inquire to Scott Pletcher.
For details on the scope of research in the laboratory, check out our Research page.
To take a peek into life in the lab, check out some questionable photos.
The applications for our departmental summer undergraduate research programs for the Summer 2023 are open! Please see the links below for information about the programs and the application process.
The Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology offers three summer fellowship programs to support undergraduate students that are interested in research in physiology and/or biomedical sciences. Any student who is currently enrolled at any degree granting University or College is invited to apply, with preference given to those students interested in a career in research. Students can be majoring in the biological science, engineering, computational sciences, physics or mathematics. In general, biological science students will join our traditional Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), quantitative students will join our Michigan Summer Undergraduate Research Experience: Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases (M-SURE), and students from underrepresented groups and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds will join our Summer Undergraduate Research in Physiology (SURP) Program.
Each student will be matched, based on his or her interests, to a laboratory that is led by a faculty member of the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology or of the University of Michigan Medical School. The selected laboratories are involved in nationally recognized research, in topics such as hormones and signal transduction, obesity and diabetes, reproduction and circadian rhythms including sleep, gastrointestinal physiology including digestive diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and hypertension, renal and pulmonary function, muscle contractile mechanisms, ion channels and neurophysiology.
There will be a research forum at the end of the summer in which fellows will present their work, as well as opportunities to attend research seminars throughout the summer.
A description of the programs and application process can be found on the top menu or on the following links:
Our Undergraduate Successes...
Luciana Zecchin, Poster presentation in the Biomedical Science Research Building, entitled "Identifying Which Tissues Regulate Lifespan In Response to Death Perception". Co-authored by Christi Gendron Ph.D.
Xavier Choussat, Poster presentation at The Michigan League, entitled "The Effect of Insulin-like Peptides 2 and 3 on Drosophila melanogaster Metabolic Activities". Co-authored with Christi Gendron Ph.D.
Madelynn Verheek, Senior in the Class of 2024, presenting her Senior project (Dissecting rewarding effects of Drosulfakinin (DSK) on males under social stress in Drosophila melanogaster).
Sydney Jones, Class of 2026, UROP Presentation April 2023 "Investigating the Impact of Environmental Conditions on Drosophila melanogaster Feeding and Aging"
Sonakshi (Sona) Raju, Class of 2021 Senior Presentation "Behaviorially Defining Hunger States in D. melanogaster"
Kassidy Rejent, Class of 2020, Senior Presentation
Hailee Nielsen, Class of 2019, presenting her Summer Research efforts...