AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Research: I lead a research program in the field of gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cell and developmental biology. My lab uses cutting-edge organoid and animal models to delineate fundamental mechanisms involved in GI development, homeostasis, and disease. Our current projects focus on GATA transcription factors and their roles in normal GI development, metaplasia, and cancer. 

Project(s): An undergraduate student will participate in our studies of GATA4 function using human GI organoid models derived from normal, metaplastic, and malignant GI tissues. In addition to gaining experience in cutting edge organoid culture systems, the undergraduate will gain proficiency in molecular biology techniques including transcriptional profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Website: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/cell-biology-neurobiology-and-anatomy/people/michele-battle-phd

Research: As a physician-scientist I am interested in discovering the cells and molecules involved in normal gut motor and sensory function, and how they are disrupted in disease, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Current efforts in the lab are focused on a sensory pathway we call “gut touch,” because this sensory circuit is very similar to the skin touch circuit. We use a range of cutting-edge techniques in enteric neuroscience that range from examinations of single molecules to studies in animals and humans.

Our group is a part of the Mayo Clinic’s Enteric Neuroscience Program (ENSP), which has a long and distinguished history in the field, and is composed of several labs, so there are always many interesting collaborations and discussions.

Project(s): We have several projects ongoing that we will tailor to the students’ needs and interests. These include microscopy approaches, (immunofluorescence, super-resolution microscopy), in vitro studies looking at cell and tissue function by electrophysiology and calcium imaging, and in vivo studies that ask what the gut touch system’s role is in gut physiology.

Website: https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/gastrointestinal-mechanotransduction

Dr. Helen Burton Murray is a research scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. She is the director of the GI Behavioral Health Program in the Center for Neuorintestinal Health and her research is focused on two areas—(1) behavioral health treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, particularly disorder of gut-brain interaction (formerly called functional GI disorders); and (2) the intersection of problematic eating behaviors and GI disorders (e.g., avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder).

Projects in Dr. Burton Murray’s lab include an NIH-funded research project that investigate biological and behavioral markers of problematic eating behaviors in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction, and clinical trials of behavioral interventions for GI disorders (U01 DK112193; K23 DK131334). Undergraduate student trainees have been involved in all aspects of the research process, including study development, recruitment, assessment, data management, data analysis, and publication.

Website: https://www.massgeneral.org/neurointestinal-health-center

Research: The role of serotonin transporter (SERT) as a therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel diseases and gut-brain disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Project(s): We have a novel transgenic inducible knock-in model of SERT that can lead to overexpression of SERT in neurons or epithelial cells. The project will aim to characterize this mouse model.

Website: http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments/academic-departments/medicine/gastroenterology-and-hepatology/research/labs/gill-lab/

Research: My research, funded by NIDDK, studies the role of the microfilament in regulating epithelial homeostasis. We have identified intestinal epithelial cell actin binding proteins as cellular stress sensors and demonstrated that dysregulation of the cellular stress signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Other studies in the laboratory study the function of the actin bundling protein fascin in the pathogenesis to metastatic colorectal carcinomas. Fascin is not expressed in the normal adult epithleium but its expression is upregulated in most carcinomas, including aggressive metastatic colorectal carcinomas. Fascin expression in carcinomas is always linked to increased mortality and metastatic disease. The laboratory is identifying the molecular basis for fascin’s function in metastatic colorectal carcinomas.

Project(s): Students could work with colorectal cancer cell lines to monitor changes in fascin-expressing or fascin-null cells using confocal microscopy. The student could learn to use mouse models of colorectal carcinomas. Alternatively, the student could learn how to culture, maintain and study ex vivo cultures of mouse and human enteroids/colonoids.

Research: My research group focuses on gut sensation and motility disorders which are common medical problems that include gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach pain, chronic nausea and vomiting, gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, cyclic vomiting syndrome and eating disorders. We strive to understand what the connections are between the brain and the gut that cause symptoms and how to cope with them. We also study gut physiology to understand what affects how the gut moves things from one place to the other, whether it be too slow or too fast. We have projects trying to understand the impact of these diseases in underserved communities. As a result, we work on the gut microbiome and metabolites, human physiology experiments with devices and MRI, database analysis/epidemiology/healthcare services research studies, and clinical trials.

Project(s): We have several faculty members as well as research coordinators and many trainees who would work as a team with the student. The research work for this program would be clinical/translational with patient data including data acquisition and clean up as well as analysis under our guidance. The goal would be to actively engage in the clinical research project with a topic and would hopefully lead to presentation of results and involvement in publications. We also have a specialized clinic taking care of patients which will provide opportunities to shadow and appreciate the challenges with these medical issues.

Website: https://www.massgeneral.org/neurointestinal-health-center/

Research: Dr. Levine’s research is focused on tri-molecular communication in the gastrointestinal tract among [1] the luminal microbiome, [2] the barrier epithelium, and [3] the immune cells in the underlying lamina propria.

Projects: Several projects are available to students and include:

1. Co-culture of primary cell derived human T lymphocytes with organoids of intestinal epithelial stem cells or fully differentiated epithelial cell monolayers.
2. Transcriptomic and bioinformatic analysis of changes in gene expression and molecular pathways induced by co-culture.
3. Modulation of normal cell-cell communication due to inflammatory bowel diseases.

Research: The Margolis Lab studies the effects of neurotransmitters and inflammation on enteric nervous system development and function. The goal of Dr. Margolis’s research is to understand the enteric nervous system (ENS) and disorders that have in common an effect both on the brain and the gut, sometimes referred to as the “brain-gut axis.” She has published novel observations on the roles that enteric neurotransmitters (specifically serotonin and oxytocin) play in ENS development and how signaling from such neurotransmitters may, when abnormal, result in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), motility dysfunction (e.g., chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome), and necrotizing enterocolitis (a devastating intestinal inflammatory disorder primarily of preterm infants). This research has recently provided important insights into how abnormalities of the ENS can arise in children with brain-gut axis disorders such as autism, antenatal antidepressant exposure, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Project(s): Students will work with mouse models of IBS, autism and antidepressant exposure.

Website: https://www.pediatrics.columbia.edu/research-labs/margolis-lab

Research: A remarkable feature of the GI tract is that it has its own intrinsic nervous system that can function rather independently to regulate a wide variety of digestive functions. The goal of our laboratory is to understand how neurons and glial cells in this enteric nervous system (ENS) interact with other cells in the gut to regulate motility and inflammation. We use mouse genetic models, in vivo and in vitro assays to tackle these questions. Our work is motivated by the conviction that a better understanding of enteric neurobiology will advance the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disease.

Project(s): The student will work on an independent project under the close mentorship of a postdoctoral fellow or senior Ph.D. student with the goals of learning how to design, perform and interpret experiments, give effective presentations, and participate in the process of authoring a manuscript for publication. Projects may involve molecular biology, cell culture, tissue dissections, analysis of genomics data, microscopy, and mouse behavioral assays, mice depending on the student’s interests and abilities.

Website: raolab.hms.harvard.edu

Research: Neurogastroenterology and motility– understanding the mechanisms of disease and novel diagnostics and treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gas/bloating, constipation, fecal incontinence, and gastroparesis. Current projects in the lab include 1. TNT for fecal incontinence; 2. Gut and brain interactions; 3. Food intolerance; 4. SCBDS capsule for SIBO; 5. Magnetic treatments for gastroparesis.

Project(s): Students could work on projects (1) examining bidirectional gut-brain interactions in IBS and constipation, (2) dietary fructan intolerance, diagnosis and new enzyme therapy, or (3) body posture and defecation dynamic.

The Rustgi lab investigates the fundamental biology underlying gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, pancreatic, and stomach (gastric) cancers. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Rustgi’s research involves studies of the tumor microenvironment to uncover how tumors initiate and metastasize. Dr. Rustgi’s lab aims to translate their discoveries into improving molecular diagnostics and finding new experimental therapeutics for patients.

Project(s): Available projects can be individualized to the student’s interest. In summer 2023, the Rustgi lab is only able to accept students in a virtual capacity.  

Website: https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/research/laboratories/

Dr. Staller’s research group interrogates clinical and epidemiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, in particular irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation. Epidemiological research involves better understanding the intersections of gender, eating disorders, diet and lifestyle on constipation, bloating, fecal incontinence, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Research: Clinical and translational research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Project(s): (1) Impact of education on IBD prognosis on women with IBD. (2) Evaluate barriers to access health care resources and education in minority women with IBD. (3) Genetics in familial IBD. (4) Pregnancy and fertility in women with IBD.

Research: I am involved in clinical and translational research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Specifically, my main interests are in clinical outcomes and risk stratification among recently diagnosed IBD patients in order to understand the best way to care for patients early in their disease. In addition, I have an interest in the impact of COVID-19 on IBD patients, particularly the impact of IBD medications on COVID-19 outcomes. 

Project(s): Utilize existing databases or create new database through chart review to investigate risk factors for poor outcomes among recently diagnosed patients or IBD patients with COVID-19. Organize, analyze and write up research results for abstract and/or publication in peer-reviewed journal. Activities would likely involve study design, data extraction, data cleaning, database organization/creation, and basic data analysis. Potential for cross-sectional study as well in our IBD center (administering surveys to IBD patients for example). 

Website: https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/ryan-ungaro

Research: Dr. Vélez’s clinical and research interests include the management of gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) and is the first gastroenterologist embedded in the Massachusetts General Hospital Adult CF clinic. In addition, he is interested in improving access to gastrointestinal care in the Latino/a and LGBTQIA+ community through his work improving culturally competent care in medically underserved communities and better understanding functional and GI motility disorder manifestations. 

Project(s): Students will support one of the following ongoing projets.

GI Manifestations of Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

• Characterization of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes – Cystic Fibrosis impacts multiple organ symptoms with gastrointestinal disease serving an important source of symptom burden. Diabetes causes similar chronic GI symptoms and is common in patients with CF, known as cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD). This project aims to look at CF related gastrointestinal disease (CFGD) in patients with CFRD examining the symptoms of patients enrolled in a study looking at a “bionic pancreas” that improves the lost pancreas function in CF.
• NICE CF – Determining the efficacy of less invasive methods of colon cancer screening techniques in CF patients who are often at an average or above average risk of colon cancer.
• Improving Palliative Care for Patients with CF – Quality improvement research aimed at understanding and improving palliative care interventions for patients with CF involving systemic GI assessment to reduce symptom burden and improve overall GI symptoms.

Efforts to Improve GI Symptom Characterization in LGBTQIA+ and Medically Underserved Populations

• PRIDE – Research focused on improving LGBTQIA+ patient care and developing a better understanding of the common GI symptoms experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. In addition, Dr. Vélez spearheads several educational interventions aimed at developing more culturally competent care and improving healthcare provider knowledge of LGBTQIA+ healthcare.
• FDIMUA – Qualitative research examining the patient care experience of medically underserved English and Spanish speakers diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.