GAP-YEARSTUDENT POSITION TO PERFORM UROLOGY RESEARCH AT VCU
Details
Start: June 2024
End: Memorial Day 2025
Hours/Week: 30
Pay: $15/hour without benefits
Overview of Role
TheVCU Laboratory of Mechano-Urology is a joint laboratory at VCU medical centerrun by PIs Adam Klausner MD, a urologist and John Speich PhD, a mechanicalengineer. Dr. Klausner is a full professor in the division ofurology/department of surgery who has a busy clinical practice focused onincontinence and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. He is also the residencyprogram director. Dr. Speich is a full professor in the Department ofMechanical & Nuclear Engineering and currently serves as the interimdepartment chair. The team has been working together for the past 15 years andpublished more than 50 papers. The focus of the lab is the development ofnew technologies to improve the way we diagnose and treat overactive bladderand other forms of voiding dysfunction. The current gold standard forevaluation of bladder function is called urodynamics where a patient's bladderis filled through a small catheter and pressure measurements are takenthroughout filling and voiding. However, urodynamics tests are invasive,expensive, poorly reproducible, and prone to artifacts. Therefore, there is aresearch objective to develop new urodynamic technologies. To help achieve thisobjective, Dr. Klausner and Speich created the Laboratory of Mechano-Urology.The team has been funded by multiple grants from the National Institutesof Health and has hosted numerous students at all levels of education.There are multiple ongoing projects including:
Pig urodynamics: In this project, we created a working pig bladder model of urodynamics. Student researchers obtain bladders (discarded from local farms) and perform studies evaluating bladder biomechanics, bladder wall micromotion, and bladder afferent nerve activity.
Ultrasound urodynamics: In this project, we incorporate 3D and 4D ultrasound during urodynamic and natural filling studies in urology patients and healthy volunteers. The information has been used to develop bladder shape nomograms and to evaluate bladder wall micromotion.
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS): In this project, we use non-invasive light-emitting optodes to quantitate oxyhemoglobin levels in the cortical brain during bladder filling. Patients wear specialized head caps while we record brain activity and real-time bladder sensation using our bladder Sensation Meter.
Pediatric Urology: Students also work with pediatric urology faculty performing data collection and entry into a national prenatal hydronephrosis registry.
Studentswho have worked in our lab have been highly productive and published multiplepapers and presented abstracts at regional, national, and internationalmeetings. Students work alongside urology residents and medical students,gaining valuable insight into med-school admissions and residency applicationprocess. Day-to-day activities are generally independent, and students areexpected to have good problem-solving skills and be able to think outside thebox. Our prior gap-year students arewilling to communicate with prospective applicants on request.
Education & Experience
Must be able to work independently with strong problem-solving, oral and written communication, and organizational skills
Previous research experience preferred but not required
Must have reliable transportation
Salary Range: $15
Position Details:
Department: Surgery
Employment Type: H1 - Hourly
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 0.5
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt