Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been shown to be important factors in the progression of many diseases, ranging from autoimmune diseases to cancer, but until recently there has been a lack in the ability of researchers to study nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide (key reactive nitrogen and oxygen species) in real time. By wrapping carbon nanotubes with a specific DNA strand, a real time sensor for nitric oxide or hydrogen peroxide can be made. The Iverson Lab is developing many different types of sensor platforms, for both in vitro (cells) and in vivo (animal) detection of reactive species. These discoveries will assist in understanding how both healthy and diseased cells/tissues/animals function and will allow for improved disease detection and treatment options.
| Advisor Name: | Nicole Iverson |
| Email: | Iverson@unl.edu |
| Website: | https://engineering.unl.edu/iversonlab/ |
| Advisor College: | Engineering |
| Advisor Department: | Biological Systems Engineering |
| Potential Student Tasks: | A student that joins the Iverson Lab will be introduced to basic laboratory protocols, primary literature searches, sterile culture technique, advanced microscopy and electrochemistry instrumentation, and will understand the importance of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide in cell survival and disease progression. Students will attend weekly lab meetings where they will learn more about the research that is occurring in our lab and around the world (and have fun and eat snacks!). Students will initially assist graduate students with creating sensor platforms and hopefully be able to perform independent studies by the end of the year. |
| Student Qualifications: | In the Iverson Lab we are developing techniques that people will use around the world to better understand health, therefore we are looking for students that can see the potential in a new technology, students that can be careful and precise, but can also admit when something is confusing or goes wrong (throughout your career you will learn that biomedical engineering requires a lot of trial and error, nobody is expected to be perfect the first time they try something new). We have a close-knit group, so we want someone that is willing to have fun (this usually appears as a birthday party during group meeting where we eat cake and chat, some people in the group are very outgoing and some people are introverted – either option is fine). We have had lab members from Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering backgrounds. We have also had students that are in Chemistry and Biology. As long as you are interested in science and willing to learn you will fit in our lab. |
| Training, Mentoring, and Workplace Community: |
Because this research has many specialized techniques and instruments associated with it, I hope that a student will remain in the lab for multiple years (this usually happens, but occasionally a student discovers that they don’t have time or passion for research and they leave the lab, that is okay too, just not the goal). I have successfully assisted many students in obtaining funding through the UCARE program and will continue to try to do so for any student that joins my lab. About half of my students have gone on to graduate school and half have gone on to get a job in industry – I consider either outcome a success. I love to teach, and if I can help you find your path towards a rewarding career that will be a win for me. I meet with the entire lab once a week and will meet with students on a one-to-one basis when needed. The lab tries to do one ‘fun’ activity a month, this includes things such as playing soccer, backyard BBQ, going snowshoeing, hanging out at a park, watching a movie, etc. Nobody is required to participate, but we have lots of fun, so everyone tries to attend. Feel free to check out my website (https://engineering.unl.edu/iversonlab/) and the lab’s Instagram page (Iverson.lab) to see some of our recent activities.
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| Available Positions | 2 |
If you are interested in joining the group I would like to set up a time to chat with you before the placements are made, but it is not a requirement.
