LHSI In the News

LHSI expands with the help of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

When Matt Allen, PhD, served as a mentor for the LHSI program, he immediately saw the value of the program and how the student participants gain an appreciation for research. “LHSI gives students space to explore careers in an immersive experience,” Dr. Allen said. “It really gives students a chance to try a career and understand what it’s about.” Dr. Allen is part of the executive strategy team for the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. CTSI is a statewide partnership among Indiana University, Purdue University, and University of Notre Dame with an overall goal of improving health in Indiana through research. For the past year, working alongside Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds, MD, Dr. Allen has served as Co-director of Workforce Development, where one of the goals is developing the next generation of translational researchers. This work spans populations ranging from K-12 through faculty and staff.

Continuing an internship in pediatric infectious disease and global health

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

Students who participate in Life-Health Sciences Internship Program often come away with new skills, increased professionalism, and their name on a research paper or poster. Chelsea Moore, senior biology major in the IUPUI School of Science, found all of this plus a strong and lasting relationship with her mentor, Dr. Megan McHenry, in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health at Riley Hospital for Children. “She has been an amazing mentor,” Chelsea said. “I’ve learned so much from her, and she has been so helpful and incredibly nice.”

Developing a care plan to serve those with developmental disabilities

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

Jadon Mehringer is an exercise science, pre-occupational health major at IUPUI. Based on his past experiences and looking toward his future career goals, Jadon knew he wanted to work with people, specifically kids, with developmental disabilities. He had volunteered in special education classes in high school, worked with community programs for people with disabilities, served as a Special Olympics coach, and currently works with the Adaptive Movement Program at IUPUI. His LHSI internship with Dr. Jill Fodstad, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine, provided a great opportunity for him to pursue this interest and gain valuable skills that will help as he works toward an advanced degree in occupational health.

Cell and gene immunotherapy process development and manufacturing during a pandemic

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Manufacturing Program in the IU School of Medicine was established a couple of years ago to work on cell and gene immunotherapy process development and manufacturing, and when the coronavirus pandemic began, Dr. Sreedhar Thirumala, director of the program’s process development and manufacturing, knew that the work being done in the lab would be important. The lab works with stem cells and other cells to build a process that will allow them to develop products that can be used to treat patients. “We take the idea from the investigator, and help to develop the drug product,” Dr. Thirumala said. This work can encompass preclinical studies, human trials, FDA approval, working in a clean room, a focus on patient safety and documentation.

Collecting and analyzing post-mortem samples from COVID-19 patients

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Dr. George Sandusky serves as the Director of the IU Simon Cancer Center Tissue Bank and as a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the IU School of Medicine. His lab has capabilities to analyze whole slide digital images for clinical and research cases. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, his colleagues in the Center for Regenerative Medicine knew exactly who to reach out to when they needed post-mortem sample collection on COVID-19 patients. Dr. Sandusky’s lab was well-positioned to react and was able to set up protocols and hit the ground running in about a week.

COVID-19 Response ECHO: IUPUI Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Center

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The IUPUI Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Center brings together providers from around the state and country to share knowledge, allowing doctors and providers to learn from their peers, advance their skills, and practice at the top of their license. Andrea Janota, interim director for the ECHO Center, said that the center had seven groups, with five of them being medically focused. When the pandemic hit, they knew they needed to build another one that was focused on the current public health emergency.

Social Networks and Alzheimer’s Disease (SNAD) study

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States and Indiana, communities went into lockdown as people tried to practice physical and social distancing. As the days and weeks of distancing continued, many began to wonder how this change in socialization would affect various populations.

Life-Health Sciences Internship Program surging through 10th anniversary

Friday, April 21, 2017

A decade ago, Pankita Pandya was a sophomore sitting in one of her science classes at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis when she heard news about a research internship opportunity.

Celebrating 10 years of success

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

One of the most productive student success programs at IUPUI is celebrating a milestone—its 10th year of service.

Life-Health Sciences Internship Program celebrates 10 years of accomplishments

Friday, August 26, 2016

The Life-Health Sciences Internship Program at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis has much to celebrate as it marks its 10th anniversary.

IUSM-based internship program caps year with poster session

Thursday, May 01, 2014

For the past seven years, a unique internship program at the IU School of Medicine has given sophomore and junior undergraduate students at IUPUI the opportunity to work alongside research scientists, administrators, and faculty on a wide range of projects.

Internship program offers students experience, networking opportunities in life and health sciences

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

For seven years, Brandi Gilbert has played a pivotal role for IUPUI students eager to explore the world of health care careers, particularly in research, as the director of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program.