Research Assistant Positions:Neural Circuitry of Heart/Brain Communication
Luis Hernandez-Nunez, PhD, and Prof. Florian Engert, Molecular and Cellular Biology-FAS
Spring, Summer, Fall 2023
How do the brain and heart modulate each other’s function? The heart-brain communication axis is central to vertebrate health and survival. For example, when an animal perceives a threat, during its response the brain modulates heart function, and neural feedback from the heart modulates brain activity. We know that the intracardiac nervous system (ICNS), composed of all the heart neurons, communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) through the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and vice versa. However, our understanding of the neural control of cardiac function is limited to knowing some of the brain regions involved in the process; we do not understand the computations carried out by the neural circuits within and between the cardioregulatory areas of the CNS, ANS, and ICNS. My research is focused on uncovering the systems-level neural mechanisms underlying cardiac control. To do that we study the function of the cardioregulatory neural circuits in the entire animal.Requirements and Expectations: Sophomores and Juniors concentrating in any Neuroscience track, Integrative Biology, MCB, HDRB, or Bioengineering, who are planning to conduct thesis research are encouraged to apply. RAs are expected to spend ~10-15 hours at the lab per week.Additional Information: The RA students will receive thorough training in neuroscience and physiology research methods (behavioral assays, neurophysiology, 2-photon microscopy, light sheet microscopy, confocal microscopy, etc) and will be mentored on reading and thinking critically about scientific literature. This is an excellent position for any student interested in a career in basic science or biomedical research. Guidance on applying for research fellowships and scholarships will be provided.Affiliations of PI Hernandez-Nunez: Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. To Apply: Please send an email to Luis (luishernandeznunez@fas.harvard.edu), with your major (if declared), your year (freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior), and your availability to chat. You can also attach your CV if you have one ready. For the Spring term please apply by November 15th. For summer internships, please apply as early as possible, ideally by March 15th. For the Fall term please apply by July 15th. (posted 8/2022)
Luis Hernandez-Nunez, PhD, and Prof. Florian Engert, Molecular and Cellular Biology-FAS
Spring, Summer, Fall 2023
How do the brain and heart modulate each other’s function? The heart-brain communication axis is central to vertebrate health and survival. For example, when an animal perceives a threat, during its response the brain modulates heart function, and neural feedback from the heart modulates brain activity. We know that the intracardiac nervous system (ICNS), composed of all the heart neurons, communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) through the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and vice versa. However, our understanding of the neural control of cardiac function is limited to knowing some of the brain regions involved in the process; we do not understand the computations carried out by the neural circuits within and between the cardioregulatory areas of the CNS, ANS, and ICNS. My research is focused on uncovering the systems-level neural mechanisms underlying cardiac control. To do that we study the function of the cardioregulatory neural circuits in the entire animal.Requirements and Expectations: Sophomores and Juniors concentrating in any Neuroscience track, Integrative Biology, MCB, HDRB, or Bioengineering, who are planning to conduct thesis research are encouraged to apply. RAs are expected to spend ~10-15 hours at the lab per week.Additional Information: The RA students will receive thorough training in neuroscience and physiology research methods (behavioral assays, neurophysiology, 2-photon microscopy, light sheet microscopy, confocal microscopy, etc) and will be mentored on reading and thinking critically about scientific literature. This is an excellent position for any student interested in a career in basic science or biomedical research. Guidance on applying for research fellowships and scholarships will be provided.Affiliations of PI Hernandez-Nunez: Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. To Apply: Please send an email to Luis (luishernandeznunez@fas.harvard.edu), with your major (if declared), your year (freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior), and your availability to chat. You can also attach your CV if you have one ready. For the Spring term please apply by November 15th. For summer internships, please apply as early as possible, ideally by March 15th. For the Fall term please apply by July 15th. (posted 8/2022)
See also: Undergrad Research or Opportunity