LHSI Intern: Research Assistant, stress during adolescence and risk for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and addiction

Program Summary:  

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IUI undergraduates per year with internships on campus with faculty and staff in a variety of health and science related campus areas/programs. All LHSI internships start in August 2025 and end in May 2026 and are paid $13/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required.

Supervisor: Dr. Jodi Lukkes

Department/Office: Medicine; Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry

Overview of the internship site: My pre-clinical research interests have two main focuses: 1) acquiring a functional understanding of the impact of social isolation, during the developmentally critical period of adolescence, on stress-related neurocircuitry and behavior, and 2) investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) utilizing the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) experimental model. We do preclinical research with rodents to better understand how stress during adolescence increases risk for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and addiction. I am also using a novel mouse model of NF1 to identify biochemical pathways and molecular targets in the pathophysiology of NF1-mediated behavioral and cognitive disruptions as well as other similar genetic syndromes.I am employing the following strategies: development and use of animal models of psychiatric disorders, coupled with cell- and region-specific assessment of behavior via optogenetics and electrophysiology (in vitro and in vivo), and genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade of critical proteins within these regions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Animal Behavioral Testing, Stereotaxic surgeries, Wet lab work (Microtome and Cryostat slicing, Immunohistochemistry, RNAScope, Nanostring)

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in a lab setting; with dress code no shorts or flip flops/open toe sandals

Hours per week: flexible based on student needs (10 maximum), scheduling is flexible within regular work hours

Project-specific qualifications: Ability to work with rodents, Attention to detail

By the end of the LHSI program, you will:

·        Carefully consider, explore, and articulate your career goals, including an analysis of how you arrived at that path and what steps you need to take next. (Community Contributor, Communicator)

·        Understand your role and strengths on a professional team and analyze who you would like to become as a professional. (Communicator)

·        Gain and strengthen skills relevant to next steps after graduation, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis/synthesis/evaluation, independence, confronting/challenging failure, problem-solving and perseverance, and constructive criticism. (Problem Solver, Communicator)

·        Convey ideas and knowledge effectively through an ePortfolio and presentation of your internship work. (Problem Solver, Communicator)

·        Set and meet your own additional learning goals identified with your supervisor.

LHSI Qualifications  

·        must be graduating May 2027 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2025)   

·        Current full-time IUI undergraduate

·        minimum overall GPA of 2.0 

·        All majors welcome

To apply:

LHSI accepts at least 125 interns per year. Complete the application for LHSI at lhsi.indianapolis.iu.edu and select 3-4 internship sites on that application. All available sites are listed in Handshake and will start with the position title “LHSI Intern.” You will meet with at least 2 of these if selected for interviews.