LHSI Intern: DNA damage and repair on lung cancer development and progression

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. Catherine R. Sears, M.D.

Department/Office: Medicine; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine

Overview of the internship site: The overall goal of my research is to determine the impact of DNA damage and repair on lung cancer development and progression. Our laboratory studies the role of DNA damage and repair on lung cancer development, progression and treatment response. Repair of DNA damage is essential to prevent the development of lung cancer and other lung diseases. We use human specimens, cell cultures and mouse models to study the impact of DNA repair on lung cancer development and progression. We also study the impact of chemicals, including cigarette smoke and other carcinogens, on DNA damage and repair response in normal lung and lung cancer cells.

Website for more information: https://medicine.iu.edu/internal-medicine/specialties/pulmonary/research/lung-cancer?

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Typical duties include analysis of cells and lung tissues, including the preparation and staining of these tissues using a specialized microscope. The student will gain additional exposure to laboratory techniques by assisting with the preparation of lung samples for analysis. The student may also assist with Western blots and basic biochemical assays. Depending on their interests, there is opportunity to assist with animal studies. No previous laboratory experience is needed.

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in a lab setting with dress code of casual dress. Close-toed shoes

Hours per week: 10, scheduling is flexible within regular work hours

Project-specific qualifications: Applicants must be excited to learn, open-minded and work well with others. Good time-management skills are essential. No previous laboratory experience is required.

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 go.iu.edu/lhsi 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.