Research Opportunities at ucla

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Cocultures Using HNMR and Microscopy

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UCLA PI Name: Louis Bouchard
Division/Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lab website: https://sites.google.com/view/bouchardlabucla/
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 10 hours per week

Job Description: The Bouchard Lab focuses on developing novel analytical techniques to study chemical and biological interactions.

We are looking to onboard undergraduate students who will participate in a project analyzing cell samples using H-NMR spectroscopy and microscopy. Experimental results will be used to guide future applications of H-NMR as a novel technique to quantify cell-cell interactions. This listing seeks to recruit individuals who will be involved in the experimental side of the project. Individuals with prior experience in any of the desired skills are preferred, but we will be open to teaching newcomers the necessary skills.

Application Instructions: Please fill out the following Google form, and attach your resume/CV. For inquiries, email dylandang@ucla.edu.

Bouchard Lab F25 Recruitment Form: https://forms.gle/kPxiJNNsUMJsKoWU7

Research Opportunities at ucla

Pathological analysis for prostate cancer research program

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UCLA PI Name: Jianyu Rao
E-Mail: JRao@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Pathology and Lab Med
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 10 to 15 hours

Job Description: Engaging in prostate cancer research, help lab staffs to process tissue samples and perform basic lab activities including special stains such as immunohistochemistry, prepare and organize slides, data analysis, etc.

Application Instructions: – Submit CV to Dr. Huang, Rong Rong (rhuang@mednet.ucla.edu), lab manager of Prostate SPORE lab
– Qualified individuals will be invited to in-person interview

Research Opportunities at ucla

Chemoproteomic reagent development

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UCLA PI Name: Keriann Backus
E-Mail: kbackus@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Biological Chemistry
Lab website (if applicable): backuslab.com
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 15h/week

Job Description: Looking for an undergraduate researcher with a strong desire to work at the interface of chemistry and biology who is interested in using organic chemistry to develop chemical tools to probe fundamental biology. This position is a unique opportunity for an undergraduate student interested in contributing to research at the interface of technology for drug development.

Desired Majors
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Required Qualifications
• Completed general chemistry coursework (20A/B/L/30AL)
• Background or interest in chemical synthesis and chemical biology

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with organic chemistry
• Completed or currently enrolled in organic chemistry coursework (30 A/B/C/BL/CL), prior research experience in chemistry
• First- or second-year UCLA undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Expected commitment: part-time during the academic year with potential for expanded summer research. MUST have at least 2-3 blocks of 5 hour time in schedule to devote to research

Application Instructions: Interested students should send:
• A short statement of interest (max 1 page) describing relevant coursework, programming experience, and research interests
• A resume/CV (including GPA and coursework)
• Optional Supplemental Materials (Course presentations or Slide Deck Explaining Previous Experience)

Research Opportunities at ucla

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of vascular calcification and fibrosis

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UCLA PI Name: Xinjiang Cai
E-Mail: xinjiangcai@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Cardiology/Medicine
Lab website: https://cvbiol.med.ucla.edu/people/xinjiang-cai-md-phd
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 5-10 hours

Job Description: Our laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles is a leading research lab dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of vascular biology. We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic UCLA undergraduate with a primary focus on the molecular biology of vascular calcification. The successful candidate will join our dynamic research team and play an important role in advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular calcification.

Per Student Research Program (SRP) program instruction, all student researchers must first receive clearance from the UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Office.

The responsibilities of this position encompass, but are not confined to, the following:
• Mammalian Cell Culture: cultivation of mammalian cells, including human cells.
• Molecular Techniques: RNA isolation, real-time RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE gels, Western blotting, immunochemistry, histochemistry, ELISA, and enzymatic assays.
After the completion of required animal training, the candidate may contribute to
• Breeding and Injections: Experienced in the setup and maintenance of mouse breeding, injections, and general animal handling.
• Mouse Handling: ear tagging for identification, tail sampling for DNA isolation, weaning of animals, and PCR-based genotyping.
• Sample Handling and Procedures: Competent in mouse euthanasia, tissue harvest (including blood), and histology of animal tissues.

Application Instructions: Please send your application along with a copy of your most up-to-date résumé to Xinjiang Cai, MD PhD via email xinjiangcai@mednet.ucla.edu. We can accommodate 1–2 undergraduate students in the lab, depending on the availability of active projects.

Research Opportunities at ucla

Study of Hollywood & Female Coming-of-Age Stories (HASS)

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UCLA PI Name: Alex Franklin

E-Mail: alexfranklin@g.ucla.edu

Division/Department: Film, Television, and Digital Media

Expected time commitment: 4-6 hours per week

In the past, it seemed as if most of Hollywood’s coming of age films centered on young men. Female characters played secondary roles. But in the last few years, films like Booksmart, Bottoms and Blockers have centered on young women from a variety of racial, ethnic and class backgrounds.

For this research project, I would like to explore the history of Hollywood’s coming of age films centered on female characters. I would like to explore how representations of female characters have changed and evolved over the years, and how Hollywood has adapted to the times in which we live.

Responsibilities: Reviewing online materials to identify potential course films, screening films and doing write ups to get diversity of viewpoints, and crafting write ups and analysis of different movies from different eras.

Application instructions: Please submit a Resume and a short paragraph about whether you’ve participated in other research projects to alexfranklin@g.ucla.edu.

Research Opportunities at ucla

Proteomics Computation & Chemical Biology

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UCLA PI Name: Keriann Backus
E-Mail: kbackus@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: DGSOM/Biological Chemistry
Lab website: www.backuslab.com
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 10-15h/week

Position Overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated undergraduate researcher with strong computational skills who is interested in applying data science approaches to biological research. This position offers a unique opportunity for students with a coding background to gain exposure to bioinformatics, proteomics, and wet-lab molecular biology techniques.

Desired Majors
● Computational & Systems Biology
● Bioinformatics
● Computer Science
● Data Science or Statistics
● Biochemistry or Chemistry students with significant programming background

Required Skills
● Experience with Python and R programming
● Strong interest in data analysis and biological applications

Preferred Qualifications
● Coursework (taken or in progress) in data science, computational biology, biology, or chemistry
● Background or interest in bioinformatics, data visualization, or omics analysis
● Motivation to develop wet lab skills alongside computational training

Eligibility
● First- or second-year UCLA undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to apply.
● Expected commitment: part-time during the academic year with potential for expanded summer research. MUST have at least 2-3 blocks of 5 hour time in schedule to devote to research

Application Instructions

Interested students should send the following materials to kbackus@mednet.ucla.edu:
● A short statement of interest (max 1 page) describing relevant coursework, programming experience, and research interests
● A resume/CV (including GPA and coursework)
● Optional Supplemental Materials (Coding Project, Slide Deck Explaining Previous Experience)

Research Opportunities at ucla

Konopka Lab Research Position

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UCLA PI Name: Genevieve Konopka, PhD
E-Mail: afreelin@mednet.ucla.edu
Division/Department: Neurobiology
Lab website: https://www.konopkalab.org/

Interested in the human brain? The Konopka lab is looking for motivated undergraduate students to join our research team!

Our lab studies the genomic landscape of the human brain, combining computational analysis and wet lab experiments to uncover how genes shape memory and cognition. Projects range from data analysis of large genomic and electrophysiology datasets to hands on molecular biology experiments.

Gain hands on research experience, learn cutting-edge techniques, and join a collaborative and fun team. No experience required – just curiosity. If you’re excited about science, you belong here!

Application Instructions: Please contact Anne Freelin at afreelin@mednet.ucla.edu with your resume / CV

Research Opportunities at ucla

Mechanisms to rejuvenate and protect livers from graft rejection following organ transplantation

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**THIS POSITION IS NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS AND WILL REOPEN IN SPRING 2026**

UCLA PI Name: Jerzy Kupiec-Weglinski
Division/Department: Liver and Pancreas Transplantation/Department of Surgery
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 8-10 h

Our lab focuses on molecular approaches to study the immunology of liver graft rejection, with a particular emphasis on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). We study how immune responses, gene regulation, and cellular interactions contribute to liver damage and explore novel therapeutic strategies to prevent graft rejection. We seek motivated individuals eager to learn cutting-edge techniques, contribute to our collaborative efforts, and gain valuable experience in this innovative field. We are specifically interested in understanding how the interface of the hepatocytes interact with infiltrating immune cells during sterile inflammation. We are developing small molecules to modulate the antigen expression of certain surface receptors to negatively regulate the immune response. The methodologies we use involve mouse animal models, molecular and cellular based assays, and flow cytometry. The student should be available for at least 8-10 h per week. The research opportunity may be used in conjunction with independent research study or appropriate class for a class grade.

Please register at this site: https://forms.gle/TUH1w29Zetvf5yRj6

Research Opportunities at ucla

Strategic Collection Plan: Living Collections Inventory

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UCLA PI Name: Anthony Baniaga
Division/Department: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology/UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Lab website (if applicable): https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 5 hours

The UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden needs 2-3 students for Fall 2025 to aid in the assessment of the living collections at the Garden. Students are responsible for locating plants in the garden and recording information about them into a database. A basic understanding of plant taxonomy is important as is keeping to a disciplined schedule. Students should be able to work independently or on a small team outside in dense vegetation for 5 hours per week. Additionally, a small independent project on an aspect of the garden and the living collections is required. Open to 1 unit of SRP credit.

Interested students should send a resume or CV and a brief description of their interest and relevant skills to Josh Brindley (joshbrindley@ucla.edu). We are hoping to field high quality candidates and the positions start Fall 2025 but interviews start mid August.

Research Opportunities at ucla

Research Position with Dr. Bruno Peault’s Lab

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Dr. Bruno Peault is looking for an undergraduate student to join their research team.

UCLA PI Name: Bruno Peault, PhD

Our laboratory has identified organ resident mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into bone, cartilage, adipose tissue, smooth and skeletal muscle, and developed several projects to uncover the role of those stem cells in 1- tissue turnover and regeneration, and 2- pathologic development: fibrosis (joint, kidney, skeletal muscle) and atherogenesis (atheroma plaque formation in blood vessels).

We are now recruiting undergraduate students to work on the following themes:

– Gene therapy of OA (osteo-arthritis). In OA, irreversible degradation of joint cartilage is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis, causing pain and severely affecting motion. The project aims to control joint pain, inflammation, and fibrosis by transducing siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) into relevant affected cell types.

– Stem cell dysfunction in lipedema. Lipedema is the dramatic and uncontrolled accumulation, in affected females (around 1/10), of subcutaneous abnormal adipose tissue in lower limbs, and eventually in the upper part of the body (arms, belly). Long misdiagnosed as obesity, lipedema has specific features: pain, fibrosis. The etiology of lipedema is unknown and we have hypothesized that qualitative and/or quantitative defects in mesenchymal stem cells are causing this severe, invalidating disease. The projects consists in the localization and quantification of mesenchymal stem cells in lipedema tissues, followed by their purification, culture, and functional assessment.

Candidates should commit to work at least 20 hours/week at the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, UCLA.

Please send resume and cover letter to Bruno Peault at bpeault@mednet.ucla.edu.