NIDCD Summer Interns

The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIDCD, side-by-side with some of the world’s leading researchers in auditory neuroscience. In addition to the general SIP umbrella, a number of subprograms are designed to enhance the diversity of the biomedical workforce or the types of research being performed within NIH labs.

Trainees may apply directly to the SIP or to any specific subprogram, including: the Community College Summer Enrichment Program (CCSEP), the College Summer Opportunities to Advance Research (C-SOAR), the Amgen Scholars Program at NIH, the Graduate Summer Opportunity to Advance Research (G-SOAR), or the Graduate Data Science Summer Program (GDSSP).

To read more about NIDCD/NIH internships and apply, visit the Office of Intramural Training and Education summer internship page.

See below to learn more about NIDCD’s summer interns.

2022 Summer Interns

Megan Cantwell

Institution: University of Texas at Dallas

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: John Lee, Ph.D., and Kate Fernandez, Au.D., Ph.D., Laboratory of Hearing Biology and Therapeutics

Research Summary: I explored the onset and the progression of cisplatin-induced hearing loss while working at the Hearing Therapeutics and Biology Lab. Cisplatin, a highly effective chemotherapy medication, is also toxic to the inner ear. My work focused on understanding what risk factors may influence the onset of a cisplatin-induced hearing loss in addition to exploring whether or not adults experience progressive cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I have had a longstanding passion for research, with a desire to serve those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This made the summer internship program with the NIDCD the perfect opportunity for me!

What did you gain from the experience?
This internship really opened up my eyes to the innumerable career paths within our field. I also learned new research skills that I hope to use in future endeavors.

Abaigeal Donaldson

Institution: Colgate University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Betsy Driver, Ph.D., Laboratory of Cochlear Development

Research Summary: This summer, I researched and learned about development of hair cells in the mouse cochlea. I looked at mice with different genotypes to better understand how alterations at a genetic level can change the phenotype of the Organ of Corti in the cochlea. Furthermore, I participated in quantifying these differences so that our lab may eventually be able to discern the role and importance of specific genes in hair cell development.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I have always been interested in the concept of research and bench work but have never had access to facilities that would allow me to complete such projects outside of a classroom setting. I was very excited and interested in the possibility of working alongside established scientists so that I could learn in a natural lab setting rather than a graded class.

What did you gain from the experience?
I have a newfound interest in pursuing a career in research after this experience. Not only did I learn more about myself and my interest in bench work, but I feel more excited than ever to continue research after graduation and pursue a higher degree that will enable me to make my own contributions to the scientific community one day.

Haley Ogbemudia

Institution: New York University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Cathy Sung, Ph.D., Laboratory of Hearing Biology and Therapeutics

Research Summary: My research was focused on identifying two unique macrophage subsets in the mouse cochlea. Macrophages are immune cells, and the lab is interested in their role under cisplatin treatment. This may help advance therapeutic drugs for hearing loss.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I applied for the internship a second time because the experience here at the NIH is invaluable and it is nowhere like anything else.

What did you gain from the experience?
I gained core leadership and accountability skills. I also learned scientific jargon.

Tejasri Pavuluri

Institution: University of Maryland

Career Level: Graduate student

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Catherine Weisz, Ph.D., and Kirupa Suthakar, Ph.D., Section on Neuronal Circuitry

Research Summary: As a virtual summer intern in the neuronal circuitry section, the majority of the work was focused on data analysis of the electrophysiological data collected from MOC efferent neurons using patch-clamp technique. My research revolved around analyzing the synaptic events that were collected under different conditions during the experiment from a single cell and providing a simple model to detect and identify events on the time series recordings.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I decided to apply for this internship in order to give myself exposure to research and apply my data science knowledge to the field. Furthermore, I wanted to enhance the computational skills that I gained through coursework to be translated into the real world.

What did you gain from the experience?
This opportunity enabled me to gain in-depth knowledge in analytics with time series signal recordings. This was my first exposure to research, which allowed me to learn a significant amount of neuroscience, understand the auditory system, read and analyze scientific papers, and practice presentations.

2021 Summer Interns

Victoria Y. Idowu

Institution: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Career Level: Medical student

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Julie Christensen, M.A., and Carmen C. Brewer, Ph.D., NIDCD Audiology Unit

Research Summary: After receiving my B.A in speech-language-hearing sciences from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, I joined the NIDCD Audiology Unit, directed by Carmen C. Brewer, Ph.D. I conducted retrospective research on auditory and otologic manifestations in rare diseases and syndromes (such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and relapsing polychondritis) by evaluating peripheral hearing status, middle ear function, and auditory nerve and auditory brainstem transmission characteristics. I also studied otologic assessments and findings in these diseases. Results from these studies may provide a better understanding of auditory and otologic function and manifestations so that patients may benefit from appropriate hearing interventions and improved patient care.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
As an aspiring clinician-scientist, I wanted to use this internship to expand my knowledge of basic and translational research and of clinical trials related to the prevention and treatment of disease.

What did you gain from the experience?
This internship helped me to hone my research and clinical skills, learn from and collaborate with dynamic experts in the field, and deepen my understanding of auditory and cognitive development in rare diseases.

Sydney Nixon

Institution: George Mason University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Michael Hoa, M.D., Auditory Development and Restoration Program

Research Summary: As a summer intern in the NIDCD, a large portion of my research focused on data analysis of immunostained histology samples of the cochlea. The goal of this research was to develop a novel mouse model for the study of intermediate cells within the stria vascularis. We compared transgene expression to endogenous RNA and protein expression in the cochlea in order to visualize intermediate cells. In the future, we hope to isolate and culture intermediate cells and study their contribution to endocochlear potential generation.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I was looking to gain insight into the inner workings of a research lab and develop my own research skills.

What did you gain from the experience?
I learned a lot about the scientific process: initial inquiries, challenges, overcoming obstacles, etc. I experienced how individuals in the lab work together and support each other in order to advance their research.

Hasset Nurelegne

Institution: Emory University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Sian Kitcher, Ph.D., Section on Neuronal Circuitry

Research Summary: The research I conducted over the summer with Sian Kitcher, Ph.D., was to investigate if GABAergic signaling took place between medial olivocochlear efferent fibers and type II fibers in the outer spiral bundle. I used the gEAR portal to visualize and analyze images to see the presence of GABA on any of the cell types and then used immunohistochemistry to localize GABA on those cell types in the outer spiral bundle.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I applied to the NIH College Summer Opportunities to Advance Research (CSOAR) program to develop my scientific communication and networking skills, work on research on a project related to my interest in neuroscience, attend and lead journal clubs, and give poster presentations.

What did you gain from the experience?
This research opportunity was my first exposure to research and working in a lab. I loved the Weisz lab, and I learned that the dynamic of the people in the lab is a big part of the research experience.

Haley Ogbemudia

Institution: New York University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Cathy Sung, Ph.D., Section on Sensory Cell Biology

Research Summary: Over the summer, I conducted research involving life-saving therapeutic drugs such as neomycin and cisplatin, which are used in cancer patients. A major side effect of these medications is ototoxicity. My research revolved around taking the utricle of a mouse ear organ and using it ex vivo to analyze hair cells when exposed to these drugs with the addition of a protectant called COPPIX. The purpose of this research is to try to combat the ototoxic effects of these life-saving drugs.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I applied for this research internship in order to strengthen my understanding of the work scientists conduct. Especially during this surge of public health awareness, I believe as an aspiring physician that it is important to learn where drugs come from and how these mechanisms can be used to improve society.

What did you gain from the experience?
At NIH, I gained more experience with public speaking via the practice talks we had with staff. Also, I gained a lot of knowledge about how to read and analyze scientific papers, make scientific posters, and use the applications ImageJ and Fiji.

Andrew Wadley

Institution: Howard University College of Medicine

Career Level: Predoctoral Medical Student

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Nyall R. London, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program

Research Summary: Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer of the nasal cavity that is thought to arise from cells of the olfactory epithelium. In order to better investigate this, the ability to reproduce the malignancy in animal models in the laboratory setting is necessary. My project was to determine which carcinogenic substances showed the most efficacy in producing tumors consistent with esthesioneuroblastoma pathology based on literature from past experiments using different animal models. The results will be used to help guide other projects in the lab to reproduce this tumor for experiments.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I applied because the NIH has so many opportunities in scientific research and personal development, and I knew that I would grow as a scientist.

What did you gain from the experience?
I learned how to read scientific papers efficiently as well as write for an academic journal.

Redeit Woldebirhan

Institution: Bucknell University

Career Level: Undergraduate

NIDCD Mentor and Laboratory: Nicole Folan, Section on Sensory Cell Biology

Research Summary: I am a pre-med sophomore college student majoring in biology and minoring in neuropsychology. This summer, my work involved investigating pro-survival pathways against ototoxic drugs within the inner ear. The purpose of my research was to investigate the timing of the protective pathway once a receptor called toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) responds to LPS, its natural ligand. I performed a western blot analysis on immortalized macrophage cells and auditory cells. I also analyzed immunocytochemistry on mouse utricles, a proxy for the hearing organ. Understanding the activation pathway of TLR4 will give us more information about the timing and molecular mechanism of the pro-survival pathway within the inner ear, leading to possible therapeutics for patients taking lifesaving yet ototoxic drugs.

Why did you decide to apply for the internship or award?
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the NIH High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) and knew that I wanted to move forward with more hands-on research. I was interested in working in a lab where I could learn about clinical research as well as the benchwork that leads up to it.

What did you gain from the experience?
I greatly valued the opportunity to work alongside scientists at different levels of expertise. Directly collaborating with a postbac around my age and then checking in with an astounding principal investigator showed me where I could be in the near future as well as what I could aspire to be in the long run.

Last Updated Date:

August 31, 2022