Research Intern (unpaid)

Overview of Department & Mentor

The Heart Institute is comprised of 16 centers and programs to diagnose and treat an array of heart conditions in all types of patients. Led by Dr. Eduardo Marban, the center provides expertise in specialties including transplantation, stem cell therapy, congenital heart disease, women's heart health, valve disorders, arrhythmia, and hypertension. Not only is the Heart Institute committed to caring for patients they are committed to conducting cutting edge research. Due to the extensive research being conducted right here at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute patients have access to pioneering research techniques. 
Dr. Goldhaber's lab focuses on studying the regulation of cardiac excitation- contraction coupling in health and disease, with a particular focus on the effects of metabolic inhibition, ischemia and heart failure on sodium-calcium exchange. A new focus has been on the genesis of pacemaker activity in the sinus node which has led to an NIH funded project to understand the heart's natural pacemaker activity using laser scanning confocal microscopy, voltage mapping, and single cell electrophysiology using a patch clamping technique.
Dr. Goldhaber was among the first to describe the effects of metabolic oxidative stress on cardiac excitation - contraction coupling and calcium regulation. He was also a leader in the study of sodium-calcium exchange and its effects on excitation-contraction coupling in genetically modified mice.

Role Summary & Objectives
This internship in Dr. Goldhaber's lab will provide an opportunity to explore complex scientific research learning experiences as well as well as potential career opportunities. The internship will consist of intensive hands on training in research on the disease known as Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction. Dr. Goldhaber's lab uses an animal model of this disease and the studies involves interaction with laboratory animals. The trainee will learn, practice and administer various techniques such as cardiac ultrasound/echocardiography, hemodynamic monitoring (non-invasive and invasive), electrocardiography, and intracardiac electrogram recording with voltage mapping.  The protocols will also involve testing the efficacy of cardiac stem cells and exosomes on this model of illness. By the end of the internship the trainee will have an in depth understanding of the basis of these principals and hopefully continue to fulfill their interest in research.