WesternU Student Opportunities
WesternU Research Internships
Research is the cornerstone of innovation and academic excellence. Our student research opportunities are designed to empower you to explore new ideas, collaborate with expert faculty, and contribute to advancements in health sciences. If interested in any of the projects below, please email the respective faculty member directly.
Project Description: This lab focuses on developing bioengineered injectable heart tissues for treating myocardial infarction and other heart diseases. We work with endogenous stem cells from the myocardium and epicardial adipose tissue, programming them to replenish cardiomyocytes, addressing the ischemic damage and modulating the metabolism at infarcted myocardium. We utilize pig models to create heart diseases and to test our bioengineered tissues
Email: fthankam@westernu.edu
Project Description: Investigating psychosocial, behavioral, and structural mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence and reciprocal influence of mental health conditions and chronic medical illnesses to develop data-informed strategies that improve prevention, treatment engagement, and health outcomes across the lifespan.
Email: jmatacotta@westernu.edu
Project Description: This Laboratory studies infectious diseases affecting animals, humans, and the environment through a One Health approach, and develops molecular diagnostic tools for their detection, surveillance, and prevention. Research in the lab draws on microbiology, molecular biology, genomics, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology.
Depending on project availability and training level, students in this lab may learn DNA and RNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), gel electrophoresis, primer and probe design, molecular cloning, pathogen detection and assay development, bioinformatics and sequence analysis, scientific data analysis and interpretation, and scientific writing and presentation.
Email: smir@westernu.edu
(1) Therapeutic Intervention of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
(2) Elucidating the mechanism of Bunyavirus Translation Control
(3) Defining the mechanism of bunyavirus transcription initiation
Student Research Fellowship
For additional information regarding participation in the WURS 2026, please contact by clicking here: University Research Office
Forms and Information, click to download:
3rd WURS Abstract Template-2025
Letter of invitation to the 3rd annual WesternU Research Symposium-2026
2025-2027 Student Research Final Progress Report Form
The Office of the Senior Vice President of Research & Biotechnology is now accepting applications for the Student Research Fellowship (2026–2028). The deadline for submission is Monday, February 16, 2026. Please be advised that previous award recipients are not eligible to apply.
The application instructions and application form can be accessed here:
Forms and Information, click to download
Student Research Application Template
2026 Student Research Application Instructions[1]
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A completed application must be submitted in PDF format and uploaded to the following website:
https://webapp.westernu.edu/student-research/
Should you have any questions, please contact the University Research Office at UniversityResearchOffice@westernu.edu.