The Ratner lab is recruiting an undergraduate researcher for fall 2026. The selected candidate would work alongside WashU MD-PhD student Paula Valiño on their thesis project investigating Kaposi Sarcoma. See below for more details.
- Who: a rising sophomore or junior with interest in microbiology and/or oncology, ideally enrolling in BIOL 2901 for the fall. Prior lab experience is welcome, but not necessary. Students interested in pursuing an MD and/or a PhD would be a good match.
- What: the Ratner laboratory studies virus-associated malignancies. The student will investigate the pathogenesis of Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV), and/or screen new therapeutic targets and potential drugs to treat Kaposi Sarcoma.
- How: the student will use cell culture, virology, microscopy imaging, and molecular biology techniques. The working model for this project is three-dimensional spheroid cultures of KSHV-infected human lymphatic endothelial cells. The student will grow and maintain cell cultures, set up spheroid assays, image and quantify results, as well as run DNA and RNA extractions and qRTPCR from infected cultures.
- When: the student should want to work in lab for 2-3 academic years, breaks optional. Work can be 9-10 hours weekly and flexible according to the student's schedule. The lab would like to onboard the student within the next few weeks, ideally before September.
- Where: the lab is in the McDonnell Medical Sciences Building. The student must be able to commute to the medical campus.
- What next: interested students can send their resume to PI Lee Ratner (lratner@wustl.edu) and MD-PhD student Paula Valiño (p.valinoramos@wustl.edu).
