Scholarship: Fully funded
Degree: PhD
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
We are looking for a self-motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on the funded project to identify novel therapeutic drug candidates against target proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease.The project aims to screen and identify the novel compounds with desired binding activity for protein targets, ability to activate relevant cellular responses and synergy with other binding compounds for desired cellular activities. The top drug candidates identified will be further investigated with in vivo studies and dish-based clinical trials using iPSC technology for therapeutic outcome studies. We are also investigating protein-protein and small molecule-target protein interactions and how these are altered by disease-associated genetic variants to gain insight into the mechanisms of action in Alzheimer’s disease. The approaches developed could also be used to identify new therapeutic drugs for other diseases.
Yuhua Song Research Group Introduction(https://sites.uab.edu/yhsong/about/): Dr. Yuhua Songresearch group uses integrated multiscale computational modelling and experimental approaches to investigate the structural, molecular and functional mechanisms of the biomolecular interactions. Our goal is to identify endogenous and exogenoussmall molecules, including reposition of FDA-approved drugs, to regulate the biomolecular interactions underlying important cellular activities in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease,dermatopathology, regenerative medicine and precision medicine, with current focus in Alzheimer’s disease, for translational researchand potential therapeutic treatment. Methodology development for multiscale modelling of complex biological systems continues to be a focus of my research group. Our research program is currently funded by NIH R01, NSF, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundationand UAB internal grants.
UAB Introduction (https://www.uab.edu/home/): The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.
Spanning more than 100 city blocks, UAB is the state of Alabama’s largest single employer with over 26,000 employees and has an annual state-wide economic impact exceeding $7.15 billion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks 14 UAB graduate programs among the nation’s top 25 and 10 UAB specialties were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the magazine’s 2018-2019 Best Hospitals report. UAB research grants and awards are at a record high, exceeding $527 million in FY18, including $320 million in NIH funding for FY18. UAB ranks 31stamong all universities in federal research funding and 15th among public universities. UAB’s NIH funding continues to grow among peer institutions in the Southeast and beyond, with the university ranking 20th among all universities in NIH funding and eighth among public universities. The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is ranked 21st among medical schools in NIH funding and eighth among public medical schools.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity, and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Available Subjects:
- Alzheimer’s disease
Eligibility criteria:
- Candidates should have strong molecular and cell biology and animal handling skills as evidenced by first-author publication(s) in quality peer-reviewed journals. Previous research experience in iPSC technology is desirable. Candidate should be able to work with a high degree of independence and with good team spirit.
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates, please contact Dr. Yuhua Song, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Alabama at Birmingham by email: [email protected] and include your CV and transcripts in the email.
