Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Bachelor, Master, Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
We are seeking highly motivated researchers to join the newly established Sweat Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Fall 2025). Our lab focuses on cardiomyocyte gene regulation, identity mechanisms, and atrial fibrillation using cutting-edge approaches, including cardiac physiology, single-cell RNA/ATAC sequencing, genome wide epigenomic profiling, and characterizing 3D chromatin organization. Combining molecular changes in cardiomyocytes and other heart chamber cell types with phenotypic characterization of mouse models of arrhythmia and heart function abnormalities allows for unprecedented insight into diseases of clinical significance. We have developed several new models of atrial fibrillation and other forms of cardiac dysfunction. These models are useful tools to better understand disease processes and determine efficacy for new therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Mason Sweat is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Harry S. Moss Heart Center at UTSW. He earned his PhD at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and completed a postdoc in Dr. William Pu’s lab (Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School), where he studied gene regulation and epigenetic alterations of atrial cardiomyocytes in atrial fibrillation. During his postdoc he successfully competed for funding (F32, K99/R00) and published several high impact first author papers. Dr. Sweat is committed to mentoring his trainees and helping them to achieve a similar level of success as they progress in their careers.
Dr. Yan Sweat is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Harry S. Moss Heart Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She earned her PhD from the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa and completed her postdoctoral training in Dr. Jerry Turner’s lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. With experience in both academia and industry, she has contributed to translational research and drug discovery at Kojin Therapeutics. Dr. Sweat’s multidisciplinary background in cardiovascular research and therapeutic development is a powerful combination that positions the lab to develop research ideas into clinically actionable strategies for therapy.
The Sweat lab applies advanced scientific approaches in order to understand the intricate molecular underpinnings of cardiovascular disease. New technology enhances our understanding and leads to a better understanding of disease mechanisms, which can be targets for therapy.
Available Subjects:
- Cardiomyocyte Identity & Development
- Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms
- Gene Regulatory Networks in the Heart
- Single-Cell Omics & Epigenetics
Eligibility criteria:
- ✔ Strong background in molecular biology, cardiovascular biology, or related fields.
- ✔ Experience with AAV, mouse models, or bioinformatics (a plus, but not required).
- ✔ Self-motivation, curiosity, and a passion for discovery.
Application Procedure:
Submit the following in English via email to [email protected]:
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- Representative publications or research proposals
- Contact details for 3 referees
