The Mentored Student Research Program (MSRP) is a competitive program in which DMU students work alongside DMU faculty mentors on research projects in areas such as microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, public health, and physical therapy.
The majority of the program takes place over an eight-week period between Memorial Day and the end of July and includes additional learning opportunities such as research presentations from DMU faculty and a student symposium that includes a guest speaker as well as oral and poster presentations by MSRP program participants.
MSRP participants are paid $13.00 per hour and may work up to 40 hours per week during the summer, 20 hours per week during the school year. Total number of hours allowed per student (up to 240 hours) will be determined by faculty mentor.
View faculty mentors and research topics or read recaps about previous years' programs. You can also check out our current program on social media.
Information for DMU Students
DMU students must inquire with individual mentors about the option of applying to work with them. Mentors will have the application and it will be submitted to the Office of Research by them directly.
What types of questions are on the application?
The questions below are provided to help you prepare to approach a mentor or apply for the MSRP program:
For Des Moines University Students
- Why do you want to be involved in research at DMU?
- What do you hope to get out of doing research at DMU?
- How will your participation in MSRP benefit your academic and professional careers?
- What is your availability likely to be during the summer?
Application
Applications are now available. Applications will be accepted until February 11, 2022. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
DMU students must inquire with individual mentors about the option of applying to work with them. Mentors will have the application and it will be submitted to the Office of Research by them directly.
2022 MSRP Faculty mentors
Anatomy
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Heather Garvin-Elling, Ph.D. | Professor, Anatomy | Anatomy, Anthropology, Basic Science, Forensics, Skeletal Variation |
 | Julie Meachen, Ph.D. | Professor, Anatomy | Basic Science, Climate, Paleontology |
 | Muhammad Spocter, Ph.D. | Professor, Anatomy | Basic Science, Neuroscience |
Behavioral Medicine
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Julia Van Liew, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor, Behavioral Medicine | Aging, Geriatrics, Medical Education in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Mental Health, Psychiatry |
Biochemistry & Nutrition
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Elitsa Ananieva-Stoyanova, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Nutrition | Basic Science, Biochemistry, Cancer, Immunology |
 | Maria Barnes, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Nutrition | Female Health, Hypertension, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Obesity |
 | Wayne Wilson, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Nutrition | Basic Science, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Sexual Health |
Microbiology & Immunology
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D. | Interim Chair and Professor, Microbiology and Immunology | Cell Biology, Sexual Health |
 | Kevin Carnevale, M.D. | Academic Pathologist, Microbiology and Immunology | Basic Science, Cardiovascular, Curriculum |
 | Michael Carruthers, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology | Basic Science, Immunology |
 | Yujiang Fang, M.D., Ph.D. | Academic Pathologist and Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology | Basic Science, Cancer, Immunology, Pathology, Radiation, Urology |
 | Marie Nguyen, Ph.D. | Professor, Microbiology and Immunology | Basic Science, Immunology, Virology |
Physical Therapy
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Allison Larson, P.T., D.P.T. | Assistant Professor | Amputation Recovery, Generalized Weakness, Major Multiple Trauma, Medical Surgical Conditions, Neurorehabilitation, Orthopedics |
 | Shane McClinton, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS | Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Clinic | Biomechanics, Chronic Pain, Clinical, Cycling, Exercise, Heel Pain, Injury Prevention, Movement Science, Physical Therapy, Plantar Fasciitis, Running |
 | Shannon Petersen, P.T., DScPT, OCS Emeritus, FAAOMPT, COMT | Associate Professor, Physical Therapy | Headaches, Low Back Pain, Manual Therapy, Neck Pain, Orthopedic Spine Care |
 | Catherine (Katie) Stevermer, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D. | Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy | Clinical, Exercise, Geriatrics, Movement Science |
 | Vassilios Vardaxis, Ph.D. | Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy | Biological Signals - Balance, Measurement, Evaluation, Biomechanics, Gait Analysis |
Physiology & Pharmacology
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sarah Clayton, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Integrative Physiology, Neural control of cardiovascular function |
 | Francesca Di Sole, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Pharmacology, Physiology |
 | Noah Marcus, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Autonomic Regulation, Cardiopulmonary Physiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Chemoreflexes, Integrative Physiology, Sleep Apnea, Vascular Physiology |
 | Kim Tran, M.D., Ph.D. | Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Cardiovascular Disease, G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Pharmacology, Physiology, Signal Transduction |
 | Eric Wauson, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Heart Disease, Pharmacology, Physiology |
 | Li-Lian Yuan, Ph.D. | Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology | Behavior and Development, Genetics, Neurologic Diseases, Neuroscience |
Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ashley Dikis, D.P.M., FACFAS, DABPM | Assistant Professor, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine | |
 | Mathew Johnstone, D.P.M., FACFAS, DABPM | Assistant Professor |
Public Health
| Name | Position | Areas of Expertise | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jun Dai, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D. | Professor, Department of Public Health | Cardiometabolic Disease, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Diabetes, Epigenetics (methylation, hydroxymethylation, miRNA), Molecular Epidemiology, Nutrition, Nutrition Epidemiology, Obesity, Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Survey and Research Design, Twin Study |