Summer Student - Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research

UHN is Canada's No. 1 hospital and the world's No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN's vision is to build A Healthier World and its only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

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Summer student position to support the following study: Characterizing serum ACE2 activity in cardiogenic shock patients and ambulatory heart failure patients

Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Cardiology
Reports to: Dr. Slava Epelman
Work Model: Hybrid
Grade: A0:90
Hours: 35
Salary: 17.20 - $20.30 per hour. Start rate non-negotiable. (To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy)
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time
Closing Date: March 3rd, 2025

Job Details: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane-bound enzyme found in the heart, vascular endothelium, and lung epithelial cells. It is believed to have a protective function in cardiovascular homeostasis by antagonizing Ang-II-induced hypertension and cardiac fibrosis. Soluble ACE2 (sACE2) has been detected in human plasma, opening new avenues for non-invasive clinical studies. Previous studies have demonstrated that sACE2 activity is elevated in chronic HF patients and is associated with disease severity, myocardial dysfunction, and poor clinical outcomes. However, it is unclear whether sACE2 has a similar prognostic role in cardiogenic shock, a form of sudden and acute HF characterized by critical end-organ hypoperfusion. Our lab has obtained plasma samples from ~350 CS and ~350 ambulatory HF patients from collaborators in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. The student will measure sACE2 concentration and activity in both cohorts using FRET-based enzymatic assay and ELISA. The student will subsequently analyze the associations of sACE2 activity and concentration with disease severity, inflammatory biomarkers, myocardial function, and clinical outcomes using an established data set.

Educational Objectives:

1. Establish and optimize FRET-based enzymatic assay and ELISA for reliable serum ACE2 measurement in human samples

2. Execute assays in all patient samples and organize data for analysis

3. Work with a statistician to complete data analysis using an established data set populated with patient characteristics and outcomes

4. Disseminate findings in oral and written formats through regular reports to supervisors, poster presentations, and abstracts/manuscripts

Proposed deliverables at the end of the placement:

1. The student is expected to share findings of the project in as many formats as possible including but not limited to lab meetings, rounds, symposiums/conferences, and publication in a journal.

Education and experience required:

1. Satisfactory undergraduate academic achievement and coursework

2. Interest in basic and clinical research

3. Strong attention to detail

4. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication

5. Strong independence and collaboration

6. Knowledge of and competence in common laboratory techniques

7. Student must be enrolled full time
   
8. Student must be legally able to work in Canada full time during the position

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

Vaccines (COVID and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.