Scholarly Activities and Opportunities
Clinical
Bone Health
Bone Health
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 1
Site: Institute for Minority Health Research
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Olga Garcia, MD
Contact Email: ogarciab@uic.edu
Division: Academic Internal Medicine & Geriatrics
Post Date: 06.11.2026
Systemic Mitochondrial Dynamics and Its Implications for Aging-Related Health Outcomes
This project investigates the relationship between changes in mitochondrial DNA in blood and aging-related health outcomes. By analyzing genetic and molecular data, the research aims to understand how mitochondrial DNA alterations influence healthy aging, major chronic disease risk, and longevity, and to identify potential biomarkers that can help improve health outcomes in older adults.
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow, Student
Number of trainee openings: 1
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Yang Pan
Contact Email: yangpan5@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology Diabetes, and Metabolism
Post Date: 06.12.2026
Air filtration to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in a high-risk urban population of U.S. military veterans
Project Description: The primary goal of this HUD-funded study (ILHHU0049-19) is to investigate the effectiveness of stand-alone air filtration for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in a high-risk urban cohort of 80 U.S. military veterans with COPD. Additional secondary goals of the study are to: (1) investigate housing-related factors that may contribute to COPD exacerbation; (2) investigate the utility of using low-cost sensors for indoor air pollution epidemiology studies and for providing actionable or useful information on the quality of their indoor air to patients and their physicians, and (3) evaluate the costs and benefits of using stand-alone air filtration to improve IAQ and COPD outcomes. Participants will be recruited from the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center using a community-based participatory process in which stakeholders, including patients, physicians, and local nonprofits, will assist in the development of research objectives, recruitment, retention, and dissemination of results. The study objectives will be met by combining measurements of environmental conditions and indoor and outdoor air quality (using both research-grade and low-cost sensors) with housing condition assessments, respiratory questionnaires, and records of clinical outcomes.
This study addresses significant unmet household and medical needs among high-risk Veterans with COPD and is co-led by investigators at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 1
Site: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Israel Rubinstein, MD
Contact Email: irubinst@uic.edu
Division: Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy
Post Date: 05.07.2026
Clinical and Procedural Outcomes for Patients being treated with an invasive approach for Pulmonary Embolism (PE) at UIC and JBVA
Project Description:We are focused on tracking procedural and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing lytic therapy or catheter based thrombectomy
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 5-6
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Adhir Shroff/Khalil Ibrahim/Amer Ardati
Contact Email: arshroff@uic.edu
Division: Cardiology
Post Date: 05.29.2026
Clinical and Procedural Outcomes for Structural Heart Disease Procedures at UIC and JBVA
Project Description:We are focused on tracking procedural and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing TAVR, TEER and LAAO procedures.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 5-6
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Adhir Shroff/Khalil Ibrahim
Contact Email: arshroff@uic.edu
Division: Cardiology
Post Date: 05.29.2026
Diet and Microbiome Related Projects (Multiple)
Project Description: The Mutlu Lab has multiple projects examining the role of diet and microbiome in the development of colon polyps, breast cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. The lab has a large tissue bank with corresponding metadata. A number of ongoing projects examine steroid hormone metabolism by gut bacteria in human specimens; methanogens in diverticulosis and colon polyps; and the role of diet interventions in inflammatory bowel disease. Projects that examine environmental factors that affect the gut microbiome are also ongoing. Clinical projects involving tissue and data collection from patients can also be completed for candidates who need longer term projects.
Most work will involve human subjects. Thus, for most projects, before any research can take place, human subjects’ training and certification will need to be completed using the UIC CITI training modules. Those who contemplate to do bench work will also be required to complete Bioraft training, some of which may be in person. As such, candidates are asked to contact us in advance of their contemplated research time. Those who have a strong background in advanced math and/or statistics and/or bioinformatics are highly encouraged to work with us on our existing data.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 2-3
Site: Gastroenterology- 840 S Wood, 7th Floor
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Ece Mutlu, MD, MS or Lucille Ray, PhD
Contact Email: emutlu@uic.edu or lray5@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Post Date: 05.07.2026
Genetic predictors for kidney disease in a longitudinal cohort of patients with sickle cell disease
We are investigating clinical and genetic predictors for kidney disease in a longitudinal cohort of patients with sickle cell disease. This has led to projects investigating the effects of hemolysis (e.g. cell-free hemoglobin and heme exposure) and of environmental risk factors (e.g. tobacco, diet) that may contribute to the pathophysiology of kidney disease. We are also testing our candidate genes and pathways in vitro (tubular, endothelial, and podocyte cells) and in vivo in a transgenic sickle mouse model.
Active: Not Recruiting Members
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Santosh Saraf, MD
Contact Email: ssaraf@uic.edu
Division: Hematology
Post Date: 05.07.2026
Sleep/circadian related glucose metabolism research
This project looks at the different ways glucose metabolism affects sleep and the circadian rhythm
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: 1
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Sirimon Reutrakul, MD, CDCES
Contact Email: sreutrak@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology
Post Date: 05.07.2026
Environmental exposure to metals/metalloids as drivers of cardiometabolic disease
This is an epidemiological project using data from Starr County, Texas, a predominantly Mexican American region of the country with markedly high rates of diabetes and diabetes-associated mortality. The goal is to understand the relationship between urinary metal/metalloid levels and cardiometabolic outcomes. Skills of use include advanced statistical approaches such as SAS, STATA, and R.
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Rob Sargis, MD, PhD
Contact Email: rsargis@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Posted: 05.07.2026
Disparities in Endocrine Care
Literature review to document disparities in care across all realms of endocrinology, including diabetes, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, calcium/bone, etc. It is anticipated that this will be a collaborative project with endocrine fellows and medical students. This is a new initiative.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Rob Sargis, MD, PhD
Contact Email: rsargis@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Posted: 05.07.2026
Land Use, Urban Planning, and New Urbanism in the Genesis and Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases
Land Use, Urban Planning, and New Urbanism in the Genesis and Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases: Initially this will be a literature review examining evidence linking land use to cardiometabolic disorders with a primary focus on diabetes. Extension of this work will examine how land use patterns across Chicago and the U.S. may influence cardiometabolic disease rates. It is anticipated that this will be a collaborative project with endocrine fellows and medical students.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Rob Sargis, MD, PhD
Contact Email: rsargis@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Posted: 05.07.2026
Clinical Care as a Vehicle of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Clinical Care as a Vehicle of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: This project builds off of prior work discussing the ethical implications of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in medications and medical devices. Opportunities here would include further evaluations of existing literature as well as potential collaborations with the College of Pharmacy to better understand the extent of the risk. There is potential here to pursue various facets of clinical care.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Rob Sargis, MD, PhD
Contact Email: rsargis@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Posted: 05.07.2026
Menopause in Sickle Cell Disease
Menopause in Sickle Cell Disease (IRB approved)
Minimum training: student, resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: 1
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Marwah Farooq, DO
Contact Email: mfarooq2@uic.edu
Division: Sickle Cell Disease
Posted: 06.11.2026
CRESCENT Project
CRESCENT project: building the foundation. Training the trainees on sickle cell disease (IRB approved)
Minimum training: student, resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: 1
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Marwah Farooq, DO
Contact Email: mfarooq2@uic.edu
Division: Sickle Cell Disease
Posted: 06.11.2026
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress
Project Description: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/5zEMeGHv8k-cUrP4eZmT2A/project-details/10031359
Minimum training: student,resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Site: Westside Research Office
Contact Name: Jun Ma, MD, PhD
Contact Email: Maj2015@uic.edu
Division: AIM
Post Date: 05.08.2026
IGNITE Study
IGNITE is a 2-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a fully digital integrated behavioral intervention (“I-CARE”) in 440 adults aged 50-74 years with comorbid depression and obesity who self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities. The digital I-CARE intervention integrates two evidence-based behavioral programs: a video-based behavioral weight loss program and a voice-based virtual coaching program for problem-solving therapy for depression management. Participants randomized to the digital I-CARE intervention will complete active treatment by month 6 and maintenance by month 12. Follow-up assessments will occur at 6 months (primary endpoint) and at 12 months. Participants randomized to the waitlist control condition will receive active treatment in the digital I-CARE intervention after completing their 6-month assessments. The study objectives are as follows: (1) to determine the efficacy of the digital I-CARE intervention in depression and obesity management at 6 months, (2) to identify predictors of treatment success at 6 and 12 months, and (3) to characterize participant experiences and perceptions of the digital I-CARE intervention using mixed methods.
PI: Jun Ma, MD, PhD
Minimum training: Resident, Student, or Fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Contact Name: Amruta Barve
Contact Email: amruta@uic.edu
Post Date: 05.08.2026
COVID-19 Registry for Research Projects
The core UIC database is housed in REDCap and is derived from data extracted retrospectively from UI Health patient electronic medical records. UIC investigators can apply to use this core database by submitting a Research Concept Form, which will be reviewed by the Registry’s Steering Committee. Upon approval, the investigators will be provided with a deidentified dataset with the requested variables, following the IRB approved process.
Active: Not Recruiting Members
Stipend: No
Contact Name: PI Kirstie Danielson, PhD
Contact Email: kdaniel@uic.edu
Division: Infectious Diseases
Translational
Systemic Mitochondrial Dynamics and Its Implications for Aging-Related Health Outcomes
This project investigates the relationship between changes in mitochondrial DNA in blood and aging-related health outcomes. By analyzing genetic and molecular data, the research aims to understand how mitochondrial DNA alterations influence healthy aging, major chronic disease risk, and longevity, and to identify potential biomarkers that can help improve health outcomes in older adults.
Minimum training: Resident, Fellow, Student
Number of trainee openings: 1
Site: UIC
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Yang Pan
Contact Email: yangpan5@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology Diabetes, and Metabolism
Post Date: 06.12.2026
Islet cell transplant (ICT) as Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Islet cell transplant (ICT) can functionally cure type 1 diabetes (T1D) by restoring insulin-producing β-cells. However, human donor islets are scarce and many recipients convert back to T1D. While ICT is slowly improving, few consistent predictors of ICT outcomes, in particular recipient factors, have been identified. Consequently, there is a critical need to identify modifiable recipient predictors of ICT success. The long-term goal is to further improve ICT precision medicine.
Active: Not Recruiting Members
Stipend: No
Contact Name: PI Kirstie Danielson, PhD
Contact Email: kdaniel@uic.edu
Division: Endocrinology
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress (Phase 1)
Study of a PST-Trained Voice-Enabled Artificial Intelligence Counselor (SPEAC) for Adults with Emotional Distress (Phase 1): Depression and anxiety are the leading causes of disability and lost productivity, and are often underdiagnosed and undertreated owing to access, cost, and stigma barriers. Novel and scalable psychotherapies are urgently needed. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer a transformative opportunity to develop intelligent voice assistants as virtual health agents accessible on personal devices. Meanwhile, major advances in human neuroscience have fueled a paradigm shift to study brain mechanisms underlying behavioral health interventions. Leveraging emerging science in these transdisciplinary areas, this project aims to develop and rigorously test a novel voice-enabled, AI virtual agent named Lumen, trained on Problem Solving Therapy (PST), for patients with moderate, untreated depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. The project will investigate the effect of Lumen on engagement of a priori neural targets—amygdala for emotional reactivity and dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for cognitive control—as putative mechanisms. The project has 2 phases: R61 (years 1-2) and R33 (years 3-5). Focusing on Lumen development and refinement as well as pilot testing, Phase 1 has 2 specific aims. Aim 1 on Lumen development and refinement will proceed in 3 stages: (1) focus groups (n=24 participants), 2) scenario-based clinician evaluations, and (3) a formative user study (n=20 participants). Aim 2 is to pilot test Lumen in a 2-arm randomized clinical trial (pilot RCT), among 60 participants with moderate, untreated depression and/or anxiety who are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive PST with Lumen (n=40) on a secure study iPad or be on a waitlist (n=20). At weeks 0 and 14 participants will complete functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess neural target engagement as well as validated surveys of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms, functioning, quality of life). In addition, participants will complete ecological daily diaries of mood, stress, appraisal and coping for 7 days every 2 weeks during the 14-week follow-up period. The Phase 1 milestones are (1) establishing the functionality, usability, and treatment fidelity of Lumen; and (2) demonstrating feasibility, acceptability, and neural target engagement. Achieving these milestones will provide the basis for the future R33 phase (Phase 2) focused on examining target engagement and PROs in a larger 3-arm RCT by comparing Lumen with a waitlist control arm and an in-person PST arm.
Minimum training: student,resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Site: Institute for Health Research and Policy
Contact Name: Jun Ma, MD, PhD
Contact Email: Maj2015@uic.edu
Division: AIM
Post Date: 05.08.2026
Estrogen as a Novel Therapy for Acute Lung Injury
Project Description: Our lab has previously identified claudin-5, a tight junctional protein, as a critical mediator of endothelial cell barrier function and we have reported that the upregulation of claudin-5 is associated with lung vascular protection in a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI). Existing evidence of increased claudin-5 expression by estrogen coupled with clinical evidence of gender differences in ALI outcomes suggest that the administration of estrogen may represent a novel ALI therapy. This project would investigate the effects of estrogen on lung endothelial cell signaling and function, both in vitro and in vivo, in a mouse model of ALI.
No prior research experience required.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Site: COMRB
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Jeffrey Jacobson, MD
Contact Email: jrjacob@uic.edu
Division:Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy
Posting start date: 06.01.2026
GI
Our work in mice has demonstrated that loss of PI3Kg (simulating system inhibition) or feeding a high fat diet (HFD) enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (w3 HFD) suppress the pancreatic tumor phenotype. However, when combining w3 HFD with PI3Kg loss we observed far worse pancreatic disease and NAFLD nearing steatohepatitis (as reported in these mice on a w6 HFD). This supports that PI3Kg suppression (and perhaps other cancer targets) plus HFD, regardless of the type of fat, induces far worse PC, pancreatitis, and NAFLD. Our preliminary clinical study demonstrates the presence of underlying FLD in 14% of all AP patients compared to 2.6% in controls, further establishing this potential in humans. Similar findings were observed in PC patients, as nearly 50% had liver disease (FLD) compared to patients without PC. These correlations suggest that a subpopulation of PC and AP patients are primed for developing compromised metabolic states that hinder or even reverse the anticancer effects of certain drugs. To further support these clinical findings, we want to peruse the medical records to establish larger patient cohorts and better define underlying FLD in PC and AP patients and the type of FLD associated with these diseases. Other clinical parameters will be considered as we build out this data based on these findings.
Active: Not recruiting New Members
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Site: UIC
Stipend: No (*some individual projects have potential for stipends)
Contact Name: Paul Grippo, PhD
Contact Email: pgrippo@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology
Pulmonary
Collection of BAL, blood, and stool samples from ARDS patients (and MICU controls for comparison), and associated generation of clinical database, to evaluate for associations with genetic expression, gene mutations, protein biomarkers, and inflammatory cell function. Goals are to provide novel insights into mechanisms of ARDS development and to generate clinically-useful predictors for prognosis and therapy selection.
Minimum training: resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Site: UIH
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Steve Dudek, MD
Contact Email: sdudek@uic.edu
Division: Pulmonary
Posting start date: 06.01.2026
The ALOHA Trial
The ALOHA trial: Addressing Quality of Life, Clinical Outcomes, and Mechanisms in Uncontrolled Asthma Following the DASH Dietary Pattern: Project Description: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/qKpOCxOvFUa9yemAI8aLNg/project-details/10295652
Minimum training: student,resident, fellow
Number of trainee openings: Open
Site: Westside Research Office
Contact Name: Jun Ma, PhD, Amruta Barve
Contact Email: amruta@uic.edu
Division: AIM
Post Date: 05.08.2026
Microbiome in health and disease
Microbiome in health and disease: Our research interests are host-microbiome interactions in health and disease. Our research is supported by the NIH, VA, and a few other research awards. https://cancer.uillinois.edu/member/jun-sun-phd/
Minimum training: student,resident
Number of Openings: 1
Contact Name: Jun Sun, PhD
Contact Email: junsun7@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Posting start date: 05.31.2026
Basic
Microbiome in health and disease
Microbiome in health and disease: Our research interests are host-microbiome interactions in health and disease. Our research is supported by the NIH, VA, and a few other research awards. https://cancer.uillinois.edu/member/jun-sun-phd/
Minimum training: student,resident
Number of Openings: 1
Contact Name: Jun Sun, PhD
Contact Email: junsun7@uic.edu
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Posting start date: 05.31.2026
Posthoc Data Analysis
Addressing Microaggression in Medicine
Addressing Microaggression in Medicine: The goal of this Quality Improvement project is to address microaggressions in the workplace in an effort to improve the wellness and mental well-being among our trainees, faculty, and staff, enhance patient care, and increase DEI within the DOM. Our primary outcomes are improving workplace inclusivity, decrease burnout, and improving well-being among our trainees, faculty, and staff.
Minimum training: Student, Resident, Fellow
Site: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Stipend: No
Contact Name: Alana Biggers, MD
Contact Email: abiggers2@uic.edu
Division: Interdisciplinary
Posting start date: 05.07.2026