Aug 20, 2005 -- Ten Yeshiva University undergraduates spent the summer doing research with top scientific scholars at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine as part of two programs that allow undergraduates with interest in science to participate in ongoing research projects. The eight students in the Roth Scholars program and the two students in the University Summer Research Scholars program are paired with scientists at Einstein to learn about cutting-edge scientific research, said Barry Potvin, PhD, professor of biology at YC and chairperson of the Roth Summer Research Fellowship Committee. “Both programs, which are funded separately, allow undergraduate science students the opportunity to experience high-level research with university scientists,” Dr. Potvin said. The students work in teams alongside graduate and post-doctorate students. Stern student Yael Saden Barach, of Teaneck, NJ, said the Roth Scholars experience exposed her to the day-to-day life of working in a lab. “I’ve learned new techniques under the guidance of my mentor, and participated in departmental functions and seminars that have exposed me to exciting discoveries in neuroscience taking place at Einstein,” the biology major said. Ms. Saden Barach worked in Dr. Diana Pettit's lab in the neuroscience department, helping to identify kainate receptor distribution in various types of interneurons in the hippocampus part of the brain. Dr. Pettit's lab is researching the role of these receptors in modulating the rhythmic brain waves produced by interneurons, which could have applications for the treatment of epilepsy. Most of the students are considering pursuing medical degrees. But the experience often piques their interest in research, and pushes them to apply to MD/PhD programs, Dr. Potvin said. Each year a few of the students continue their research at Einstein, or use the experience to network with other researchers so they can participate in similar work at labs closer to the Beren or Wilf campuses. Toronto native Ilana Pister — who studied spleen growth in mice as a result of the parasite trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas’ disease — is continuing her work at Einstein during the year with Dr. Linda Jelicks. Frida Fridman, from Brooklyn, NY, has also extended her research into potential inhibitors for tumor growth with Dr. Vern Schramm at Cornell Weil Medical College.