Work Schedule Type:

Onsite

Student Requirements:

Students must be solely U.S. citizens. (Permanent residents and dual citizens are not eligible.) Students must also be turning 18 years old before the start of the internship and have their own transportation to the site.

Mission

To optimize the readiness, performance, and survivability of operational forces through environmental health effects, toxicology and aerospace medical research and development.

About the Lab

The Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU Dayton) is a major DoD medical research command and the home of the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, which conducts aerospace-relevant research in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, and the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory, which is tasked with assessing potential health effects associated with exposure to various environmental stressors our military encounters, such as physical stressors and chemical and material hazards. As a subordinate command to the Naval Medical Research Command, NAMRU Dayton conducts aerospace medical and environmental health effects research to enhance Warfighter health, safety, performance, and readiness. NAMRU Dayton conducts research to address identified Fleet needs and results in products and solutions ranging from basic knowledge to fielded technologies.

What is unique about this lab?

NAMRU Dayton is the Navy's designated research laboratory for environmental health effects and aerospace medical research. NAMRU Dayton holds one of the few remaining fully functioning inhalation toxicology labs within the USA.

About the Internship

NAMRU Dayton is seeking motivated students at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels with an interest in expanding their knowledge and hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Summer interns are provided with an environment that will foster their creativity, help them develop a problem-solving mindset, and give them the opportunity to participate in meaningful technical research. Additionally, they will gain experience in a professional workplace that specializes in STEM careers.

What will I do any given day as an intern at this lab?

Interns participate in lab functions in a number of ways including (but not limited to) assisting mentors with guided research projects; attending technical meetings, seminars, and conferences; job and project shadowing with professional researchers; group mentoring sessions; networking with other interns and STEM professionals; joining team and leadership events; touring labs; and other professional development activities.

What majors and disciplines are a good fit for interning at this lab?

The primary fields of interest in order are:

• Applied Engineering
• Applied Engineering
• Applied Mathematics
• Behavioral Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Medical Science
• Medicine/Health
• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Statistics
• Toxicology

What will I learn as an intern at this lab?

NAMRU Dayton has two distinct laboratories. Interns working with EHEL will gain hands-on research experience supporting toxicological and physiological exposures and learn data analysis and interpretation, as well as risk assessment tools. Interns working with NAMRL will learn research techniques and approaches in applied biomedical and behavioral sciences.

What kinds of projects do interns at this lab participate in?

The following are examples of projects to which interns may be assigned:

The Acceleration and Sensory Sciences Department has a unique set of human-rated acceleration devices to maintain a technology base critical to Naval Aviation and other federal and non-federal aerospace customers. The department addresses a number of aircrew issues including cognitive aspects of spatial disorientation prevention and mitigation. The Spine Biodynamics lab focuses on neck and low back pain, and vision sciences where a broad spectrum of basic and applied research are used. Scientists focus on the biomechanical and physiological effects to deliver technologies for quantitative assessment of spine function and rehabilitation. The vision science lab addresses problems associated with human visual performance, including laser veiling glare and laser eye protection as well as the impact of low-level neurotoxins on aircrew. This team is responsible for the development and validation of new color-vision tests and standards for aviation screening.

The Biomedical Sciences Department focuses on innovative research and engineering technology development, directly addressing the human factors and human performance needs of the Warfighter. The department’s core capabilities focus on the top human-centered issues of aerospace mishaps, incidents and near misses. Our fatigue team focuses on fatigue measures and countermeasures using pharmacologic alertness aids. Scientists test pharmacokinetics and efficacy of low dose medications as a motion sickness countermeasure in our Neuro-Otologic Test Center. This team also evaluates simulator sickness in mixed reality environments. Additionally, our scientists are involved in the development and validation of cognitive and personality measures in the selection of unmanned aircraft systems.

The Engineering and Technical Services Department provides critical support of research in the directorate, across the command, and in joint efforts in the maintenance of our core science devices and research requirements. The department is home to several human-rated motion platforms to include the Disorientation Research Device – the KrakenTM, which is a one-of-a kind research platform capable of multi-axis motion for up to two subjects in yaw, pitch, roll, and heave while undergoing planetary and linear accelerations. A unique team of mechanical and electrical engineers, statisticians, software engineers and fabrication specialists support the operation of this device. The department also houses a fabrication shop equipped for technicians to construct in-house research devices, reconfigure existing devices, and perform a wide range of fabrication services.

The Environmental Physiology Department investigates causes and mitigations related to combating physiological episodes for tactical jet aircrew. Scientists conduct studies on flight physiology and environment to reduce aviation related physiologic episodes program. The altitude effects team looks at respiratory physiology, alternobaric affects, aircrew status monitoring, and mitigation.

The Behavioral, Cognitive and Neurophysiology Department aims to minimize operational performance degradation and reduce health risks posed by hazardous materials. By using various tests (i.e. behavioral, cognitive and neuro-electrophysiological assessments) and equipment, scientists evaluate neurological effects of exposure to chemicals and environmental hazards/stressors associated with military operations. Following exposure to chemicals and environmental hazards/stressors, we can

1. determine the effects on a cellular level, to include mechanism(s) of action,
2. understand or counteract performance-based decrements, and 3) identify and understand biomarkers of exposure and/or effects.

The Occupational and Environmental Health Department (Environmental Toxicology) uses in vitro, in silico, and animal models to investigate environmental health effects relevant to the Navy and the Department of Defense. The research teams look at topics such as jet fuel and noise, toxicity of jet fuels, and in vitro lung and dermal screening tests for fuel toxicity. The department’s in vitro capabilities allow for a more cost effective and rapid screening of compounds and the eventual replacement of whole animal testing.

The Inhalation Toxicology Department examines inhalation of environmental toxins and their toxic effects to address questions related to the health and safety of military personnel. Scientists identify the toxicities of chemicals and materials at the molecular, cellular, organ, and whole-body levels by using various biological and chemical model systems of materials via various routes of exposure. Our inhalation capabilities are extensive, allowing for exposures to gases and vapors, aerosols, particulates, and nanoparticles, using both whole-body and nose only inhalation chambers. Efforts have concentrated on desert sand and burn pit emissions, nanomaterials, and fire extinguishing materials. Scientists also focus on submariner health and were instrumental in establishing the current exposure standards for atmospheric components.

The Technical Research Support Department provides research support across directorate activities related to inhalation and environmental toxicology, addressing questions related to operator health, performance and safety.