THE OPENINGS: Two NIH-funded BME Ph.D. student positions in pulmonary mechanics.

THE PROBLEM: In the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), edema reduces pulmonary gas exchange. Mechanical ventilation assists gas exchange but causes ventilation induced lung injury (VILI) and impedes recovery.

OUR APPROACH AND FINDINGS: A unique method of determining surface tension in edematous alveoli of isolated rat lungs led us to (i) find that VILI is attributable to heterogeneous lung mechanics, and proportional to surface tension, and (ii) discover that a fluorescent dye has the ability to lower surface tension and reduce VILI.

PROJECT #1: Investigate biophysical mechanism through which dye lowers surface tension and reduces VILI.

PROJECT #2: Investigate mechanical mechanism of spatial propagation of VILI throughout lungs.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree, and preferably a master's degree, in biomedical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. Background in cardiopulmonary mechanics or physiology and research experience are desirable but not required.

THE PI: Dr. Carrie E. Perlman trained in mechanical engineering at MIT and biomedical engineering at Northwestern University. She was a postdoctoral fellow in pulmonary physiology at Columbia University.

THE ENVIRONMENT: Stevens, in Hoboken, NJ, provides a multidisciplinary research training environment. The beautiful campus is located on the Hudson River, directly opposite and 10 minutes by train from lower Manhattan.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Interested candidates should email Dr. Perlman at cperlman@stevens.edu, and attach a CV.