Student Research Awards Highlighted at Poster Session

 

 

From left to right: Erica Li, Justin Slade, Daniel Wallman, Ivy Gardner, Michelle Zhang
From left to right: Erica Li, Justin Slade, Daniel Wallman, Ivy Gardner, Michelle Zhang

Members of the Class of 2016 received recognition for their research at the Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) Poster Session on Feb. 5 in the Hiebert Lounge. The poster session featured studies conducted by medical students during the summer of 2013.

The annual Serchuck Awards are named in honor of Jerry Serchuck a longtime donor to the MSSRP, which continues to flourish as a direct result of his initial contribution and ongoing support.

This year’s award for Best Clinical Science research went to Ivy Gardner for her research on “What is the effect of testosterone therapy on the endometrium in transgender men?” with honorable mention in this category going to Daniel Wallman for his research on “Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural tachycardia syndrome: a relationship study.” The Best Basic Science award went to Michelle Zhang for her study on “Hypoxia-responsive protease activated receptor 2 upregulates expression of genes that promote intra-abdominal adhesion formation in cultured human mesothelial cells.” Thomas Tien received honorable mention in this category for his work on “High glucoseiInduces mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal Muller cells: implications for diabetic retinopathy.”

For the first time the program includes quality improvement (QI) research and the award for Best QI research went to Justin Slade for his study “Improving outpatient follow-up for patients with Sickle Cell disease.” Erica Li received honorable mention for her study on “Improving patient understanding of asthma medications for ambulatory pediatrics.”

“It is a pleasure to recognize all of you who participated in the MSSRP,” said Associate Dean of Admissions Robert Witzburg, MD. “Offering students an opportunity to engage in research early on is an important contribution of this program.”

The MSSRP offers up to 30 competitive $2,750 scholarships for first-year medical students to complete an eight-week research project with a BUMC faculty member.

“Every year I marvel at the high quality of the research our students produce as well as the hard work and dedication they demonstrate,” said Suzy Sarfaty, MD, director of the MSSRP and assistant dean for academic affairs. “It is exceedingly gratifying to work with them and to be able to help facilitate their efforts as developing scientists.”