AOA Research Fellowship Awarded to BUSM Student

Angela Nolin, a first-year medical student, has been chosen to receive the 2015 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship. The $5000 award supports clinical investigation, basic laboratory research, epidemiology, social science/health services research, leadership, or professionalism research. 

One of 56 medical students nationwide to receive the fellowship, Ms. Nolin’s project is on “Albumin reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule inhibits mitophagy, leading to mitochondrial damage, increased ROS production and tubular cell damage.”  The research is geared to advancing knowledge about the progression of chronic kidney disease.   Her efforts have already yielded a poster presentation as primary author at the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week.

 “It is clear from her application that Ms. Nolin possesses a sophisticated knowledge of chronic kidney disease and of the techniques necessary to elucidate answers to her high-level questions,” wrote David McAneny, MD, AOA Councilor of the BUSM Chapter and associate professor of surgery, in his letter of recommendation. “Through her many accomplishments, she has demonstrated wonderful intellect and determination.  I am impressed that a first year medical student is already making such an impact in a basic science laboratory, and I am confident about Angela’s ability to achieve the research goals with the aid of the AOA Kuckein research grant.  I am certain this is only the beginning for Ms. Nolin and anticipate that she will succeed as a physician-scientist.