2025 Outstanding Student Achievement Award: Master’s Research Category
Gloria Urrutia ’25
Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program
Urrutia matriculated into the MS in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program in 2023 and is preparing to graduate in May 2025. During her thesis year, Urrutia has worked on several projects addressing overlooked educational and healthcare barriers that disproportionately affect underrepresented communities.
For her thesis alongside Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics Marisol Lopez, PhD, Urrutia investigated how technical flaws in physiology multiple-choice question (MCQ) assessments impact graduate and professional student performance.
The mixed-methods approach found that flawed MCQs may favor students who have knowledge of test-taking strategies and can navigate misleading question and answer choices. The research highlights the importance of effective MCQ construction in ensuring equitable assessments for students.
Urrutia also works on two clinical research projects focused on improving healthcare communication and education among Latinx and Caribbean communities. In the first project, Urrutia works with Assistant Professor of Medicine Shana A.B. Burrowes, PhD, CPH, to explore patient-provider communication around antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections.
In the second, she works with Assistant Professor of Medicine Katherine Rizzolo, MD, to conduct Spanish-language interviews with Latinx patients and better understand their experiences with kidney disease education. These projects bring attention to how cultural or linguistic incongruence in healthcare settings can hinder patient communication and education.
“Together, these projects reflect my commitment to advancing equity in both education and healthcare,” Urrutia said. “They have given me the opportunity to uplift the voices of underrepresented communities and contribute to change through research.”
This work is deeply meaningful for Urrutia.
A first-generation Latina student, Urrutia was inspired to join these projects after participating in Lopez’s study investigating perceptions of minority students in physiology. Lopez, who Urrutia describes as an “incredible mentor,” welcomed her onto the research team and encouraged her to pursue additional academic and professional development opportunities.
“Hearing the stories of students like me, as well as patients that resemble my own family members, motivates me to continue finding ways to help patients access the care and resources they need,” Urrutia said. “Whether through clinical or educational research, I’ve found that meaningful solutions come from listening to those we aim to serve, and that is what continues to guide my work.”
This spring, Urrutia presented her research at the American Physiological Society (APS) Summit in Baltimore, Maryland and will present at the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) Conference in Calgary, Canada. Moving forward, she is excited to continue sharing her findings and engage with others in the physiology and medical education fields.
“These research experiences have deepened my commitment to supporting underrepresented populations,” Urrutia said. “I look forward to continuing this work and integrating it into my future career in healthcare and research.”