Left to Right: Rupert Congmon, Gabrielle Rueff, Shawn Janairo, Dr. Aaron Polichnowski
49 posters were presented by 2nd-year Quillen College of Medicine students at the 23rd Annual Medical Student Research Symposium, which was held on Friday, November 15th in Stanton Gerber Hall. CIIDI member Dr. Aaron Polichnowski and Ms. Katie Duvall returned as director and co-director of the symposium. Dr. Polichnowski said, “The poster presentations were fantastic, which was reflected by the very close scores from the judges. There are many individuals to acknowledge for their support of this program. Special thanks go to Dr. Block and the Chairs of the nine Quillen College of Medicine departments for supporting the student stipends, as well as refreshments and awards at the symposium. Thank you to the mentors and students for all of your efforts in making this a successful program and symposium. Thanks to the judges for your time and expertise in evaluating the poster presentations. Finally, thank you to Crystal Maupin and Diana Toler in the Department of Biomedical Sciences for their outstanding administrative support of this program.”
Of the outstanding number of poster presenters, two students mentored by CIIDI members won first and third place in the Biomedical Sciences/Basic Sciences division.CIIDI members mentored seven additional students. They are detailed below.
Shawn Janairo presented a poster titled “Synthesis of Allyl-α-D-Mannopyranosyl -(1→6)-α-D- Mannopyranoside, A Building Block for the Synthesis of Mannan Glycomimetics.” He was mentored by CIIDI Members Dr. Zuchao Ma (Surgery) and Dr. David L. Williams (Surgery) and was named the first-place winner in the Biomedical Sciences / Basic Sciences Division.
Rupert Congmon presented a poster titled, “Hepatocellular Carcinoma and CAR-T Cell Therapy in Appalachia and Beyond.” One of his mentors was CIIDI member Dr. Qian Xie (Biomedical Sciences).He won third place in theBiomedical Sciences / Basic Sciences Division.
Brice Walkowski presented a poster titled,” Effects of a ‘Forever Chemical’ on Renal Hemodynamics and Injury in Rats.”His mentor was CIIDI member Dr. Aaron Polichnowski (Biomedical Sciences).
Kathleen Quiroa presented a poster titled, “Exploration of CRISPR-based mutation using Hoxb8 hematopoietic progenitor cells.” Her mentor was CIIDI member Dr. Valentin Yakubenko (Biomedical Sciences).
Jason Ramos presented a poster titled, “Chronic Stress Augments the Cardiogenic Sympathetic Afferent Reflex in Sprague-Dawley Rats.” One of his mentors was CIIDI member Dr. Matthew Zahner (Biomedical Health Sciences).
Jessica Holcomb & George Lear presented a poster titled, "Meta-Analysis on Zinc Supplementation in Preterm Infants in Developed vs. Developing Countries: Why Zinc Supplementation Matters.” They were mentored by CIIDI member Dr. Darshan Shah (Pediatrics).
Cooper Bullough & Landon Brown presented a poster titled, "Does Living Environment Affect Development of Infants with Prenatal Substance Exposure?” Their mentor was also Dr. Darshan Shah.
In addition, CIIDI members Dr. Doug Thewke and Dr. Nicole Lewis served as two of the judges.
The Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease, and Immunity congratulates all particpants on their efforts in research, mentorship, and collaboration to produce the 23rd symposium.
Click Here for details on all participants and division winners.