Each year, Student Research Day highlights the curiosity, dedication and scholarly
achievements of medical students as they present research projects focused on advancing
scientific discovery and improving patient care. At the Tilman J. Fertitta Family
College of Medicine, the event gives students an opportunity to share their work while
developing skills that will support them throughout their medical careers.
Hosted by the Office of Medical Student Research, the event features poster and oral presentations, giving students the opportunity to discuss their findings and receive feedback from faculty judges and members of the medical community.
鈥淪tudent Research Day is significant for the Fertitta College of Medicine because it is an opportunity for the college to showcase to partners within the medical school and outside the medical school all of the hard work that each medical student has put into their research projects,鈥� said Tameka A. Clemons, Ph.D., assistant director of medical student research and clinical associate professor of biochemistry in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. 鈥淔or some medical students, it is the first opportunity for them to present their work and receive feedback from judges.鈥�
Research also gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively, investigate areas of medicine that interest them and develop skills they will use throughout their careers.
鈥淧articipating in research during medical school is an excellent way for students to learn how to work through a project with a team that results in outcomes that they can present as a deliverable,鈥� Clemons said. 鈥淪tudents have an opportunity to conduct research in an area of interest and fuel their passion even further for the area of medicine they want to pursue.鈥�
This year鈥檚 projects spanned a range of topics, from disease mechanisms and diagnostics to community engagement and clinical decision-making. Clemons said students demonstrated the preparation and dedication needed to communicate their findings effectively.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 Student Research Day included quality projects from each student in both the basic and clinical sciences,鈥� Clemons said. 鈥淭he feedback provided by each of the judges before the conclusion of Student Research Day also emphasized the quality of the work that each student presented.鈥�
Medical student Kaelie Zelms (pictured) earned first place in biomedical sciences for research that built on her longstanding interest in type 2 diabetes. Her project examined how amylin affects nitric oxide signaling and how those changes may contribute to the disease process.
鈥淢y research project was inspired by both the work Dr. Clemons was already conducting and my longstanding interest in type 2 diabetes,鈥� Zelms said. 鈥淭his project allowed me to build on that foundation by investigating how amylin affects nitric oxide signaling and how those changes may contribute to the disease process.鈥�
Medical student Mihret Beregen (pictured) earned second place in clinical sciences for research examining how cancer survivors, patient advocates and community members could be better equipped to participate as partners in cancer research. The experience also strengthened her commitment to ensuring patient perspectives are represented in medical research.
鈥淎s I look toward a future career dedicated to women鈥檚 health and clinical science, this experience solidified my commitment to being a physician advocate who ensures patient and survivor perspectives are meaningfully represented in medical research from day one,鈥� Beregen said.
Medical student Taylor Carroll (pictured) earned third place in biomedical sciences for research examining whether the effects of individual nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, on blood clotting could vary based on their degree of COX-1 inhibition. The research explored whether COX-2 selective NSAIDs could potentially be used before surgery with less risk of bleeding.
鈥淧articipating in research at the COM has helped me to understand the immense work that goes into shaping every level of medicine,鈥� Carroll said. 鈥淎s a future physician, I hope to never forget the sacrifices that researchers make to ensure that patients are provided with the best care and the most up-to-date recommendations.鈥�
Medical student Aditya Vishnubhotla (pictured) earned third place in clinical sciences for research focused on improving the evaluation of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears using conventional magnetic resonance imaging. His project aimed to help clinicians evaluate partial ACL tears with greater diagnostic confidence and improve clinical decision-making.
鈥淪tudent Research Day was a great opportunity for me to share my work with the research community at the Fertitta College of Medicine,鈥� Vishnubhotla said. 鈥淚 was able to discuss my research with faculty and fellow students, receive valuable feedback and engage in meaningful conversations about the project.鈥�
The Office of Medical Student Research supports students throughout their research experiences through individual advising, group meetings, research-related student organizations and assistance with opportunities to present their work beyond the College of Medicine.
In addition to Zelms, Beregen, Carroll and Vishnubhotla, medical student Megha Bhatia (pictured) earned first place in clinical sciences; medical student Cynthia Deem (pictured) earned second place in biomedical sciences; and medical student Nithila Ganesh (pictured) earned third place in biomedical sciences.
For students, the experience can extend beyond the research itself, shaping how they approach medicine and patient care.
鈥淧articipating in research at the College of Medicine reaffirmed my understanding that pursuing a career in medicine means being a lifelong learner and strengthened my appreciation for evidence-based medicine,鈥� Vishnubhotla said. 鈥淚 hope to continue engaging in research that advances the possibilities of patient care and contributes to meaningful improvements in clinical practice.鈥�
鈥淪tudent Research Day is an exciting time for students to showcase their work,鈥� Clemons said. 鈥淭heir future careers as a physician will include regularly having to present cases in their field, and Student Research Day is just the start for them on their journey in medical school and beyond.鈥�