Medical Student Research Symposium Held Virtually
Fern Tsien, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Medical Student Research
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics
Director, Science Youth Initiative (SYI), Summer Research Program, and Research Experiences
for Undergraduates (REU)
Co-Director, Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education
(ENDURE)
The Medical Student Research Poster Symposium was held virtually this year, with Hurricane Zeta further complicating the symposium through widespread electrical and internet outages.
Drs. Paula Gregory and Fern Tsien started the program in 2003, which aims to provide research opportunities for medical students. Every year medical students are matched with mentors to conduct research at LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and clinics throughout the state. During the program, students conduct their own small research project or work on a part of an ongoing project.
The students persevered through this year’s challenges and many of them worked on a variety of projects, which included innovative virtual research investigations. Although the research environment has been very different this year, each of these students did an excellent job adapting to the current situation and we are very proud of their achievements.
There were twice as many presentations this year compared to last year, and all were excellent. Judges evaluated the students' presentations and held Zoom meetings with the students during which they questioned them about their research projects. Winners were divided into two categories: L1/L2s and L3/L4s. First and second place winners each received an award of up to $500 to attend a scientific conference.
Thanks to all the students, mentors, staff, and judges who participated.
Congratulations to the winners:
L1/L2 CATEGORY
1st place (tie):
Matthew Bennett
Mentors: Dr. Randolph Roig, Dr. Justin Doughty, and Dr. Casey Murphy
Internal Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Program, Section of Pain Medicine,
Veterans Affairs Medical Center of New Orleans
Katherine Henry
Mentor: Dr. Deidre Devier
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Neurology
Second Place (tie):
Joel Epling
Mentors: Dr. Christopher Grenier, Dr. Michael Morgan, Dr. Lena Al-Dujaili, and Dr.
James David
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology; and Oschner Medical Center
Christopher Moroz
Mentor: Dr. Carmen Canavier
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
Brock Williams
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Cameron
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
Third place (tie):
Ryan Hoffman
Mentors: Dr. Denise Danos and Dr. Frank Lau
LSUHSC School of Public Health, Behavioral & Community Health Program; and LSU School
of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Mima Fondong
Mentors: Dr. Stacey Rhodes and Dr. Lisa Moreno-Walton
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine; University
Medical Center
Eden Gallegos
Mentors: Dr. Stefany Primeaux, Dr. Liz Simon Peter, Dr. Tekeda Ferguson, and Dr. Patricia
Molina
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Physiology; and School of Public Health, Epidemiology Program
L3/L4 CATEGORY:
1st place:
Adeem Nachabe
Mentors: Dr. Daniel Womac, Dr. Jamie Zampell, Dr. Mark W. Stalder, Dr. Hugo St. Hilaire
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery
Second Place (tie):
Cody Crnkovic:
Mentors: Dr. Andrew Chapple and Dr. Vinod Dasa
LSUHSC School of Public Health, Biostatistics Program; and LSU School of Medicine,
Department of Orthopedics
Robert A. Quiring
Mentors: Dr. Andrew Chapple and Dr. Vinod Dasa
LSUHSC School of Public Health, Biostatistics Program; and LSU School of Medicine,
Department of Orthopedics
Third place:
Brandon Kent
Mentor: Dr. Vinod Dasa
LSU School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics
To view the posters and presentations, please click on the link below: