VCOM-Louisiana’s second-annual Via Research Recognition Day is in the books, and in the words of Pawel Michalak, PhD, associate dean for Biomedical Affairs and Research, “The event was a resounding success.”
Research Day, a pivotal event in VCOM’s pursuit of its mission, serves as a platform where medical students, healthcare professionals and scientists representing academic institutions, teaching hospitals and clinical settings, can showcase and learn from research innovations aimed at enhancing the well-being and health of all individuals.
“In my opening remarks,” said Michalak, “I underscored the expectation that participation in Research Day is poised to grow. This growth is a testament to the advancing scope of our research endeavors, such as syndromic surveillance, both at the local level and across the entire system, positioning us as an emerging research leader in the region. This expansion aligns perfectly with VCOM’s mission, which strongly prioritizes research as a fundamental component. “
The event featured two keynote speakers, a plenary speaker and a poster competition. The day’s first keynote address came from Jonathan Auguste, PhD, associate professor of arbovirology at Virginia Tech. His presentation on “The Tale of an Insect-Specific Virus: from Ecology to Vaccine Development” discussed the replication mechanisms of some viruses in vertebrate cells, as well as new vaccine testing efforts.
Albert J. Kozar, DO, professor for osteopathic manipulative medicine and sports medicine at VCOM-Virginia, provided the second keynote address of the day. His discussion, “Do Biomarkers Exist in the Thoracolumbar Fascia for LBP Pain?” featured takeaways from his integrative research into tendinopathy, low back pain, fascia, and visceral motion.
P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, vice provost for research at VCOM, gave his plenary address on “The State of Research at VCOM,” in which he shared insight into current research projects happening across the four campuses and future research initiatives on the horizon.
The poster competition featured research on a wide range of topics, all falling within four main categories: biomedical research; clinical research; case studies; and education, simulation and best practices. Of the 67 posters in the competition, a vast majority featured student-led research.
This year’s event marked a significant growth over our inaugural research recognition last year, with more than a 20% increase in participation. This surge reflects the escalating recognition and interest in VCOM research both locally and regionally, evidenced by the participation from our partner academic and clinical institutions. This growth is remarkable, especially compared to the modest beginnings at our other campuses years back, when we were starting with a dozen posters at that time.
In addition to naming the poster competition winners, two major research awards were given out during the event. The first, Faculty Researcher of the Year, is awarded to a faculty member who is active in an extramurally-funded research program involving student training, significant publications, and who has received national recognition. The 2024 Faculty Researcher of the Year award recipient was Randy Aldret, Ed.D.
The second major award handed out at this year’s Research Day event was Student Researcher of the Year. This award is presented to a current VCOM-Louisiana student who shows dedication to their research, whose research has resulted in publications during their time at VCOM, who is participating in the DO with Research Distinction program, and who has made research presentations. The 2024 Student Researcher of the Year award recipient was Navid Salim, Class of 2025.
Poster competition winners, by category, were:
Biomedical Research: Section 1
1st place:
Annie Pham, Class of 2026
EXOY INTOXICATION SUPPRESSES LUNG ENDOTHELIAL TAK1 TO PROMOTE TAUOPATHY
2nd place:
Lucia Conlon, Class of 2026
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL PROTECTIVE ROLE OF THE BACTERIAL-DERIVED METABOLITE INDOLE-3-PROPIONIC ACID AGAINST OBESOGENIC INSULTS IN PLACENTA CELL LINES
3rd place:
Rachita Gupta, Class of 2026
INVESTIGATING THE FUNCTION OF THE BACTERIAL-DERIVED METABOLITE INDOLE-3-PROPIONIC ACID IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
Biomedical Research, Section 2:
1st place:
Dalal Dawud, PhD Candidate
INVESTIGATING THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF COMBINED TREATMENT OF CHLORPROMAZINE AND ENZALUTAMIDE ON CASTRATION-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER CELLS: A COMPREHENSIVE IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDY
2nd place:
Md Towhidul Tarun, MS
(-)-S-OLEOCANTHAL ATTENUATES THE PROGRESSION AND RECURRENCE OF NEUROENDOCRINE PROSTATE CANCER THROUGH DOWNREGULATION OF THE PROTEIN LYSINE METHYLTRANSFERASE SMYD2
3rd place:
Md Saqline Mostaq, PhD Student
INHIBITION OF CERAMIDE GLYCOSYLATION REVERSES ANTICANCER DRUG RESISTANCE OF COLON CANCER CELLS CARRYING P53 MUTATION
Clinical Research
1st place:
Austin Bordelon, Class of 2024
SYNTAX ERROR: VARIATIONS IN VERBIAGE BETWEEN PRESCRIBER AND PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION LABELS FOR PEDIATRIC LIQUID MEDICATIONS
2nd place:
Ebony Griffin, Class of 2025
ASSESSING PRACTICAL COMPETENCE: AN IN-DEPTH EXAMINATION OF PRECLINICAL MEDICAL STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN DETECTING FRACTURES THROUGH ULTRASOUND PRACTICAL EXAMS ON CADAVERS
3rd place:
Cameron Driskell, Class of 2025
A CONTINUATION OF CADAVERIC EXPLORATION AND ANALYSIS OF VARIATION IN THE INFRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Case Studies
1st place:
Yaroslav Zuyev, Class of 2025
TYPICAL EXERTIONAL ANGINA WITH NO ANGIOGRAPHIC CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
2nd place:
Kason Goss, Class of 2025
A CEREBRAL CHALLENGE: NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI - A COMPREHENSIVE CASE STUDY
3rd place:
Madison Cox, Class of 2025
RENAL ANGIOMYOLIPOMA: A CASE REPORT
Education, Simulation and Best Practices
1st place:
Sara Carroll, Class of 2025
UTILIZING GAMIFICATION TO TEACH PAIN MANAGEMENT: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY
2nd place:
Rebecca Peters, Class of 2025; Maham Khan, Class of 2026; Emma Barham, Class of 2026
INVESTIGATING THE CHANGE IN EMPATHY THROUGHOUT TRADITIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION
3rd place:
Tiffani Najadifar, Class of 2026
AIRX: A DOSE OF AI FOR SMART MEDICAL EDUCATION