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VCOM Campus

Louisiana

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K. Adam Morrow

Morrow, Adam
K. Adam Morrow, PhD
Preferred First Name: K. Adam
Associate Professor for Cell Biology and Physiology

Research Interests

Our lab’s research interests center around injury and repair mechanisms critical to pulmonary endothelial cell function. Major areas of focus include nosocomial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute lung injury. We (Drs. Sarah Voth and Rebekah Morrow) are focusing on endothelial cell injury and disease propagation where we employ Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of nosocomial pneumonia, to uncover cell damage and repair mechanisms in acute lung injury. In our lab, we routinely use mammalian and bacterial culture, microscopy, western blot, RT-PCR, ELISA, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays. We are actively looking to recruit students into the lab, and the majority of our work will be conducted in the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Pharmacy.

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Office: 331
Department/Discipline: Cell Biology and Physiology
Campus: Louisiana

Rebekah Morrow

Rebekah Morrow
Rebekah Morrow, PhD
Preferred First Name: Rebekah
Discipline Chair and Associate Professor for Microbiology and Immunology

Research Interests

Our lab’s research interests center around injury and repair mechanisms critical to pulmonary endothelial cell function. Major areas of focus include pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute lung injury. Continuing my previous experience in graduate school with pulmonary endothelial cells and my focus on immune responses/inflammation, we have begun to study molecular mechanisms that contribute to PAH, such as the Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EndMT). In a second project, we are focusing on endothelial cell injury and disease propagation where we employ Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of nosocomial pneumonia, to uncover cell damage and repair mechanisms in acute lung injury. In our lab, we routinely use mammalian and bacterial culture, microscopy, western blot, RT-PCR, ELISA, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays. We are actively looking to recruit students into the lab, and the majority of our work will be conducted in the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Pharmacy.

Office: 336
Department/Discipline: Microbiology and Immunology
Campus: Louisiana

Savannah Newell

Dr. Savannah Newell
Savannah Newell, PhD
Discipline Chair and Associate Professor for Anatomical Sciences
Office: 334
Department/Discipline: Anatomical Sciences
Campus: Louisiana

Alissa Abrahm

Abrahm, Alissa
Alissa Abrahm, BA
Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs and Coordinator for Development
Office: 302
Department/Discipline: Development and Alumni Relations
Campus: Louisiana

Desi Hammett

Desi Hammett
Desi Hammett, MBA, PCM
Preferred First Name: Desi
Assistant Vice President for Marketing
Office: 311
Department/Discipline: Communications, Marketing, Website and Publications
Campuses: Virginia, Carolinas, Auburn, Louisiana

Kristy Hutson

Kristy Hutson
Kristy Hutson, BA, MLIS
Director for Library Services
Office: Library
Department/Discipline: Library
Campus: Louisiana

DO with Research Distinction

Many students at VCOM have a desire to conduct research as part of their medical education experience. Faculty and students also recognize the importance of continuous advancement in medical practice through cutting-edge research findings. 

Students are encouraged to actively conduct a research project to gain experience in basic and applied research and advance scientific knowledge.  This will enable DO clinicians to understand how their profession is evolving and can contribute to the effort required for such evolution.  Students will complete a research project, designed and conducted with a faculty research mentor.  After successfully completing the project the student will be awarded a Research Distinction degree designation at graduation.

Benefits to the student, mentor, and VCOM:

  • Many faculty and students have ideas for research projects; your effort will advance these ideas.
  • Hypotheses and high-risk ideas can be tested to provide essential data for grant applications.
  • Publish peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts to demonstrate research prowess; improves residency competitiveness.
  • Preparing future physicians in primary care and specialties with cutting edge research experiences.
  • Increase grant supported research, critical to VCOM’s future.

The VCOM Research Division is here to help enable and facilitate your DO with Research Distinction experience:

  • Helping students match to research mentors.
  • Providing input by experienced researchers, including lectures and advice on conducting research, collaboration, publication ethics, paper writing.
  • Monitoring progress of student/mentor team.
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