UM School of Medicine Recognizes Student Research Excellence and Outstanding Faculty Mentors at 46th Annual Medical Student Research Day

Office of Student Research Celebrates Largest Medical Student Research Day in History

A proud tradition for the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) community, the annual Medical Student Research Day (MSRD) showcases the research accomplishments of medical students who participate in research projects throughout the year. This year’s event, held November 28 and November 29 at the SMC Campus Center, was proudly sponsored by the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society and the Office of Student Research (OSR) in the Dean’s Office. The largest event to date in the history of MSRD at UMSOM, this year’s event featured 114 student presenters (study years 2-4, MS2-MS4) and 125 presentations.

The two-day event opened with remarks from MRSD faculty organizer Gregory B. Carey, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Assistant Dean for Student Research and Education at UMSOM, along with Miriam K. Laufer, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Dean for Student Research and Education, and Director of the OSR at UMSOM.

“As you all know, today is my favorite day of the year. We recognize all of our dedicated student presenters,” said Dr. Laufer. “The Office of Student Research is a resource for all medical students. We are here to advise you on how to make research part of your medical career.”

Jonathan S. Bromberg, MD, PhD, the Charles Reid Edwards, MD Professor of Surgery, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Surgery at UMSOM, delivered this year’s keynote address. He presented his research on the topic, “Lymph Node Fibroblastic Reticular Cells Steer Immune Responses” and spoke about the importance of questioning pre-existing ideas and dogma in the process of scientific discovery.

“It is important to challenge hypotheses and ideas to create new edifices,” said Dr. Bromberg. “Education is important in science, medicine, and all of life. If we do not teach young people how to do what we do — how to recognize limitations and barriers and overcome them — then we will face great difficulties.”

Participating students, who presented their research to their fellow peers and attendees from across UMSOM and the UMB campus, were judged by UMSOM faculty on communication, overall presentation quality, and the impact and innovativeness of the science. Student awardees received competitive monetary prizes in recognition of their exemplary research and presentations.

From the 12 sessions designated for oral presentations, a total of 14 students were selected as first-place awardees.  Second-year medical student Aidan Wiley was recognized as a first-place awardee for his oral presentation on the use of ocular thermography in the detection of carotid stenosis.

“Research is sometimes seen as tedious or something that feels too distant from the patient to be meaningful,” said Mr. Wiley. “However, my work with the Center for Vascular Research highlighted exciting, patient-engaged research that may eventually prevent strokes before they happen. I was excited to show others how patients are kept at the center of cutting-edge research at the School of Medicine.”

Second year medical student Andrew Kim was selected as a second-place awardee for his oral presentation on strain-specific and cross-reactive antibody responses to plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). His mentor, Andrea A. Berry, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine and malaria researcher at UMSOM’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, was also recognized with a faculty mentor award.

“With Dr. Berry’s feedback and guidance, I have gained deeper insight into the strategies for addressing our research questions while refining my technical and analytical skills,” said Mr. Kim.

From the four sessions designated for poster presentation sessions, nine students were selected as award recipients for 1^st and 2^nd places. Third-year medical student Ijeoma Obizoba was recognized alongside her co-presenter Sabrina Hidalgo-Ahmed. They received a first-place award for their presentation on racial disparities seen in kidney xenotransplantation literature.

“It was important for me to showcase my research this year to gauge both public interest and to spark conversations in an area of interest amongst likeminded people,” said Ms. Obizoba.

The two-day event concluded with a celebratory awards banquet where a total of 23 students received awards for their outstanding presentations and research. A total of 12 faculty members, each nominated by their student mentees, received recognition either for the transformational impact or impact on their mentee’s productivity. They were also recognized for their generous time and deep dedication given to their students throughout the research process.

The OSR promotes student achievement by providing research education and research programming for UMSOM medical students. It is also responsible for overseeing the MD/Masters dual-degree programs, providing individualized research advising, and supporting all UMSOM medical students across a diverse array of research opportunities. For more information on how to engage in OSR activities (e.g., program application reviews, mentoring, judging presentations, event-day support, speaking on student research interest panels, etc.), please complete the OSR Engagement Interest Form.

For a complete list of the 2023 student and faculty mentor award recipients, see the Awards Memo.