Kenneth Caldwell (center) received the Alpha Omega Alpha award for his research project on overexpression of angiotensin in hematopoietic stem cells at the 2012 Medical Student Research Day on April 12. Greg Schultz, Ph.D. (left), director of the college's medical student research program and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and Joseph Fantone, M.D., senior associate dean for educational affairs, presented the award. Photo by Maria Belen Farias
UF College of Medicine students set a new record during the 2012 Medical Student Research Day.
Ninety-five students showcased 86 research posters, which tightly packed the Broad-Bussell Atrium at the Biomedical Sciences Building on April 12.
“This is the highest number of students yet,” said Greg Schultz, Ph.D., director of the college’s medical student research program and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology.
Students presented on a variety of research topics ranging from arthritis to a comparison of different types of radiotherapy. More than 70 College of Medicine faculty members served as mentors.
The number of the annual research day participants has increased consistently each year. Almost three times as many posters were presented compared with two years ago. Schultz said this is because students are beginning to realize the importance of evidence-based medicine. As students get involved in research programs, they gain valuable experience interpreting and understanding scientific literature and data.
Conducting research also makes the students more competitive for residency programs.
Most of the research featured at the event originated from the summer research program in which many students participate before entering their second year of medical school.
“The quality of research and discovery is outstanding,” Schultz said. “It’s amazing what our students do in just 10 weeks.”
Six presenters were honored during the award ceremony:
Kenneth Caldwell – Alpha Omega Alpha Award ($1,000)
“Overexpression of Angiotensin (1-7) in Hematopoietic Stem Cells: A Novel Route of Delivery to site of Injury in Brain”
Keisin Wang – John Harrington Tanous Award for Distinguished Research in Cancer ($500)
“NSC185058 Suppresses Human Osteosarcoma Tumorgenises in mice”
Monica Roca – John Harrington Tanous Award for Distinguished Research in Cancer ($500)
“Dosimetric Comparison of Photon and Proton Radiotherapy for Unresectable Ewing Sarcoma for the Pelvis”
Elissa Finkler – Lawrence M. Goodman Research Award 1st place ($500)
“A Model of Arthritis driven by Local Ex Vivo Gene Transfer of Human IL-1b”
Michael Armbruster – Lawrence M. Goodman Research Award 2nd place ($400)
“Lipid Emulsions in Resuscitation from Hemorrhagic Shock”
Camila Avila – Lawrence M. Goodman Research Award 3rd place ($300)
“Regulation of NOTCH1 Oncogenic Pathway by Protein Phosphatase 6”