News and Events

25^th Annual Medical Student Research Forum Showcases Research on Wide Range of Topics

More than 70 School of Medicine (SOM) students had the opportunity to present their research to the New York Medical College (NYMC) community during the 25^th Annual Medical Student Research Forum (MSRF) on February 4. Topics presented during the forum, which is planned entirely by students on the Medical Student Research Committee, ranged from heart disease treatment, barriers to breast cancer screening and poor sleep health during COVID-19 lockdowns to gender differences in the writing of recommendation letters for residency applicants.

“The MSRF is an event the entire NYMC community looks forward to each year,” says Sacha Roberts, SOM Class of 2023 and a member of the Medical Student Research Committee. “The MSRF provides medical students with the opportunity to showcase their research and form invaluable connections with faculty and deans. It is always exciting to see so many projects come together each year and I am continuously impressed by my fellow students' dedication to research.”

While the halls of the Medical Education Center would normally be filled with students sharing their poster presentations, this year’s event was held virtual.The day began with students giving their poster presentations in individual breakout rooms via Zoom, with attendees and faculty judges free to visit to discuss the various projects.

This year’s keynote speaker was Phillip C. Song, M.D., director of the Division of Laryngology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and assistant professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, at Harvard Medical School. During his hour-long presentation, Dr. Song, who specializes in laryngology, voice and swallowing disorders and neurolaryngology, spoke of surgical advances in his field and how to use technology to become a better physician, while encouraging students to keep challenging themselves with goals to strive for in their medical education and throughout their careers. “Residency is too short. Medical school is too short. You cannot come out of those programs with the full knowledge you will need,” he said.

Five students were chosen to give oral presentations of their research projects. Lior Levy, SOM Class of 2023, shared her research into using multipotent adult stem cells to regenerate damaged meniscus. First-year medical student Dong Lin spoke on his study into the clinical factors which differentiated cancer patients requiring hospital care from those recovering at home. Sarah Phillips, SOM Class of 2021, presented on her research on strategies to decrease inpatient opioid use following orthognathic surgery, while Alis Dicpinigaitis, SOM Class of 2023, shared his findings on the use of endovascular thrombectomy to treat acute ischemic stroke during pregnancy and post-partum. Mayur Urva, SOM Class of 2021, rounded out the oral presentations with his study on whether delaying debridement of open long-bone fractures increased the risk of infection in low- and middle-income countries.

The day concluded with the awards presentation to students for their outstanding work. The Arthur Karmen, M.D., Awards for Outstanding Scientific Research were presented to Omar Tarawneh, SOM Class of 2024, for his clinical science poster “Impact of Vitamin D Status on the Development of Arthrofibrosis following Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review”; to Alexa Rendon, a member of the Accelerated Master's Program in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences (GSBMS) Class of 2021, for her clinical science poster “Modulating Early Life Microbiome Through Dietary Intervention in Crohn’s Disease”; and to Joel Novograd, Yaakov Itzkowitz and Ariel Sher, all members of the SOM Class of 2023, for their basic science poster on “The Pivotal Role of Adipocyte-Na K peptide in Reversing Systemic Inflammation in Obesity and COVID-19 in the Development of Heart Failure.” The award was established last year by Carol L. Karmen, M.D., clinical professor of medicine, in honor of her late father, who served as a mentor to countless students, residents, paramedical professionals and colleagues pursuing scientific and medical careers.

25th Annual Medical Student Research Forum Award Winners

Arthur Karmen, M.D. Award
Omar Tarawneh, SOM Class of 2024
“Impact of Vitamin D Status on the Development of Arthrofibrosis following Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review”

Alexa Rendon, member of the Accelerated Master's Program, GSBMS Class of 2021
“Modulating Early Life Microbiome through Dietary Intervention in Crohn’s Disease”

Joel Novograd, Yaakov Itzkowitz and Ariel Sher, SOM Class of 2023
“The Pivotal Role of Adipocyte-Na K peptide in Reversing Systemic Inflammation in Obesity and COVID-19 in the Development of Heart Failure”

Dean’s Award
Sara Heide, Katie Roster and Jasmine Garg, SOM Class of 2023
“Federal and Local Recommendations for Healthcare Worker Safety during The COVID-19 Pandemic”

Oral Presentations
First Place
Alis Dicpinigaitis, SOM Class of 2023
“Endovascular Thrombectomy for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Propensity-Adjusted National Analysis 2012-2017”

Second Place
Mayur Urva, SOM Class of 2021
“Delays in Debridement of Open Long-Bone Fractures Increase Risk of Infection in Low-and Middle-Income Countries”

Poster Presentations
First Place (tie)
Ilan Fleisher, SOM Class of 2024
“Development and Validation of Crosswalks between the WOMAC and KOOS, JR”

JennaLynn Philipps, SOM Class of 2023
Remote Early Intervention Therapy Experience from the Perspective of both the Child/Family Dyad and the Provider during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Second Place (tie)
Jacob Greisman, SOM Class of 2023
“Pipeline Flow Diversion for Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms”

Maziyah Ogarro, SOM Class of 2024
“Visualization of Eukaryotic Translation by Structural Analysis”

Third Place
Erick Martinez, SOM Class of 2023
“Anti-Platelet Factor 4 Test and Serotonin Release Assay: The Gold Standard for Diagnosing Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia Type II in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients”