Record Numbers, Remarkable Research Define 30th Medical Student Research Forum
More Than 200 NYMC Students Transformed the Medical Education Center into a Vibrant Hub of Research, Discovery, and Scientific Momentum
A record number of medical students—more than 200—presented their research during the 30th annual Medical Student Research Forum (MSRF) on December 5, offering a vivid demonstration of the depth and promise of New York Medical College’s (NYMC) medical students, tomorrow’s scientific leaders. The lobby and modules in the Medical Education Center (MEC) buzzed with energy as students showcased their research projects spanning an impressive range of topics, from comparative analyses of adult versus pediatric medulloblastoma and the antimicrobial potential of indigo naturalis in eczema treatment to cardiotoxicities associated with Parkinson’s disease treatment, socioeconomic disparities in hip arthroplasty outcomes, and advances in neuromodulation and neuro-ablative procedures for cancer pain management.
In his opening remarks, School of Medicine (SOM) Dean Neil W. Schluger, M.D., noted that a few years ago, the MSRF fit into the MEC lobby and now has essentially taken over the entire building, attributing the enormous increase in large part to the dedication of Mary Petzke, M.D., associate dean of medical student research, and to the hard work of the students and their mentors.
“The impact of research on people's lives is enormous,” he said. “If you know anyone who is alive with HIV infection, thank a researcher; if you know someone who is living a relatively normal life now with cystic fibrosis, thank a researcher; if you know someone who had hepatitis C and has been cured, thank a researcher; and there are many, many other examples of that.”
“It’s very important for us in the scientific, medical, and research communities to be advocates for what we do, explain its importance, and continue the research that we know is necessary to move the world forward,” he continued. “Research is what makes people's lives better. Every time you go into the hospital and the clinic and see a patient for whom there's still no definitive cure, that's a research question to be answered.”
“One of the greatest things about this research forum is that a lot of the research we will see today is ideas that were generated by the students. They’re coming up with the ideas and identifying mentors to lead them and help them find answers to a question, so we can say we actually can do things that we thought we couldn't do,” said Mill Etienne, M.D. ’02, M.P.H., vice chancellor, associate dean of student affairs and associate professor of neurology and of medicine. “One of the most important traits for a student to have, aside from humanism and bedside manner, is to have curiosity. A really good doctor has a lot of curiosity—curiosity about your patients, and everything about their lives to give them the best care, and curiosity about their disease, and finding answers to the unanswered questions about how to treat that disease.”
This year’s keynote address was given by Sameh Said, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and Westchester Medical Center and professor of surgery and pediatrics at NYMC. As a testament to his innovative skill, Dr. Said recently led a surgical team at Maria Fareri in the historic, successful completion of the first reported ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure for a cardiac defect. The operation was the crucial initial step in a series designed to correct hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), which was complicated by an intact atrial septum that prevented communication between the right and left sides of the heart. This pioneering work establishes a pathway for treating similar critical congenital heart defects immediately at birth.
According to the medical students who comprised the MSRF Committee, who organized the forum, "The MSRF is always a significant moment to celebrate the achievements of our peers, and this year was no exception. Each of us joined this committee with varying interests, from event planning to faculty collaboration, but we all share a passion for research and the ways it enhances our medical education. We were thrilled to host the 30th iteration of this event, especially seeing participation double from last year, and we are incredibly proud of the work our fellow students showcased today."
Several students were recognized for research excellence.
Dean’s Award
Dinusha Wanniarachchige, SOM Class of 2027
TriNav Infusion Catheter, Equipped with Smart Valve Technology Enabling Pressure-Enabled Drug Delivery (PEDD), Contributes to Enhanced Tumoral Penetration Compared to the Conventional Microcatheterz”
Oral Presentation Awards
First Place
Josh Anapoell, SOM Class of 2028
“Percutaneous Transseptal Vacuum-Assisted Extraction of Mitral Valve Masses in Prohibitive Surgical Candidates”
Second Place
Eric Rao, SOM Class of 2028
"Multiplex Base-edited Next-generation CAR NK Cells Against Osteosarcoma”
Basic Science Poster Awards
First Place
Christine Tat, SOM Class of 2029
“Gut-Lung Axis Microbial Factors Elicit Distinct Cell-Specific Alveolar Immune Responses”
Second Place
Summer Nolan, SOM Class of 2028
“Suppressing HIV and HPV-Driven Oncogenesis in Cervical Cancer with Berberine”
Third Place
Simoni Haji, SOM Class of 2027
“Perioperative Considerations of Rhabdomyolysis in the Anesthesiologist’s Perspective”
Clinical Sciences Poster Awards
First Place
Alexander Park, SOM Class of 2026
“Trends in Primary Spinal Fusion Surgeries in the Largest Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) Registry: Pre-Operative Cobb and Age Remain Stable Except in Syndromic Cohorts”
Second Place
Dinusha Wanniarachchige, SOM Class of 2027
“TriNav Infusion Catheter, Equipped with Smart Valve Technology Enabling Pressure-Enabled Drug Delivery (PEDD), Contributes to Enhanced Tumoral Penetration Compared to the Conventional Microcatheter”
Third Place
Jacqueline Contento, SOM Class of 2027
“Surgical Outcomes and Predictors of Symptom Recurrence Following Vascular Ring Repair in Pediatric Patients”
