Medical Students Shape the Future of Medicine Through Research Excellence
More Than 100 Students Showcased Their Projects During the Annual Medical Student Research Forum
The remarkable research success of School of Medicine (SOM) students was on full display on December 13 when more than 100 students showcased their projects in poster and oral presentations during the annual Medical Student Research Forum (MSRF). The Medical Education Center and Basic Sciences Building were bustling as students discussed their research findings on a wide array of topics that ranged from obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy’s role in sudden cardiac death and trends in racial diversity among kidney transplant clinical trial participants to real-world application of gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy and polycystic ovary syndrome as a risk factor for acute ischemic stroke.
“Research is the language in which science is spoken. It’s what moves the world forward. It's what makes people's lives better,” said Neil W. Schluger, M.D., SOM dean, during his opening remarks, when he described groundbreaking research on HIV, hepatitis C, and cystic fibrosis that had led to those afflicted being able to live normal lives. “All of this work comes about because someone looked at a problem and said, ‘I don't understand that, why is it this way, and what's a better way to treat it?’ A lot of research is slow, frustrating, and painstaking but assembling those building blocks, one experiment after another, to improve lives, the importance of research can't be overstated.
Mitchell Cairo, M.D., professor of pediatrics, cell biology and anatomy, medicine, and of pathology, microbiology, and immunology, delivered this year’s keynote address on targeted chimeric antigen receptor T and NK cells in selected poor-risk pediatric cancers. Dr. Cairo has also enjoyed remarkable research success throughout his career. With over 475 peer-reviewed publications and over 1300 presentations, he is an international expert in the biology and treatment of pediatric cancer and pioneered the use of cord blood stem cells for treating pediatric malignant and non-malignant disease and potential regenerative therapy.
“Serving as the event coordinator for the Medical Student Research Forum has been an incredible opportunity to work alongside my peers, faculty, and deans to showcase the innovative research conducted by NYMC students,” says Kyla Holbrook, SOM Class of 2027, who planned the event alongside other SOM students on the MSRF Committee. “I'm grateful I had the chance to organize this annual event because it creates a platform for students to learn about the research projects at NYMC while sharing their work with the NYMC community. Seeing how knowledgeable and dedicated students are in their respective research projects is really motivating.”
The inspiring day concluded with an awards ceremony where students were recognized for research excellence.
Dean’s Award
Avi Stern, Class of 2027
“Surgical Strategy to Reestablish CSF Flow in the Setting of a Pediatric Third Ventricular Glioma with Obstructive Hydrocephalus”
Oral Presentation Awards
First Place
Jacqueline Contento, Class of 2027
“Novel Scope for Percutaneous Pericardial Access and Cardiac Lead Implantation”
Basic Science Poster Awards
First Place
Tom Zhang, Class of 2025
“Therapeutic Targeting of HER2 with Antibody-Drug Conjugates is Effective Against Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor”
Second Place
Thomas Hefele, Class of 2027
“Novel Immunomodulation and Facilitation of ‘Suppression Proof’ CAR NK Cells Against Ewing Sarcoma”
Clinical Science Poster Awards
First Place
Avi Stern, Class of 2027
“Surgical Strategy to Reestablish CSF Flow in the Setting of a Pediatric Third Ventricular Glioma with Obstructive Hydrocephalus”
Second Place
Yael Weitzner, Class of 2026
“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Acute Ischemic Stroke During Childbearing Years”
Third Place
Abigail Young, Class of 2028
“Understanding the Experiences of Patients with Food Insecurity Seeking Social Assistance Through a Large Academic Hospital System and Strategies for Improvement”
