Medical Researcher Travel Award

I had the valuable opportunity to present my clinical research project at the Neuroscience Annual Meeting Virtual 2021 conference. This conference, hosted by the Society for Neuroscience, is one of the largest scientific conferences in this field. I presented a poster over a case report I co-wrote at a panel with over 50 attendees. This project was done under the mentorship of Batool Kirmani, M.D., FAAN, FAES, a neurologist with CHI-St Joseph’s Clinical Hospital in College Station, TX,. This report was over the rare complication known as vaccine-induced thrombosis. Presenting at this year’s conference was an eye-opening experience for me and it reinforced my interest in neurology.

Bhakta was awarded a MSRPP medical research travel award to cover his registration fee to give a poster presentation on a clinical study on the utility of incorporating lactate score in predicting deterioration of cirrhosis patients in a medical professional conference at a national level sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases last November 2020. Over the last year he has been involved in this project investigating patients charts under the close mentorship of Sumeet Asrani, MD, a Transplant Hepatologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Bhakta is pursuing a residency program in internal medicine.

"I am very proud to have presented a research project I worked on as a medical student to a national audience at AASLD’s The Liver Meeting Digital Experience. This forum is a hub for the exchange of the groundbreaking ideas and findings in liver diseases. The MSRPP travel award has allowed me exposure to the work of numerous well-renowned experts. I not only learned about the latest information in liver disease, but also from the methods of various projects. This helped serve as a guide for future project ambitions. Overall, I am very thankful to the Texas A&M University, Office of Medical Student Research to provide me the tools to help me present a Poster of Distinction at a national conference."

Special thanks to Dr. Sean Raj, MD and the Office of Medical Student Research Education (OMSRE) at Texas A&M, I was not only given the opportunity to participate in scholarly research at the graduate level, but also to participate in the largest medical conference in the world – the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) National 2021 conference. I was able to present my research on COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced subclinical axillary lymphadenopathy to radiologists from all over the world. This project was and is of paramount importance, as previously when we had very little data on these new vaccines, axillary lymphadenopathy that was subclinical in nature – i.e., it could be detected on screening mammogram but was not palpable by the patient nor the physician – is concerning for occult malignancy. However, it is well known that other vaccines, such as the influenza and BCG vaccines, can cause axillary lymphadenopathy in the ipsilateral arm to the injection site. Without data, it was recommended to err on the side of caution and perform biopsies in these individuals. Now that data from this study and countless others on this benign side effect of the vaccine shows that most of these cases are normal reactive lymph nodes responding to the mRNA vaccines, guidelines from the Society of Breast Imaging have been updated to allow for additional conservative follow-up to ensure resolution of lymphadenopathy before performing possibly unnecessary biopsies. Being able to participate in research as significant and contemporaneous as this was an experience I will always treasure and could not have done so without those who supported me.

I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to clinical research in breast reconstruction surgery, under the mentorship of Dr. Saint-Cyr and Dr. Falola, MD, MPH, at Baylor Scott and White Health under the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Temple, TX. Attending the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) in Carlsbad, CA allowed me to learn from international leaders in plastic surgery that specialize in microsurgical approach. This project, which focuses on improving pain control while decreasing postoperative opioid use following microsurgical breast reconstruction, was a unique opportunity for me to explore microsurgery and I believe this project will be particularly significant to my future academic career. It was an honor to have traveled and presented with my research team at ASRM 2022. Thank you to the Office of Medical Student Research Education at Texas A&M College of Medicine for providing me with the resources to travel and attend this national conference.

Nakapakorn was awarded a MSRPP medical research travel award to cover her registration fee to speak at the Liver Biology FASEB 2021 Meeting last June 2021. She gave a invited talk presentation entitled “Dietary fatty acid palmitate activates tumor-lymphangiogenic pathways and alters cellular energetics and epithelia-mesenchymal transition to promote cholangiocarcionoma”. This opportunity was particularly meaningful as Belle hopes to pursue a internal medicine residency program with emphasis in oncology.

“Through my previous experience with research, my interest in physiology led me to my current research in cholangiocarcinoma. Becoming a part of a cancer metabolism lab in medical school allow me to not only pursue research in my field of interest but to also explore the field of oncology. I am thankful for the support of Dr. Sanjukta Chakraborty, PhD and her lab as well as the MSRPP travel award for the opportunity of presenting at FASEB’s Liver Biology Conference: Fundamental Mechanisms and Translational Applications. My research was on palmitate effects on tumor-lymphangiogenic pathways via bioenergetics alteration. I was able to meet and interact with leading experts of the field and gained a better perspective on how to incorporate research into my education and future career. I am thankful to the Office of Medical Student Education Research and Dr. Gloria Conover, PhD for their support through this entire process and for creating a platform for students to further enhance their education beyond the classroom.”

Stuebe was awarded a MSRPP medical research travel award to cover her registration fee to attend the American Medical Women’s Association LEADS 2021 Meeting, March 2021. She gave a poster presentation detailing a meta-analysis she conducted that describes significant gender differences in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. This opportunity was particularly meaningful as it connected two of her passions: neurosurgery and women’s health. In the near future she hopes to pursue a neurosurgery residency program.

“I am thankful for the support of Dr. L. Gerard Toussaint, III, M.D. and the Texas A&M College of Medicine Research Office for my poster presentation at the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) LEADS 2021 Meeting as a second-year medical student. This project, which explores sex-based differences in Glioblastoma Multiforme, was particularly relevant to the priorities of the AMWA, but is particularly significant to my professional career and interests as well. As the former President of Women in Medicine and co-founder of the AMWA branch at TAMU COM, I believe in elevating female leaders in medicine, and forwarding research and patient treatment that examines issues of diversity and inclusion that include gender. Likewise, I am pursuing a neurosurgical residency – a field in which less then 18% of residents, and less than 9% of board-certified neurosurgeons, are women. The scope and audience of this national conference, attracting individuals with a goal and mindset similar to my own, helped forward my own career aspirations, but also provided education and support to benefit the student organizations that I lead and advocate for, and Texas A&M College of Medicine as a whole. Thank you to Dr. L. Gerard Toussaint, III, M.D. and the TAMU COM Medical Student Research Education Office (OMSRE) for supporting my research and my passion to create more space for female leaders in medicine at the national level.”

Allen was awarded a MSRPP travel award to help defray the costs of presenting scholarly research at the upcoming American Society for Clinical Oncology - National Student Research Forum in Chicago, IL in May 2019. His research, under the mentorship of Dr. Oommen, focused on the Bing Neel Syndrome in the context of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.

“I knew I wanted to become an Oncologist since before medical school when I watched three of my grandparents develop and eventually succumb to cancer. I wanted to help people with cancer and do everything in my power to fight for their survival. Oncology is an ever changing field that requires its practitioners to stay ahead of cutting edge research and utilize what we learn as a scientific community to the treatment of our patients. I began my own research journey in the early years of medical school when I got involved with cancer research in Dallas, and I recently had the opportunity to present that research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Annual Meeting 2019 in Chicago. It meant the world to me to share the same stage as physicians who are shaping the field of cancer medicine. The MSRPP award allowed me to network, learn, and cement my future in oncology. I am thankful to the Texas A&M University, Office of Medical Student Research to pave the way to achieving my goals as a physician.”"

Madeeha was awarded a MSRPP travel award to help defray the costs of presenting at the UTMB Health 60th Annual National Student Research Forum in Galveston, TX in April 2019. Her research, under the mentorship of Dr. David Zawieja, focused on the alterations of lymphatic biology in space –associated neuro-ocular syndrome.

“I was introduced to aerospace medicine three years into medical school through my involvement with Dr. Zawieja’s aerospace medicine lab and attending NASA’s Human Research Program conference. With these experiences, I was able to meet with numerous space researchers, flight surgeons, and physicians working with NASA to understand the potential health problems that occur in space across all fields of medicine, from dermatology to general surgery. Unfortunately, aerospace medicine is something most students do not get exposure to while in medical school. I am grateful that Texas A&M’s Medical Scholar Research Pathway Program award enabled me to learn more about this field of medicine and present my research at the 60th Annual National Student Research Forum in Galveston. This not only gave me the opportunity to develop my presentation skills and receive feedback from researchers from over the country, but also allowed me to think about how I can incorporate my interest in space exploration into my practice in medicine.”

Artz was awarded a MSRPP travel award to help defray the costs of presenting scholarly research at Psychiatry Research Retreat in San Francisco, CA. Gave an oral presentation on neuropsychological cognitive testing in patients with Parkinson’s disease and/or Alzheimer’s disease. He conducted his research under the mentorship of Dr. Jared F. Benge at the Neuropsychology Department at the Baylor Scott and White Clinic.

“I applied to medical school to become a psychiatrist after a loved one developed schizophrenia at a much older age than usual. I was quickly amazed at how much we don’t yet know about psychiatric illnesses, psychopharmacology, and the brain in general. The fact that there is so much left to learn is one of the things that I find most exciting about psychiatry. That same sentiment is a major motivator for me getting involved in research. Although I had prior experience with basic science research prior to medical school, I had no exposure to more clinical research before I began working with neuropsychologist Dr. Jared Benge my second year of medical school. He has been an excellent mentor who I have worked on several projects with. I was recently able to discuss one of our projects at the 5 ^th California-Wide Psychiatry Research Residents Retreat in San Francisco. This was an excellent opportunity for me to network and receive career advice from both faculty mentors and residents. The fourth year of medical school is full of travel expenses for interviews and away rotations and the MSRPP travel award was pivotal in enabling me to attend the research retreat.”

Clothier was awarded a MSRPP travel award to help defray the costs of presenting scholarly research at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. She delivered a podium presentation on intermediate-term outcomes comparing laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures for esophageal disorders. Her research was conducted under the mentorship of Marc Ward, MD an attending surgeon at the department of minimally invasive surgery at Baylor University Medical Center.

“I became interested in medicine after witnessing amazing work at a nonprofit in Argentina as an undergraduate, and I’ve wanted to go into surgery since starting medical school. I’m drawn to using my own two hands to improve or save a patient’s life. I think that surgery as a field has incredibly exciting research opportunities and I consequently have been involved in surgical research throughout medical school. I was fortunate to find mentorship in two minimally invasive attendings during my third-year clerkship and have worked with them on several projects since. I had the pleasure and opportunity to present my work at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2019 in San Francisco. Attending the conference was a fantastic opportunity for me professionally as I apply for residency in general surgery, and I feel more motivated than ever to continue to be active in research, which is of paramount importance in my future career. I am very grateful to the Texas A&M University Office of Medical Student Research for contributing to this opportunity for me to present among surgeons from across the country.”

Boochoom was awarded a MSRPP travel award to help defray the costs of presenting scholarly clinical research at the Trilogical Society in Coronado, CA. He gave an oral presentation on resident training experiences on pediatric flexible nasolaryngoscopy. He conducted his research under the mentorship of Dr. Yin-Chun Liu at the Department of Otoryngology Head and Neck Surgery, at Baylor College of Medicine.