Medical Student Research Symposium Winners Announced, 3 Students Mentored by Karmanos Faculty

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The winners of the 2024 Wayne State University (WSU) School of Medicine’s Medical Student Research Symposium have been announced. Three of the medical students who placed in their research categories are mentored by Karmanos Cancer Institute faculty.

The annual event, hosted by the Office of Medical Student Research Programs on Feb. 2, gives students an opportunity to discuss and deliberate research and accompanying results with fellow students and faculty and strengthens the message that clinicians can have fulfilling research careers.

All WSU medical students were eligible to submit abstracts on a research project to which they made a significant contribution in their undergraduate or graduate years. This year, students presented 86 posters in five categories: basic science, clinical research, public health and community engagement, medical education, and women’s health. Medical students mentored by Karmanos faculty placed in the basic science and public health and community engagement categories.

Basic Science Studies

Two students mentored by Karmanos researchers placed in the Basic Science Studies category. Shrila Rajendran won first place for the study “Fueling Survival: Adipocyte-mediated Modulation of Iron Metabolism and Oxidative Stress Pathways in Bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer.” Rajendran’s mentor is Izabela Podgorski, Ph.D., co-leader of the Prostate Cancer Research Team, member of the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Team at Karmanos and professor of Pharmacology at WSU.

 

Chase Morrison tied with another medical student for third place with the study “Are ChatGPT Responses to Urologic Health Inquiries Readable and Supported by American Urological Association Guidelines?” Morrison’s mentor is Kevin Ginsburg, M.D., MS, urologic oncologist, member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and the Population Studies and Disparities Research Team at Karmanos, and assistant professor of Urology.

Public Health and Community Engagement

In the Public Health and Community Engagement category, Ismail Aijazuddin received first place for the study “Vulnerable Neighborhoods Had Smaller Gains in Health Insurance Coverage During Early Covid-19”. Aijazuddin is mentored by Ammar Sukari, M.D., medical oncologist, leader of the Head and Neck Oncology MDT, member of the Breast Cancer, Phase 1 Clinical Trials and Thoracic Oncology MDTs, and member of the Molecular Therapeutics Research Program at Karmanos. Dr. Sukari is also a professor of oncology at WSU.

Awards included cash prizes of $300 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.

For a full list of medical students who placed during the 2024 Medical Student Research Symposium, click here to read the original article published on Today@Wayne.

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Urology Kevin Ginsburg, M.D., MS
Oncology - Medical Ammar Sukari, M.D.