October 28, 2022

By Lisa Ryan

Members of the College of Medicine community came together on October 27 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia for Discovery Day 2022, to share original research across many biomedical science and clinical research topics. The event brought together those involved with research at different stages of their careers. Through poster and platform presentations, graduate and medical students, residents, fellows and postdoctoral trainees presented on topics from prenatal care best practices to heart conditions, along with clinical vignettes and case studies.

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Judges and guests reviewed researchers' poster and platform presentations throughout the day. After considering the research they had explored, judges chose award winners across multiple categories.

Attendees were welcomed to the event by Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, a professor of pharmacology and physiology, founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, senior vice president for graduate and online education, and dean of the Graduate College at Drexel. Dr. Van Bockstaele then introduced a video message from Charles B. Cairns, MD, the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean and senior vice president of medical affairs, College of Medicine.

"For all involved, today is a day that underscores our commitment to and enthusiasm for research," he said. “I hope that all of our attendees are energized by today's events and as a result, will reconfirm their commitment to service, science, education and discovery."

This year’s keynote speaker was introduced by Dr. Van Bockstaele. Veronica A. Alvarez, PhD, acting chief of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Section on Neuronal Structure, and lab chief of NIAAA’s Laboratory on Neurobiology of Compulsive Behaviors spoke about her research on vulnerability mechanisms for substance use disorder, in particular alcohol abuse.

Numerous presenters, as well as College of Medicine faculty members, won awards during the event:

Barry Waterhouse Outstanding Platform Presentation

1st Place – Jonathan Snyder
Islet GRK2 regulates hormone secretion and glycemic control by supporting metabolism and GPCR sensitivity
Program: Pharmacology & Physiology
Mentor: Priscila Sato, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology

2nd Place – Candace Rizzi-Wise
Program: Neuroscience
Mentor: Dong Wang, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

Outstanding Junior Graduate Student Poster

1st Place – Kathryn Markey
Program: Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics
Mentor: Denise Garcia, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy and the Department of Biology in Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences

2nd Place – Sophie Cohen
Program: Neuroscience
Mentor: Rodrigo España, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

3rd Place – Breana Channer
Program: Physician Scientist
Mentor: Peter Gaskill, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Outstanding Senior Graduate Student Poster

1st Place – Beth Kern
Program: Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics
Mentor: Kari Lenhart, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology in Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences

2nd Place – Christina Curran-Alfaro
Program: Neuroscience
Mentor: Jacqueline Barker, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology

3rd Place – Jason Wickman
Program: Pharmacology & Physiology
Mentor: Seena Ajit, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology

Honorable Mention – Adam Hall

Honorable Mention – Micaela O'Reilly

Honorable Mention – Adam Glass

Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellows Poster

1st Place – Leonardo Garcia-Ramirez, PhD
Program: Neurobiology & Anatomy
Mentor: Kimberly Dougherty, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

2nd Place – Alexej Dick, PhD
Program: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Medical Student Award for Bench Research

1st Place – Alexis Price-Moyer
MD Program Class of 2025

2nd Place – Aline Hoang
MD Program Class of 2026

Honorable Mention – Chae Eun
MD Program Class of 2025

Honorable Mention – Leigh Friedman
MD Program Class of 2025

Medical Student Award for Clinical Data Analysis

1st Place – Rohan Sehgal
MD Program Class of 2024

2nd Place – Odette Rosales
MD Program Class of 2025

3rd Place – Baotram Nguyen
MD Program Class of 2026

Honorable Mention – Elysia McDonald
MD Program Class of 2023

Honorable Mention – Yasmine Azzi
MD Program Class of 2025

Honorable Mention – Danielle Mayblyum
MD Program Class of 2025

Honorable Mention – Rabia Baig
MD Program Class of 2025

Medical Student Award for Clinical Topics

1st Place – James Cross
MD Program Class of 2025

2nd Place – Alexa Primavera
MD/MPH Program

3rd Place – Jacqueline Krieger
MD Program Class of 2024

Outstanding Clinical Resident/Fellow Poster – Research

1st Place – Lauren Coffua
Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Surgery

Outstanding Technician Poster

1st Place – Simeon Kofman
Program: Neurobiology & Anatomy
Mentor: Liang Qiang, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster

1st Place – Nadia Bouras
Mentor: Wen-Jun Gao, MD, PhD, a professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

2nd Place – Yashvi Shah

Outstanding High School Poster

1st Place – Julia Vizza
Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences

Dean’s Distinguished Award for Promoting Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Leon McCrea II, MD, MPH, FAAFP, senior associate dean of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dean’s Distinguished Award for Enhancing Scientific Discovery and Excellence

Peter Baas, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy and director of the graduate program in neuroscience

Michael Lane, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

Dean’s Distinguished Award for Excellence in Clinical-Oriented Graduate Programs

Cheryl Hanau, MD, professor and Richard Shuman, MD, Chair of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

James W. Moore, MHS, PA(ASCP)CM, assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, and director of the Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) program

Dean’s Distinguished Award for Impact and the Common Good

Marla J. Gold, MD, Drexel University’s chief wellness officer and senior vice provost for community health