46th annual Summer Research Day features medical student presentations

Kayla Madera, a second-year medical student at the USA College of Medicine, explains her research at the 46th annual Summer Research Day. 

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine’s Summer Research Program culminated with the 46th annual Medical Student Research Day that took place on July 26, 2019, in the Medical Sciences Building.

At the event, Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., deputy chief science and medical officer with the American Heart Association, presented the keynote lecture titled “Research Careers: Reaching for the Heights!”  During the day, USA medical students presented both oral and poster presentations summarizing their research projects.

The USA College of Medicine’s Summer Research Program is a nine-week program that pairs medical students with faculty mentors. At this year’s Research Day, there were eight oral presentations and 50 poster presentations.

Matthew Yoder, a second-year medical student, presents his
research to Mark Gillespie, Ph.D., professor and chair of 

pharmacology at the USA College of  Medicine. 

Through the research program, medical students develop an appreciation of how research contributes to the knowledge and practice of medicine. Accepted entering students or rising second-year students in the USA College of Medicine are eligible to participate. The summer experience includes hands-on research related to basic science and/or clinical medicine; a seminar program that focuses on various scientific and clinical topics; and student presentations at Research Day.

The Clyde G. ‘Sid’ Huggins Medical Student Research Awards will be announced for the best oral and poster presentations.  Huggins was a member of the USA College of Medicine charter faculty and served as the college's first dean of students.