Pathology residents present research at annual forum

From left, Muhammad Tahir, M.D., M.S., won first place; Zan Ahmed, M.D., won second place; and Lingling Xian, M.D., Ph.D., won third place at the annual forum.

Twelve residents presented their research findings at the fourth annual Allan Tucker Pathology Resident Research Forum, hosted by the USA Department of Pathology on June 9. The presentations were evaluated by a committee of judges, and winners were announced June 22 at the resident graduation party. 

Muhammad Tahir, M.D., M.S., a second-year resident, won first place for his presentation, “Clinical and Mechanistic Support for the Role of Nicotine in Tumor Angiogenesis.” Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels that feed the tumor with oxygen and nutrients. In addition to providing support for the role of nicotine in tumor growth and progression, the study suggests that smoking cessation can positively influence the clinical outcome of patients. 

Zan Ahmed, M.D., a fourth-year resident, won second place for his presentation, “A Dive Into Pathology Informatics: Vitamin B12 Deficiency Recognition and Management.”

Lingling Xian, M.D., Ph.D., a second-year resident, won third place for her presentation, “Synchronous Colorectal Cancers: Different Primaries or Intramucosal Metastasis?”

The winners received book allowances of up to $400 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. 

Serving as judges at the forum were Osama Elkadi, M.D., assistant professor of pathology and director of neuropathology and the Pathology Residency Program; Thuy Phung, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology and director of molecular genetic pathology and dermatopathology; and Chandrani Sarkar, M.D., assistant professor of pathology and a member of the Cancer Biology Program at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute.

Additionally, Phung gave a plenary talk on advancing pathology through artificial intelligence.

The forum is named in honor of the late J. Allan Tucker Jr., M.D., who served as the Louise Lenoir Locke Professor and Chair of Pathology as well as the director of anatomic pathology.