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| From left, Robert Barrington, Ph.D., Sage Garriss, Alani Rodgers, Adeyeye Haastrup, Killian Brewer, Sicily Hardy, Brianna Mitchell, and Haley Kominek. |
The Whiddon College of Medicine recently hosted an engaging Graduate Research Forum that showcased the groundbreaking work of Ph.D. students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program.
The event provided a unique opportunity for doctoral candidates to share their innovative research with faculty, staff, students and researchers. The forum featured a series of poster presentations and talks, with each speaker offering insights into their specific areas of study.
“It was great to see the Ph.D. students’ hard work on display, and even better to feel the excitement from the entire research community as this forum was brought back,” said Skye Andrade, coordinator in the Whiddon College of Medicine Office of Research. “The event not only highlighted the significant contributions of our Ph.D. students, but also reflected the Whiddon College of Medicine’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and collaborative research environment. By providing a platform for emerging scholars to share their work, the forum reinforced our role as a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation in healthcare.”
Kevin Macaluso, Ph.D., professor and chair of microbiology and immunology, agreed: “The breadth of research across the BMS graduate program is impressive. The trainees who presented talks and posters provided an excellent representation of the exciting, high-quality research that is happening here every day.”
Adeyeye Haastrup, a third-year student in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program, served as chair of the organizing committee for the event. He said it was especially meaningful to see how impactful the forum was for participants.
“Events like these are essential for Ph.D. students — they provide a platform not only to showcase our work but to receive valuable feedback, exchange ideas, and foster new collaborations,” he said. “I personally gained fresh perspectives on my research through conversations with scientists across disciplines, and I’ve already begun exploring promising intramural partnerships that emerged from these interactions. Exposure to research outside one’s immediate field can often be surprisingly useful; even when the connections aren’t obvious, the knowledge gained becomes a resource to draw on later.”
Meghan Hermance, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, is one of the faculty mentors for graduate students. “I was especially impressed by the diversity of research topics and the clarity with which trainees presented their findings,” she said. “It’s a testament not only to the strength of our graduate programs but also to the dedication of their faculty mentors. Events like this remind us of the critical role that early-career scientists play in driving discovery and innovation.”
In addition to the speakers and poster presentations, several awards were given:
Top Abstracts:
- Sage Garriss – “An Improved Partial Carotid Artery Ligation Model in Mice for Studying Flor-Induced Vascular Pathology with Enhanced Survival and Outcomes”
- Adeyeye Haastrup – “Transcript Isoform Switching Provides Novel Insights on Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and NAD+ Metabolism in Murine Lungs During Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection”
- Manley Hicks – “Overcoming macrophage hypophagia in mAb therapies”
- Haley Kominek – “M6A levels are conspicuously depleted in vesicular extracellular RNA isolates”
Travel Awards:
- Killian Brewer – Samuel J. Strada Travel & Enhancement Award
- Adeyeye Haastrup – Dr. Valentina Grishko Memorial Travel Award
Haastrup, who is in the biomedical engineering and bioinformatics track, presented his research on gene regulation at the transcript isoform level, specifically in the context of sepsis. “My presentation focused on a new discovery involving the regulation of mitochondrial and cellular bioenergetic genes in the lungs,” he explained. “These findings hold strong therapeutic potential for restoring energy-compromised cells and organs in sepsis patients — a major stride in addressing bioenergetic crises in critical care.”
Winning two awards at the forum was a deeply humbling experience, Haastrup said. “I see this recognition as a shared success — a reflection of the guidance, mentorship and support I’ve received from every faculty member at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine,” he said. “Truly, I could name something I’ve learned from every professor I’ve encountered here, both in and out of the classroom.”
Hermance said the forum provides an invaluable platform for Ph.D. students and postdocs to present their research, engage in scientific dialogue, and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers. “These events foster a sense of scholarly community, encourage professional development, and help trainees gain confidence in communicating their work,” she said. “Such skills are essential for future success in research and beyond.”
Haastrup expressed his gratitude to the team who helped organize the event. “The positive feedback from attendees — even those from outside the College of Medicine — has been overwhelming,” he said. “To everyone who participated and supported the forum, thank you.”
View more photos from the Graduate Research Forum on Flickr.
