Month Day Year
From investigating the role of mast cells in melanoma to analyzing culturally sensitive dietary recommendations that affect women’s ability to control gestational diabetes, some 200 CUNY Medicine student researchers demonstrated their commitment to advancing medical knowledge and health equity at Student Research Day 2024. The event showcased 102 research projects led by teams from CUNY Medicine’s MD program and the undergraduate Sophie Davis School for Biomedical Education.
Celebrating Scholarship and Innovation
Dean Carmen Renée Green, MD, celebrated the students’ work as a testament to CUNY Medicine’s mission and commitment to community. “Never stop asking questions,” she said. “The questions you ask, as students of this medical school, are different than those that anyone else would ask. Science needs the unique perspectives like yours.”
The profound research on display, Dean Green continued, is also situated in CUNY Medicine’s growing prominence in health equity research, as underscored by the School’s recent $19.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Minority Health and Disparities (NIHMD), to create the only Research Center in Minority Institutions center in the northern United States—the New York Center for Minority Health Equity and Social Justice (NYC-MHESJ “Through this Center and your ongoing work, we are developing actionable solutions to improve health outcomes in New York’s underserved communities,” Dean Green said.
Keynote Address Delivers Practical Advice for Aspiring Physician Scientists
Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences delivered the keynote address which gave valuable guidance for aspiring physician-scientists and emphasized key traits for career success. Introduced by two student leaders—Samantha Colon (MD Class of 2026) and Mohammed Kadir (MD Class of 2027)—Dr. Omary drew from his personal journey from aspiring soccer star to renowned researcher in gastrointestinal biology.
His guidance included the importance of building research experience early, as the students clearly were doing; investigating different fellowship and clinical pathways; finding and being a good mentor; big-picture thinking; and work-life balance. Visit the Student Research Day 2024 abstract book for further details on the projects, and view the photo gallery to relive the excitement.
Recognizing Student Excellence
Throughout the morning, judges engaged with poster presenters and at the end of the afternoon ceremony, Maria Lima, PhD, Associate Dean of Research, announced awards for the following projects:
Basic Science
MD Projects
- RNAseq analysis suggests activation of immune pathways is involved in the pathogenesis of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA)
- Investigating Implant-associated Polymicrobial Interactions to Advance Therapeutic Strategies for Periprosthetic Joint Infections (PJI)
- Microbiome depletion alters spatial cognition and hippocampal place cell ensembles
BS Projects
- Evaluation of the Anti-Cancer Potential of Two Novel Monocarbonyl Analogs of Curcumin
- Epinephrine Facilitates G11 Antibody Breach of the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Area of the Amygdala through Two Injection Methods
- In Vitro Study of Dis-Assembling using Mass Photometry
Clinical Research
MD Projects
- The Pathology Report of the Future: Virtual 3D Specimen Mapping in Oncologic Surgery
- Investigating Implant-associated Polymicrobial Interactions to Advance Therapeutic Strategies for Periprosthetic Joint Infections (PJI)
- Microbiome depletion alters spatial cognition and hippocampal place cell ensembles
BS Project
- Recurrent Pyelonephritis in a Patient with Congenital Kidney Abnormality
Community Research
MD Projects
- Exploring Emergency Contraceptive Access and Utilization: A Study Within the CUNY School of Medicine Community
- Alcohol Consumption and Risky Sexual Behavior among Older Adults in New York City (NYC)
- A Comparative Analysis of Health Care Access and Utilization Among Taxi Drivers in New York City
BS Projects
- Exploring the Role of Digital Health Literacy (DHL) to Enhance Sexual Health Care Engagement among Transgender Women of Color (TWC)
- Enhancing Sexual Healthcare Utilization Among Transfeminine People of Color: Overcoming Barriers and Promoting Gender-Affirming, Inclusive Care Through Consumer Perspectives
- Project Sun Safe Staten Island: Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention through Teen Ambassadorship on Social Media and Local School Assemblies
Meta-Analysis
MD Projects
- Concentrating Excellence: The Innovation and Impact of BS/MD Programs in Medical Education
- Trends in Urology Resident Surgical Autonomy: What do ACGME Chief Resident Case Logs Indicate?
- Assessing the Potential of Targeting Glial Cells to Develop Novel Treatments for Opioid Addiction and Alleviating Withdrawal Symptoms
BS Projects
- On-Pump versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta Analysis
- Comparative Outcomes of Endovascular Revascularization versus Open Surgery in Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: A Meta-Analysis
- Investigating the Adverse Effects Food Insecurity Has on Academic Performance