Research Day

Poster Session 

We’re excited to announce that the Research Day Poster Session has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 29, from 3–5 p.m. on the UAHS Plaza (between Life Sciences North and the Sarver Heart Center).

This event offers a great opportunity to see the research and innovation happening at the College of Medicine – Tucson, with posters showcasing a wide range of exciting topics.

Presenters

Bianca Anahi Aguilar
Universal Screening Protocol for Preeclampsia Aspirin Prophylaxis: Quality Improvement Project
Research Mentor: Steven Dudick, MD & Heather A. Reed, MD
Topic: Women's Health

Adam Akkad
Aerobic Exercise as a Treatment for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Research Mentor: Jordan Karp, MD
Topic: Neurology

Mohammad Al Ma'ani
Who hits the target? Erector spinae plane block vs. Epidural analgesia
Research Mentor: Bellal A. Joseph, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Evelyn V. Alexander, MD
Impact of Advanced Practice Providers on Postoperative Outcomes in Pancreatic Surgery
Research Mentor: Taylor S. Riall, MD, PhD
Topic: Cancer

Fatima Al-Khafaji, MBChB
Advanced MR technology for comprehensive placental assessment
Research Mentor: Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Qusai Almustafa
Developing a Cloud-Based Data Pipeline and Predictive Framework for Multimodal Wearable Sensor Analytics
Research Mentor: Gustavo de Oliveira Almeida, PhD, MBA
Topic: Health Technology

Geethika Ameneni
Data Quality Control and Assurance with Medical Record Extraction: Ongoing Efforts Among the Cutaneous Oncology Program
Research Mentor: Clara Curiel, MD
Topic: Cancer

Nicholas Amjadi
Understanding Researcher's Perspectives on Inclusion/Exclusion of IDD Populations in Health Studies
Research Mentor: Julie S. Armin, PhD
Topic: Disability Research

Kalyani Ananthamohan, PhD
Alternate splicing of MYBPC3 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Research Mentor: Sakthivel Sadayappan PhD, MBA
Topic: Heart

Juan C. Arias
Duplex ultrasound may lead to missed carotid disease diagnoses: A comparative analysis with high-resolution MRI quantification.
Research Mentor: Craig C. Weinkauf, MD, PhD
Topic: Vascular Disease

Akhil Baby
fMyBP-C is a vital regulator of fast skeletal muscle function during aging
Research Mentor: Sakthivel Sadayappan PhD, MBA
Topic: Heart

Duo Bao
Motion Capture in Medicine: Comparing OpenCap and Noraxon IMU Systems
Research Mentor: Gustavo de Oliveira Almeida, PhD, MBA
Topic: Health Technology

Cameron Beard
Testing a Novel Mouse Model for Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
Research Mentor: Ashley Snider, PhD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Sebastian Beller
The psychosocial impact of skin disease in older adults
Research Mentor: Daniel C. Butler, MD
Topic: Dermatology

Vivianne Benbrook
A Mixed-Methods Study of 20 Neonates with Opioid Exposure and Congenital Heart Disease
Research Mentor: Tally Largent-Milnes, PhD
Topic: Heart

Kayleigh Berthiaume Fox
Optimizing a Mechanical Stress System to Investigate the Role of CC16 in Airway Remodeling and Cell Metabolism in Asthma
Research Mentor: Julie Ledford, PhD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Efua H. Bolouvi, MD
Implication of miR146a Dysregulation in Pressure Injuries and Its Potential As a Therapeutic Target
Research Mentor: Carlos Zgheib, PhD,
Topic: Basic Science

Nicole Bratsch
Bridging Gaps in Maternal Health: How Mobile Prenatal Care Affects C-Section Rates in Uninsured Populations
Research Mentor: Nicole Person-Rennell, MD, MPH
Topic: Women's Health

Fox Bravo
Acute Hemodynamic Support During and After Cardiogenic Shock: Comparison of Impella Versus VA-ECMO
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Topic: Heart

Estelle Brugere
The Promise of Prognostication: Metabolite Patterns After Traumatic Brain Injury
Research Mentor: Tanya Anand, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Kassandra Bruner
Glucagon receptor signaling is indispensable for the healthspan extension response to chronic caloric restriction.
Research Mentor: Jennifer H. Stern, Ph.D.
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Isabella R. Byington
Glucagon receptor agonist ameliorates obesity-induced hypercholesterolemia.
Research Mentor: Jennifer H. Stern, Ph.D.
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Thadeus W. Carlyon
The Role of Glucagon Receptor Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Research Mentor: Jennifer H. Stern, PhD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Francisco Castillo Diaz
The Frailty Mirage: Does Frailty Increase The Risk Of Recurrent Diverticulitis?
Research Mentor: Bellal A. Joseph, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Lienna Chan
Pediatric Coccidioidal Meningitis: a 39-year Single-Center Retrospective Cohort
Research Mentor: Kareem Shehab, MD
Topic: Infectious Disease

Jared Churko, PhD
High-throughput cardiovascular disease drug discovery
Research Mentor: Jared Churko, PhD
Topic: Heart

Madolyn Conant
Impact of resuscitation adjuncts on postintubation hypotension in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury
Research Mentor: Tanya Anand, MD, MPH
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Garrett Crosby
Pathophysiological Significance of Linker and Loop Motifs of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C
Research Mentor: Sakthivel Sadayappan PhD, MBA
Topic: Heart

Gavin Culwell
Clinical Applications of Robot-Assisted Transcranial Doppler in Asymptomatic Extracranial Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease
Research Mentor: Craig C. Weinkauf, MD, PhD
Topic: Vascular Disease

Sahar Davoudi
Incidental Finding of S100-negative Melanoma during Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma
Research Mentor: Jason P. DuPont, MD
Topic: Cancer

Jacob Diermayr
Bridging the Gap: "Finding Research Made Easy (FRME)", A Matchmaking Platform to Streamline Undergraduate Research Recruitment
Research Mentor: Kenneth W Liechty, MD
Topic: Medical Education

Cody Diezel
Proteomic analysis reveals acute and chronic neuropathic pain differentially affect protein abundance in the ventral tegmental area
Research Mentor: Arthur C. Riegel, PhD
Topic: Pharmacology

Anna Maria Driesen
Disparities in HPV-Related Anogenital Cancer Risk Among Black Organ Transplant Recipients
Research Mentor: Daniel C. Butler, MD
Topic: Cancer

Pujarini Dutta Dey
Nuanced, age-dependent role of epithelial ALDH1A1 in shaping mucosal immune response in health and during enteric infection in mice.
Research Mentor: Pawel R. Kiela, DVM, PhD
Topic: Microbiome

Ahmed Elkamel, MBBS
Recurrence and Metastasis Patterns in Esophageal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Esophagectomy
Research Mentor: Stephanie G. Worrell, MD
Topic: Cancer

Govindaraj Ellur, PhD
Erythropoietin enhances Schwann cell repair, promotes phagocytosis, and supports nerve regeneration following a sciatic nerve crush injury
Research Mentor: John C. Elfar, MD
Topic: Neurology

Francisco Espinoza
Using the arms to help the legs during walking: Implications for gait rehabilitation
Research Mentor: Christopher J. Arellano
Topic: Gait

Arthur C. Evensen, DPM
Impact Of Synthetic Extracellular Matrices In Combination Therapy With Amniotic Allografting In The Treatment Of Diabetic Foot Wounds: A Case Series.
Research Mentor: Jodi Walters, DPM
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Amanda Feng
Naturally Occurring Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Adolescent Rhesus Monkey
Research Mentor: Katalin M. Gothard, MD, PhD
Topic: Neurology

Temara Fletcher
Glucagon receptor agonism ameliorates age-related decline in glucose and lipid homeostasis in male mice
Research Mentor: Jennifer H. Stern, PhD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Taylor Ford
Pathophysiology of Decreased Bone Mineral Density in the Setting of Hemophilia
Research Mentor: Akshay Amaraneni, MD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Scott French
Cognitive impairment and pTau-217 are high in a vascular patient cohort
Research Mentor: Craig C. Weinkauf, MD, PhD
Topic: Vascular Disease

Charlie Gallego
Management and Outcomes of Head and Neck Sarcomas: A Single Institution Experience
Research Mentor: Shethal Bearelly, MD
Topic: Cancer

Gabriel Garcia
Closing the Gate: Investigating a No-Cost, Noninvasive, Patient-Driven Approach to Pain Reduction for Trigger Finger Injections: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Mentor: Spencer Stanbury, MD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Diego García
Outcomes of Burn Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Taking Semaglutide: A Propensity-Matched Large Cohort Study
Research Mentor: Dr. Lourdes Castañón
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Joey Ghotmi
Anterior Subcutaneous Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve: A Retrospective Case Series on Symptom Relief and Recovery in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Research Mentor: Tolga Turker, MD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Kai Glahn
Three Year Trends in Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions in a Community Psychiatry Clinic
Research Mentor: Jordan Karp, MD
Topic: Psychiatry

Trevour Greene, MS
Biomechanical Response of Carpal Tunnel Components to Pinching in Different Wrist Postures
Research Mentor: Zong-Ming Li, PhD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Alissa Hafezi
The Telehealth Legal Landscape and its Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Research Mentor: Tara Sklar, JD, MPH
Topic: Public Health

Abel Harris
Reducing Free Flap Post-Op Management Intensity
Research Mentor: Tolga Turker, MD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Luis Helfer
Microbial Predictors of Surgical Intervention in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Retrospective Analysis
Research Mentor: Christopher H. Le, MD
Topic: Otolaryngology

Nikki Henderson, MS
Shear Wave Elastography of Healthy Individual Thenar Muscles During Pinching
Research Mentor: Zong-Ming Li, PhD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Alana Hendrickson
Association Between G6PD Deficiency and Congenital Heart Disease Incidence and Hospital Outcomes
Research Mentor: Michael Seckeler, MD, MSc
Topic: Heart

Jared Hill
Calcium Handling Mechanisms that Underlie Diabetic Retinopathy
Research Mentor: Erika D. Eggers, PhD
Topic: Ophthalmology

Madison Hillis
Contrast-enhanced CT for 3D visualization of hand and wrist anatomy: Diffusible versus perfusable iodine with barium latex vascular injection
Research Mentor: Paul M. Gignac, PhD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Spencer Holmes
Radiomics in Oncology: Advancing Precision Medicine Through Quantitative Imaging
Research Mentor: Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Fariba Hossain
Colonoscopic Decompression is Associated with Improved Resolution in Acute Colonic Pseudo Obstruction
Research Mentor: Sasha Taleban, MD
Topic: Gastroenterology

Patty Jansma
RII Core Facilities
Research Mentor: Ryan Sprissler, PhD
Topic: Basic Science

David Jordan, PhD, MS
Ultrasound shear wave speed of the transverse carpal ligament during pinching
Research Mentor: Zong-Ming Li, PhD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Jackie Kelley
Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolus in a Patient with Prior Heart Transplant
Research Mentor: Douglas Rappaport, MD
Topic: Heart

Kaneez Zahra Rubab Khakwani
Magnetic Resonance Imaging based non-invasive accurate diagnosis and characterization of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Research Mentor: Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Lincoln Koyejo
The Use of Dermal Substitute Over a Superficial Ulnar Artery Prior to Split Thickness Skin Grafting
Research Mentor: Gregory L. DeSilva, MD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Erik Larsen, PhD
IMPACT (Individual Molecular Registry of Patients for Accelerated Clinical and Translational medicine), a UAHS strategic initiative for genome data analytics of UACC patients to foster precision research
Research Mentor: Ritu Pandey, PhD
Topic: Cancer

Fiona Anushi Liyanage
Unraveling the Pathology of Head and Neck NUT Carcinoma: Histologic Morphology, Biomarkers, and Genetic Insights
Research Mentor: Christopher H. Le, MD
Topic: Cancer

Carina Magdaleno
The Role of TWIST1 and GATA2 in Disrupted Differentiation in Prostate Cancer
Research Mentor: Cindy K. Miranti, PhD
Topic: Cancer

Bryce McWhorter
Silent Suffering: A Case Report of a Tanzanian Suicide Survivor Discharged Without Mental Health Care
Research Mentor: Sommer Aldulaimi, MD
Topic: Public Health

Ivan Menendez-Montes, PhD
Mitochondria Directly Interact with the Nuclear Pore Complex to Regulate Nuclear Energetics
Research Mentor: Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD
Topic: Heart

Colton Merdich
Retrospective Review of Resource Utilization and Referral Sources for a Student-Run Free Clinic for Underinsured LGBTQ+ Individuals
Research Mentor: Kristopher J. Abbate, MD
Topic: Public Health

Bassam Mitri
Association of Semaglutide Prescription with Improved Joint Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Research Mentor: Faissal Stipho, MD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Mehraneh Mohseni Zadeh Harouzi
Management approaches to autoimmune patients at risk or with Coccidioidomycosis
Research Mentor: Fariba Donovan, MD, PhD
Topic: Infectious Disease

Alyssa Mojžiš
CNP-miR146a accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting a pro-regenerative immune response
Research Mentor: Kenneth W. Liechty, MD
Topic: Metabolic Diseases & Diabetes

Angela Monetathchi
Integrative Medicine on the Rise- Can Medical Education Keep Up?
Research Mentor: Randy Horwitz, MD, PhD
Topic: Medical Education

Adelle Nkeze
Training Exposure and Likelihood of Prescribing Buprenorphine and Methadone Among Arizona Primary Care Medical Residents
Research Mentor: Beth E. Meyerson, MDiv, PhD
Topic: Medical Education

Marcy Ojeda
Student's perceptions and effectiveness: Coupled anatomical illustrations and cadaver images in gross anatomy education
Research Mentor: James V. Proffitt, PhD
Topic: Medical Education

Samantha Olsson
Evaluating University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson's Motivational Interviewing Curriculum
Research Mentor: Barbara Eckstein, MD, MPH
Topic: Medical Education

Lukas Pawlowski
Nasal Polyps as a Marker of Increased Disease Burden in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Radiologic Analysis
Research Mentor: Christopher H. Le, MD
Topic: Otolaryngology

Karolina Perez
Skin Cancer Disparities Among Organ Transplant Recipients of Color
Research Mentor: Daniel C. Butler, MD
Topic: Dermatology

Sree Vani Poorna Pillutla
Age and sex hormone-based effects on adult neurogenesis in the female brain - a behavioral and histo-stereological perspective
Research Mentor: Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD
Topic: Neurology

Claire Pishko
Megakaryocytes and Nerve Fiber Ingrowth in a Rat Annulus Fibrosus Injury Model as Potential Factors in Discogenic Pain
Research Mentor: 
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Sangeetha Pugazhendhi
Atypical Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Miller Fisher Variant: Acute Ophthalmoplegia and Hemiparesis
Research Mentor: Holli A. Horak, MD
Topic: Neurology

Suranjana Rahman
Preventing Sudden Death in a Fit 36-Year-Old Veteran
Research Mentor: David Hamilton, MD
Topic: Heart

Lauren Riede
Balancing Colonic Tissue Homeostasis through βeta-Catenin Dynamics
Research Mentor: Kelvin Pond, PhD
Topic: Cancer

Jesse Riemenschneider
Development of an Electromagnetic Induction Wireless Charging for Raspberry Pi Pico-Based Atrial Fibrillation Device in Swine
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Hannah Rosch Newton
Scorching Summer Scripts: Clinician Attitudes about Medication Stability in the Heat
Research Mentor: Julia B. Jernberg, MD
Topic: Public Health

Steph Rzewnicki
Modeling Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Thick Filament Mutations in Mice to Identify Potential Therapeutic Strategies
Research Mentor: Sakthivel Sadayappan PhD, MBA
Topic: Heart

Gia Saini
Non-Thermal Pulsed Electric Field Ablation of DVT Blood Clots Reduces Fibrosis
Research Mentor: Rahmi Oklu, MD, PhD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Jonathan Sayegh
Managing Postoperative Fungal Infections: A Case of Candida glabrata Osteomyelitis Following Lumbar Fusion
Research Mentor: Abduljabbar Alhammoud, MD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Caleb Seekins
Terpenes from Cannabis Sativa are Antinociceptive in a Reserpine-Induced Mouse Model of Fibromyalgia
Research Mentor: John Streicher
Topic: Pharmacology

Ali Shaikh
Quantifying Effusion-Synovitis in Knees with Osteoarthritis: A Whole-Knee Multiview Approach
Research Mentor: C. Kent Kwoh, MD
Topic: Medical Imaging

Sonakshi Sharma
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HBOT as an Adjunct Therapy for Chronic-Nonhealing Wounds.
Research Mentor: Lourdes Castañón, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Irshad Ali Sheikh, PhD
PARP1 is a novel regulator of Paneth cell degranulation and intestinal antimicrobial defense against enteric pathogen
Research Mentor: Pawel R. Kiela, DVM, PhD
Topic: Microbiome

Ivy Stejskal, DO PGY-2
Heterotrophic Ossification of Midline Laparotomy Incision After Trans Hiatal Esophagectomy
Research Mentor: Stephanie G. Worrell, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Alexandra Stump
Title: The Impact of the Posterior Tibial Tendon in Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity at Various Stages of Ligament Failure: A Pedobarographic Cadaveric Analysis.
Research Mentor: L. Daniel Latt, MD, PhD
Topic: Orthopedic Surgery

Adam Thompson, MS
Challenges of Access to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Research Mentor: Andrew Terranella. MD, MPH
Topic: Psychiatry

Beverley Trutter, MD, MPH
The Use of a Silver Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing and A Biosynthetic Wound Matrix in SJS/TEN: A Case Study
Research Mentor: Lourdes Castañón, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Allison Tulino
3D Bioengineered Patch Promotes Cardiac Tissue Repair/Regeneration in Animal Models of Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure via Immunomodulation
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Topic: Heart

Lakshmi Laasya Vallabhaneni
Lipedematous Alopecia: A Case Report and Review of Current Literature
Research Mentor: Mahdieh Fazel Jedlowski, MD, PharmD
Topic: Women's Health

Chase Verdugo
COVID-19 Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of Biologic vs. Conventional DMARDs
Research Mentor: Faissal Stipho, MD
Topic: Infectious Disease

Hannah N. Vu
Digital Phenotyping for Clinical Investigation: Detecting Abnormalities in Behavior Using Machine Learning and Smartphone Data
Research Mentor: Eung-Joo Lee, PhD
Topic: Health Technology

Noah Weaver
Building Strategic Pathways and Expanding Opportunities for Orphan Applicants in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Research Mentor: Michael Galvez, MD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Nekabari Yakpogoro
Somatic symptomatology and Daytime Dysfunction Post-Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Exploring Gender and Age Specific Associations
Research Mentor: William D.S. Killgore, PhD
Topic: Surgery & Trauma

Sara Youssef
Utilizing a USMLE Step 1 Question-Based Learning Approach to Simulate and Assess Motivational Interviewing Using Real-World Scenarios
Research Mentor: Amy Hu, MD
Topic: Medical Education

Summan Zahra, MBBS
Carotid cognitive index correlates with plasma pTau217 in asymptomatic carotid disease.
Research Mentor: Craig C. Weinkauf, MD, PhD
Topic: Vascular Disease

Hui Zhang
Carpal Arch Space Augmentation Device for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief
Research Mentor: Zong-Ming Li, PhD
Topic: Biomedical Engineering & Devices

Event Sponsor 

Research Day is co-sponsored by the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC). ABRC-funded events strive to deliver high-quality educational resources to support Arizona researchers in becoming leaders in biomedical research fields, successfully competing for external support, and translating research findings to address critical medical needs and improve health outcomes.