More than a dozen poster and oral presentations by WSU medical students highlighted the annual Medical Student Research Symposium in January. Students presented research findings to their peers as well as to a group of distinguished basic science and clinical faculty who volunteered to serve as judges. The
research presented at the annual symposium is conducted as part of the
School of Medicine’s summer research fellowship program, which
provides stipends for 20 students who spend their summer collaborating
with established biomedical researchers. Noreen
Rossi, MD, WSU associate professor of internal medicine and staff
physician at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, is director of the
summer research program. Dr. Rossi and others who are actively involved
have continually stressed the value of the fellowship program and the
symposium in providing an opportunity for medical students to conduct
and present research. “The
fellowship program is important in that it provides a mechanism for
students to experience the excitement of medical research, while
offering support for students who really want to do research over the
summer but, for financial reasons, may be forced to do something
else,” said Dr. Rossi. “The symposium is important because it allows
these students to share their research in a collegial setting and
recognizes them for their efforts.” The
following four students received special recognition for their research
presentations:
In addition to cash prizes for first and second place recognition, the winner in each category will have the opportunity to present their research at the National Student Research Forum in April. Students who wish to participate in the summer fellowship program are asked to contact Dr. Noreen Rossi at (313) 576-4525. In addition to application materials, Dr. Rossi can counsel students on what types of research may be ongoing and available for student participation. The Medical Alumni Association originally established the summer research fellowship program during the 1980s. A new endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Hershel Sandberg will allow the program to expand. Dr. Sandberg (MD, '53) has maintained close ties to the school throughout his medical career. A long-time alumni association board member, Dr. Sandberg also served as the group’s president. The Sandbergs have been generous donors to the school and are members of the university’s Anthony Wayne Society. Formerly chief of endocrinology and metabolism at Sinai Hospital, Dr. Sandberg is currently associated with Royal Oak’s Beaumont Hospital. For information about making a gift, contact Elsa Silverman at (313) 577-6482. |
