The second annual Graduate Student Research Day, held in September, hosted more than 60 Wayne State University students who shared their research with peers and faculty from various biomedical and basic science departments. More than 300 people attended the event to learn more about research projects underway around the campus.
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Joe Krueger points out key items in his poster presentation. |
Lisa Demchik, cancer biology, and Greg Basura, anatomy and cell biology, co-chaired the event, which was held at Scott Hall and sponsored by the office of research and graduate programs. They said they were pleased with the success of the research day and the overall level of participation. "It generated a higher level of awareness for graduate research. Hopefully that will lead to further increased participation in next year’s competition."
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Mamoun Ahram (right) explains his research. |
First-place winners received funding to support a trip to a scientific meeting of their choice. Winners in the oral presentations were as follows:
First place: Nathan Wall, cancer biology
Second place: Ana Estevez, physiology
Third place: Jennifer Koblinski, cancer biology
Winners in the poster presentations were:
First place: Johnathan Whetstine, pharmacology
Second place: Joe Krueger, cancer biology
Third place: Mamoun Ahram, cancer biology
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Winners (from left) are: Mamoun Ahram, Joe Krueger, Johnathan Whetstine, Nathan Wall, Ana Estevez and Jennifer Koblinski. |
The research day also included a keynote address by Peter Wells, PhD, who is an alumnus of the WSU department of anatomy and cell biology. Dr. Wells, currently with Pharmacia and Upjohn in Kalamazoo, Mich., discussed "Human Cytomegalo Virus Proteinase: Purification, Autocatalytic Release of Mature Enzyme and Biochemical Characterization." He also related valuable insights and experience for students.
George Dambach, PhD, deputy dean for the School of Medicine and interim vice president for research and graduate programs, said the research day participants are stellar examples of the training and education that is fostered throughout the university. "This hands-on research experience prepares graduate students for successful careers in science, industry and academia," he said. "It also creates an awareness on and off campus of the superior work that is done at Wayne State University."