February 12, 2001
Contact: Steve Townsend, (313) 577-7727, stownsen@med.wayne.edu

WSU School of Medicine recognizes excellence in medical student research

More than a dozen poster and oral presentations by Wayne State University 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:

First Place (Poster Presentation)
Colin Martin, Year II
“The Effect of Opioids Antagonist on Leptin-Mediated Neuro and Cardiovascular Responses”
Joseph C. Dunbar, PhD, Mentor

Second Place (Poster Presentation)
Akua A. Amposah, Year II
“Brain Chemistry and Treatment Response in Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”
David R. Rosenberg, MD, Mentor

First Place (Oral Presentation)
Tiffany Farchione, Year IV
“Proton Spectroscopic Imaging of the Caudate Nucleus in Treatment-Naïve Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder”
David R. Rosenberg, MD, Mentor

Second Place (Oral Presentation)
Miechia A. Esco, Year III
“Potential Role for Laminin-5 in Hypoxia-Mediated Apoptosis of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells”
Dr. Michelle Kurpakus Wheater, PhD, Mentor

From left: Colin Martin, Akua A. Amposah, Tiffany Farchione and Miechia A. Esco.

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.