‘Listen, question, and connect’

Students from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine once again had a strong presence at Oakland University’s 10th annual Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC).

Hosted by the OU Graduate Student and the Office of Research Administration on April 4 in the Oakland Center, the event brought together graduate students from various disciplines to present their research through oral and poster presentations. 

OUWB was well represented, with four students giving oral presentations and 30 presenting posters.

Dwayne Baxa, Ph.D., co-chair, GSRC Committee, and associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, said the conference helps foster collaboration between departments and gives students valuable experience presenting their work.

“We are aware that many students don't necessarily have opportunities for presenting their work within the timeframe of their program, so this gives them an opportunity. Plus, there's interaction between the different schools, helping students hopefully take advantage of that collaboration,” said Baxa.

The event began with introductions from Brandy A. Randall, Ph.D., dean, Graduate School, and professor, Psychology, and David A. Stone, Ph.D., vice president, Research, and professor, Health Sciences and Philosophy.

“Today, as you listen, question, and connect, I encourage you to celebrate not just the results of your research, but the process, the late nights, the revisions, the breakthroughs, and the perseverance. This is what scholarship looks like at its best,” said Randall.

Stone also encouraged students to balance their confidence with humility.

“I'm reminding you to balance your sense of mastery and your knowledge with a sense of humility about the limits of knowledge in general, and with an appreciation for how much more there is to know,” said Stone.

Keynote speaker Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, MichBio, recounted his career journey in cardiovascular research, emphasizing teamwork and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

In doing so, he also recalled his early academic struggles, research experiences, and transition to the pharmaceutical industry. Rappaport underscored the value of academic research and emphasized how it helped him in his career.

“There were points in my career where my promotion was based on my publication record, just as if I had been in an academic setting,” said Rappaport. “It was a wonderful experience that I'm forever grateful for.”

Yu Rim Park, M.D., OUWB '25, participated in the conference. Here, she talks to an attendee about her research and poster.

Following the keynote presentation, students gave oral presentations.

Tai Metzger, M3, and Deena Sukhon, M4, presented “Green Prescription: A Four-Week Journey into ‘Analyzing and Encouraging’ Plant-Based Eating Among Future Physicians,” which was awarded the reviewer’s choice abstract award. Co-authors were Kathylyn Duong and Corinne Bowditch.

The project aimed to educate medical students on the benefits of plant-based diets in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, while also assessing changes in health markers such as blood pressure and weight. The study demonstrated that short-term nutrition interventions could significantly enhance medical students’ understanding of diet and improve health.

“This was a project that we put our heart and soul into because we enjoy and find heart-healthy diets important. I'm interested in cardiovascular health, and for my career, whether it's in internal medicine or anything else, diet will always be important,” said Sukhon. “This was a project that we knew was important to present at something like the Graduate Student Research Conference.”

Other oral presentations from OUWB students were made by Madison McClune, M4, Muzamil Ahmad, M3, Maya Nassif, M3, and Andrew Eibling, M4.

M4 Andrew Eibling was among the students who gave an oral presentation.

Following the oral presentations, students presented posters in the Oakland Center’s Founders Ballrooms.

Nelson Jones, M3, presented a poster titled “A Systematic Approach to Managing Complex Airway Anatomy in Adults.”

His research focused on a systematic approach to managing complex airway anatomy in adults, exemplified by a case of a 57-year-old male with a history of subatosis, tracheostomy, and thyroid issues. Jones hopes his research will provide a clearer understanding of managing acute respiratory emergencies.

Jones noted that participating in the event aided his academic and professional goals, contributing to his development as a resident and helping keep OUWB students engaged in the academic medical community.

“It allows me to share research that I've already been a part of, and it also allows me to learn more about the fields that I'm interested in, so that I feel like I'm a better candidate as I move forward and become a resident,” said Jones. “Events like these allow OUWB students to continue to share their academic pursuits and allow us to continue to be involved or relevant in the academic world of medicine.”

Olivia Hannawa, M2, presented a poster titled “‘Ozempic Face:’ Trends and Treatment Challenges Associated with Rapid Facial Weight Loss by GLP-1 Agonists.”

Her interest in the topic stemmed from her experience in dermatology, where she observed patients seeking corrective treatments for the side effects of Ozempic, particularly facial volume loss.

“It was a really interesting topic that a lot of people might not know about,” said Hannawa. “I used to work in dermatology, and I would see a lot of people who would be on the medication and were seeking to fix their facial volume loss that they experienced from Ozempic. That prompted me to think about this subset of patients.”

She believes events like these are crucial for students to see the diverse activities and pursuits of their peers beyond just studying.

“It's cool to see what your classmates do outside of their time when they're not just studying. It's the research and extracurriculars and that really drives a person to want to pursue medicine,” said Hannawa. “Honestly, it's something that lights a fire to keep going and recognize there is an end goal.”