DMU Research Symposium draws record number of abstracts

A record number of submitted abstracts, a keynote talk by a groundbreaking biochemist, excellent work by award recipients and lots of lively discussions made the seventh annual DMU Research Symposium a huge success.

Held on campus on Dec. 1, the symposium drew 72 abstracts, including four oral presentations and 68 posters. The more than 450 graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff, residents and other researchers who attended enjoyed exploring a wide range of topics in biomedical sciences, education, movement science and public health.

“The symposium had a great mix of basic, clinical and translational research and really demonstrates the success of DMU’s research environment,” says Jeffrey Gray, Ph.D., vice president of research and global initiatives at DMU.

Providing the keynote address, titled “Nicotinamide Riboside: From Discovery to Human Translation,” was Charles Brenner, Ph.D., the Roy J. Carver Chair and Head of Biochemistry and professor of biochemistry and internal medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He has an extensive history of conducting yeast genetics and molecular biology research at various organizations and continues to perform groundbreaking research on nicotinamide riboside and its functions as a nutritional supplement and candidate drug.

In addition to the students and residents who received awards at the symposium, several DMU faculty and clinicians were honored for demonstrating research and scholarly excellence over the past year. Individuals were recognized for such accomplishments as submitting their first proposals, receiving awards of $100,000 and more, and engaging the most University departments and students in their research.

Among students and residents, oral presenters were assessed on their submitted abstracts and performance, and poster presenters were evaluated on technical, visual and presentation aspects. Below are the award recipients.

Graduate Poster Presentations

• Biomedical Science: Michelle Brenner, D.O.’19 – “A Comparative Molecular Analysis of the Leucine Metabolic Pathway in T Cells and EL-4 Lymphoma Cells”
     Mentor: Elitsa Ananieva-Stoyanova, Ph.D.

• Education: Shayla McIntyre, D.P.T.’17 – “The Effect of Yoga on Physiological and Psychological Measurements in Healthcare Students: A Pilot Study”
     Mentor: Laura Covill, D.P.T.

• Movement Science: Carolyn F. Weber, D.P.T.’19 – “Prevalence of Low Back Pain in Individuals with Plantar Heel Pain: A Retrospective Case Control Analysis”
     Mentor: Shane McClinton, D.P.T.

• Public Health: Megan Elsenheimer, D.O.’19 – “Blood Pressure Control Through Barbershops”
     Mentor: Simon Geletta, Ph.D.

Resident Poster Presentation

• Public Health: John Pymm, D.O., Broadlawns Medical Center – “A Peculiar Case of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review” 

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

• Biomedical Science: Sarah Mann, Drake University – “Prevalence of Genetic Polymorphisms in the Glutathione S-Transferase P1 (GSTP1) Promoter in Dogs”
     Mentor: James Sacco, Ph.D.

• Public Health: Kenzie Pfeffer, Drake University – “The Effect of Medical Education on Prescribing Patterns of Opioid Medications for Non-Cancer Pain in the Primary Care and Emerge”
     Mentor: Jeffrey Gray, Ph.D.

Graduate Oral Presentation

• Shailer Martin II, D.P.M.’19, M.B.S.’17 – “Reduced Leucine Availability Inhibits the Growth of Bone Sarcomas by Stimulating the Fuel Sensing Enzyme AMPK”
     Mentor: Elitsa Ananieva-Stoyanova, Ph.D.

Visit the DMU CME Facebook page to view photos from the symposium.