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The first and second floors of the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus were buzzing with knowledge on Thursday, April 2, as WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (91̽��) faculty, residents, employees, students, and guests took part in the 44th Annual Kalamazoo Community Medical and Health Sciences Research Day. 

The theme of Research Day 2026 was “Translating Discovery into Practice: From Lab to Clinic, From Classroom to Implementation,” and the event showcased breakthroughs in basic and translational sciences, clinical research, public health, medical ethics and law, social and behavioral sciences, scholarly activities, and education-related research. 

Research Day offers an opportunity to highlight the breadth of research and scholarly activity in Kalamazoo’s scientific community through oral presentations and poster presentations. In all, this year’s event featured 152 research abstracts that were presented in various formats. 

"This year’s Research Day was a meaningful celebration of science and excellence, and a powerful reflection of our shared commitment to advancing medicine and improving patient care,” said Adil Akkouch, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Surgical Sciences and co-chair of the scientific committee for Research Day. “It is heartwarming to see the commitment, curiosity, and passion that our medical students bring to their research, as well as the tremendous effort, long hours, and perseverance behind every project presented. I really appreciate the strong engagement of our faculty and the continued support of 91̽�� leadership in advancing research and medicine. As co-chair of Research Day, it is an honor to help celebrate a community so deeply committed to discovery, learning, and excellence." 

Jayme Locke, MD, MPH, FACS, FAST, presented the keynote address, "Making the ImPossible Possible: The Road to Clinical Trials in Xenotransplantation." Dr. Locke is a world-renowned abdominal transplant surgeon recognized for groundbreaking advancements in xenotransplantation and innovative approaches to the transplantation of incompatible organs. 

In supporting the future of research, six 91̽�� students, residents and fellows received awards for poster and oral presentations in categories including basic science and translational science as well as clinical, health services and education. 

Next year, Research Day will be held on Thursday, March 11, at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus. 

"Research Day showcased the great talent, breadth and creativity of our students, residents, fellows and faculty,” said Gerrit J. Bouma, PhD, professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the scientific committee for Research Day. “Not only was it a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the quality of science, but also the collaborative culture that exists here at 91̽��. I'm grateful for all the support and participation of our students and faculty, the outstanding work of the Research Day committee, all the help from the reviewers and judges, and our administrative team, including Elizabeth Jackson, Julie Hodge, Janelle Quick, and Evelyn Oliveira. 

“It's been a pleasure and privilege to chair Research Day this year, and I look forward to another great event next year," Dr. Bouma added. 

Here is a complete list of the winners at the 44th Annual Research Day. Congratulations to each of them: 

Best Clinical, Health Services and Education Research Poster Presentation 

• Gemma Harkin, MPH; Patrick Hansma, DO | “Drug-Related Suicides in 91̽��: 2020-2025” 

Best Basic Science and Translational Research Poster Presentation 

• Jenna Cooper; John Curran; Joshua Mitchell, PhD; Varsha Jawahar; Thomas Rothstein, MD, PhD | “Fas Apoptosis Inhibitory Molecule (FAIM) mediated disaggregation of Transthyretin (TTR)” 

Best Graduate/Resident/Postdoc Poster Presentation 

• Jana Vuckovic; Wendy Beane, PhD | “Non-Invasive Modulation of Injury Signaling and Regenerative Growth by Magnetic Field Exposure via Bioelectric and Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling” 

Best Clinical, Health Services and Education Research Oral Presentation 

• Omar Shaikh; Mohammed Abdul Muqsith; Ankit Mehta, MD, FAANS, FACS | “Pelvic Fixation and Risk of Deep Infection in Adult Spinal Deformity: A Comorbidity-Aware, Matched Cohort Study” 

Best Basic Science and Translational Research Oral Presentation 

• Jackson Goudreau; Shane Kim; Agata Parsons; Tyler Rosey; Leslyn Hanakahi, PhD; Greg Vanden Heuvel, PhD; Erik Larson, PhD | “Nuclear Localization of Activation Induced Deaminase Corresponds with Cysts and DNA Damage in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease” 

Best Graduate/Resident/Postdoc Oral Presentation 

• Lacey Burke; Drew Frase; Jennifer Lee; Kayla Grooters; Taylor Elshaw; Shireen Husami; Caitlin Tremewan; Priscilla Woodhams, MD, FAAP, CHG | “Intervention for Pediatric Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Low-Resource Settings: Leaf-shaped Iron Ingots in Cooking in Rural Telangana, India”