2020 Medical Student Research Virtual Poster Symposium
This program started in 2003 to provide research opportunities for medical students.
The directors Dr. Fern Tsien and Dr. Paula Gregory match students with mentors to
conduct research at LSUHSC, Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Pennington
Biomedical Research Center, and clinics throughout the state. However, due to this
year's challenges, students persevered and many of them worked on a variety of projects,
which included innovative virtual research investigations. During the program, students
conducted their own small research project or worked on a part of an on-going project.
Although the research environment has been very different this year, each of these
students did an excellent job adapting to the current situation and we are proud of
their achievements.
Drs. Tsien and Gregory would like to extend their special appreciation to all mentors
and poster session judges who helped make Medical Student Research Virtual Poster
Symposium a success! The Directors would also like to thank the supporters of this
program: the School of Medicine at the LSU Health Sciences Center, the Stanley S.
Scott Cancer Center, and the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute
(NCI) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Medical students are listed alphabetically by last name. To view their Abstracts, Posters, and Zoom PowerPoint presentations describing their posters, please click on the corresponding links under their individual project title.
1. Olivia Abadie
L2
Mentor: Kathleen Crapanzano, MD, MACM
LSU-OLOL Psychiatry Residency Program, Director
"The impact of health insurance coverage, race, and prenatal diagnosis on pediatric
cardiac surgical outcomes"
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
2. Katherine Adler
L2
Mentor: Dr. Liz Simon
Department of Physiology
“Circulating myomiR levels as a clinical indicator of alcohol-induced skeletal muscle
dysfunction in PLWH”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: $$57I8mv)
3. Shees Ahmed
L2
Mentor: Dr. Luke A. Wall
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy Immunology
“Psychological Changes, Maladaptive Behaviors, Dysmorphology and Immunodeficiency
in a Case of 3p14.1 - 3p12.3 Deletion, Including FOXP1 Functional Analysis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
4. Andrew Amedee
L2
Mentor: Deidre J. Devier, PhD
Department of Neurology
“The Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
5. Gregory Benes
L2
Mentor: Dr. Alex Betech
Department of Orthopaedics
“Exploring Disparities in Screening and Treatment for Osteoporosis in Patients with
Hip Fractures”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
6. Matthew Bennett - 1st Place Winner (L1/L2 Category) 
L2
Mentor: Casey A. Murphy, M.D.
VA Staff Physician, Pain Management Section;
LSUHSC Pain Management Fellowship Program Director
“10-Year Review of Efficacy and Safety of Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS) in Military
Veterans”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
7. Sydney Boudreaux
L2
Mentor: John Lyons, M.D.
Our Lady of the Lake-Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA;
LSUHSC Department of Surgery
“Outcomes of a high-risk pancreas cancer screening program in a community cancer center”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
8. Michael Brands
L2
Mentor: Jeffrey S. Barton, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Department of Surgery
“Emergent colon surgery at a Disproportionate Share Hospital: An underappreciated
vulnerable population”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
9. Margaret Carey
L2
Mentor: Stacey A. Scheib, M.D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Elective Appendectomy at Time of Scheduled Gynecologic Surgery”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
10. Nicolas Chanes
L2
Mentor: Malachi Sheahan III, MD
Department of Surgery
“Evaluating Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients with New Onset Renal Failure Requiring Urgent
Hemodialysis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
11. Lily Chen
L2
Mentor: Tiffany Wills, PhD
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
“Effects of Adolescent Alcohol Exposure on Glutamatergic Transmissions in Male and
Female Mice”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
12. Mallory Crawford
L2
Mentor: Luis Marrero, PhD
Department of Orthopaedics, Morphology and Imaging Core
“Using the Articularis Genu to Test Peri-Articular Muscle Health During Knee Osteoarthritis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
13. Cody Crnkovic - 2nd Place Winner (L3/L4 Category)
L3
Mentors: Vinod Dasa, MD
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Andrew Chapple, PhD
Department of Biostatistics
“Ethnicity, race and socioeconomic status are underreported in top orthopedic journals”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: @dp5+3fh)
14. Harrison Daste
L2
Mentor: Angela Amedee, PhD
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
“Effects of Alcohol on SIV Levels within the CNS of Rhesus Macaques”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: 8ZjzN9&u)
15. Justin David
L1
Mentor: Fokhrul Hossain, Ph.D.
Department of Genetics
“Obesity Modulates Gut Microbiome in Triple Negative Breast Cancer”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
16. Kelly Dille
L2
Mentor: Krisztian Stadler, PhD
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
“Proximal Tubular Cell-Specific Heterozygous Ablation of Carnitine Acetyltransferase
Causes Cellular and Respiratory Remodeling as a Component of Tubular Disease”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: 8t5OW@$F)
17. Tyler Dillon
L2
Mentor: Flavia M. Souza-Smith, PhD
Department of Physiology
“Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors on Ethanol-Induced Lymphatic Endothelial
Cell Hyperpermeability”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
18. Jake Doiron
L2
Mentor: David J. Lefer, PhD
Department of Pharmacology
“Effects of H2S Therapy on the Pathogenesis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection
Fraction”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
19. Joel Epling - 2nd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: James David, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellow
“Two Year Outcomes of iStent vs Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy When Combined with Cataract
Surgery in Patients with Mild to Moderate Stage Glaucoma”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
20. Abigail Erwin
L2
Mentor: Xinping Yue, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
“Nicotine and Vascular Dysfunction”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
21.Harrison Folse
L2
Mentor: Regina Zambrano, M.D.
Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics
“Distribution of Craniofacial Anomalies at Children's Hospital Craniofacial Clinic
and Plans for Genetic Roadmaps for Management”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
22. Mima Fondong - 3rd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS, MSCR, FAAEM
Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine; UMCNO-ED
“Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical factors of presumptive positive COVID-19
patients admitted from an urban emergency department”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: K7xKc+1h)
23. Eden Gallegos - 3rd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L1
Mentor: Patricia Molina, MD, PhD
Department of Physiology;
Director Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence
“HIV and Lifestyle: Investigating Physiological Signals of Metabolic Dysregulation
in Persons Living with HIV”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
24. Twila Gaston
L2
Mentor: Hamilton Farris, PhD
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
“Sexual dimorphism in retinal function: endocrine modulation of sensitivity to light”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
25. William Gibson
L2
Mentor: Arnold H. Zea, PhD
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
“Decreased L-Arginine Availability Blocks the Induction of NO Synthesis in Renal Cell
Carcinoma Cells (Renca) as a Mechanism of Defense in Response to Interferon Gamma”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
26. Shreya Gunda
L2
Mentor: Dr. David Welsh
Department of Internal medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine and
Allergy, Immunology
Postdoctoral Mentor: Min Gu, PhD
“Alcohol-associated impact of sIgA-coated intestinal bacteria on pulmonary host defense
during S. pneumoniae pneumonia”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
27. Shakira Harding
L2
Mentor: Amelia Jernigan, M.D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Views of Reproductive-Aged Female Cancer Patients on Oncofertility Care”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
28. Katherine Henry - 1st Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: Deidre J. Devier, PhD
Department of Neurology
“Applicability of the King-Devick Test for Cognitive Impairment Detection in Patients
with Multiple Sclerosis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: Research2020@LSU)
29. Michael Hirezi
L2
Mentor: Chindo Hicks, PhD
Department of Genetics
“A Machine Learning Approach for Biomarker Discovery using Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Transcriptome Data”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
30. Ryan Hoffman - 3rd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: Dr. Frank Lau
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
“National Disparities in Incisional Hernia Repair Outcomes: An analysis of HCUP-NIS
2012-2014”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
31. Brandon Kent - 3rd Place Winner (L3/L4 Category)
L4
Mentor: Vinod Dasa, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery;
Director of Research
“Does Race Improve the Accuracy of Models Predicting the Size of TKA Femoral Components?”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
32. Zohaib Lakhani
L2
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Simkin
Department of Orthopaedics
“Patient-Specific decrease in circulating level of TGFα is associated with lower pain
after Total Knee Arthroplasty”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
33. Madison Lanza
L2
Mentor: Stacey Holman, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Compliance with Postpartum Follow-up in LSU OB/GYN Resident Continuity Clinics”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
34. Shay LaPorte
L2
Mentor: Dr. Mihran Naljayan
Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology and Hypertension
“An Analysis of Patients who Developed AKI upon Admission to an Academic Tertiary
Care Center during the First Month of the Acceleration Phase of COVID-19 in New Orleans,
LA”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
35. Viet Le
L1
Mentor: Dr. Rajani Maiya
Department of Physiology
“Dissecting the molecular mechanisms by which Lim-Only 4 regulates alcohol consumption
and reward”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
36. Nicholas LeBlanc
L2
Mentor: Jennifer Simkin, Ph.D
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
“Are Markers of High Bone Turnover, Representing Poor Bone Quality, Associated with
Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty?”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Passcode: %EX!iKM4)
37. Olivia Leonovicz
L2
Mentor: Anna Cohen-Rosenblum, M.D.
Department of Orthopaedics
“Musculoskeletal Occupational Injuries among Female Adult Reconstruction Surgeons”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
38. Molly Lieux
L2
Mentor: Dr. Bradley Spieler
Department of Radiology, University Medical Center
“Online Conferencing Software in Radiology: Recent Trends and Utility”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
39. Brock Lingle
L2
Mentor: Dr. Christine Bojanowski
Department of Pulmonology
“The Impact of Handheld Wireless Home Spirometry on Mental Health and Health Literacy
in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
40. Jeffrey Mauras
L2
Mentor: Vinod Dasa, MD
Director of Clinical Orthopaedics, Director of Research
“Opioid Use after TKA in Patients Receiving Cryoneurolysis Alone Versus Cryoneurolysis
Plus Liposomal Bupivacaine”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
41. Christopher Moroz - 2nd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: Dr. Carmen Canavier
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
“Simulated Mechanisms of Gamma Oscillations”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
42. Adeem Nachabe
L4
Mentor: Hana Safah, MD
Tulane University School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology
“The Prognostic Implications of Tetraploidy/Near-Tetraploidy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia:
A Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
43. Adeem Nachabe
L4
Mentor: Mark Stalder, MD
Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
“Maximizing the Potential of the Free Fibula Flap: Multiple Reconstructive Options
from a Single Donor Site”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
44. Adeem Nachabe - 1st Place Winner (L3/L4 Category)
L4
Mentor: Mark Stalder, MD
Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
“Equivalent Incidence of Fat Necrosis in Stacked Versus Single Free Flap Breast Reconstructions:
A Multivariate Analysis of 460 Flaps in 212 Patients”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
45. Casey Norlin
L2
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Piggott
Children's Hospital New Orleans
“Nucleated Red Blood Cells as a Predictor of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival
and Survival to Discharge Among Pediatric Patients”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
46. Rebecca Nuss
L2
Mentors: 1Caleb Ardizzone; 2Rebecca Lillis; 1Alison Quayle
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
2Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease
“Longitudinal study of multi-site [cervical, rectal, pharyngeal] Chlamydia trachomatis infections
in young, high-risk women”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
47. Robert Power
L2
Mentor: Gerhard Mundinger, M.D.
Director of the Craniofacial Center;
Division Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children's Hospital
“Non-Self-Inflicted Vs. Self-Inflicted Facial Gunshot Wounds: A Comparison of Insurance
Status and Race with Mortality and Cost at UMCNO”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
48. Robert Quiring - 2nd Place Winner (L3/L4 Category)
L3
Mentors: Vinod Dasa, MD;
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Andrew Chapple, PhD
Department of Biostatistics
“Race, Ethnicity, and Social Economic Status are Underreported in Top Orthopedic Journals”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
49. Nancy Ren
L2
Mentor: Michael E. Hagensee, MD, PHD
Department of Medicine and Microbiology
“IgG Serum Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV-2 in Patients and Healthcare Workers”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
50. Sarah Rimmer
L2
Mentors: Dr. Kyle Fulton;
Dr. Gerhard Mundinger
Department of Craniofacial Pediatrics and Plastic Surgery
“Pilot Assessment of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients at Children's Hospital in New Orleans”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
51. Lauren Rodriguez
L2
Mentor: Dr. Lisa Moreno-Walton
Department of Emergency Medicine
“Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Emergency Medical Services Workers:
A Survey Study Within An Urban Emergency Medical Service”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
52. Jimmy (Ari) Saravia
L2
Mentor: Liz Simon, PhD
Department of Physiology
“Chronic binge alcohol and gonadal hormonal loss impair glucose-insulin dynamics in
SIV-infected female rhesus macaques”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
53. Harel Schwartzberg
L4
Mentor: Charles Patterson, MD
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
“DIEP flap monitoring in ICU and Ward Settings”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
54. Harel Schwartzberg
L4
Mentor: Alexandra Bourgeois, MD
Department of Dermatology
“Nodular Cutaneous Amyloidosis in a Female patient”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
55. Harel Schwartzberg
L4
Mentor: Vinod Dasa, MD
Department of Orthopaedics
“Patient Characteristics Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) Symptom Severity
at Initial Orthopedic Consultation”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
56. Jacob Seicshnaydre
L2
Mentor: Moises A. Arriaga, MD, MBA, FACS
Department of Otolaryngology
“Post-traumatic temporal bone pneumatocele presenting after aggressive Valsalva”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
57. Matthew Shields
L2
Mentor: David J. Lefer, PhD.
Director Cardiovascular Center of Excellence
“Obesity, Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertension Drive Pathophysiological Remodeling
in a Novel Minipig Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
58. Manjot Singh
L2
Mentor: Dr. Jameel Ahmed
Department of Clinical Medicine, Section of Cardiology
“ECG Analysis of Patients Presenting with COVID-19”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
59. Sierra Sossamon
L2
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS, MSCR, FAAEM
Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine;
UMCNO Department of Emergency Medicine
“Delays in Hepatitis C Fibrosis Staging on Liver Function”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
60. Sydney Sudderth
L3
Mentor: Jennifer Simkin Ph.D.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
“The Effectiveness of Corticosteroid injections in the time leading up to a Total
Knee Arthroplasty”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
61. Brandi Sun
L2
Mentor: Dr. Amelia Jernigan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Views of Reproductive-Aged Female Cancer Patients on Oncofertility Care”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
62. Caroline Trammell
L2
Mentor: Andrew Abreo, MD
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology
Children's Hospital New Orleans, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
“Designing a Food Allergy Research Database”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
63. Ada Tusa
L2
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS, MSCR, FAAEM
Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine;
UMCNO Department of Emergency Medicine
“Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical factors of presumptive positive COVID-19
patients admitted from an urban emergency department”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
64. Kourtney Weaver
L1
Mentor: Dr. Pamela Kozlowski
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
“Early Antibody Responses to SARS CoV-2 Infection in Non-Human Primates”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
65. Brock Williams - 2nd Place Winner (L1/L2 Category)
L2
Mentor: Jennifer Cameron, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
“Optimizing Unbiased Degenerate PCR Primers for Comprehensive Detection of Human Papillomavirus
Genotypes”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
66. Jeanette Zavala
L2
Mentor: Patricia E. Molina, MD, PhD
Department of Physiology; Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center;
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence
“At-Risk Alcohol Use and Impaired Glucose Tolerance Decrease Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial
Turnover in People Living with HIV”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation