Congratulations to Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Program Graduates
Congratulations to Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Program Graduates Heading link
Congratulations to the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford’s Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Program Class of 2024. The Graduation Ceremony was held Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in downtown Rockford. Class remarks were given by Sakshi Bansod. Karen J. Colley, PhD, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Illinois Chicago, was the keynote speaker.
MBT students receive honors and awards
University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford’s Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Program recognizes the following student honors:
Academic Excellence Award
This award is given to an outstanding graduate for academic distinction, which is determined by the cumulative grade-point average. The following students graduated with perfect 4.0 GPA: Jacob Barnard, Varsha Hariharan, Meenal Karunanidhi, Akshada Jitendra Mutha, Kaajal Rengaraj, Sambhavi Senthil.
Research Innovation Award
The research innovation award is given to a graduate for research innovation, which is determined by evaluating the research projects for innovative ideas.
- Aishwarya Gangadhar, Evaluating Anti-Angiogenic Efficiency of Anti-Integrin PEG-b-PPS MCs in Danio rerio Diabetic Retinopathy Model.
- Sneha Stalin, Evaluation of BmHAXT as a Potential mRNA Vaccine for Dirofilariasis Disease in Dogs.
Outstanding Research Award
This award is given to graduates for research excellence which is determined by evaluating the quality of the research work, the written research report, the oral presentation and the graduate’s approach to the entire research procedure.
- Sakshi Vinay Bansod, Investigating the Carcinogenic Effects and the Mechanism of Cadmium Exposure on WPMY-1 Prostate Myofibroblast Cell Line
- Varsha Hariharan, Developing an mRNA Vaccine for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF).
- Meenal Karunanidhi, Nanoengineered Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
- Rucha Konety, Systemic Toxicity Concerns of Metal Products from Total Hip Replacements: An Investigation using A549 Lung Cells
- Edgar Lopez, Effects of Hip Implant Wear Products on Myoblasts and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Cardiomyocytes
- Sowdhamini Mahendiran, Role of MLK1 in Macrophage Function in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Kheerthivasan Ramachandran, Role of Mixed Lineage Kinase 4 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cancer Stem Cell
- Bavavarshini Tamilselvam, Modeling SPG15 Neurons and Establishing P110 and RGX as Potential Therapeutics
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award: Jacob Barnard, Varsha Hariharan and Sneha Stalin
Outstanding Service Award: Sakshi Vinay Bansod, Jose Luis Lopez Jr.
Thermofisher Scientific Overall Achievement Award: Akshada Jitendra Mutha
Faculty and Staff Awards
Excellence in Teaching Award: Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram, DVM, PhD
Research Mentor Award: Mathew T. Mathew, PhD
Service Award: Mr. Biju Ayappan Nair