Research Day 2024 Winners Announced
Research Day Winners Announced Heading link
A record 147 posters were presented by medical, nursing, medical biotechnology and pharmacy students covering a wide array of impressive health sciences research. Congratulations to all the award winners from Research Day 2024.
Best Basic Science Research Poster Award
Sponsored by: Department of Biomedical Sciences
Winner: Aishwarya Gangadhar
Poster Title: “In Vivo Anti-angiogenic Therapeutic Efficiency of SDV Peptide Decorated PEG-b-PPS Micelles in Danio Rerio Diabetic Retinopathy Model”
Best Basic Science Research Poster Award
Sponsored by: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Winner: Akshada Mutha
Poster Title: “Rationale Design of Denatured Collagen-binding PTX-Micelles for Tumor-targeted Drug Delivery”
Best Innovative Project/Abstract Award (First Place)
Sponsored by: Office of Technology Management (OTM) – University of Illinois Chicago
Winner: Varsha Hariharan
Poster: “Developing an mRNA Vaccine for Lymphatic filariasis (LF)”
Best Innovative Project/Abstract Award (Second Place)
Sponsored by: Office of Technology Management (OTM) – University of Illinois Chicago
Winner: Sruthy Pallikonda Chakravarthy
Poster: “Assessment of T Cell Responses in Atherogenesis using AFK Mouse Model”
Best Innovative Project/Abstract Award (Second Place)
Sponsored by: Office of Technology Management (OTM) – University of Illinois Chicago
Winner: Sneha Stalin
Poster: “An mRNA Vaccine for Dog Heartworm Disease”
Best MBT Student Research Poster Award
Sponsored by: MBT Program and Department of Biomedical Sciences
Winner: Varsha Hariharan
Poster Title: Developing an mRNA Vaccine for Lymphatic filariasis (LF)
Winner: Sakshi Bansod
Poster Title: “Investigating the Carcinogenic Effects and Mechanism of Cadmium Exposure on Prostate Myofibroblast Cell Line WPMY-1”
Best Student Technical Poster Basic Science
Sponsored by: Winnebago County Medical Society
Winner: Amber Lopez
Poster Title: “Minimizing The Toxic Effects Due To Implant Wear Products: Evaluating The Molecular Mechanisms Of Antioxidants Using An In Vivo Zebrafish Model”
Best Student Technical Poster Clinical
Sponsored by:Winnebago County Medical Society
Winner: Ashley Donald (Second Place)
Poster Title: “Exploring the Impact of Zip Code on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Winnebago County, IL”
Best Use of Literature in a Student Research Project
Sponsored by: Chicago Crawford Library of the Health Sciences
Winner: William Fox
Poster: “Algorithm for Lichen Sclerosus Management in Boys Based on the Pathophysiology and Anatomy of the Urethra”
College of Pharmacy Outstanding Poster Award
Sponsored by: UIC College of Pharmacy
Winners: Tehut Zedwa, Ellie Lieb
Poster: “Education on Sepsis Prevention and Early Warning Signs for Nursing Home Staff”
Winner: Myna Adhikari
Poster: “Induction of Mutations by Human Topoisomerase II”
Dean’s Action Council Award
Sponsored by: Office of the Regional Dean, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Winner: Julie Brosnan
Poster: “Improving Access to Community-Based Services for Sexual Assault Survivors”
Innovation in Basic Science Research Award
Sponsored by: Office of the Regional Dean, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Winner: Zhenyu Chen
Poster: “Rescuing Axonal Degeneration in SPG11-Deficient Neurons via Targeting Cholesterol Trafficking”
James Scholar Award
Sponsored by: Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd and the James Scholar Committee
Winner: Christina Bloomfield
Poster: “Retinal Microglia Express More MHC Class I and Promote Greater CD8+ T-cell Driven Inflammation than Brain Microglia”
NCRHP Poster Award for Encouraging Excellence in Rural Health
Sponsored by: National Center for Rural Health Professions
Winner: Nathan Corman
Poster: “Examining Food Insecurities in Knox County”
Sister Mary Linus Nowak Research Award
Sponsored by: Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Winner: Teresa Allen
Poster: “Simulated Farm Emergency Response Program: Decreasing Cattle-Related Trauma Among Farm Families”
Supporting Model Public Health Practices-Research Award
Sponsored by: Winnebago County Department of Public Health and its Board of Health
Winner: Jessica Cioni
Poster: “Developing Patient-Provider Relationships Through Digital Pre/Postnatal Care: A Qualitative Analysis”
Research Mentoring Program-Rockford (RMPR) Award
Sponsored by: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford-Office of Research
Winner: Haritha George
Poster: “Intelligent Salivary Biosensor for Oral Cancer using MMP9 and CYFRA21-1”
Winner: Ravneet Kaur
Poster: “Cancer Screening Capacity of Health Care Facilities in Rural Illinois”
Research Mentoring Program-Rockford (RMPR) Mentor Award
Sponsored by: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford – Office of Research
Winner: Xue-Jun Li