More than 160 student researchers presented their scientific findings at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's (UMSOM) annual Student Research Forum on July 24-25, showcasing research spanning cancer, neuroscience, infectious disease, public health, clinical care, and other pressing areas of medicine. Hosted by the Office of Student Research, the forum brought together students from across the University System of Maryland and partner institutions who spent the summer conducting mentored research with UMSOM faculty.

The Office of Student Research hosts or helps run more than 17 student internship programs for students ranging from middle school through medical school and beyond, including the Program for Research Initiated by Students and Mentors (PRISM), a first-year medical student internship, and the Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research (NSIP) for undergraduates, among others.

This year’s summer research session represented the largest cohort of interns in history, with summer research projects that showcased the wide range of research taking place across UMSOM. Through oral and poster presentations, the students shared findings aimed at improving our understanding of disease and advancing patient care.

“Our summer scholars come from a wide range of backgrounds and from different points in their academic careers. We have bright, creative high school students discovering their love for bioscience research and a possible career path for the first time, and medical students who find hands-on research experiences deepen their understanding of their medical training,” said Gregory Carey, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Associate Dean for Biomedical and Health Profession Pathways and Workforce Development, and Assistant Dean for Student Research and Education at UMSOM, who hosted the event. “Many of our scholars go on to careers in health care and biomedical research, contributing to the Maryland community by delivering care and driving economic growth through creative innovations.”

Among the student researchers was Nia Jenkins, a rising senior at Stony Brook University who worked under the mentorship of Yuanyuan Liang, PhD, MSc, a UMSOM professor of Epidemiology & Public Health. Jenkins spent the summer studying tumor heterogeneity and migration dynamics in glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Her research examined how differences among tumor cells may contribute to the disease's resistance to treatment, which is an area scientists are still working to better understand.

“My mentors guided us through every step of the research process, including presenting our findings,” Ms. Jenkins said. “They encouraged students to take advantage of every resource available and created an environment where we felt supported and motivated to learn." Following graduation, she plans to apply to graduate programs at UMSOM while continuing on a pre-med track.

Norhan Mohamed, a junior at University of Maryland, College Park, participated in the Supporting Undergraduate Members in Microbiology and Immunology Research program, working with UMSOM Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Karen M. Scanlon, PhD to study age-dependent outcomes in pertussis, also known as whooping cough. They found that the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan may play a role in the severity of pertussis infections, and that N-formylkynurenine, an intermediate product of the breakdown of tryptophan, reduces the secretion of pertussis toxin.

Already planning to pursue medical school and a clinical career, Ms. Mohamed said her experience this summer now has her considering a dual clinical and research career, “maybe an MD/PhD program.”

Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Vikas Kundra, MD, PhD, and Mukesh Pratap Yadav, PhD, a Research Specialist in the same department both, mentored Mariam Oyelade, a biology major and rising senior at Coppin State University. Ms. Oyelade worked with her mentors on research aiming to engineer a genetic system that would express a protein when CAR-T cells, used to treat some cancers, were activated. Such a system could give clinicians a less invasive way to monitor how well CAR-T cell therapies are attacking solid tumors.

Ms. Oyelade, who wants to become a pediatric oncologist, found the NSIP experience eye-opening, revealing the wide variety of skillsets that are valuable in cancer research. “One thing I've taken away from being in this program is that it doesn't matter what your background is. There's always a spot for you,” she said. “I’ve met math and engineering majors in this internship, so you don't have to be a science major to do cancer research.”

For many participants, the student research forum marked the culmination of weeks of hands-on research in UMSOM laboratories, clinics, and research centers. Beyond presenting their findings, the forum highlighted the impact of the Office of Student Research that goes beyond the School of Medicine to help shape the next generation of physicians, researchers, and health professionals.