Students present summer research at IMPRS poster symposium

The Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) hosted its 2024 Summer Research Program Poster Symposium on July 25-26 in the atrium of the Van Nuys Medical Sciences Building. More than 220 IU School of Medicine students from all nine regional campuses came together at the event to share their summer research. 

The summer research program pairs rising second-year medical students with mentors to work on research projects during a 10-week span between May and July. Supported in part by the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI), projects focus on the CTSI’s goal of advancing translational science and healthcare by connecting researchers and students with state-wide community, health care, governmental, and corporate stakeholders.   

For 2024, the program hosted over 200 IU School of Medicine students. Additionally, students are required to observe a series of weekly seminars on translational research topics presented by faculty physician scientists or biomedical researchers. The poster symposium, also a requirement, gives students an opportunity to showcase and present their summer research. 

Brendan Devine, a medical student at the Indianapolis campus, studied delirium experienced by older adults in the intensive care unit (ICU), with survivors at increased risk of developing dementia. Devine worked with fellow students and Sikandar H. Khan, DO, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, to investigate a potential association between ICU delirium and higher plasma p-Tau181 and total tau levels in patients, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology. 

Before the symposium, Devine hadn’t had the opportunity to present research before peers and members of faculty. Being able to do so early in his academic career meant a lot to him, he said. 

“I feel like, coming into med school and even in undergrad, poster presentations in my head were that residents and fellows do it and then like postdoctoral students and PhD students do it,” Devine said. “As a first-year medical student, I never thought this was ever an opportunity, so it's awesome.” 

Participation in the poster symposium isn’t limited to students at IU. Jessica Yorgason, a second-year medical student at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, was able to participate and present at the poster session as well.  Yorgason is participating in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes. 

Working with Tamara Hannon, MD, professor of pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Diabetes Program at Riley Children’s Health, Yorgason assembled a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with pre- or type 2 diabetes, which is becoming more prevalent in youth. 

“It gave me access to great mentors like Dr. Hannon. I was able to do some shadowing experience in Riley Hospital, Methodist Hospital,” Yorgason said. “It’s been really encouraging to hear everyone’s different paths into research and medicine.” 

Isaias Colón, a second-year medical student at IU South Bend was able to work with a team at the School of Medicine’s South Bend campus on a breast cancer study with Jeni Prosperi, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. Colón worked alongside other students at levels ranging from high school to the graduate level and appreciated the level of cooperation that was facilitated. 

“We all helped each other out,” Colón said. “It was such a fun experience, and I honestly wouldn't have done anything else other than IMPRS because I felt like I learned so much.”