Award-winning research has been announced following the 34th annual Research Forum on April 23 at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. Each year, the Research Forum gives students, resident physicians and faculty members, as well as anyone interested in community health and medical research, an opportunity to present and discuss research projects, and facilitate research collaboration.

This year's keynote speaker was Gregory Hand, Ph.D., MPH, M.S., dean of the College of Health Professions at Wichita State University. Hand highlighted the expanding research partnership between Wichita State University and the University of Kansas, emphasizing opportunities for innovation, collaboration and regional impact.

“This year’s Research Forum highlighted the outstanding work of our students and residents, and our commitment to advancing research that improves health in Kansas," said Matthew Byerly, M.D., associate dean of research and professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. "It was especially encouraging to see participation from local high school students, helping inspire the next generation of researchers.”

"The future of healthcare is in good hands," Lai-L Daugherty, executive director of the Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation, said after attending the Research Forum. The medical student awards at the forum were made possible thanks to generous support from the foundation.

Participants in the Research Forum included faculty, fellows, resident physicians, medical students and graduate students from KU School of Medicine-Wichita, along with individuals from:

• University of Kansas School of Pharmacy
• Ascension Via Christi
• Wesley Medical Center
• Wichita State University
• Wichita North High School
• Andover High School
• Wichita Collegiate School

Two student winners were determined by the Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation, and three resident physician winners were determined by the Research Forum Committee.

Student- and resident-winning presentations

• Tiffany Huynh, second-year medical student, oral presentation, “Understanding Outcomes and Barriers to Community Naloxone Distribution Programs: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Naloxone Recipients in Kansas”
• Anna Reimer, second-year medical student, oral presentation, “Barriers to Black or African American women receiving breast cancer screening”
• Edward Mwarangu, M.D., first-place poster, “Comparative pharmacovigilance of BCMA- and GPRC5D-directed bispecific antibodies in relapsed multiple myeloma: A FAERS observational study”
• Edward Mwarangu, M.D., second-place poster, “Comparative pharmacovigilance of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia among TNK inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma: A FAERS observational study”
• Austin Gartner, M.D., third-place poster, “Home-Based Shoulder Exercises or Supervised Physical Therapy for Adhesive Capsulitis: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study” 

Above, right: From left to right, Dulcinea Rakestraw, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor, Family & Community Medicine; Lai-L Daugherty, executive director of the Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation; Anna Reimer, second-year medical student; Tiffany Huynh, second-year medical student; Alan Fearey, M.D., board president for the Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation; Michelle Redmond, Ph.D., M.S., associate professor, Population Health; and Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, Ph.D., MPA, M.A., CPH, GCPH, CNPM, associate professor, Internal Medicine, and assistant dean for medical education, stand together during the awards presentation.

Below: Matthew Byerly, M.D., associate dean of research and professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, stands with Edward Mwarangu, M.D., who received awards for his research presentations.