UConn Health Graduate Students Recognized for Their Research

The 33rd Annual Graduate Student Research Day held June 9 celebrated the excellent research being conducted by UConn Health students.

From left, Professor Adam Adler, Joseph Ryan, winner of the Lepow Award, and Immunology Dept. Chair Anthony Vella. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

From left, Professor Adam Adler, Joseph Ryan, winner of the Lepow Award, and Immunology Dept. Chair Anthony Vella. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

The 33rd Annual Graduate Student Research Day was held June 9 at UConn Health. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)
The 33rd Annual Graduate Student Research Day was held June 9 at UConn Health. (Photo by Janine Gelineau)

The 33rd Annual Graduate Student Research Day held June 9 celebrated the excellent research being conducted by UConn Health students.

The day kicked off with a poster session presented by 24 Biomedical Science scholars, followed by oral presentations by scholars in Biomedical Science and Public Health, a talk by last year’s co-recipient of the Lepow Award, Dhivya Kumar, and finally a keynote address by Dr. Deborah Hogan, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, titled “Microbiology Among Friends: Microbial Interactions in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infections.”

A variety of awards were also presented to students and faculty.

Poster Presentation Awards
1st place: Mandakini Singh, Neuroscience – AoC (Area of Concentration), PI: Dr. Srdjan Antic

2nd place: Valentina Baena, Cell Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Mark Terasaki

3rd place (tie):
Mitali Adlakha, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry AoC, PI: Dr. Sandra Weller
Bhavita Walia, Genetics & Developmental Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Archana Sanjay

Oral Presentation Award
Nicole Blanchette, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry AoC, PI: Dr. Suzy Torti

2016-17 Lepow Award for Outstanding Biomedical Science PhD Student Entering the 4th Year of Study
Joseph Ryan, Immunology AoC, PI: Dr. Anthony Vella

Henderson Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis in Biomedical Science
Dr. Nitika Bajatia, Genetics & Developmental Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Arthur Günzl

Lawrence G. Raisz Award for Excellence in Musculoskeletal Research
Ryan Russell, Skeletal Biology & Regeneration AoC, PI: Dr. Peter Maye

Osborn Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Graduate Teaching
Co-recipients: Dr. Robert Clark, Immunology AoC and Dr. Gordon Carmichael, Genetics & Developmental Biology AoC