In the midst of the UConn Graduate School programs at UConn Health welcoming new students during Fall 2025 Orientation Week, the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program also celebrated its current graduate students during its 42nd Annual Biomedical Science Graduate Student Research Day (GSRD).GSRD is a decades long tradition designed to highlight students’ dedication to and accomplishments in biomedical science research.
On August 20 the day-long event featured student posters and oral presentations spotlighting research across all seven areas of concentration (AoCs) within the program, as well as a scientific talk by the previous year’s Lepow Award winner (William Theune) and a keynote address. Open to all, the event was an opportunity for students to hone their presentation skills and share their research across a wider audience of fellow students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. Taking place during Orientation Week, the event also allowed the incoming class to have a ‘sneak peak’ into the wide variety of research projects being pursued on campus.
A recent tradition at GSRD has included selecting a keynote presenter from the current Graduate School faculty, who coincidentally also graduated from the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program themselves. This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Rachael Norris, completed her doctoral degree in Farmington in 2009. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, she returned to UConn Health and is currently an assistant professor in residence in the Department of Cell Biology and assistant director of the Central Electron Microscopy Facility. As a program alumna, Norris holds a unique position in her ability to connect with current and incoming students, having sat (sometimes quite literally!) exactly where they are now in this very program.
“It was an honor to be keynote speaker at this year’s GSRD and encouraging to see the amazing work of our current students,” Norris shared. “Graduate students in biomedical research have invaluable knowledge and skills to share with the world, and it is more important than ever that they are supported and recognized.”
At the conclusion of the day’s presentations, the program announced this year’s award recipients, including awards for best oral and poster presentations at GSRD, student service awards, and annual outstanding research awards.
One additional award, presented to a faculty member, is the Osborn Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Graduate Teaching. The student nominated and voted award is presented each year to a Biomedical Science program faculty member for their excellence in teaching and mentoring Biomedical Science graduate students.
This year’s awardee was Dr. Pedro Miura, associate professor of genetics and genome sciences in the Genetics and Developmental Biology AoC. Nominating students noted:
“Dr. Miura is a strong advocate for academic development, attending and participating in nearly all UConn Health events, including Graduate Student Research Day, recruitment events, and student-focused poster sessions. His active involvement demonstrates his dedication to advocating for and challenging students toward success.
“His door is always open- whether for scientific guidance, career advice, or simply a thoughtful conversation. Fellow students seek him out not only for his expertise but also for his kindness and approachability. In the lab, he creates a comfortable, judgement free-zone where we all feel safe asking questions and trying new things. Dr. Miura truly represents what this award is all about—someone who doesn’t just teach science, but who helps develop and encourage the next generation of scientists.”
After being awarded Miura shared, “Receiving the Osborn Award is deeply meaningful to me because it comes from the wonderful students in our program. I love engaging with them in the classroom and am continually inspired by their growth and curiosity. This year’s GSRD was full of positive energy, and I really enjoyed learning about the exciting research our students are carrying out.”
The 2025 GSRD event award recipients included:
Edward G. Henderson Memorial Prize for Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis in Biomedical Science: Nagham Farah, Genetics and Developmental Biology AoC, PIs: Drs. James Li and Justin Cotney
Lepow Award for Outstanding Biomedical Science Ph.D. Student Entering the 4th Year of Study: Rachel Godek, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry AoC, PI: Dr. Rebecca Page
Lawrence G. Raisz Award for Excellent in Musculoskeletal Research: Kai Clarke, Skeletal Biology and Regeneration AoC, PI: Dr. Marja Hurley
Biomedical Science Service Award in Leadership: Perla El Ahmad, Cell Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Breno Diniz
Biomedical Science Service Award in Mentorship: Jonathan Batchelder, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry AoC, PI: Dr. Wendy Mok
GSRD Oral Presentation Award: Cindy Li, Cell Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Lixia Yue
Poster Presentation Awards:
1st Place (tie):
Jonathan Batchelder, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry AoC, PI: Dr. Wendy Mok
Iris Nakashima, Cell Biology AoC, PIs: Drs. Laurinda Jaffe and Jeremy Egbert
2nd Place: Brenna McAllister, Cell Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Leslie Caromile
3rd Place: Sofia Possidento, Cell Biology AoC, PI: Dr. Kimberly Dodge-Kafka
Osborn Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Graduate Training: Dr. Pedro Miura, Genetics and Developmental Biology AoC, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences
