SIU’s next-gen scientists showcase research at 2025 trainee symposium
Young researchers shared findings from their most promising scientific and clinical investigations at the 35th Annual Trainee Research Symposium on April 15 and 18 at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.
The two-day hybrid symposium offered ambitious bench-trained scientists and physicians an opportunity to gain experience in making formal presentations of their research and clinical discoveries. Faculty mentors provided assistance for each project. Presenting trainees included in Springfield and Carbondale graduate students, medical students, Residents and Fellows.
“The symposium marked the 35th year of showcasing the innovative research and scholarly activity of our trainees,” said Associate Dean of Research Dr. Don Torry. "We had more than 90 presentations that reflect the School of Medicine’s continued pursuit to improve the health care of central and southern Illinois through exploration and critical thinking.
“Listening to the presentations definitely explains why SIU attained Carnegie R1 status this year!” he said.
A list of the prizewinning presentations is below.
View photos from the event here.
* SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 Trainee Research Symposium: March 4-6, 2026 *
It will be earlier in the spring to avoid conflicts with medical school curriculum and to facilitate integrated, topic-based presentations and collaborations between projects. More details to follow.
MEDICAL STUDENTS - FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Noah Drewes, M3 | Atique Ahmed, PhD, Northwestern University Department of Neurological Surgery (SIU sponsor: Dr. Sowmy Thuppal) |
2 | Sarah Lee, M3 | Lucinda Buescher, MD, Internal Medicine- Dermatology |
2 | Olubukola Ayegbusi, M4 | Michael Jakoby, MD/MA, Internal Medicine - Endocrinology |
3 | Madelynn Marunde, M2 | Sharon Kim, PhD, Emergency Medicine/CCR |
3 | Christopher Rossi, M3 | Myto Duong, MD, Emergency Medicine |
MEDICAL STUDENTS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Michael Brown, M4 | Andy Wilber, PhD, Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology |
1 | Noah Drewes, M3 | Jeffrey Cozzens, MD, Surgery/Div of Neurosurgery |
2 | Yixuan Ma, M3 | Gina M. Sizemore, PhD, Radiation Oncology, Ohio State University (SIU sponsor: Dr. Don Torry, MMICB) |
2 | Ian Alberts, M4 | Leonard Rybak, MD/PhD, Pharmacology |
3 | Hannah Johnson, M3 | Hayan Dayoub, Neurosurgery, Springfield Clinic (SIU sponsor: Dr. Andre Catalano, CCR) |
3 | Taylor Shoraga, M2 | Raed Al-Dallow, MD, Internal Medicine; Cardiology |
RESIDENTS/FELLOWS - FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Austin Carey | John Flack, MD, Internal Medicine |
2 | Shayla Eaklor | Myto Duong, MD, Emergency Medicine |
RESIDENTS/FELLOWS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Dadi Yogitha | Michael Jakoby, MD, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology |
2 | Areesha Satti | Kalyan Kandra, MD, Psychiatry |
2 | Mustafa Zubairi | Mingchen Song, MD, Internal Medicine |
3 | Jared Grootwassink | Ricardo Loret de Mola, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology |
GRADUATE STUDENTS - FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Savannah Brannan | Ben Richardson, PhD, Pharmacology |
2 | Shaswati Athaiya | Sophia Ran, PhD, Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology |
3 | Nooshin Mojahed | Buffy Ellsworth, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology |
GRADUATE STUDENTS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
PLACE | NAME | MENTOR & DEPARTMENT |
1 | Rajaram Kshetri | Ben Richardson, PhD, Pharmacology |
2 | Emmanuel Ojo | Shelley Tischkau, PhD, Pharmacology |
3 | Sylvester Yirenkyi | Brent Bany, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology |
3 | Ridwanullah Abubakar | Buffy Ellsworth, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology |
